Ocean Springs umpire also had role in regionals 18-year veteran worked 4 games

Mississippi was well represented this past week in the NCAA baseball regional tournaments.

Ole Miss, Mississippi State and Southern Miss all earned bids last weekend, while a South Mississippi umpire also worked a game.

Terrance Mobley of Ocean Springs officiated the NCAA's Charlottesville, Va., regional last weekend.

Mobley is a staff umpire of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, completing his 18th year of umpiring. He worked four games in the tournament.

"It was a wonderful experience," Mobley said. "The baseball and the tournament officials were great. I was thrilled to be given the opportunity."

Mobley caught the eye of NCAA officials last year while serving as an instructor at a development camp in Phoenix.

"There is a lot of opportunity for young umpires right now in baseball," Mobley said. "Young guys who have just finished their high school or college careers playing the game should look into umpiring."

He cited the example of Anthony Johnson, 23, who attended the Jim Evans umpiring school in Florida and has been given a professional contract in the Gulf Coast League this summer.

"I would be happy to help any prospective umpires in any manner that I can," Mobley said. "It's a way to give back to a game that has been good to me."

Prospective umpires should inquire with high school coaches or game officials about how to begin a career.