Aruba Umpires Uni has officially presented and baptized their new uniforms, a milestone made possible through the support of two new sponsors. The organization proudly showcased the new attire during a recent event, emphasizing their ongoing commitment to motivating youth and attracting more individuals to the profession of umpiring on the island. This initiative represents part of the organization’s broader effort to continue growing and fortifying the sport of baseball within the local community.
Raynaldo Sprott, President of Aruba Umpires Uni, spoke about the critical role the new sponsors played in enabling the organization to cover its various functions. Sprott addressed the chronic shortage of umpires and provided details on upcoming training, announcing that a new course is set to commence in two weeks. The organization anticipates training six new umpires through this course, with a goal of finishing the year with a total of 36 active officials. Currently, the roster includes three women, and the youngest active member is 15 years of age.
The event also featured remarks from Yenoir Kelly, the youngest umpire in Aruba, who shared his personal journey in the field. Kelly recounted his experience traveling to Cartagena, Colombia, to officiate, as well as his current dedication to working with small children and teenagers. He explained that his passion for umpiring was ignited while he was playing baseball and observing the officials. Motivated by that interest, he sought out the necessary information to join the umpire corps, where he was accepted and began his career officiating games for younger age groups before progressing to adult levels.
