TUCSON, Ariz — Bob Hall started umpiring back in 1971 because volunteers were needed. And, Hall is still volunteering by calling the balls and strikes of Tucson Little League Baseball.
"It's more than something to do," says Hall. "I enjoy the game."
Inning after inning, and decade after decade, it's Bob Hall who has kept home plate clean.
"Safety is the main part."
Hall's career highlight came in 1996, when he was selected as one of twelve umpires to work the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. And, he was at home plate for the championship game.
"In between innings, I asked for a towel. They thought i was just going to wipe the sweat off and everything. But, I actually wiped off my shoes. They said 'What are you doing?' I said, 'I'm on national TV.'"
Bob Hall is not only the umpire of the kids of many of the parents in the stands, he was their umpire as well.
"When you see them at 8, 9, or 10, and then you see them again at 40, they come up and say, 'Hey Bob, How are you doing?' I don't know who these people are but they were happy that I was around.
Now in his 70's, Hall plans to keep umpiring as long as his health allows it.
"Even if I get to a point where I can't be on the field, I'm still going to instruct and evaluate umpires. I'll keep up with Little League somehow."
