Umpire of the year

GREENFIELD — Steve Shantz was named one of five district umpires of the year at the Saturday, Jan. 20 Iowa High School Baseball Coaches Association award banquet, but it was a different award that humbled Shantz.

Shantz was named the Brent Prange State Umpire of the Year, as determined by coaches, but aided in the process by fellow umpires.

The tenured umpire has gained highly relevant experience in umpiring high-impact games, aided by the likes of Scott Busch, Steve Wilson, Ryan Carlson and Ryan Kisell, all of Creston and Shantz noted that he steadily works with seven or eight other umpires. With officiating shortages plaguing baseball, like many

other sports, Shantz is hoping that more interest will come to the sport.

To be named one of the best in a consistent field of professionals that have been at it for decades is an honor for Shantz.

“I was extremely surprised,” Shantz said. “A lot of great umpires out of those five (who were named district umpire of the year). All but one have received that award multiple times.”

To Shantz, being an umpire in baseball is uniquely different and more satisfying for him personally, as he gets to interact with coaches on the field differently than he does in other sports.

He knows he has been able to pass along knowledge to other umpires, but has acquired much of what he has in knowledge and handling of the game from those who helped him in his first years, dating back close to 2000.

Shantz did win Newcomer of the Year in 2007.

“Not sure this year I’ve gotten any better than I did the last few years,” Shantz said. “I think sometimes your name gets out there a little bit more and you get recognized.”

“You strive for perfection every time you go out there,” he later added.

Now he says, with the recognition as umpire of the year, more will be expected of him. He shared a chuckle when prompted with the question of new expectations for himself.

“The Bullseye is on my back.”