Marty Springstead facts for kids

Martin John Springstead (born July 9, 1937 – died January 17, 2012) was a famous baseball umpire in Major League Baseball (MLB). He worked in the American League from 1966 to 1985. Later, he helped train other umpires. He was special because he was the youngest umpire ever to lead the crew in a World Series. He was only 36 years old when he was the crew chief for the 1973 Series.

Becoming a Baseball Umpire

Martin Springstead was born in Nyack, New York. He went to Mount Saint Michael Academy in the Bronx, where he played sports like basketball, track, and baseball. After high school, he studied advertising at Fairleigh Dickinson University.

He briefly played baseball as a catcher for local teams. Then, he decided to become an umpire. He went to the Al Somers Umpire School in 1960. He started his umpiring career in a league called the Northern League.

From 1961 to 1962, he served in the Army. Even in the Army, he continued to play and umpire baseball games. After his Army service, he worked in the Southern League from 1963 to 1965. He then joined the American League staff in 1966. He lived near his hometown in New York throughout his career.

His Major League Career

Martin Springstead was an umpire for many important baseball games. He worked in the All-Star Game three times: in 1969, 1975, and 1982.

He also umpired in three World Series. These were in 1973, 1978, and 1983. He was the lead umpire, or "crew chief," for the 1973 and 1983 World Series. He became an American League crew chief in 1974.

Springstead also worked in four American League Championship Series. These were in 1970, 1974, 1977, and 1981.

He was the home plate umpire for two no-hitter games. A no-hitter is when a pitcher completes a whole game without any opposing player getting a hit. These special games happened on July 3, 1970, for Clyde Wright, and on September 29, 1983, for Mike Warren.

Starting in 1980, American League umpires began wearing uniform numbers. Martin Springstead wore number 4. After he retired, umpire Tim Tschida wore the same number. Today, Chad Fairchild wears number 4.

Umpire Equipment

For most of his career, Springstead used an "outside chest protector." This type of protector was worn on the outside of the umpire's uniform. It was required for American League umpires until 1974. In 1983, he switched to an "inside protector," which is worn under the uniform.

Challenging Moments

Umpires sometimes have to make tough calls. One famous moment happened on a rainy night in 1977. The Baltimore Orioles manager, Earl Weaver, wanted a tarp removed from the field. Springstead, who was at third base, said no. Weaver then took his team off the field. Because the team did not return, Springstead declared the game a "forfeit." This meant the other team, the Toronto Blue Jays, won the game automatically.

Another time, in Cleveland, Earl Weaver brought a rulebook onto the field. Springstead warned him not to take it out. When Weaver did, Springstead sent him out of the game. These moments show how umpires enforce the rules.

After retiring from the field, Springstead became an MLB umpire supervisor. He helped oversee other umpires. In 2010, there was a change in the supervisor roles at MLB. This was part of an effort to make the umpiring organization as strong as possible.

Later Life and Passing

Martin Springstead retired from umpiring games after the 1985 season. On January 1, 1986, he became the American League's Executive Director of Umpires. In 2000, when the American and National League umpire teams joined together, he became a special assistant for MLB's umpiring department.

He was a popular speaker and taught umpiring clinics. He even taught umpires in Japan, Canada, and for the United States Air Force in Europe.

Martin Springstead passed away on January 17, 2012, at the age of 74. He died from a heart attack while swimming near his home in Sarasota, Florida. Because he served in the United States Army, he was buried as a veteran at Sarasota National Cemetery.

See also

• List of Major League Baseball umpires