The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

AFTER heading off to officiate in a series of baseball tournaments, Martin ‘Pork’ Burrows finally got a chance to display his skills as an umpire in a fastpitch tournament for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic broke in 2020.

Burrows, one of the top umpires in the country, was invited to officiate at the USA Winter Classic Men’s Fastpitch that was held at the CountryLink Sports Complex in Fort Myers, Florida, January 29-31.

“It was a great opportunity, got me to umpire some great umpires who just did the ISC World Games,” said Burrows, who was a part of a cadre of nine umpires. “So it was a pleasure umpiring with these guys who have been umpiring for the past 30 years.”

“So it’s always good to umpire with people like them. These guys have a wealth of knowledge and they are unselfish. They are always willing to teach you something and if you miss something in your rotation, they take the time out to point out your mistakes.”

Normally a home plate umpire in fastpitch, Burrows said he doesn’t get the chance to officiate on the base path so there were one or two times he missed out on his rotation and he was advised about his fault.

“That’s normally a weak point for me when I go away,” he said. “In explaining that to the chief umpire, he picked it up right away. He noticed how I realised I was behind the plate and taking control of the strike zone.

“So it was a pleasure hearing these guys give me some pointers, especially after they spent so much time officiating at some of the top tournaments in the world. So it was a pleasure calling with these guys. I called six games and I thoroughly enjoyed it.”

Burrows said he was so pleased to see a team called The Titans, managed by Mike Dillet and coached by Marcus Pratt with Angelo Dillet as the pitcher, participating in the tournament. He noted that although they didn’t win any of the four games they played, they played well.

“I am very proud of the guys. They improved every game they played,” Burrows said. “The good thing is that they have been invited to come back to the tournament next year. So while they just put this team together, they have a chance to get a better team to compete then.”

Burrows said Warren Jones, the tournament director, has also invited him back to officiate in the tournament next year.

He also noted that because of the way he performed, Jones indicated to Burrows that he will invite him to officiate in other tournaments throughout the USA.

“So it’s good to put another niche in your sporting résumé,” Burrows said.

“I haven’t called fastpitch in two years because of the pandemic. I called a lot of baseball, so it was good to get back behind the plate and to witness some good pitching. I was very relaxed and comfortable.”

Burrows admitted that it was extremely cold, but he managed to persevere. He’s now preparing 6-8 umpires to travel to West Palm Beach, Florida in March to get their international baseball certification in order for them to officiate in college baseball like he currently does.

With the Bahamas hosting the Babe Ruth Caribbean Baseball Tournament scheduled for July 7-11 for players in the under-13 and under-17 categories, Burrows said the umpires will get a chance to display their skills.

Burrows, however, said one of his goals this year is to officiate at a Cooperstown Dreams Park under-12 baseball tournament in New York.

“If I can go to that, it would be great,” said Burrows, who has to find a team that will sponsor him to travel as their baseball umpire for the tournament.

If he does, it will put another feather in his umpire cap.