After 17 Years, He’ll Get to Call the Shots at Little League Finale

Bill Beebe will reach the end of a very long road Aug. 21 in Williamsport, Pa.

A Little League umpire in Orange County ever since his wife volunteered him 17 years ago, Beebe will get his chance to ump the Little League World Series.

“I’m very excited. This is the ultimate goal, to be able to work with kids at that level of play and to meet your peers from all over the country. It’s especially great this year, the 50th anniversary of Little League,” said Beebe, 55, of Mission Viejo.

Beebe got involved in Little League when his two sons and daughter played ball long ago, but he stayed with it to the point where it consumes much of the time he’s not on the job as a financial administrator for Control Data in Anaheim.

In addition to umpiring, Beebe for 11 years has been the administrator of the rapidly expanding Little League district that covers the south county and includes about 13,000 kids.

He has also umpired in the Big League World Series for 16- to 18-year-olds and the Senior League World Series for 13- to 15-year-olds, events considered warm-ups for umps wanting a shot at the Little League finale.

All this experience, Beebe said, has enabled him to overcome the initial anxiety he felt as a beginning umpire and acquire the skills needed to ump the World Series.

“I was nervous on the field for at least five years,” he said. “But as I got to work with good people and learned how to work as a team with other umpires, I began to relax.”

On the field, umpiring recently at a tournament game in Newport Beach, Beebe was the model of calm at his position behind second base. His attention remained focused on the game, he moved quickly but smoothly into position and gestured his calls with seasoned grace.

“To do this, you have to have patience,” he said between innings. “I never get bored. I love the game.”

A good ump has to concentrate. “You have to stay with the game or you’ll end up being made the goat on a play,” he said.

Beebe said he has a high threshold for razzing from fans and team managers.

“I understand the parents’ frustrations, especially in these tournaments,” he said. Families have to make commitments for the days of play and have had to put off vacations. So they are thinking, ‘Let’s get this over with. We’ve got reservations at Tahoe.’ ”

There are two rules, however, that can’t be broken.

“If they cuss, they’re out,” he said. “I won’t put up with it. And I’ve ejected five managers over the years for leaving the dugout to smoke a cigarette.”

Most of the 350 umpires in his Little League district are parents who will stay with it only for the years their kids are playing. Beebe found a satisfaction that kept him on far longer.

“I really like working with the kids,” he said. “I find it very rewarding to see them develop from one year to the next, but I also like the feeling of the moment. You can see it here today in this game. The one manager started bringing in subs off the bench, and they hit the hell out of the ball. I like to see them getting excited about a hit. That jubilation makes the years of umpiring well worth it.”

Throughout the tournament game, Beebe made a point of talking to the players--a word of encouragement to a pitcher, praise for a runner who hit a double, checking in with the second baseman.

“I think what I enjoy most is when you see a kid years later, when they’re in college and they say, ‘You still in Little League, Mr. Beebe?’ Kids remember good experiences, and I like to think I must have contributed.”