Local Ump at Little League World Series
The Little League Baseball World Series will begin August 18th in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. This year’s tournament, the 70th Anniversary, will have a Toccoa Little League connection. Brian Henry, a volunteer umpire for the Toccoa Little League with 20 years of experience, will be one of the members of the umpire crew that will work the tournament. Henry, who is also the Georgia Little League Umpire consultant and works for the Southeastern Region Umpire Staff, qualified for this prestigious honor by working the Southeast Regional Tournament back in 2012. “They select 8 umpires each year to umpire the Regional Tournament that’s held in Warner Robbins. I was fortunate to get the call in 2012, was evaluated, and given a World Series recommendation. I received a letter this year from Little League International inviting me to come to Williamsport. It’s exciting and I’m surely looking forward to it.
Henry says he will not know which games he’ll be assigned to work until he arrives in Williamsport. He has been to Williamsport as a spectator, but being on the field will be special. “I’ve watched games in Lamade Stadium before, but it’s going to be such a treat to be actually down on the field.”
Henry says he has received a lot of support, including the Toccoa Little League which held a fund-raiser to help with his expenses on the trip. “It’s been overwhelming. Toccoa Little League had a nice little fund raiser. They sold some cups that say “Toccoa Little League” on those with the proceeds helping me with my trip to Williamsport this summer.”
The Little League Baseball World Series Championship Game will be August 28th with television coverage by ESPN.