I attribute my success to my mental approach to the game. I have always been a serious student of umpiring. I enjoy studying rules, situations, and positioning.

As a youngster, I played in Little League, Pony League, and all sorts of amateur baseball programs growing up.

Our students learn more in 30 days than one could learn in 30 years without our training. To really maximize your potential as an umpire, you need to get a solid foundation as soon as you can.

When I was 14, I played in a summer league. One night the chief umpire asked me if I would like to try umpiring. There was a Little League tournament coming up and he needed more umpires than he had.

Managers have very tough jobs. I always respected their job but demanded respect in return.

I set very high standards for myself and worked every game with the same energy and enthusiasm as if it were the seventh game of a World Series.

Anyone interested in becoming a professional umpire and becoming eligible to work in the minor leagues must attend one of the two umpire schools sanctioned by Major League Baseball.