Marty Springstead

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Martin John Springstead (born July 9, 1937 in Nyack, New York) is a former umpire in Major League Baseball who worked in the American League from 1966 to 1985 and has since worked as an umpire supervisor. He was the youngest umpire ever to serve as crew chief in the World Series, heading the staff for the 1973 Series at the age of 36 years and 3 months.

Springstead graduated from Mount Saint Michael Academy in the Bronx, where he played basketball and ran track[1] as well as playing baseball. He then attended Fairleigh Dickinson University in Teaneck, New Jersey, majoring in advertising.[2] After a brief playing career as a catcher for American Legion and semi-pro teams,[3] he attended the Al Somers umpiring school[2] and began his career in the Class "C" Northern League in 1960. In 1961-1962 he served in the Army's 2nd Armored Division at Fort Hood, Texas, where he continued to play in and officiate baseball games.[1] He then worked in the Southern League (1963-65) before joining the AL staff in 1966. Throughout his career he lived in the communities of Garnerville and Suffern, both near his birthplace.

Springstead officiated in the All-Star Game in 1969, 1975 and 1982.[4] In addition to the 1973 World Series, he also worked the 1978 and 1983 Series,[5] again serving as crew chief in 1983. Springstead, who became an AL crew chief in 1974, also officiated four American League Championship Series in 1970 (Games 2-3), 1974, 1977 and 1981. He was behind the plate for two no-hitters.

Springstead retired from field duties after the 1985 season and became the AL's fourth Executive Director of Umpires on January 1, 1986, succeeding Dick Butler.[6] In 2000, when the umpiring staffs of the American and National Leagues were combined, he became a special assistant to Major League Baseball's vice president for umpiring.[7] He now lives in Sarasota, Florida.[6]

He has become a popular guest speaker and has also conducted umpiring clinics for the Japanese Professional Umpires of the Pacific League; in addition, he has taught umpiring in Canada and for the United States Air Force in Spain, Holland and Germany.

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b 1975 American League Red Book, p. 79.
  2. ^ a b 1985 American League Red Book, p. 97.
  3. ^ American League Redbook 1973, p. 39.
  4. ^ Major League Baseball All-Star Game History
  5. ^ World Series Recap
  6. ^ a b 1986 American League Red Book, p. 97.
  7. ^ 2001 Red Book, p. 105.

[edit] External links