Three Strikes and a Wish for an 89-year old

"I want to be an umpire at an Indianapolis Indians game!"

from the Pendleton-Gazette.com
Posted July 2, 2010 

Richard “Dick” Leitch became the oldest umpire to call a pitch during a pre-game warm-up at Victory Field Friday July 2nd during the Indianapolis Indians game against the Columbus Clippers. 

Leitch (pronounced Leech) walked onto the field with the other umpires with the tune “Men In Black” playing in the background. He walked over to home plate to call three strikes on a batter and tell him, “you are out of here!”

The former teacher and elementary school principal has been serving the needs of his New Castle community for more than 60 years. Leitch served on the local sheriff merit board, the city county council, and was elected to the New Castle Community School Corporation Board at the age of 88. He was still coaching high school tennis well into his 80s.

This World War II Veteran will soon turn 90 and he told his son-in-law that one thing still left on his “bucket list” was to be an umpire for a day at an Indians game. Leitch is a season ticket holder for the Indians and attends as many home games as possible.

Although he has never coached or played baseball, he loves the game, and he admires the umpires for all the tough calls they have to make during a game. And tonight, Dick Leitch joined the ranks of the men in black who make all the critical calls behind the plate and utter the words —“three strikes — you’re out!”

For more information about this elder wish, contact either Ryan Bowman, Community Relations Manager with the Indians at 317-532-6940, or Bob Haverstick, founder of Never Too Late (www.nevertoolate.org) at 317-823-4705.