From the United States Marine Corps to standing behind the plate on the biggest stage in youth sports, Dwight Stephens’ road to umpiring at the 2025 Little League Baseball® World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, is one of a kind.
“I was looking for volunteer opportunities while I was serving in the Marine Corps because they could apply those hours toward promotional points,” said Stephens. “So, I kind of just stumbled into it. I saw an ad for an umpire camp for service members on Camp Pendleton, a military base in Southern California, and decided to give it a shot”.
At first, Stephens was a bit hesitant to participate beyond the camp, until he met the man who taught him everything about umpiring — Chris Rutz.
“When I met Chris at the one-day camp, I had never umpired before and I had no idea what to do,” said Stephens. “I attended one of his clinics, and we just sparked a friendship. He saw something in me that I didn’t see in myself. From that moment on, he became my mentor and started coaching me.”
In 2018, Stephens moved to Minnesota, and while their friendship was now long-distance, it did not weaken their bond. Stephens and Rutz continued to call each other after every game to go over things he did well, set goals for improvement, and share their love of the game.
A year later, Stephens received a letter in the mail that proved to him that all of his hard work was beginning to pay off.
“I was selected to work the 2019 Little League Baseball West Region Tournament. I will never forget when I called Chris. It was a special moment. Being a young umpire is tough. It can be very tough, but when you have a good mentor and someone to push you and motivate you to get out of your comfort zone, and build that confidence in yourself, it is incomparable to anything,” said Stephens. “When I received that letter, I was like, ‘it’s on now, it is time to prove myself.’”
Dwight Stephens did just that. He shined as a West Region Tournament umpire, and his dedication did not go unnoticed. A few years later, Stephens received the call many Little League umpire dreams of —an invitation to Williamsport to umpire games at the LLBWS. For Stephens, that moment became even more meaningful when he realized what it meant to his father-in-law.
“He always dreamed of coming to Williamsport,” Stephens said. “Being able to make that happen for him and see him sitting in the stands meant the world to me. That’s what this experience is all about. It is not just my dream; it is something I get to share with the people I love.”
Now that Stephens has reached the biggest stage, he is already focused on a future of providing the same support he received from Rutz to the next generation of umpires.
“The next step is building the next set of umpires to get here,” said Stephens. “I want to teach. I want to be a mentor. I want to give back like Chris Rutz gave back to me. He was here in 2017, and his mentorship is one thing that really inspired me to stay with this program. I want to return the favor. I want to teach and instruct, come back, and be a mentor on the field for new umpires who have never been here before.”
To learn more about his experience as an umpire, Little League sat down for a “Full-Count” Conversation with Stephens during the 2025 Little League Baseball World Series.
1-0 Count: What do you think is the biggest lesson you have learned as your time as an umpire?
Perseverance. That is the biggest lesson I have learned throughout my time as an umpire. We’re challenged every single game. There is something new you might see that you may have never seen before. You’re going to make mistakes, you are going to learn, and what you do after that is what builds your character.
1-1 Count: What lessons from umpiring have you implemented into your full-time job as an accountant?
It is definitely the people skills. Accountants are kind of bland people from time to time. We kind of have that reputation, so you may not be too personable in some respects. But working as an umpire and interacting with different types of people, coaches, and players, you really learn how to interact with people. You learn how to carry yourself and then also try to build those relationships. There are some relationships on the field that don’t want to be built, but you still must find a way to be professional, carry on, and complete the game.
- Stephens continues to serve in the United States military, most recently being deployed to Poland from September 2022 through June 2023. In March 2026, he will begin Officer Candidate School, which will prepare him for leadership roles through physical training, military coursework, and leadership development.
2-1 Count: What inspires you to continue volunteering with Little League and giving back to your community, specifically?
It’s the people. I found it in the military, and that is why I continue to serve today, because I absolutely love that kind of community. We find it here, too, in youth baseball and softball. It is not just the group of umpires that has a community; it is the whole organization. Your local league has its own identity, and you are part of that. That is something special. It is something fun that I personally find valuable in my life. My wife and I are having our baby in December, and we are hoping to instill those values in our children and raise our children in our league.
2-2 Count: Can you describe the moment when you found out you would be working at the 2025 Little League Baseball World Series as an umpire?
To get the phone call, it was just a shock. You know, you have a list of people that you want to call first. I called my mom right away. To tell your family that is a special moment. Umpires go most of their careers and may never have this opportunity, and to be able to come here, set a dream, set a goal, and meet that goal. It is fun to share those moments with your family.
3-2 Count: How do the kids on the field and the teams that you work with on a daily basis inspire you?
They are phenomenal. It is so fun. They are excited to be out there. I know, going back to my local league, when I step on the field, sometimes those kids get excited. They say, “I love working with this umpire, and that kind of keeps me going. That gives you extra momentum when you get on the field. Sure, it is just a local league game on Tuesday night. It’s nothing special, nothing crazy, not 15,000 people in the stands. But when you step on the field and the kids get excited for you to be there, that makes you excited and want to be there.
Umpires are one of the most important aspects in the success of local Little League programs around the world and play a pivotal role in the experience of all our players throughout the Little League International Tournament. Interested in becoming a Little League umpire? Visit LittleLeague.org/Umpires to learn more. For more information on the Little League Baseball and Softball World Series, visit LittleLeague.org/WorldSeries.