Elon graduate named crew chief for Series

Justin Hite / Assistant Sports Editor

Elon's reach has stretched to the biggest stage in Major League Baseball as umpire Joe West was named the crew chief for the current World Series.

West graduated from Elon in 1974 and has been an umpire for 28 years. This world series will be West's third World series and 13th playoff series. As a crew chief, West was behind the plate calling the balls and strikes in Game One.

He was also assigned as the crew chief for the American League Divisional Series between the New York Yankees and the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. At mid season West worked as the home plate umpire for the All-Star game, a game with extreme importance in determining home-field advantage for the World Series. West was also the youngest person ever to umpire an NLCS.

West has also worked in the 1993 and 1997 World Series. Through all of this, West has become one of the top umpires in the League and is responsible for many major events during the season.

West was one of five umpires who were involved in a Supreme Court case with Major League Baseball over back pay. In nearly a five-and-a-half year case, West and four other umpires finally were awarded back pay for the 1999, 2000 and 2001 season. They were all rehired for the 2002 season as well.

West joins Jack McKeon as Elon graduates who have had lasting impacts on professional baseball. He is responsible for designing and patenting the Wilson Sporting goods brand of umpire equipment used by Major League Baseball.

West is a member of the Elon Sports Hall of Fame and was a three-year starter and quarterback for Elon during the early 70s, when he led the team to second in the nation. He also holds three passing records at Elon. West has also been inducted into the South Atlantic League Hall of Fame.