Wisconsin ASA names him top umpire
By MIKE KEMMETER
of The Gazette
Umpires and referees strive to go unnoticed during games. If they do stick out, many times it's for the wrong reason - making a bad call.
But people are taking notice of Stevens Point's John Eckendorf for the right reasons and the Wisconsin Amateur Softball Association named him its Umpire of The Year.
"It makes the hard work and dedication worth it," Eckendorf said. "It's kind of a thankless job. There's never really anybody that's on your side."
Eckendorf, who started umpiring softball games in Stevens Point during the summer of 1983, does it because he enjoys the game.
"I've always had an interest in sports," Eckendorf said. "I love the game. I've played softball and I love it.
"Plus I get the best seat in the house. That's the other part of it. I've seen some amazing games."
Eckendorf said he realized he couldn't be the top of the game as a player forever, but saw umpiring in a different light.
"If I was an umpire, it was something I could do well, at the highest level, later in life," he said. "I can still do this at 40 or 50 and still be at the top."
Eckendorf has worked with some of the best umpires in the country when Stevens Point's Zenoff Park played host to a few national tournaments. He umpired in the Men's National Major Slowpitch Tournament, the National Class A Co-ed Tournament and the National Men's 35 and Over Slowpitch.
Later this summer, he will be one of 64 umpires in the Class C National Tournament in Lawton, Oklahoma.
One of Eckendorf's umpiring memories comes from a national tournament. During the Co-ed tourney several years ago, he was on a crew with a man from St. Louis. After working a few games in 80 degree heat, the St. Louis umpire joined Eckendorf's crew and made them all wear sweaters (by rule, all umpires have to wear the same attire).
"It must have seemed cool to him. It wasn't sweater weather," Eckendorf said.
He will certainly remember last weekend's Class A/B and C State Tournaments too. Not only was he presented his award Saturday, but he also had to deal with a couple of obstacles during the tourney.
The day before the tournament started, he said he stepped on a nail. Then during a Friday night game, Eckendorf lost one of his contact lenses and could see through only one eye. His wife, Stephanie, brought him his glasses, but he had to make the calls without them for several innings.
During his 16 years of making calls, Eckendorf has seen many changes in the game.
"I think the biggest change has been equipment," he said. "I think technology has played a part, like golf. It's not just the bats themselves or the ball themselves - it's a combination."
That one-two combo has forced umpires to adjust as well.
"It's made for closer plays because the ball arrives faster to the defense," Eckendorf said. "Although they moved the bases back and the pitcher's mound, the plays still seem to get to the outfielders faster."
Technology -enhanced bats and balls have also led to double-digit scoring nearly every game, which he said requires adaptation too.
"I think there's less of an emphasis on defense. It makes the close calls important," Eckendorf said. "When it is a big play, it puts the onus on the up more. It makes them critical."
While he learned a lot about umpiring and the game of softball from his fellow umps, including Jim Moe (who got Eckendorf involved in umpiring), Eckendorf also credits the players for teaching him a thing or two.
"When somebody says, 'Hey, wait' and questions a call…It makes you better."