Umpire Saves 7-Year-Old Catcher From Dust Devil During Game - Inspirational Videos

An umpire surprised a child and those watching with an unexpected act of kindness during a baseball game.

Anyone who has ever watched, participated in or been affiliated with sports in any way knows umpires and referees take quite a bit of abuse. Over the course of a game, an official will hear complaints from everyone. Coaches, parents and players will let the refs know their thoughts and opinions on calls. However, there was no arguing with one umpire’s move in Florida during a baseball game.

In a video posted to YouTube, an umpire in Jacksonville, Florida, acted to help protect a player in a game he was officiating. 

The incident took place as the children were playing. A coach was on the mound preparing to throw a pitch as a player on the opposing team stood in the batter’s box with a catcher crouched down, ready to go. However, play is momentarily interrupted.

After the coach throws the ball, a dust devil at home plate comes from nowhere. The batter, who swung and missed, casually walks off, but the 7-year-old catcher stands in the middle of the miniature dust storm. The umpire, who stands off to the left, swoops in, grabs the catcher and removes him from the swirling dust cloud.

A few seconds later and things are back to normal. Play can now resume. But the umpire was recognized for his unexpected act of kindness. 

A man, likely a coach of one of the two teams, walks out onto the field and congratulates the young umpire for his kind act. The coach gives the umpire a high-five and a hearty pat on the back. 

It requires little effort to show someone kindness, like the umpire’s move during the game. But that act might have ripple effects that could impact someone else’s life for the better. 

Ephesians 4:32 “And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving each other, just as God also in Christ forgave you.”