OMAHA, Neb. — Caledonia native David Uyl was a part of the eight-man umpiring crew the last two weeks at the College World Series.
"When you step back and think about eight guys from California to Michigan to Virginia being selected in that group is an honor," said umpire David Uyl.
After graduating from Caledonia, Uyl was a two-sport athlete at Hope College. After school he opted to follow in his older brother's footsteps and become a professional umpire.
"Another umpire friend of mine, D.J. Reyburn and I, we both graduated from Hope College in December of 1999 and January of 2000 we went to umpire school and started our pro careers and off we went," said Uyl.
Uyl has been a baseball umpire for the last 25 years, working in professional baseball, the Big-Ten and the SEC. The last two weeks in Omaha have been Uyl's first time working the College World Series and he was able to umpire the final between Tennessee and Texas A&M.
"There were some nerves, but just have to tell yourself to focus on every pitch. Once the game gets going you get into a groove and you sit back and realize it's just a baseball game and yes, there are a lot of people watching but it's still a game and I've done this a long time."
It was the culmination of Uyl's long and successful career that started in West Michigan.
"I had a great experience at Hope and it set me up for success later in life and looking back at this little hobby it's been quite the journey."
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