More than players and coaches dream about getting to the Little League Baseball World Series.
Umpires also relish the chance of performing at the prestigious youth baseball tournament in Williamsport, Pa.
While players and coaches earn entry to the Little League World Series by virtue of how they fare in the annual all-star tournaments each summer, umpires require a bigger body of work to be invited to South Williamsport.
Chuck Latini of Ewing was one of only 16 umpires selected for this honor when he was named to work the 67th Little League World Series from Aug. 15-25, 2013.
Latini, who has been involved in Little League for nearly 35 years, including 20 as a District 12 Little League Baseball umpire, survived a stringent selection process to get the nod to work at the World Series.
“I still can’t believe I am going to umpire in Williamsport — it’s a dream come true!,” said Latini, who has built an impressive resume’ including serving as an umpire at the Little League Softball World Series in Portland, Oregon, in 2005.
“Chuck is probably the most dedicated Little League volunteer in District 12,” said District Administrator Dave Koehler. “His commitment of time, talent and resource is second to none.”
Latini’s youth baseball roots can be traced to the Ewing Little League where, among other duties, he spent time as a coach, manager, board representative and umpire.
He later became instrumental in the development of an informed and well-drilled cadre of District 12 umpires. He also serves as an assistant district administrator.
“As an ADA, Umpire-in-Chief, and Umpire-in-Chief for the Senior League World Series (a division for ages 13-16), he (still) always has time to umpire multiple games and help manage the adults,” Koehler said. “He has accompanied me to board meetings, organizational meetings, the International Little League Congress (in Virginia, Houston and Kentucky) and numerous regional and state meetings.
“Chuck is indeed an ambassador for District 12 and the entire state of New Jersey. He can communicate effectively with managers and coaches and has a unique way of relating to the players. He always has a sense of humor and can relate a story time and time again. He can instantly diffuse a tense situation and create a learning situation for those involved.”
Proof of his sense of humor can be found in the pins created for District 12 umpires. Pin trading is a popular hobby, especially during the all-star season, and the one representing District 12 umpires — which features a “Seeing Eye Dog” — has drawn laughs throughout the nation. Some of the pins have likenesses of members of the Latini household, including Chuck and a treasured family pet. “Chloe was the model for a pin — she’s half Lab and half Border Collie,” Latini said.
It was his family — including sons Chuck, Justin, Daniel and Jared — that drew him into youth baseball years ago with the Ewing Little League. Some of his boys even tried umpiring. “Chuckie and Justin umped when they were young,” Latini said. “But, eventually they pulled me aside and said ‘Dad, this is not for me.’ ’’
As far as spectators ragging on the umpires, Latini says he hasn’t heard it through these many years on diamonds located from coast to coast.
“I never have a problem with the fans,” said Latini, who also has umpired high school, American Legion and college baseball.
Many Little League games – particularly those at the regional and World Series levels – have (unpaid) volunteer umpires. So, it’s a labor of love for umpires who also have to absorb travel costs.
The career U.S. Postal Service worker hasn’t missed a Little League season since he first got involved in 1978.
“It hasn’t really sunk in yet. I still can’t imagine being on Lamade Field,” said Latini, who has made the trip to Williamsport many times as part of a District 12 contingent that goes to the Little League World Series for the sheer enjoyment and camaraderie aspects of the annual international tournament. Howard J. Lamade Stadium is the premier field at the complex in South Williamsport that houses the world’s top youth baseball event.
He doesn’t know his assignments yet but he has been told to report on August 13 for pre-World Series for meetings regarding details including uniforms.
“I know there are many fine umpires in Little League but I cannot imagine any more dedicated, experienced or interested in the personal well being of the Little Leaguer, be it boy, girl, young man or young woman,” Koehler wrote in a letter of recommendation for Latini.
“Chuck has a strong knowledge of the entire program … and his grounding in the Little League rules, regulations and program is stronger than most. Without question, his dedication to the program is second to none, his commitment to Little League Baseball and Softball is balanced … and (if someone was needed to take on a task), Chuck would be the first to say, ‘yes, what do you want me to do.’ ’’
“It’s been a great run,” said Latini, who has umpired baseball regional tournaments in 2008 and 2011 and softball regionals in 2003 and 2004.
It’s not over yet. There’s an important leg of the journey — one that he has earned — on tap for this summer.
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