Chuck Stimson, Umpire-in-Chief of Pennsylvania District 15, had been dreaming of a chance to umpire at a World Series tournament for Little League Baseball and Softball International. That dream became a reality when he was selected to umpire at the 2013 Big League Softball World Series tournament in Lower Sussex, Delaware. Chuck is the only umpire from Pennsylvania District 15 to have been selected to umpire any World Series tournament. Now, Chuck has the distinct honor of being selected to umpire at a second World Series tournament. He will be umpiring at the Junior Softball World Series tournament in Kirkland, Washington on August 2-8, 2015. The championship game will be televised on ESPN at 2 PM on August 8.
Chuck was one of 109 umpires out of thousands of applications from all over the world to be selected to umpire one of the nine World Series tournaments held by Little League Baseball and Softball International this year. He was one of 20 umpires from the East Region to be selected to umpire at the World Series Level. This selection is truly an honor as most umpires do not receive a second World Series assignment for at least 5 years after the first one.
In order to be selected for a World Series assignment, Chuck had to umpire in local district, sectional, and state tournaments. He then needed to be recommended by PA District Administrator Bill Serfass, Jr. to apply for possible selection to one of the East Regional tournaments held. Chuck achieved this goal in 2007, when he received his first assignment as an umpire at the East Region Little League Softball Tournament in Albany, New York. In 2008, Chuck was selected to umpire again at that same tournament. In 2009, he was selected to attend the East Region Senior Softball Regional Tournament held in Worcester, Massachusetts. In 2010, 2011, and 2012, Chuck umpired at the East Region Big League Softball Regional Tournament in Waldorf, Maryland. There he was selected by the staff of the tournament to be the umpire behind the plate for the championship game. This was truly an honor as umpires at the Regional and World Series levels are critiqued and rated for their umpiring abilities behind the plate and in the field.
There are many festivities planned at the Junior Softball World Series Tournament this year. ESPN will be there to televise the championship game. It will be on ESPN on August 8, 2015 at 2 PM. Chuck plans to enjoy every aspect of the tournament and is so proud that he has been given this chance to umpire at a second World Series tournament.