Volpe umpires D-II World Series
When Joe Volpe began his umpiring career in 1990 by doing Little League games, little did he know where his career would take him.
Volpe蘑菇视频 talent, matched only by his humble demeanor and modest personality, was obvious and a mere four years later, the Masontown resident was doing collegiate games.
The season that just concluded was the 24th at the collegiate level which has seen Volpe do games at every level. Volpe was selected for the top honor in Division II as he was chosen to work the D-II World Series in Cary, North Carolina.
The honor was Volpe蘑菇视频 second as he also worked the 2013 D-II World Series.
鈥淚 am blessed to have gotten the call again,鈥� Volpe said in an unassuming tone. 鈥淚t was a good time and a great experience.
鈥淭here are so many people eligible and I am truly honored.鈥�
The 62-year old Volpe almost didn鈥檛 get the opportunity to umpire one, not to mention, two World Series, after he was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2011.
鈥淭hey cleaned me out in the prostate and a few other places, and God has been good to me,鈥� Volpe said in an appreciative tone. 鈥淚 am lucky to do the World Series, but I am even more lucky just to be here.
鈥淚 give Him all of the glory and all my blessings come from my Lord and savior, Jesus Christ.鈥�
Volpe started his collegiate career at the Junior College level.
鈥淚 did JUCO games and at places like Penn State Fayette,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 worked up to D-I, but my goal was to do a D-II World Series. To get to one, you aren鈥檛 eligible if you do D-I games, so I focused on D-II.鈥�
Volpe does a lot of Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) games and Mountain East games.
When asked what his focus is in every game and season, Volpe did not hesitate to answer.
鈥淭o be modest because it is such a long haul and you have to work your way up,鈥� he said. 鈥淎nd, I try to lead by example.鈥�
Volpe worked several of the 14 World Series games in May and June, including being the right field umpire in the championship game on June 2 which saw Augustine, S.D., defeat Columbus State, 3-2.
鈥淚 was the oldest (umpire) there by far,鈥� Volpe said while trying to hide his laughter. 鈥淚 have been doing college games longer than the one guy has been on Earth!鈥�
(A picture of the World Series crew can be found at http://cbuao.com/2018/06/from-the-dii-world-series/.)
Just like D-I, there are eight regions in Division II and Volpe is a member of the Mid-Atlantic region.
鈥淥ne umpire from each region makes it to the World Series,鈥� he said. 鈥淭his was my 15th straight regional and they told me that they have never heard of anyone ever getting close to doing that many in a row.
鈥淚 have also been the regional crew chief twice.鈥�
Volpe, as is the norm of his character and manner, said there are several people who have helped him along the way but two, Mike Miskanian and Paul Lancaster, stand out.
鈥淢ike gave me my first opportunity to do youth ball games,鈥� Volpe said. 鈥淚 will always appreciate him for giving me my first chance.
鈥淧aul was the one who talked me into trying out at the collegiate level. He is one of my best friends and if it wasn鈥檛 for him, I wouldn鈥檛 have gotten started in college.鈥�
Volpe, who has also done WPIAL high school football and basketball games since 1995, closed with words that showed his passion of baseball.
鈥淚t is not about the money when you do the game,鈥� he said. 鈥淵ou do it because you like it and love it.
鈥淏aseball has been very good to me.鈥�
Snyder also moving up
Shane Snyder, of Belle Vernon, is looking to take a path similar to Volpe.
Snyder is entering his 10th season as a college football official, and he recently received word from the Collegiate Officiating Consortium that he is now eligible to do Big Ten, Mid-American Conference and Missouri Valley Conference games.
鈥淚 was really excited to get the news and am appreciative of the opportunity,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 am looking forward to games and I will usually find out assignments two to three weeks prior to the games.鈥�
Snyder knows that he won鈥檛 have a full slate right off the bat.
鈥淚 may only get two or three games this season,鈥� he said. 鈥淏ut I will make the most of the games.鈥�
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