Eric Mitchell has seen his son, Zuri, on a baseball diamond many, many times.
Baseball has been a part of the family’s world for three generations. Eric’s father was a catcher who played some semi-pro ball; Eric went on to play baseball up through high school, as well and son, Zuri, has played as a catcher, pitcher and in the infield for the Reviving Baseball In Inner Cities (RBI) program in Philadelphia.
But on Sunday – appropriately, on Father’s Day – Eric will see his son on the baseball field in a very different role – as an umpire. Zuri has worked as an umpire at four different age levels of baseball games – both on the bases and behind the plate for Mount Airy Baseball.
“Since Zuri has started umpiring games, he didn’t want to have a parent come watch him umpire because he wanted to stay focused on the game. He finally said it was OK for me to come on Father’s Day.”
Eric did admit he sneaked into one game to snap a few photos of Zuri working but the game on Sunday will be the first he will be in the stands as an invited guest. For Eric, this is a much better Father’s Day than any tie or household tool.
Zuri was first introduced to umpiring through a friend and when the Philadelphia RBI program sent an email out about the UMPS CARE Official Leadership Program, he jumped at the opportunity. The Official Leadership Program is a free 6-week course that teaches umpiring mechanics on the field and leadership skills in the classroom.
The Philadelphia Phillies have partnered with UMPS CARE Charities since the course was launched in 2021, and today, the course has been so popular that there have been waitlists.
“My dad got an email about the UMPS CARE Official Leadership Program, and he sent the info over to me,” said Zuri, an18-year-old high school graduate heading to Michigan State this fall. ”I was definitely interested in it. I immediately responded. I said, ‘Let’s do it.’ “
Zuri enjoyed both parts of the instruction, especially practicing umpire skills in the batting cage area at Citizens Bank Park where Bryce Harper & Co. train.
“It was so cool,” Zuri said. “Every time we went down to the batting cages we were just in awe walking through the tunnels.”
In the classroom, teens hear from financial experts about how to manage income from umpiring and learn life lessons from the likes of retired MLB Umpire Jim Joyce and current Major League Umpires. Graduates receive an opportunity to go to an MLB game and meet the umpire crew.
“I remember one of the umpires telling us that their goal is to have a perfectly officiated game every time but even when that happens, neither team will be happy,” Zuri said.
Students also learn from local instructors about how to diffuse emotional situations on the field.
Zuri said those lessons came in handy when he was calling balls and strikes and a pitcher was growing increasingly upset about the calls. Zuri explained that the calls were different for different batters because some of them were taller than others.
“I can’t call a pitch a strike if it’s crossing at the batter’s eyes,” Zuri said.
That simple chat did the trick for a smooth game.
In addition, the teens learn about financial literacy as they can earn good income by umpiring. Zuri didn’t realize how important those skills would be until he started receiving paychecks for his work on the field. Making anywhere from $25 to $50 per game adds up quickly in ateen’s wallet.
At the end of every course, one student is named the All-Heart Award recipient, and Zuri was surprised when his name was called as the award winner.
“I didn’t even realize that the award was on the table,” Zuri said. “I never expected it. It was really awesome, and I was honored.”
Zuri has no regrets about flipping from being a baseball player to umpiring.
“I’d recommend the UMPS CARE course whether or not you end up umpiring,” Zuri said. “It teaches you about financial literacy, how to handle adversity and how to really be in control of a situation.”
Oh, and it makes for a great Father’s Day gift, too.
UPCOMING OFFICIAL LEADERSHIP PROGRAM LINEUP:
Des Moines, Iowa
July 30 – Sept. 3
Wednesdays 6:00-8:00 PM
@North High School
Chicago *Summer Camp
August 4- 8
Monday – Friday
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
@ CBEA at UIC
Dallas
August 18 – September 29
Mondays 6:30 – 8:30 PM
@ The Rangers Youth Academy
Seattle
August – September
Mondays 6:30-8:30 PM
@ The Mariners Training Center
Minneapolis/St. Paul
Weekend Clinic
August 16 – August 17
9:00 AM-4:00 PM
(Above) Zuri and his dad at high school graduation.
(Below) Zuri, back row, center, with his fellow Official Leadership Program graduates in Philadelphia.
