PHOTO COURTESY OF ADAM JONES
Dave Jones of Medicine Hat stands at the ready in behind first base during the Junior League Softball World Series in Kirkland, Wash.
jtubb@medicinehatnews.com@ReporterTubb
Dave Jones was set to umpire the Junior Little League Softball World Series in 2020 when the world shut down due to COVID-19. He would have to wait two years, but his dream finally came true this summer.
The longtime umpire from Redcliff was one of 12 officials on the crew for the Softball World Series in Kirkland, Wash. from July 31-Aug. 6.
“On a scale of one-to-10, it was a 12. It was a fantastic experience,” Jones said. “As a Little League umpire, everybody strives to be the best and to be recognized as the best, you get invited to these tournaments. To be invited to do that is just a real thrill.”
Jones, who turns 72 this month, umpired 12 games over the seven-day tournament, an experience he said was tiring but still a lot of fun. He said he enjoyed getting to work with umpires from around North America who offered new ways of doing things or different mechanics.
He said it was devastating in 2020 and 2021 when both tournaments and opportunities were cancelled. His son Adam, who also umpires in Medicine Hat, said it was difficult to see his dad’s opportunity taken but he was beyond excited when it finally happened and he could see him on ESPN.
“Watching the very first game and to turn my TV onto ESPN and you see your dad on TV, to see his name on there, it’s a very surreal moment,” Adam said. “I can only imagine what it felt like for him. But for me, it was absolutely incredible to watch his lifelong dream become fulfilled.”
Dave said he started umpiring when Adam was young and needed a base umpire, which has led to a 28-year career of umpiring local baseball games because he likes helping kids and enjoying baseball.
“There’s an old saying without empires, it’s just practice,” Dave said. “For us to go out on the field and actually be able to help these kids play a game that they enjoy, they love and we love too. We enjoy the camaraderie of the other empires. It’s just great to give back.”
The father-son duo worked the 2017 Canadian Championship together, with Adam behind the plate and Dave at third base. When asked who was the better umpire of the pair, Dave passed on the opportunity, while Adam gave the title to his dad.
“My dad had five calls reviewed at the Little League World Series, every single one of them was upheld,” Adam said.
Those replays were something new to Dave, as it was his first time experiencing having an in-game review.
“The fact that I made a call and it was challenged and upheld, kind of made me feel good,” Dave said. “A bang-bang play at the base and they challenged it and said that’s the right call. That really made me feel good.”
Jones said he takes umpiring year by year but would love to return to the stage that he dreamed about for so long. He’s thankful for the Little League Umpires Association for backing him on it and being with him the whole way.
Adam said he has a hard time putting into words how proud he is of his dad and what he’s accomplished.
“He’s shown me through thick and thin to stick with it and you’ll achieve your goals. It might not be as soon as you want but you’ll get there,” Adam said. “If you’re a hard worker and you do it the right way, you’ll get rewarded in the end. That lesson is basically Little League through and through ,and that runs up and down everything he does. He’s always been that way.”
