Legacy of MLB Umpire Eric Cooper lives on through teens in Iowa who are now working as umpires through our Official Leadership Program

When many people think about what comes out of Iowa, they typically think about corn.

But there’s something else growing in the Hawkeye state – a new generation of baseball umpires.

UMPS CARE Charities has been teaming up with the baseball community in central Iowa to teach teens how to umpire on the field but also how to be leaders in their community.  It is all part of an initiative created by UMPS CARE in 2021 called the Official Leadership Program. And in Iowa, the program is not just an umpiring course. It’s personal.

The course’s mission is two-fold – one to inspire teens to get involved in umpiring, but also to continue the legacy of MLB Umpire Eric Cooper, a Des Moines native who passed away unexpectedly in October 2019.

Since his passing, the Des Moines community has pulled together to raise funds through a bowling tournament, but this year was the first time the proceeds were being raised specifically to support the Official Leadership Program and Iowa teens. Some of the teens who have graduated from the program attended the tournament and shared their stories about umpiring.

One of the program’s graduates is 13-year-old Aydrian Simmons. His mom found out about the class through a contact at an organization called Central Iowa Sports. Aydrian has played baseball since he was 3, but heard that umpires get paid, so he figured he would try it.

Now he is so energized about umpiring that he has already followed in the footsteps of Eric Cooper. Aydrian and many of his fellow program graduates are working behind the plate, calling balls and strikes at youth baseball and softball games.

Witnessing the enjoyment and passion of these students as they umpire means so much to the Cooper family. 

“The Official Leadership Program means a great deal to our family.,” said Eric’s brother, Chad Cooper, who has spent countless hours volunteering with the program and supporting the annual bowling fundraiser. “Not only is this program a phenominal way to honor Coop’s memory and continue his legacy, but we also stand behind the mission of the program, and love seeing the impact it is already having in the Central Iowa community. The Cooper Family is very appreciative of the ongoing support of the Iowa Cubs, local business owners, and the community at large as we work with UMPS CARE Charities to continue this fantastic program.”

In Iowa, the Official Leadership Program runs twice a week for six weeks with half of the class taking place on the field, where teens learn the intricacies of proper positioning and umpire mechanics and the other half is in the classroom, where students learn about life skills such as perseverance, conflict resolution and financial planning.

“The class was for sure a dedication of my time but it was worth it,” Aydrian said. “I learned where to stand on the field, A, B and C positions and lots of rules that I wasn’t even aware of.”

One of the highlights of the course was a special visit to an Iowa Cubs game. Along with their instructors and members of the Cooper family, the Official Leadership Program students had the opportunity to go on the field before the game and meet the Triple-A umpire crew working the game, and they got a chance to see the umpire clubhouse which is named in memory of Eric Cooper.

In the classroom, Aydrian and his classmates got an opportunity to join a Zoom call with MLB Umpire Jim Joyce – a legend on the field having worked three World Series during his lengthy career – but a man also well known for making a call in 2010 that cost Armando Galarraga a perfect game.

“He told us he was really upset about making that call but he had to move on and learn from it and try to make that call right the next time,” Aydrian said. “You have to think to yourself even if you get five calls wrong in a game, you still got about 300 right.”

Since taking the UMPS CARE Official Leadership Program course, Aydrian has worked more than 40 youth softball and baseball games, and has earned more than $2,000!

When asked if he has spent much of his earnings, Aydrian said, “Only about $100. That class teaches you how to save money and about compound interest. I want to save up for a car.”

JP Richardson, one of the instructors in Des Moines who works for Central Iowa Sports, shared some amazing numbers from our courses in Iowa. Other instructors are Larry Jacobus (Mentor Iowa) and Travis Gorsch (The Iowa Foundation). Also participating is Garry Greenlee, of Iowa State who mentored Eric Cooper.

Number of games umpired by 24 Program Attendees:

Baseball:  709

Softball:  323

Total Games:

1032

Payroll for Attendees:

$53,665

“Eric Cooper’s legacy is moving on through these young people,” JP Richardson said. “There’s nothing more exciting than watching this kid run a plate meeting. We’re teaching these kids to be better men and women.”

All of us at UMPS CARE Charities are grateful to the many supporters in Iowa who have made this program possible, most notably Sam Bernabe and his team at the Iowa Cubs, the Cooper family, Todd Carlson, Laura Meeker, Joseph Nelson, Heath Banks, Mike and Michelle Everitt, Jim and Deanna Reynolds, Larry Young, Travis Gorsch, JP Richardson, Larry Jacobus and Garry Greenlee. We also thank the many sponsors of the annual Eric Cooper Memorial Bowling Tournament.