Three Local Umpires Bestowed with Highest Honor, Selected to Officiate in 2015 Babe Ruth World Series

Prior to the start of each World Series, Babe Ruth International selects four individuals from different parts of the country to call the games; two spots are reserved for local umpires.

This year, three local guys will be working the field down at Russell E. Diethrick Jr. Park for the 35^th anniversary of the first ever 13-year-old Babe Ruth World Series, hosted then and now, in Jamestown, New York.

“Chip and I got in two weeks ago,” said Ray Lindquist, the assigner and rules interpreter for the local umpires’ association. “We happened to get in this year because the first two people that were nominated had to step out due to job changes.”

Having already officiated a Babe Ruth World Series back in 2005, Lindquist and longtime umpiring extraordinaire John “Chip” Johnson were previously recognized as some of the best umpires around. For that reason, it’s only fitting that they received a last minute phone call from Babe Ruth’s Ralph D’Angelo on July 27 asking if they’d be willing to fill in.

“The night after we got our assignment he (Chip) calls me, the first words out of his mouth were: ‘are we crazy,’” said Lindquist. “We’re looking at working two out of three games for five days in a row. Out of the first 20 ballgames, we’re working 14 games in five days.”

Lindquist looked across the table at Johnson and laughed as he described a conversation they had with each other over the phone. “I told Chip, more Advil than we took 10 years ago, and we’ll make it,” said Lindquist.

All jokes aside, the two men graciously accepted the challenge. This weekend marks their second appearance as umpires in the Babe Ruth World Series, an occurrence that really doesn’t happen all too often.

Joining them on the field as a member of the umpiring crew will be Ray Spacht, a new-comer from Sherman, New York, who was offered the opportunity to officiate his first World Series after another guy from Boston had stepped down.

“Ray [Spacht] has only been umpiring for five years, but he’s done football and basketball a lot longer,” said Lindquist. “We always had good reports on him…in the five years he’s been with us, [at the local umpires’ association] he’s just skyrocketed.”

His motivation?

“I played baseball when I was a kid and I played throughout high school,” said Spacht. “Somebody did it for me; it’s my way of giving back. I might earn a little money doing it, but I love doing it.”

Understandably so, he may be a little nervous before the first pitch is thrown.

“I’m already nervous,” said Spacht. “I’m sure once the first batters up there and the first pitch is gone I’ll be fine… I’m nervous, but if you don’t get nervous before any game, then it’s time to get out.”

With the first game just days away, the umpires have no choice but to control their emotions. Beginning on August 15 at 12 p.m., ten teams from across the nation will duke it out on the field as they try to secure a championship for their ball club.

“You’re talking about some of the best 13-year old players in the United States,” said Lindquist. “And here I am, just a local guy going out there… Your nerves are there, but I know I can umpire. I want to do my best for these kids because they deserve it.”

Thinking back on his 35-year career, umpiring veteran Chip Johnson echoed those same sentiments. “I remember 10 years ago when it was our turn to walk onto that field, it was beautiful. The field’s beautiful, the sun’s coming down, it’s a gorgeous sight down there. You’re just pumped up and ready to do your best.”

All three umpires are honored to be working at the Babe Ruth World Series and they are humbled to be recognized for their accomplishments. Although the spotlight will primarily be on the athletes, Ray Lindquist, “Chip” Johnson and Ray Spacht will be working for something much bigger.

“I’m here for everyone in our association,” said Lindquist. “If we do a good job, it’s good recognition for the umpires in this area. If they came to us and said ‘we need six umpires from your area to work this World Series’, none of the teams would recognize any difference between our six and six from across the country.”

Crew-chief Don Singleton of Williamstown, Massachusetts, Patrick LaTour of Appleton, Wisconsin, and Tony Procaccini of Ewing, New Jersey will round out the umpiring crew.