Volpe umpires D-II World Series
When Joe Volpe began his umpiring career in 1990 by doing Little League games, little did he know where his career would take him.
Volpe无毛视频檚 talent, matched only by his humble demeanor and modest personality, was obvious and a mere four years later, the Masontown resident was doing collegiate games.
The season that just concluded was the 24th at the collegiate level which has seen Volpe do games at every level. Volpe was selected for the top honor in Division II as he was chosen to work the D-II World Series in Cary, North Carolina.
The honor was Volpe无毛视频檚 second as he also worked the 2013 D-II World Series.
无毛视频淚 am blessed to have gotten the call again,无毛视频� Volpe said in an unassuming tone. 无毛视频淚t was a good time and a great experience.
无毛视频淭here are so many people eligible and I am truly honored.无毛视频�
The 62-year old Volpe almost didn无毛视频檛 get the opportunity to umpire one, not to mention, two World Series, after he was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2011.
无毛视频淭hey cleaned me out in the prostate and a few other places, and God has been good to me,无毛视频� Volpe said in an appreciative tone. 无毛视频淚 am lucky to do the World Series, but I am even more lucky just to be here.
无毛视频淚 give Him all of the glory and all my blessings come from my Lord and savior, Jesus Christ.无毛视频�
Volpe started his collegiate career at the Junior College level.
无毛视频淚 did JUCO games and at places like Penn State Fayette,无毛视频� he said. 无毛视频淚 worked up to D-I, but my goal was to do a D-II World Series. To get to one, you aren无毛视频檛 eligible if you do D-I games, so I focused on D-II.无毛视频�
Volpe does a lot of Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) games and Mountain East games.
When asked what his focus is in every game and season, Volpe did not hesitate to answer.
无毛视频淭o be modest because it is such a long haul and you have to work your way up,无毛视频� he said. 无毛视频淎nd, I try to lead by example.无毛视频�
Volpe worked several of the 14 World Series games in May and June, including being the right field umpire in the championship game on June 2 which saw Augustine, S.D., defeat Columbus State, 3-2.
无毛视频淚 was the oldest (umpire) there by far,无毛视频� Volpe said while trying to hide his laughter. 无毛视频淚 have been doing college games longer than the one guy has been on Earth!无毛视频�
(A picture of the World Series crew can be found at http://cbuao.com/2018/06/from-the-dii-world-series/.)
Just like D-I, there are eight regions in Division II and Volpe is a member of the Mid-Atlantic region.
无毛视频淥ne umpire from each region makes it to the World Series,无毛视频� he said. 无毛视频淭his was my 15th straight regional and they told me that they have never heard of anyone ever getting close to doing that many in a row.
无毛视频淚 have also been the regional crew chief twice.无毛视频�
Volpe, as is the norm of his character and manner, said there are several people who have helped him along the way but two, Mike Miskanian and Paul Lancaster, stand out.
无毛视频淢ike gave me my first opportunity to do youth ball games,无毛视频� Volpe said. 无毛视频淚 will always appreciate him for giving me my first chance.
无毛视频淧aul was the one who talked me into trying out at the collegiate level. He is one of my best friends and if it wasn无毛视频檛 for him, I wouldn无毛视频檛 have gotten started in college.无毛视频�
Volpe, who has also done WPIAL high school football and basketball games since 1995, closed with words that showed his passion of baseball.
无毛视频淚t is not about the money when you do the game,无毛视频� he said. 无毛视频淵ou do it because you like it and love it.
无毛视频淏aseball has been very good to me.无毛视频�
Snyder also moving up
Shane Snyder, of Belle Vernon, is looking to take a path similar to Volpe.
Snyder is entering his 10th season as a college football official, and he recently received word from the Collegiate Officiating Consortium that he is now eligible to do Big Ten, Mid-American Conference and Missouri Valley Conference games.
无毛视频淚 was really excited to get the news and am appreciative of the opportunity,无毛视频� he said. 无毛视频淚 am looking forward to games and I will usually find out assignments two to three weeks prior to the games.无毛视频�
Snyder knows that he won无毛视频檛 have a full slate right off the bat.
无毛视频淚 may only get two or three games this season,无毛视频� he said. 无毛视频淏ut I will make the most of the games.无毛视频�
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