×

OHIO VALLEY UNSUNG HEROES: Trabert just one of many dedicated umpires

WHEELING — Spring officially begins this week, and with it come the hopes and dreams of baseball players everywhere.

Diamonds across the valley will begin to be filled with the cracks of the bats and the sounds of boys and girls eager to get that big hit or make that big catch.

The umpires are ready, too. These days, though, their numbers are dwindling. And as participation in youth baseball stays steady, or continues to grow in some areas, umpires are needed now more than ever, especially at the lower levels.

Terry Trabert is one of the dedicated folks who’s been toiling behind the plate for generations. For 30 years, the Wheeling Central alum has called balls and strikes, mostly for the Mountaineer Baseball Association, where he’s served as president for many years.

“What a lot of people don’t understand is that everyone that is doing games at the varsity level started in the 10U, 12U levels and the like and worked their way up,” said Trabert, who works games about five days a week between April and October.

“There are quite a few guys that are so dedicated to the sports that after high school season is over they come to do the local recreation and summer league games.”

Trabert got consistently involved in umpiring when his son were playing in the mid 1980s.

“I was coaching my two sons for different teams there there was a shortage of umpires, as it is now,” he recalled. “So, a few of us decided to get serious with it.”

At that point, Trabert became heavily involved with the MBA, which encompasses the Wheeling area, along with Glen Dale, Benwood, McMechen, Cameron and Warren Township. Trabert has worn many hats in the MBA and said the organization has helped bring stability throughout local youth baseball.

“If it weren’t for the dedicated guys doing the games, baseball in the valley wouldn’t exist as it does,” Trabert noted.

He cited the league having between 120-125 teams and playing about 600 games in various age groups.

“You have to have umpires for all those,” Trabert said. “There’s a dedicated core group of guys that work every night and pretty much all day Saturday in order for the kids to have officials at their games.”

The group is offering training classes for prospective umps. The first one takes place today at 4 at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, located at 200 S. Penn St. on Wheeling Island. Trabert said umpiring is a rewarding experience.

“You’re involved in every aspect of the game,” he said. “You meet a lot of good people. I’ve met people from numerous states in the different tournaments I’ve done.”

Trabert has worked the Edgar Martin Beast of the East for years. That tournament is one of the training grounds for officials who hope to “make it big” someday. For Trabert, who has no aspirations of moving up in the ranks, tournaments like that are an opportunity to enjoy the tranquillity of the game.

“Like any other career, you have to start somewhere,” he said.

If you know of someone in sports in the Ohio Valley whom I could feature as an Ohio Valley Unsung Hero, drop me a line at rthorp@timesleaderonline.com or via Twitter @RickThorp1

Newsletter

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *

Starting at $4.73/week.

Subscribe Today