Slipping on wet grass actually helped Karl Black’s first experience working as an umpire at the high school softball state tournament.
The St. Joseph resident was on the field for a Class 1A state semifinal game this past Friday between Goreville and Calhoun, which Goreville ended up winning 2-0 in 12 innings.
But that’s not all Black will remember of his first moments out on the field at the EastSide Centre in East Peoria.
“I was both nervous and excited to be working the games alongside other state final officials,” Black said. “I had a play in the very first inning, which went down the third base line for a foul ball. I made the call foul, and then I slipped on wet grass and went down on one knee. I looked at the fans on the left field fence line and called myself safe. The fans began to laugh at my call, and I was then able to relax and focus on the rest of the game.”
Black wasn’t the only St. Joseph resident, however, to get the thrill of working a state tournament this past weekend.
Josh Reese was also on hand in East Peoria, where he worked as the home plate umpire for the Class 2A state championship game between Beecher and Pinckneyville on Saturday, which Beecher ended up winning 8-0. Black also was part of the umpiring crew for that game.
Meaning that of the more than 2,000 licensed softball umpires in the entire state, two St. Joseph residents were on the field — and played a part — in crowing a state champion.
“It’s kind of cool that two of the 12 selected are from this small town in east central Illinois,” said Reese, who umpired his second state tournament. “We get rated by the coaches and assignors during the season and they take into account your preseason test scores and previous tournament experience. You put all of that together and that’s how you get chosen.”
Reese has umpired for 24 years, with Black doing so for 30 years.
“I was introduced to it by a close friend, Doug Maxwell, who was already umpiring,” Black said. “He felt that I had the temperament and disposition to be a good official.”
Umpiring runs in the Reese family.
Josh’s dad, Jeff, was an umpire for 45 years.
“I kind of grew up around it,” Reese said, “and started umpiring summer ball when I was 14 and got registered with the IHSA when I turned 16.”
Getting the chance to umpire at the state tournament isn’t lost on Reese.
“Working the state tournament is something most umpires aspire for, so to be chosen is an honor,” Reese said. “It’s something my dad was chosen twice for, so it’s kind of neat to follow in his footsteps.”
Another perk of working at the state tournament is a three-person umpire crew compared to a two-person umpire crew for most of the games throughout the high school season.
“Umpiring the state tournament is a lot of fun,” Reese said. “When you get to that weekend, it is usually really good softball with really good teams. You never want to make a mistake umpiring, but there’s maybe a little more pressure at the state tournament because you sure don’t want to screw up in a state final game.”
To umpire for such a long time locally, Black said he was honored and humbled once he found out he was selected to umpire at the state tournament.
“After umpiring for my first 10 years, I made it a goal that one day I would make it to the state finals,” Black said. “I then set my sights on accomplishing the requirements that would get me to state. I had to first become a registered, then recognized and then a certified official. To achieve these different avenues, I had to take tests and go to many officiating clinics yearly.”
Reese said clinics
“The best thing to get better is just umpiring a lot of games where you get more experience,” Reese said.
Of course, by umpiring so many games throughout the years, Reese and Black know their rulings and judgments will not make everyone happy.
“Most players and coaches are really easy to deal with,” Reese said. “The fans, most of the time I don’t even hear them. I’ve just become accustomed to blocking them out, but sometimes their comments are pretty funny. They always have a slanted view in favor of their team and can always see everything better from where they are sitting.”
Black echoed that sentiment.
“I have learned over the years to block out the parents and fans in the games,” Black said. “I realize that they are invested in the game and the players. For me, it is not personal, but I try to treat the comments professionally.”
Reese and Black said they have noticed an uptick in more fans becoming vocal during games in recent seasons. And that’s not necessarily a good thing.
“I believe that’s one of the reasons we have a huge shortage of umpires, especially new young umpires starting
When it’s all said and done, though, Reese and Black enjoy the sport they clearly have a passion for.
“My favorite part is creating friendships with fellow officials, coaches
Reese agrees.
“The thing I like most about umpiring high school softball is the people you get to meet,” Reese said. “From the umpires to the coaches and players, many of them become really good friends.”
And, without the support of family and friends, this endeavor wouldn’t be possible for Black and Reese.
“I just want to say thank you to my wife, Vickie, and my daughter, Ainslee, and my son,
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