Poland Sports

Lidle trio: Keepers of the rules of baseball

By Mike Capps

POSTED: July 8, 2010

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Baseball is certainly a part of the Lidle household. So much so, that upon a visit to the Lidle home you will find home plate positioned where most would find a welcome mat. And it comes as no surprise that during the spring and summer, the Lidle will usually be found wearing blue and at a local baseball field. Father Bob Lidle and sons Trey and Mitch are a family of umpires within the Little League system

In addition they assume other activities surrounding baseball. Bob serves as Poland Community Baseball Association's Little League director; Trey works in PCBA field maintenance; and Mitch remains an active player for the Poland High School and summer league teams. It wasn't until this year's PCBA Little League championship game that the family took the field to umpire the same game.

"At times a pair of us have worked a game together, but this was the first time we were all able to work the same game,” said chief umpire and dad, Bob. “With Trey going to college this fall, we didn't know if this would ever be possible again, so we took the opportunity to do it for the Little League championship game."

Bob, who is a trustee with the PCBA and with Poland Township, is chair of the Umpires, Rules and Protest Committee and has been umpiring for almost 10 years at all levels, including high school.

Bob started a junior umpire program in PCBA five years ago, giving Poland's teen-agers an opportunity to make a few dollars, filling a niche that provides umpires for the community's minor leagues of 9- and 10-year-old plaeyrs. After a few years in the minors, several boys have gone on to umpire in the upper divisions of community baseball and some have obtained their Ohio High School Athletic Association certifications.

Trey began his umpiring career six years ago. Bob said when he was diagnosed with cancer, he had Trey go behind the plate as he did the bases. Bob was volunteering his services with the minor leagues then, but when the chemo kicked in he said he just couldn't get behind the plate. Trey,

only 13 at the time, was interested so they began to do it together. That's what got Trey started and gave Bob the idea for the junior program. A graduate with honors from PSHS this year, Trey will attend the University of Cincinnati this fall after having umpired for six years and obtained his OHSAA umpire card this past spring.

"I've always enjoyed umpiring," Trey said. "Being around the younger kids is always a good time and most of the coaches are a blast to be around. I'll be able to use my card to work high school games down in Cinci next spring like I did this year. That's an opportunity my dad and PCBA have given me and other guys from Poland."

Mitch, the remaining player of the crew, will be entering his junior year at Poland this fall and is a member of the Poland High School baseball team. He plays outfield, first base and is a left-handed pitcher. He still finds himself officially in the junior umpire ranks, but is one of the

more experienced umps with three years under his belt, working Little League games on occasion for girls’ teams.

"I love to ump. It's a lot of fun, I make some money and as a player I get a perspective on the game and knowledge of the rules that most of my teammates don't ever get. I'm looking forward to moving up in the ranks and getting my card someday, but first I'd like to get my drivers license," Mitch said.

There are many fathers out there who have activities with their sons, however few do it in such a public manner or face the scrutiny that comes with being an umpire. The Lidle boys in blue take it in stride knowing that its all part of the game and actually enjoy seem to enjoy the pressure that surrounds it.

Said Bob, "Our best games are when no one talks about us. No one comes to see us ump. We hope they're pleased to know that we are out there, knowing that we try our best to be professional, consistent and get the calls right. We enjoy the game and the kids, that's why we do it."

For anyone interested in becoming an umpire, either at the junior or upper level ranks, Bob encourages contacting him at any game.