Mitchell's Peyton Schroder makes state amateur debut in hometown as youngest umpire

Mitchell, South Dakota — Peyton Schroder, a 22-year-old baseball enthusiast from Mitchell, made history this summer by becoming the youngest umpire in the Class B state amateur baseball tournament. Schroder, who began his umpiring career in 2019 by officiating youth baseball games in his hometown, earned the opportunity to officiate seven games at the tournament held at Cadwell Park.

Schroder's journey to the tournament required dedication and hard work. After attending numerous umpiring clinics in Kansas City, he gained invaluable experience working alongside veteran umpires. Over the course of a 12-day span, the South Dakota Umpires Association and South Dakota Amateur Baseball Association selected 25 umpires to officiate the Class A and Class B tournaments.

During his first weekend of work, Schroder gained invaluable experience as he officiated games in front of his hometown fans and peers. The tournament not only allowed Schroder to fulfill his childhood dream of umpiring at Cadwell Park but also provided him with the chance to learn from experienced umpires. Schroder expressed his appreciation for the instruction he received during his umpiring journey, emphasizing that it significantly contributed to his growth as an official.

Looking ahead, Schroder views the experience as a stepping stone in his development as a baseball umpire. He expressed enthusiasm about potentially returning to the tournament next year, citing the wealth of knowledge he gained from working alongside experienced officials. For Schroder, the experience was not just about officiating games but also about fostering a deeper appreciation for the sport he loves and staying involved in baseball through umpiring.