Toms River Youth Baseball Umpire Chosen For Junior World Series

TOMS RIVER, NJ — A volunteer youth baseball umpire from Toms River is among 90 who have been selected to umpire at the various Little League World Series tournaments in the summer of 2019, Little League World Series officials announced.

Owen Sweeney Jr. from Toms River will be headed to Taylor, Michigan, to work at the Junior League Baseball World Series. The Junior League is the age group just older than the Little Leaguers who play in Williamsport.

Sweeney is one of 14 umpires named to the Junior League umpiring crew. Little League officials said the volunteer umpires were notified right around Christmas.

"Volunteer umpires are one of the most important aspects in the success of Little League programs around the world and in the Little League International Tournament," the organization said in a news release.

The selection process to become a World Series umpire is lengthy and rigorous. The process begins with a recommendation from the district administrator in their district to umpire in a regional tournament. Little League’s nine regional offices then consider all nominated umpires before selecting those who most closely meet the selection criteria.

The umpires volunteering at each regional tournament are evaluated and can be recommended for another regional tournament or for a World Series assignment. Once an umpire has earned a World Series recommendation, the umpire must indicate that they wish to be considered further.

Individuals who meet those qualifications are screened annually by Little League international and regional staffs for selection to umpire in a Little League World Series tournament.

"Appointment as a member of the umpiring crew for a World Series is the highest honor that Little League can bestow on a volunteer umpire," the organization said. An individual can be selected for a World Series assignment once every four years, but being chosen to work the Little League Baseball® World Series is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Little League International said umpires chosen will receive a travel stipend to help offset the costs to attend their respective World Series events.

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