Batter up! This 8-year-old is looking to become the world's youngest baseball umpire
Lathan Williams is baseball mad. That’s not unusual for an 8-year-old. However, while he plays travel ball, Lathan’s claim to fame is for umpiring baseball games. The youngster, from Hammond, Louisiana, became hooked on officiating at just five years old.
“I wore referee stuff for Halloween,” he says. “And for Christmas, I asked Santa for umpire’s gear, and I umpired my brother's games, and I watched MLB games on TV.”
Lathan eventually began umpiring games for Little Leaguers and even older kids. He also developed a large following on social media, where he goes by the name of “Lathan the Kid Umpire.” And whether umpiring or playing, he’s become a bit of a local celebrity.
“The kids, they're like so excited watching me umpire,” says Lathan. “They see me all the time, and they're like, is that him? Is that him?”
Lathan is currently under consideration by Guinness World Records for the title of “World’s Youngest Baseball Umpire.” He’s also been offered a future scholarship by the prestigious Wendelstedt Umpire School in Florida, which has trained numerous umpires to officiate in Minor and Major League baseball.
Watch the video to see Lathan the Kid Umpire in action
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 8-year-old Lathan the Kid Umpire seeks a baseball world record
