Each month we take the time to get to know one of our PSL officials better. This is a great way to know the person who dedicates their free time to umpiring or refereeing your games. This month we are changing things up and letting you get to know a PSL Staff Member!
Our February PSL Staff Member of the Month is James! Get to know James better and be sure to say hi to him next time you see him! In addition to being our PSL Communications and Sports Coordinator, James also umpires kickball and officiates volleyball with us regularly!
How long have you been working for the PSL?: I was hired as the Communication & Sports Coordinator in May of 2016!
Which sport(s) do you officiate?: Let’s see, I’ve probably officiated majority of PSL sports, however, I more frequently officiate kickball and/or volleyball. I really enjoy officiating and being out each night seeing everyone having fun as well as helping to foster this environment! You’ve probably seen me officiating (especially in kickball) at one point in your PSL career!
What is your favorite PSL officiating memory?: Wow, this is a tough one since I’ve had so many great memories with PSL and being a part of this organization, I would say one of the most memorable memories I’ve had would be playing softball about 3 years ago. My team played at McKinley field and we were horrible, I think we might have won one game which I believe it was by forfeit, none the less, I had so much fun the entire season! In one of the games, Ky was officiating the league. I was thinking in my head, I better not have any errors and/or strike out when I’m up at-bat. So I step up to bat and crank a ball far-right field (would have been a home run), however, due to the ground rules at McKinley, I got robbed. Well, the next at-bat, I’m in the zone, fouled the ball twice and ready for the next ball. Let’s just say, I clench my bat tight look up at the ball coming in and boom, strike three. Struck out looking. The ball got lost up in the lights and I couldn’t see it but Ky definitely had no hesitation ringing me out with the loudest strikeout ever. I felt it was time for me to hang up my glove after that point, yet, to this day, I still will never hear the end of that strikeout. Why is this my favorite moment you ask? Well, I try to have as much fun as I can and try to bring joy to everyone, I may have struck out, but I never struck out when it comes to having fun in any of the leagues I’ve played in or officiated in!
What do you do for a living?: Well, you see, I actually do this for a living (shocker I know). I get the opportunity to be able to run sports leagues whether it be setting up the leagues, schedules, players, and more, or the opportunity to play in the leagues and officiate them! Believe it or not, what I do is a full time job and I truly enjoy working with each and everyone one who participates in the PSL.
Why did you decide to officiate with the PSL?: When I applied for PSL, I was still doing my undergrad in Sports Management and graduating in less than a month (I know I’m just a baby). I was looking to take make a start in the sporting industry, so I applied to PSL from a recommendation of one of my professors. When I had my interview, I sat down with Greg (yes, he still works here) & Brian. A few days passed and I got a callback and offered a job. At first, I didn’t know I was hired as a mover, since the PUMP/PSL offices were moving upstairs, however, I must have really impressed them with my moving skills in which they gave me the title of Communication and Sports Coordinator and brought me on into the PSL staff and thrown to the wolves!
Anything you’d like to share about yourself with the PSL community?: I truly enjoy interacting with each and every one of you! If we haven’t met yet, I can’t wait to meet you and hope to see each and every one of you in a future league. If you need help with anything please feel free to reach out to me, I’m available Monday – Thursdays from 10am – 5pm and Fridays from 10am -12pm through email!