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Local umpire at youth World Series
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| Bruno Black behind the plate at the National Youth Baseball Championships in Memphis. |
By Jay Pace Staff Writer
MOULTON--Whether its playing baseball games or calling them as an umpire, Moulton resident Donald H. “Bruno” Black has done it all—and at an extremely high level—since his days as a youth growing up in nearby Limestone County.
Black spent most of his early years working on the family farm alongside his father helping to support his poor family. It was here on the family farm in the midst of those grueling, tiresome, 16 hour days in the brutal heat where Black began cultivating his passion for sports.
For the last 25 years, Black has spent most fall Friday nights roaming the sideline at Lawrence County High School football games, serving as the Red Devils official, unofficial chain gang.
“I’ve always loved sports and made them a part of my life. My dad always enjoyed sports and made time for them, whether it was listening to games on the radio or watching them on TV,” remembers Black.
That passion for athletics passed from father to son and some 60 years later that fire for sports burns brighter than ever.
“I’ve always enjoyed sports and I’ve played them all,” SAID/SAYS Black who prefers baseball above all. “I guess its something about getting out in the sunshine, being outside and hollering at the umpire.”
Of course, it never hurts to be immensely talented either and Bruno Black was just that.
Black wasted little time showcasing that talent, bursting onto the scene as an eighth grader at Elkmont High School where he started on the varsity baseball and football teams. He also played basketball and eventually cracked the starting line there too.
An all-county basketball and football selection, Black’s extraordinary abilities were most evident on the baseball diamond.
“I excelled in baseball,” he says. I did better in baseball than I did in any of them.”
After three plus years at Elkmont, Black, much to the dismay of his coaches and teammates transferred to nearby rival Athens High School in the spring of his junior year. It didn’t take long for Black’s impact to be felt at Athens where he threw three no-hitters. His first came during his senior year in 1961 against his old school, Elkmont. That day, the long-lean southpaw struck out 20 of the 21 batters he faced.
“I was a natural left-handed pitcher who threw hard and had a good breaking ball,” offers Black.
Shortly thereafter, Howard College [now Samford] offered Black a scholarship to play baseball but ultimately, his grades prevented him from making good on that offer. It didn’t keep those in the professional ranks from taking an interest in him.
Black accepted a three-day tryout with the St. Louis Cardinals in Pulsaki, Tennessee. As usual, Black performed well but the Cardinals never expressed any further interest. Soon after, another tryout in Atlanta, Georgia followed, this time with the Los Angeles Ddogers who eventually offered him $10,000 to sign.
“From the very first day, they tried to get me to sign with them. I told them I was going back to talk with my high school coach about it.”
Eventually, Black rejected the Dodgers offer citing the rapidly declining health of his father, as well as, their inability to match Black’s wishes concerning the signing bonus. “At the time, money was also an issue. I had arm problems and I knew if I signed with the Dodgers and still had those problems they would cut me.
“I asked them for $20,000 and they even came to watch me pitch for the $20,000 asking price.”
The Dodgers didn’t budge and neither did Black. The opportunity to play professional sports never beckoned “Bruno” Black’s door again.
Injuries and major reconstructive surgery eventually took their toll, causing him to give up playing sports altogether in 1976. However, sports were part of Bruno Black’s fabric and just because he could no longer play them, he certainly wasn’t going to give up on them.
Fast-forward thirty something years later and Black, now retired from 3M, spends most of his time, where else, but the baseball diamond.
“I never dreamed of being an umpire,” Black says. “But after I quit playing I started coaching and after years of doing that and dealing with and watching umpires I began to wonder if I could do that.”
Black has answered his own question with an emphatic yes. His umpiring career began locally where he called games for free. Remembers Black: “For awhile, this town didn’t have anyone to call games at all. Much less able to pay them.”
My, he’s come a long way.
A certified Class III umpire Black has risen to the top of his profession, er uh, hobby.
“If you’re getting into umpiring to make money,” he says. “You’re in the wrong business. You definitely don’t make any money umping. You’ve got to love those kids and love the game.”
In 2001, Black was selected with his career, Black recently added the crown jewel to his as part of the inaugural crew to call the Class 1A-6A state baseball tournament in Montgomery. He was invited back in 2002.
Accomplished, decorated and satisfied, Black recently added the crown jewel to his shining career when he was one of 18 umpires nationwide selected to work the inaugural National Youth Baseball Championships in Memphis, Tennessee. The NYBC formed after eight separate little league organizations agreed to send their top two teams to compete in playoff style format ending a World Series designed to name a true little league national champion.
“They were choosen for this inaugural World Series because of their experience…” said Dixie Youth Baseball Commissioner Wes Skelton. “We thought they had such great credentials.”
Black calls it the biggest honor of his stellar career. “This recent call to ump in Memphis was just the biggest honor I’ve had,” he says with a slight smile from the comforts of his easy chair earlier this week. “It was very rewarding.”
There were more than 100,000 teams vying for the chance to play in Memphis. Only 16 actually got the opportunity.
“We came to seethe best players and that’s what they were,” Black said. “It was an opportunity for the best from all over the countryto come together and see who the best were.”
The players weren’t the only ones in Memphis at the top of their class. There were also 18 men in blue. One of which lives right here in Moulton, Alabama and his name is Bruno Black.
Black spent most of his early years working on the family farm alongside his father helping to support his poor family. It was here on the family farm in the midst of those grueling, tiresome, 16 hour days in the brutal heat where Black began cultivating his passion for sports.
For the last 25 years, Black has spent most fall Friday nights roaming the sideline at Lawrence County High School football games, serving as the Red Devils official, unofficial chain gang.
“I’ve always loved sports and made them a part of my life. My dad always enjoyed sports and made time for them, whether it was listening to games on the radio or watching them on TV,” remembers Black.
That passion for athletics passed from father to son and some 60 years later that fire for sports burns brighter than ever.
“I’ve always enjoyed sports and I’ve played them all,” SAID/SAYS Black who prefers baseball above all. “I guess its something about getting out in the sunshine, being outside and hollering at the umpire.”
Of course, it never hurts to be immensely talented either and Bruno Black was just that.
Black wasted little time showcasing that talent, bursting onto the scene as an eighth grader at Elkmont High School where he started on the varsity baseball and football teams. He also played basketball and eventually cracked the starting line there too.
An all-county basketball and football selection, Black’s extraordinary abilities were most evident on the baseball diamond.
“I excelled in baseball,” he says. I did better in baseball than I did in any of them.”
After three plus years at Elkmont, Black, much to the dismay of his coaches and teammates transferred to nearby rival Athens High School in the spring of his junior year. It didn’t take long for Black’s impact to be felt at Athens where he threw three no-hitters. His first came during his senior year in 1961 against his old school, Elkmont. That day, the long-lean southpaw struck out 20 of the 21 batters he faced.
“I was a natural left-handed pitcher who threw hard and had a good breaking ball,” offers Black.
Shortly thereafter, Howard College [now Samford] offered Black a scholarship to play baseball but ultimately, his grades prevented him from making good on that offer. It didn’t keep those in the professional ranks from taking an interest in him.
Black accepted a three-day tryout with the St. Louis Cardinals in Pulsaki, Tennessee. As usual, Black performed well but the Cardinals never expressed any further interest. Soon after, another tryout in Atlanta, Georgia followed, this time with the Los Angeles Ddogers who eventually offered him $10,000 to sign.
“From the very first day, they tried to get me to sign with them. I told them I was going back to talk with my high school coach about it.”
Eventually, Black rejected the Dodgers offer citing the rapidly declining health of his father, as well as, their inability to match Black’s wishes concerning the signing bonus. “At the time, money was also an issue. I had arm problems and I knew if I signed with the Dodgers and still had those problems they would cut me.
“I asked them for $20,000 and they even came to watch me pitch for the $20,000 asking price.”
The Dodgers didn’t budge and neither did Black. The opportunity to play professional sports never beckoned “Bruno” Black’s door again.
Injuries and major reconstructive surgery eventually took their toll, causing him to give up playing sports altogether in 1976. However, sports were part of Bruno Black’s fabric and just because he could no longer play them, he certainly wasn’t going to give up on them.
Fast-forward thirty something years later and Black, now retired from 3M, spends most of his time, where else, but the baseball diamond.
“I never dreamed of being an umpire,” Black says. “But after I quit playing I started coaching and after years of doing that and dealing with and watching umpires I began to wonder if I could do that.”
Black has answered his own question with an emphatic yes. His umpiring career began locally where he called games for free. Remembers Black: “For awhile, this town didn’t have anyone to call games at all. Much less able to pay them.”
My, he’s come a long way.
A certified Class III umpire Black has risen to the top of his profession, er uh, hobby.
“If you’re getting into umpiring to make money,” he says. “You’re in the wrong business. You definitely don’t make any money umping. You’ve got to love those kids and love the game.”
In 2001, Black was selected with his career, Black recently added the crown jewel to his as part of the inaugural crew to call the Class 1A-6A state baseball tournament in Montgomery. He was invited back in 2002.
Accomplished, decorated and satisfied, Black recently added the crown jewel to his shining career when he was one of 18 umpires nationwide selected to work the inaugural National Youth Baseball Championships in Memphis, Tennessee. The NYBC formed after eight separate little league organizations agreed to send their top two teams to compete in playoff style format ending a World Series designed to name a true little league national champion.
“They were choosen for this inaugural World Series because of their experience…” said Dixie Youth Baseball Commissioner Wes Skelton. “We thought they had such great credentials.”
Black calls it the biggest honor of his stellar career. “This recent call to ump in Memphis was just the biggest honor I’ve had,” he says with a slight smile from the comforts of his easy chair earlier this week. “It was very rewarding.”
There were more than 100,000 teams vying for the chance to play in Memphis. Only 16 actually got the opportunity.
“We came to seethe best players and that’s what they were,” Black said. “It was an opportunity for the best from all over the countryto come together and see who the best were.”
The players weren’t the only ones in Memphis at the top of their class. There were also 18 men in blue. One of which lives right here in Moulton, Alabama and his name is Bruno Black.
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