Tom Rawlings, a longtime, dedicated Little League volunteer, has assumed the duties of Director of Umpire Development, and joined the Operations Department at Little League International in South Williamsport, Pa.
“Tom is a long-time Little League volunteer from the Harrisburg, Pa., area, and a top-notch umpire,” said Stephen D. Keener, Little League President and CEO. “Both locally and internationally, he has played a major role in the training and education of Little League umpires through his involvement with the Little League umpire clinics and school. Drawing on his experience; belief in, and support of, the Little League program; and appreciation for the value of developing quality volunteer umpires, we are proud to have Tom join our staff in Williamsport.”
Earning a Bachelor of Arts degree from Shippensburg (Pa.) University, with his post-graduate work done at both Penn State University and Temple University, Mr. Rawlings later served in the United States Army as an Intelligence Specialist, and spent 26 working for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Mr. Rawlings, 61, began volunteering as an umpire in 1989, and during the past 27 years has served as the Assistant Umpire Consultant for Pennsylvania District 14, and the Umpire Consultant for Pennsylvania District 6. An umpire in the 2011 Little League Baseball® World Series; 2007 Junior League Baseball World Series and Little League Baseball European Regional Tournament; along with the 2003 Eastern Region Little League Baseball Tournament, and 2001 Eastern Region Senior Baseball Tournament, Mr. Rawlings has also attended Little League International Umpire Schools and Clinics, serving as a clinic and school instructor for the past 10 years.
As Umpire Development Director, Mr. Rawlings will assist with training and supporting volunteer umpires throughout the entire Little League International program. This will include overseeing the Little League Umpire School and Clinics, development of publications and educational resources and creating instructional curriculum.
A native of Latrobe, Pa., where he played Little League, Mr. Rawlings currently resides in Camp Hill, Pa. He and his wife, Gail, have two children, Stephanie and Jacob; and one grandchild, Camden.