For Sydnee Lorenson, the Penokee Range Little League diamond in Bessemer, Michigan, has always been more than just a field — it has been a place where community and competition come together. Her journey to becoming an umpire began with her curiosity about the rules of the game that she loved the first time she laced up her cleats, and her local Junior Umpire Program is where she found the perfect way to stay involved.
Umpiring is just one piece of who Lorenson is. By day, she teaches at her local K-12 school in Ironwood, Michigan, where she not only educates students but also cheers them on from the sidelines at their scholastic games. Outside of the classroom, she is coaching, watching her niece play, or heading out to her own slow-pitch softball games. Lorenson’s life is full of moments that reflect her love of the game and community.
What started as a small step into her local Junior Umpire Program has turned into something much bigger. This year, her journey in umpiring brought her to one of the biggest stages in youth sports — Howard J. Lamade Stadium at the Little League® International complex in Williamsport, Pennsylvania— where she served on the all-female crew in the in the second Maria Pepe Little League Baseball® Legacy Series, a weekend dedicated to showcasing girls in baseball.
“Where I am from, there has been a lot of community support. I am from a small town of about 5,000 people and when I found out about this opportunity, I was able to share with others about the experience,” said Lorenson. “It was great to tell my friends from back home that you can be from a small town and do something big. I think that it is great that there are female umpires, coaches and players all weekend in Williamsport, which has been a very inclusive and supportive environment for me.”
Junior Umpires play a critical role in growing and sustaining the Little League program, offering teenagers the opportunity to gain leadership skills, confidence, and community service hours while supporting their local league. Training programs pair the Junior Umpires with veteran umpires, helping them to build confidence while understanding the mechanics and rules in a live setting—often starting at the Minor Division level.
To learn more about her experience in the Junior Umpire Program and her journey as a female umpire, Little League sat down for a “Full-Count Conversation” with Lorenson during the 2025 Maria Pepe Little League Baseball Legacy Series.
1-0 Count: How do you like to connect with players as an umpire?
I like to have fun with them for sure! Obviously, it is a game, and the players want to win every game, but there is always going to be a loser in the game. You want to make sure that each team is having fun, whether you’re dancing with them, asking them what their favorite ice cream flavor is, or if they have any fun summer plans. I want to be interactive with them and have easy and fun conversations with them, especially if they are losing, so they are not focused on being down. I am the only female umpire at my local league, which is great, because I have a lot of younger girls looking up to me who are wanting to try new things. A lot of the girls have a better connection with a female umpire, so it’s nice to be able to have fun with it and not be so strict about everything.
1-1 Count: Reflecting on your umpiring journey, what are some things you would tell your younger self?
I would tell myself not to be nervous. When I was younger and in the Junior Umpire Program, I was very nervous while I was umpiring games. It is very intimidating seeing the adult coaches and they can get frustrated. Seeing it as a teenager, it was a lot harder because I would ask myself, “what do I do?” because you are nervous that something is going to happen. I would also tell my younger self to be focused on your goal, and you will not have to worry about anything else.
2-1 Count: Were there any mentors throughout your journey to becoming an umpire?
Sam Fontecchio is the one who helped me get started with umpiring. There were a lot of people who helped me along the way though such as my dad, people from the local school, and coaches. Otherwise, right now, I am the only female umpire in my district. It is a great opportunity to get to work with the guys and get advice from those who are older and have traveled to umpire Little League Region Tournaments and World Series games. It is always great to gain simple advice from them. Fontecchio, who umpired at the Little League Baseball World Series a few years ago, once told me to never let anyone change my perspective. He said, “You are the one who is there — you are the one calling the game. Don’t let anyone change your perspective unless it’s a reviewable play.
2-2 Count: What advice would you give to someone who is thinking about joining the Junior Umpire Program?
If you truly love the game, go for it. There is nothing wrong with trying something, but you will regret it if you don’t. Just try it, and if you don’t like it, you don’t like it. If you do like it, then you found something new. At my local league we have a high school girl who is now umpiring and was unsure at first if she wanted to participate in the program. I told her to just try it, and has now been umpiring for about a year. She always asks me questions about situations. My advice to her is to be confident and loud on the field.
3-2 Count: What are some of the things you learned in your time as a Junior Umpire?
In the Junior Umpire Program, they do a great job of breaking down the job when you are younger because it is a lot to learn. Whereas, if you start umpiring as an adult, they tend to throw all the rules at you, and it is a lot harder to learn. When you are growing, learning, and developing in the junior program there is an emphasis on focusing on one thing for this game. Then in the next game, let’s focus on a different part of the game. They train you from the bottom up on how to be a better umpire.
Interested in becoming a Little League umpire? Visit LittleLeague.org/Umpires to learn more.