BTVF: Who is Nathan Polis?
I’m Nathan, Belgian, and I’ve been living in Strasbourg for nearly five years. I’m a photographer and videographer. And since 2019, I’ve been spending my weekends umpiring, whether for young players or adults.
BTVF: How did baseball come into your life?
My father traveled a lot to the USA, mainly to Atlanta, for work. He’d bring me back souvenirs, including a baseball. I looked to see if there was a club in my area and in 1999 I joined the Liège Rebels, my beloved club, where I played until I moved to Strasbourg in June 2017. I then joined the Strasbourg Outlaws until the end of the 2018 season.
Jackie Robinson Ballpark, home of the Daytona Tortugas (MiLB Single A) and the Bethune-Cookman, a NCAA D1 team
BTVF: From player to umpire, it’s a step some never take. How do you explain your transition?
I was forced to stop playing in 2018 due to back problems.
Umpiring was the only way for me to stay close to the baseball fields.
I completed my AF1 training in 2019, AF2 in 2020, but passed in 2021 due to COVID. As a player, baseball is already complex, but it’s as an umpire, by studying the rules, that you realize the true complexity. That’s what I like. And then, there’s no one better placed on a field to watch a baseball game!
BTVF: Over the past two years, you’ve been steadily climbing the ranks and officiating at the highest levels. How did you experience the major events of 2021?
Indeed, despite a shortened season, 2021 was a very busy year for me.
I officiated my first D1 game in Metz, then participated in the Interligues, where I was the Plate Umpire in the semifinals and third-base umpire in the final, with a three-umpire system, all in the U15 category.
Right after that, I went to the France Challenge in La Rochelle, where I wish I had performed better.
These events allowed me to gain a lot of experience in a short amount of time. The pressure was there, and I had to learn to manage it.
I would like to thank the CNAB for the confidence and opportunities, as well as my fellow umpires who supported me.
With Hunter Wendelstedt
BTVF: You’ve just completed training at the Wendelstedt Umpire School in Florida, USA. Tell us about this training and what it brought you.
I’ll try to keep it brief…
First, I’d like to introduce the school. It’s an annual training program aimed at training professional umpires and providing umpires to the MiLB, who will then move on to the MLB. The school has been around for 46 years and is the only one still active today. The staff consists of MiLB umpires, with regular visits from MLB guys and, of course, Hunter Wendelstedt, son of Harry (the founder).
The program is intense, with classes held six days a week, from 8:00 AM to 5:00-6:00 PM, with a 30-minute lunch break.
We started the day with three hours of rule reading, with explanations and interpretations. Then, we went out to the field for training to repeat the mechanics: Strike, Ball, Out, Safe. With 192 students split into the outfield, it’s quite impressive. We then attended demonstrations of the two-umpire system, followed by practical application.
WENDELSTEDT UMPIRE SCHOOL 2022
This school allowed me to deepen my knowledge of the rules and the two-umpire system. The more the days went by, the faster I had to react and create automatisms. Mental repetitions were very important.
The quality of the teaching is incredible, it’s sometimes tough, it’s intense but it works.
Beyond the sporting aspect, the school allowed me to create true friendships in the USA, Canada, Puerto Rico, and Japan. There was no direct competition for those who wanted to join the MiLB, but mutual aid. We were all there to become better and we supported each other.
These relationships allowed me to umpire in the USA, including a game in the mythical Jackie Robinson Ballpark in Daytona.
No matter your age or level, I highly recommend this training if umpiring is your thing. The oldest student this year was 75 years old!
It’s an exceptional experience, lifelong memories as they say over there.
Visit by Joe West (Cowboy Joe)
BTVF: What can we wish you?
First, a good 2022 season, which I’m eagerly awaiting to put into practice what I’ve learned. My goal is to keep working hard, learning, evolving, and passing on what I’ve learned.
I would like to thank the CNAB, the Grand Est League, my family, friends, and all the umpires who have supported or encouraged me, French or foreign. Baseball and umpiring have allowed me to meet amazing people and travel, I hope it continues for as long as possible!
Interview by Didier CANNIOUX
