SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT — Each year becomes just a bit more special for 90 dedicated Little League® volunteers who receive their official umpire assignments for the Little League World Series tournament.
Peabody native Dr. Michael Orlando Jr., 36, an assistant principal for mission and identity and a Spanish teacher at St. John’s Prep, is one of them.
Orlando, who has 24 years of umpiring experience under his belt, learned the good news earlier this week.
“It’s an honor to have been selected to work the 2020 Little League World Series In Williamsport,” Orlando said. “This is my 24 season umpiring Little League baseball, and to be able to be part of the 16 umpires from around the country and the world selected is truly an awesome recognition. It’s still hard to believe.”
“To be part of the crew from around the country selected is truly an awesome recognition,” said Orlando, who may umpire games in both the International tournament bracket and U.S. tournament bracket. “Umpiring has taught me a lot. The situations that arise during a game have helped me better understand how folks operate in general, and how to work with people at their best and on what may not be their best day.”
Aired by ESPN both on broadcast platforms and via streaming service, the 2020 Little League World Series finals will take place from August 20-30 at Lamade Stadium in Williamsport, Pa. According to Little League International, appointment as a member of the umpiring crew for a World Series is the highest honor bestowed on a volunteer umpire. LLI supports all volunteer umpires at World Series events with a travel stipend to help offset the costs for selectees to attend. Orlando first earned his umpiring certification in 2002.
This isn’t Orlando’s first time on the big stage. The Umpire-in Chief for Massachusetts Little League District 15, Orlando, who is certified by the Massachusetts Baseball Umpires Association, was one of eight umpires in the state tournament semi-finals in 2018. It was his fourth trip to the final four.
In 2017, he worked the Intermediate Regional Tournament in New York, while in 2015 he worked the Junior League Eastern Regionals in New Jersey and the Junior League World Series in Michigan. He also worked the 2014 New England Regional Tournament in Bristol, CT.
Orlando is a 2002 graduate of St. John’s Prep in Danvers and 2006 graduate of St. Anselm College. He earned a masters degree at Simmons College in 2009 and earned his doctorate degree at Northeastern University in 2016.
In his capacity as an assistant principal at the Prep, Orlando is responsible for optimizing the student experience by providing resources for faculty professional learning as well as student leadership and growth programs, and by actively advancing a school culture where support and personal connections are part of everyday life.
“It’s about going beyond the classroom and the content,” says Orlando. “It’s about figuring out who your students are, which means forming strong relationships between and among students, teachers, parents, grandparents, alumni, administrators, board members—everybody. You have to be intentional about outreach and programming and discussion and opportunity. It takes time and space and resources to do that. That’s the difference between doing it and doing it well.”
The selection process to become a World Series umpire is lengthy and rigorous.
To become eligible, an umpire must first have officiated in a regional tournament event, then submit an application through the Umpire Registry. District Administrators comment on applicants for review by one of Little League’s nine regional offices. Individuals with top qualifications are then screened by Little League International.
