Although we have had some outstanding programs this year, this was one of the most exciting and entertaining programs. Tripp Gibson grew up in western Kentucky. Tripp had a desire to be a major league baseball player. Although an accomplished player, he wasn't a big guy so he took  a different direction in his desire to be in major league baseball. His dad and mentor went to Murray State University on a golf scholarship where he was parred often with professional golfer Kenny Perry.

 

Tripp's dad became a high school baseball coach five years prior to Tripp entering high school. He was always under a microscope because of his size. One of his dad's ingrained messages was "you never call it quits."  When Tripp didn't get any scholarships to major universities, he decided to quit baseball and work for his dad in the appliance store.  In 1999 , a friend suggested he umpire local baseball games because you were paid $25 per game. First game was behind the plate for a game of 12 year old's. Motivation was to earn enough money to help offset his college cost for books, means, etc. Earned a degree in Art Education from Murray State. After one year of teaching, he decided it wasn't for him.

 

Tripp attended the Harry Wendelsted School for Umpires in Florida in 2006. There were 180 students. You have to be in the top 5% to move on. He was named 2nd in his class. Nine years in the minors at every level from Single A Short League through AAA, living sometimes out of his car as he traveled the umpiring circuit.  He kept getting promoted. In 2012, he was invited to Major League Baseball. His first game was the Dodgers vs. Diamondbacks which lasted 5 hours. In 2014 he worked 149 games in the majors. Asked to work in the Dominican Republic and that year worked 322 days. Joe Torre called inviting him to the majors. His umpire number is 73 which usually means that he is a rookie. He decided to keep the number for as long as he can. This year he worked his first play off game between the Twins and Yankees. You have to progress up the chain. To umpire in the play offs and World Series usually takes 15 years. This year, he was called up as a "reply call umpire assistant". There are six umpires on the field with an additional umpire who reviews replays. Tripp's role was to assist the replay umpire. There are 76 MLB umpires in the United States. Tripp will learn his 2018 schedule on February 15th. MLB Umpires work about 130 games each season.

 

Tripp's wife Dana grew up in Lake Stevens. Tripp and Dana have two little boys, 5 and 1 years old. Great program Tripp and we look forward to you returning to our club in 2018.