One call at a time: Warren members help umpire local baseball team

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Kurt Arkenberg
  • 90th Space Wing Public Affairs
F.E. Warren AFB, Wyo. --  Most in the military want to help out in the community outside their gates, and at every base there are many opportunities to do so. 

Many spend time at local Veterans Affairs hospitals, shelters or after-school programs. Several Airmen here have found a unique way to couple their interests with positively influencing youth umpiring Cheyenne Youth Baseball League games. 

"For me, it was a great opportunity to help while being involved in a sport I love," said Senior Airman Tim Finch, 90th Security Forces Squadron. 

The 14-team league is made up of nearly 200 local boys ages 13 to 16. Each team's 24-game season is umpired by men and women of varying baseball backgrounds from those who have officiated high school games, to those who only know what they have watched on television. 

"I played baseball from the time I was seven all the way through high school," said Senior Airman Gregory Paa, 90th Security Forces Squadron. "I always played catcher, so even though this is my first year umpiring, I feel like I've been 'unofficially' umpiring for many years." 

Others don't have a lifetime of looking at baseball from the umpire's point of view, but still have something to offer. 

"I've never played baseball but I did play a lot of softball when I was younger," said Airman 1st Class Heather Scheels, 90th Logistic Readiness Squadron. "I think the basics are the same even if the intensity of this league and stringent rules are a little new to me." 

But with all the differences in experience and comfort levels of the umpire crews, the motivations and opportunity to get involved are common with most. 

"I saw [umpiring] as a good way to get back into baseball and to get involved with the community," Airman Paa said. "It's also a good way to have a positive impact on the players as the season wears on, and they get to know we're military. Hopefully they'll have a good opinion of Warren." 

That sentiment is echoed by other umps. 

"It's a great way for me to put the 'best face' forward for the base," Airman Finch said. "If [the players and parents] only interaction with Warren people is with me, they might recognize that [military members] do try to do good things for the communities we live in." 

In addition to presenting a positive picture of Warren members, most of the umpires also see this as a chance to help improve players' baseball skills along the way. 

"I think umpiring this age group, you not only call balls and strikes, but you can also help a player along the way. If you see something the kid is having trouble with you can bring it to the coach's attention," Airman Paa said. "That way the coach can help him with it, and he can progress as a player." 

Airman Paa also sees this opportunity as one that can help outside the fields.
 
"If people see we're taking the time out of our schedule to assist the community, then they might want to volunteer their own time as well," Airman Paa said. "Also, being stationed here in Cheyenne, it's our community as well, and we should all want to impact the community in a positive way."