STRIKE!

BALL!

Veteran umpire Billy Ray Chandler’s voice of authority can beheard above the crowd noise. For 46 years Chandler has been clearlycalling balls and strikes, making pitchers and batters either happyor unhappy.

After 35 years of working on offshore oil rigs, plus roofinghouses in his spare time, Chandler’s weathered face also hasendured countless hours in the sun as an umpire, either behind theplate or in the field. Deep creases line his cheeks and eyes as heshares a smile and a friendly handshake.

Obviously, Chandler still enjoys his work as an umpire. Theslightly built man in a blue uniform is tough as leather but hemaintains a cheerful love and enthusiasm for youngsters who playthe game of baseball. A fixture on local diamonds, Chandlerrecently was presented a plaque by the Lincoln County Youth Sportsfor his years of service.

“If my health holds out, I’m going to do it another year,”predicted the 66-year-old Chandler who will celebrate his nextbirthday Dec. 14. “The Lord has really blessed me with goodhealth.”

Born in Lincoln County in 1940, Chandler attended school at NewSight and Loyd Star before transferring to Brookhaven. He was onBHS teams with athletic legends like Lance Alworth, Ralph “Catfish”Smith and Don “Red” Estes.

When his father’s health deteriorated, he was forced to drop outof school after the 11th grade and help provide for his family. Hestarted work at the old Johnson Lawnmower plant and then foundemployment offshore.

Joe Portrey, the assigning secretary for Dixie Youth Baseball inLincoln County, has known Chandler for over 30 years. “I knew himeven before I became involved in officiating.

“He is a very energetic, conscientious man who looks out for thewell being of the players,” Portrey pointed out. “He loves thoselittle fellows.”

Portrey said Chandler umpires with style and enthusiasm. Hewon’t hesitate to help a catcher adjust his equipment and providesome paternal advice to players who are batting or pitching.

Chandler began officiating when he was 20 years old, starting in1961. When he was home from offshore, he would roof houses duringthe day and umpire games at night.

“I’ve always played ball,” said Chandler. “I got interested inumpiring. I started off with Little League, then I got into highschool and did some semipro.”

He was married 44 years to Mary Lee. She passed away in 2006. Heand his first wife had five children.

Chandler remarried May 19th to his childhood sweetheart. “Iasked the Lord for a good Christian woman and he gave me Joyce. Wewere boy friend and girl friend growing up. Her husband passed awayaround the time my first wife passed away.”

Overall, Chandler considers himself a sports fanatic.

“There’s never been a man who put on a set of clothes who lovesit more than I do. I like baseball best. I like football andbasketball, too. I even like golf. It looks easy but it’s hard toplay.”

A longtime member of Macedonia Baptist Church, he now attendsNew Sight Baptist Church where his wife is a member.

Asked if he ever considered serving as an official in othersports, Chandler said, “I’m strictly a baseball umpire. I workedoffshore and it was so darn cold out there, I didn’t want to standon a football field and freeze.”

Recognized across southwest Mississippi, Chandler mainlyofficiated in Lincoln County. He also worked games in Pike County,Natchez and Jackson.

He continues taking a professional approach to his craft. “I’vealways tried to be clean cut. I don’t drink and I don’t cuss much.I do smoke.”

Lincoln County Youth Sports commissioner Weldon Smith praisedChandler. “There’s not a person out here who cares more about thesekids. He teaches when he is umpiring. He shows the kids what todo.

“I don’t know how we could get by without him,” said Smith.

Dealing With Fans

Like all umpires, Chandler is the object of second-guessers andcomplainers. He’s heard just about everything behind homeplate.

“Every now and then you have to straighten them out,” saidChandler. “I hear what I want to. Sometimes I’ve had to get onthem.”

Recalling one incident when two men loudly and continuouslyderided him from behind the chainlink fence, Chandler issued thisresponse. “I turned around and told them, ‘There’s a gate downthere. You all are welcome to put it (umpire gear) on and call thisgame. You either hush or I’ll have you escorted out of here by thelaw officials.”

He also comes to the defense of inexperienced umpires.”Sometimes they’ll get on a young umpire.

“If you let a coach talk and run his mouth, he’ll get worse thelonger it goes on.”

Chandler said the secret to success is calling balls and strikeswith authority. “It’s discipline. Know the rules and stick toit.

“I’ve got a nephew and a niece who I’ve thrown out of a game,”said Chandler with a chuckle. “His mother wouldn’t speak to me fora month.”

He said the baseball rule book is important. “It applies to ayoung man and an old man, rich or poor.”

He also said demanding parents can ruin their child’s enjoymentof the game. “Some parents take it too serious. They make it becometoo hard for the kids to play.”

Chandler said parents should “tell the kids to do their best.Give 100 percent and don’t worry about it. I want those kids tohave fun.”

Avoiding Serious Injury

Besides the safety of the players, umpires must be alert,especially on foul balls.

“I’ve had my bell rung on foul tips. They can get nasty.”

Recalling his most serious injury, Chandler laughed. “A big,heavy woman stepped on my toe during a softball game and I lost mytoenail.”

Know The Rule Book

“The first thing is to know the rules,” saidChandler. “Call the balls and strikes loud so the people can hearthem. The right hand is for strikes and outs only.”

Remembering some sage advice from veteran umpire Billy McDonald,Chandler said, “He told me to make a call and do it with authority.You can avoid a lot of jams like that.”

In his spare time, Chandler enjoys woodworking as a hobby. Healso watches many athletic events on TV.

“I started out a Yankee fan in 1949 when Joe Dimaggio played.The Yankees don’t have any pitchers right now, except one.”

Chandler watches the Atlanta Braves on cable TV but his maininterest is in their opponents.