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Bob Boord doesn’t watch baseball and football games the same way most people do. The former Jackson three-sport athlete has his eyes focused on the men and women who officiate the games.
“I’m in my 12th year as a baseball, football and wrestling official,” Boord said earlier in the week. “So, when I attend a game or watch one on television I’m always checking the officials to see if they’re in the right position. That’s all I watch.”
Boord officiates over 200 youth and high school sporting events every year. His busy schedule includes varsity football games on Friday night, JV and youth games on Saturday and at least two or three wrestling matches a week. The summer months are a blur of baseball games almost every day of the week.
“It’s not about the money,” Boord said. “I just love being around the kids and talking with the coaches. It really keeps me involved in the games I loved to play during my high school days at Jackson.”
Boord was an All-Federal League running back on the 1983 Jackson football team that finished with a 7-3 record. He also played baseball for Coach Tom Yingling and wrestled for head coach Dave Brubach.
Boord often wonders what would have happened if he’d decided to become a professional umpire at that stage of his life.
“I’m too old to do it now,” Boord said. “But I’d like to think I would have been successful if I’d decided to go in that direction.”
There is no doubt Boord has the talent to be a big-time official. Eight years ago he attended umpire school in Atlanta where major league umpire Richie Garcia was his mentor. Boord finished in the top 10-percent in his class and was recommended for a professional contract.
“That experience really gave me the foundation to be a good baseball umpire,” Boord said. “They taught me so much about positioning and being able to see both sides of the plate. I still keep in touch with Richie and a lot of the guys I was in school with.”
The school also taught Boord to look professional.
“I always come to the games with my pants pressed and my shoes are spit-shined,” Boord said. “I think before you ever start the game the coaches see you are ready to give them a professional effort behind the plate or on the bases.”
Bob Boord doesn’t watch baseball and football games the same way most people do. The former Jackson three-sport athlete has his eyes focused on the men and women who officiate the games.
“I’m in my 12th year as a baseball, football and wrestling official,” Boord said earlier in the week. “So, when I attend a game or watch one on television I’m always checking the officials to see if they’re in the right position. That’s all I watch.”
Boord officiates over 200 youth and high school sporting events every year. His busy schedule includes varsity football games on Friday night, JV and youth games on Saturday and at least two or three wrestling matches a week. The summer months are a blur of baseball games almost every day of the week.
“It’s not about the money,” Boord said. “I just love being around the kids and talking with the coaches. It really keeps me involved in the games I loved to play during my high school days at Jackson.”
Boord was an All-Federal League running back on the 1983 Jackson football team that finished with a 7-3 record. He also played baseball for Coach Tom Yingling and wrestled for head coach Dave Brubach.
Boord often wonders what would have happened if he’d decided to become a professional umpire at that stage of his life.
“I’m too old to do it now,” Boord said. “But I’d like to think I would have been successful if I’d decided to go in that direction.”
There is no doubt Boord has the talent to be a big-time official. Eight years ago he attended umpire school in Atlanta where major league umpire Richie Garcia was his mentor. Boord finished in the top 10-percent in his class and was recommended for a professional contract.
“That experience really gave me the foundation to be a good baseball umpire,” Boord said. “They taught me so much about positioning and being able to see both sides of the plate. I still keep in touch with Richie and a lot of the guys I was in school with.”
The school also taught Boord to look professional.
“I always come to the games with my pants pressed and my shoes are spit-shined,” Boord said. “I think before you ever start the game the coaches see you are ready to give them a professional effort behind the plate or on the bases.”
What’s the reward for a successful night officiating youth sports?
“I love getting in my car after a game and knowing that I have done a good job umpiring the game,” Boord said. “If I’ve seen every pitch and really focused during the game that’s a good feeling.”
How many more years will Boord stay in the game?
“When it gets to the point where I can’t get to a spot on the field to make a call I’ll quit,” Boord said. “It’s all about the kids and it wouldn’t be fair to them.”
When Boord does call it quits his 19 year old son, Matt, is ready to follow in his father’s footsteps.
“People really liked the job he did this past weekend umpiring in the Freedom Classic,” Boord said. “He has a chance to become an outstanding official.”
Just like his Dad.
