Local umpire prepares for second Little League Regionals appearance
Local umpire and Chenango County resident Jarodd Goedel prepares for his second Little League Regionals appearance. Pictured is Goedel from his first selection. Catch Goedel and the Metro region teams on ESPN, starting August 3 through August 9. (Photo from the Goedel’s)
CHENANGO COUNTY – Local umpire and Chenango County resident Jarodd Goedel is getting ready to head to Bristol, Connecticut for the second time. Goedel had the honor of being selected to officiate the Little League Baseball Regional round that runs August 3 to August 9. The games will also be televised on ESPN to see Goedel’s work on the big screen.
Goedel’s first time officiating came at a surprise in 2016, when his oldest son’s game needed an umpire and Goedel, who was the coach of the team, stepped up behind the plate.
“I jumped in and liked it,” Goedel said. “I then decided to attend umpire school in Williamsport in 2017 and have been involved ever since. I focus mostly on Little League Majors Baseball, but I have umpired Little League Softball. I have umpired all levels of baseball from the U10 State Little League Tournament to U19 Travel baseball.”
While he is not involved in his little league assignments, Goedel also helps ump the PONY League summer games. Goedel appreciates being able to keep up with officiating a sport that he grew to love.
“I love still being involved in a game I love and I just love the camaraderie of Little League umpires,” he said. “There is something special about umpires who do this on the volunteer level and I hope that helps to get things started.”
Goedel has been to the regionals before, where he had a great experience and worked with a great crew. It was very rare for Goedel to be chosen a second time, because he said that the selection process is usually “one and done.” Goedel was evaluated in 2022 and sent to an evaluation camp held at Williamsport and from there, he was selected for his first regionals. He is grateful to be chosen for a second time and proud to represent our local community.
“The first regionals was an amazing experience, where I had a great umpiring crew,” Goedel said. “The baseball is amazing and they treat us like rockstars. Going in the second time, I am humbled to be picked again and I am going to try and slow things down and enjoy the experience more. I would never imagine I would be going again to such a prestigious Regional and televised on ESPN. I love this community, where I was raised and where I am now raising my family. It is an honor to me to represent this community. A lot of people have helped me get here and I am grateful for that.”
As there has been a decline in officials in general for high school and under sports in the area, which officials are a crucial part of each game, Goedel offers suggestions in light of anyone interested but unsure of putting themselves behind the plate.
“ Find a mentor who can help you through the process. They can give you appropriate advice based on experience level,” Goedel said. “ Also, attend a professional clinic and/or umpire school as it will help get you trained and ready. Then I suggest taking training and/or research conflict resolution and training. New officials should always ask to have a mentor or person of authority present when they start. They should never be left alone or struggle.”
It is also important for every official to remember that their job is to enforce the rules.
“No matter what there is going to be conflict and varying opinions,” Goedel said. “It’s best to study the rules, understand them, and quietly and confidently enforce them.”
Going into regionals a second time is still nerve-wracking, but exciting for Goedel, but he’s ready to do his job and make this community proud.
Catch Goedel and the teams in his assigned Metro region on ESPN, starting August 3 through August 9.
Goedel’s first time officiating came at a surprise in 2016, when his oldest son’s game needed an umpire and Goedel, who was the coach of the team, stepped up behind the plate.
“I jumped in and liked it,” Goedel said. “I then decided to attend umpire school in Williamsport in 2017 and have been involved ever since. I focus mostly on Little League Majors Baseball, but I have umpired Little League Softball. I have umpired all levels of baseball from the U10 State Little League Tournament to U19 Travel baseball.”
While he is not involved in his little league assignments, Goedel also helps ump the PONY League summer games. Goedel appreciates being able to keep up with officiating a sport that he grew to love.
“I love still being involved in a game I love and I just love the camaraderie of Little League umpires,” he said. “There is something special about umpires who do this on the volunteer level and I hope that helps to get things started.”
Goedel has been to the regionals before, where he had a great experience and worked with a great crew. It was very rare for Goedel to be chosen a second time, because he said that the selection process is usually “one and done.” Goedel was evaluated in 2022 and sent to an evaluation camp held at Williamsport and from there, he was selected for his first regionals. He is grateful to be chosen for a second time and proud to represent our local community.
“The first regionals was an amazing experience, where I had a great umpiring crew,” Goedel said. “The baseball is amazing and they treat us like rockstars. Going in the second time, I am humbled to be picked again and I am going to try and slow things down and enjoy the experience more. I would never imagine I would be going again to such a prestigious Regional and televised on ESPN. I love this community, where I was raised and where I am now raising my family. It is an honor to me to represent this community. A lot of people have helped me get here and I am grateful for that.”
As there has been a decline in officials in general for high school and under sports in the area, which officials are a crucial part of each game, Goedel offers suggestions in light of anyone interested but unsure of putting themselves behind the plate.
“ Find a mentor who can help you through the process. They can give you appropriate advice based on experience level,” Goedel said. “ Also, attend a professional clinic and/or umpire school as it will help get you trained and ready. Then I suggest taking training and/or research conflict resolution and training. New officials should always ask to have a mentor or person of authority present when they start. They should never be left alone or struggle.”
It is also important for every official to remember that their job is to enforce the rules.
“No matter what there is going to be conflict and varying opinions,” Goedel said. “It’s best to study the rules, understand them, and quietly and confidently enforce them.”
Going into regionals a second time is still nerve-wracking, but exciting for Goedel, but he’s ready to do his job and make this community proud.
Catch Goedel and the teams in his assigned Metro region on ESPN, starting August 3 through August 9.
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