Garman Joins Blue Crew in Omaha : CLU Graduate Calls ‘Em as He Sees ‘Em for College Series

Jim Garman has seen and felt the changes.

When Garman began his professional umpiring career 16 years ago, ESPN did not exist, network television had no interest in college baseball, and the College World Series was played quietly, without much media coverage.

Today, every World Series game is telecast nationally by ESPN or CBS, and highlights and controversial plays are shown over and over again on local newscasts across the country.

Garman, a graduate of Cal Lutheran University who lives in San Pedro, is working his third College World Series. He was behind the plate Thursday night for a game between Wichita State and Oklahoma State. As the senior member of the six-man crew, he is likely to be there again for Saturday’s network-televised championship game.

“The job has become more demanding because college baseball has become a bigger event, especially the World Series,” Garman said. “The more exposure, visibility and TV there is, the more pressure and responsibility there is on the officiating.”

Garman, 37, has become acclimated to working before large audiences.

In 1991, with major league umpires and baseball’s owners in a labor standoff, Garman worked the Freeway Series between the Dodgers and the Angels. Last summer, he was one of two umpires from the United States chosen to work the Summer Olympics in Barcelona.

“The Olympics were incredible,” said Garman, who works for TRW in Orange County. “Being part of something that big was very memorable. There were so many people and so much going on, it was like a machine.

“The baseball, though, was not that challenging because Cuba kicked everyone’s butt. This World Series is actually more challenging because all of the teams are so competitive.”

Garman’s first experiences as an umpire came during high school in San Diego.

“My dad was a Lutheran minister and there was a church softball league,” Garman said. “They needed umpires, and he said, ‘Well, might as well keep the money in the family.’ ”

After graduating from Cal Lutheran, Garman attended a professional umpires school and earned a job in the Pioneer Rookie League. In the next five years, he worked his way up to the double-A Texas League before retiring at age 26 because of lifestyle considerations.

“Minor league ballplayers have it rough,” Garman said. “But umpires have it worse. I knew I wanted to have a family, and an umpire’s lifestyle, especially in the minor leagues, isn’t very conducive to doing that.”

Garman, who works about 35 evening and weekend games during the collegiate season, has umpired in 12 consecutive NCAA regional tournaments. His Olympic experience and involvement with the U.S. Baseball Federation--the governing body for amateur baseball--will probably result in more work on the international level.

“As baseball grows throughout the world, there is going to be a need for umpires,” Garman said. “There were umpires from other countries at the Olympics, and some of those countries need help.

“I’ve been contacted to do some clinics, which is something I enjoy.

“Right now, though, I’m just concentrating on what’s happening here. Like the players, I want to have a good World Series.”