Each year, the Big League Softball World Series brings together the finest players from around the world AND some of the best officials. Umpiring at the World Series is not only an enjoyable experience for these volunteers, but also gives recognition of the many hours they have spent on the ball fields each summer. Of course, simply umpiring many games won’t get you an invitation to this series. You must be an outstanding official to be recommended by your regional director. Only the “best of the best” make appearances at Little League National Championships.

The umpires profiled below have distinguished careers. They pay their own way to Kalamazoo, usually taking a week’s vacation. This year’s group represents nine states and Puerto Rico. Their best efforts will be given to the game they love so much. These 13 men and women deserve our appreciation and gratitude! We salute the 2009 Big League Softball World Series Umpire staff!

Howard Baumgardner is a middle school history teacher from Virginia Beach, VA who started his umpiring career the same year the World Series came to Kalamazoo….1980. He has been a “man in blue” at several district and state tournaments in Virginia and also served as an official in youth soccer and youth basketball.

Gilbert “Gil” Brooks has been umpiring for 21 years and is the ADA/Umpire Consultant for Junior and Senior Softball in his hometown of Prineville, Oregon. He has umpired several local, state and regional tournaments and is well educated in calling balls and strikes as he has attended numerous clinics throughout his umpiring career. Gil is a machinist by trade and enjoys coin collecting and engine rebuilding in his spare time. Wife, Melanie, will join Gil in Kalamazoo this week.

William “Bill” Christy and wife, Debbie, will travel north from their home in Winter Park, FL to attend this year’s World Series. Bill has umpired for the past ten years at several regional tournaments in addition to serving as treasurer of his local league. He is the President and CEO of AOI Medical, Inc. and enjoys snow skiing, tennis and water skiing in his spare time.

Terry Coburn, our umpire coordinator, has been an important fixture at Kalamazoo’s World Series since 1983. This local favorite from Vicksburg, his wife Sally and daughter Kate have volunteered countless hours to make this tournament a success. Terry, an avid hunter and fisherman, works at Kalamazoo Valley Community College.

Frank Galli and his wife of 26 years, Robin, are avid Little League volunteers back home in Throop, PA. This juvenile detention officer has been umpiring for 15 years including the East Big League regionals in 2008. He has been the vice-president of Throop Little League for ten years and also serves on the District Board of Directors. Frank and Robin are the proud parents of four Little League “graduates.”

Gary Graupmann started umpiring with his hat on backwards and mismatched shin guards 42 years ago. He volunteered intermittently throughout his 26 year naval career and then seriously got back into umpiring in 1995 while living in northern Virginia. With a move to Poway, CA, Gary joined the CA D31 umpire staff in 2001 and is now their training coordinator and an umpire instructor at the Western Region. Gary and Lynn are the proud parents of three former Little Leaguers and Lynn will join her umpire in Kalamazoo this week.

Troy Richardson brings a wealth of umpiring experience to Kalamazoo from Brewer, Maine where he is a corrections officer (sergeant). He has been calling balls and strikes since 1991 and has umpired several district, state and regional tournaments in both baseball and softball. He has been a member of the Eastern Main Baseball Umpires Association since 1992. In his spare time, Troy enjoys golf, watching University of Maine Hockey and is a proud member of the Red Sox Nation. Joining him in Kalamazoo this week is his significant other, Kelli.

Carl Shinabargar will make the daily short trek to Kalamazoo from Lawton, MI to umpire in his first World Series. This design engineer has been a Little League umpire for six years and has been behind the plate in several state, sectional and regional tournaments. The current Vice-President of Lawton Little League also umpires high school volleyball and basketball as well as softball and baseball. In his spare time, Carl enjoys bicycling and geocaching.

Ed Spohr and wife, Millie, will make the long trek to Vanderberg Park from their home in Apple Valley, CA. This retiree has 30 years of umpiring experience at the local, district, state, sectional, divisional, regional and now World Series levels. He is also a former high school football and basketball official and served on his local board of directors in several capacities as his children rose through the Little League ranks.

Christopher Thomas, from Old Forge, PA, is making his second World Series appearance. In 2002 he worked the Senior Softball Series in Louisville, KY. The lights of the TV cameras won’t faze this teacher, as he umpired the Little League Baseball Eastern Regional Tournament in Bristol, CT, including the Mid-Atlantic championship game televised on ESPN2 in prime time. He also officiates high school and Division III college softball and baseball. This Penn State football fan is also a member of the Free & Accepted Masons and Lions Club International.

Magaly Baez Vazquez joins us for the week from Aguadilla, Puerto Rico. This police agent started umpiring at the age of 21 and has called balls and strikes at several Puerto Rican national tournaments as well as charity tournaments to benefit children with cancer. At the age of 17, Magaly coached her softball high school team and won the championship that year. Now she enjoys watching her niece and nephews play Little League.

William “Bubba” VonTungeln’s umpiring experience dates back 21 years when he started umpiring with his Dad. He is making his second World Series appearance having umpired the Junior World Series in 2004 and has five Regional tournaments since 2002. This Monticello, AR native also umpires Arkansas high school baseball and softball games. Golf, traveling and Razorback football are Bubba’s passions.

Edward York brings 20 years of umpiring experience to Kalamazoo from his home in El Campo, Texas. He has called balls and strikes at eight State and Regional tournaments in the past ten years and also has 17 years of high school umpiring experience under his belt. Joining this propane route salesman in Kalamazoo will be his wife, Theresa.