Warm Springs Umpire Recognized

Warm Springs Nation Little League Umpire in chief Allen “Stretch” Jones participated in the Western Region Little League Umpire School in San Bernardino California in February.  At the end of the week long training he was recognized with the Bob Thornton Outstanding Student Award 2017 by the Western Region Little League Teaching Staff.  He is the 3^rd person from Oregon to win the award and the first from Oregon Little League District 5 to win it.

Jones has umpired 7 years for Warm Springs Nation Little League, ever since the league was formed.  The last 4 years he has been the league’s umpire in chief.  Prior to that he would help out informally to officiate and also spent time coaching his own children.

Having grown up in The Dallas, Jones lived near the baseball field and played Little League ball through the Babe Ruth level and then turned his energy toward rodeo.

What he likes about umpiring is being able to do something for the kids.  Jones takes his role as umpire seriously, keeping up on rules changes every year and making sure he has the right safety gear and uniform.  He got a lot out of the time he spent at the umpire school learning new techniques.  The school included classroom and on the field training that included rule knowledge, mechanics, umpiring philosophy and game management.

Jones said he was able to attend the Western Region Little League Umpire School in San Bernardino thanks to a scholarship.  Participants were from the 10 states in the Western Region and from 2 Canadian provinces.  He has set a personal goal to return to San Bernardino to officiate at a Regional Tournament.

“I want to give special thanks to the Oregon State Little League and District 5 little league – Elizabeth Hisatake, and Georgia Herr from District 2 for helping me go to the umpire school.” said Jones.  “Right now we could use a few more umpires and so if you like youth sports, being outside and can commit to a scheduled, come see me and I can explain what’s involved and work one on one with you.”