Behind The Mask

Behind the Mask

Where ABUA GB umpires share their experiences and interesting stories about umpiring games whether it's the thrill of working the plate in a No Hitter or having attended a pro umpire camp, there will be something that everyone can enjoy.

BJ De Lorenzo 11

I never intended to umpire, heck, I can tell you straight, me and umpires never really got on too well, no matter who the ump was..It was only when I had finished playing about 45 years old,...full story

Darrin Muller 89

ABUA GB Commisioner tells us what it was like to work the IBAF World Cup In September 2009 the IBAF Baseball World Cup came to Europe for the first time in its history. This was the first time since the inaugural event in 1938 that Great Britain had qualified. It was also the first time that an umpire from Great Britain had been selected to umpire this prestigious event.....full story

James Norman 16

James Norman

As most of you will probably be aware, I attended the Jim Evans Academy of Professional Umpiring in Florida in January 2003 and whilst there, I obviously met a great deal of good guys. I especially made firm friends with the guys ..full story

Thomas Haywood 31

In 2005 I was invited to umpire 3 games in Japan with Taro Hamano (former Central League umpire and JEAPU class-mate). I arrived in Saitama City near Tokyo with him to be greeted by the sight of 62 baseball diamonds in one set of playing fields! Full story

More from Thomas Haywood

In April 2005 just after I had completed my training at Jim Evans in Florida, I was invited to umpire a cadets tournament in Rouen, France. It turned out that I was the only trained umpire there so I umpired mainly at home plate, often with some help on the bases.

In one game, Prague (3rd base dugout) v Manheim I had a notable play to call. With 1 out and a runner on 3rd base, the German batter attempted to bunt Full Story