John Mang Jr. umpires at New York-Penn All-Star Game in Conn.

By Greg Gulas

sports@vindy.com

At this time last year, Austintown’s John Mang, Jr. was finishing a plate assignment in the local Connie Mack Tournament while anxiously awaiting his next call for the upcoming NABF Tourney at Struthers’ Cene Park.

Tonight, approximately 524 miles from where he cut his umpiring teeth, he’ll join five Mahoning Valley Scrappers players when he works the New York-Penn League All-Star Game in Norwich, Connecticut.

It’s an honor that he said he will relish for years to come.

“I found out last week that I was selected to work the all-star game and I must admit that I was pretty excited. It sure is humbling and very nice when your work is recognized by managers, players, supervisors and the league president,” Mang said. “I’ve had a lot of fun this summer and while I like being under the radar, so to speak, the recognition is humbling.”

Mang, who will work the left field line, will join crew mate David Arrieta, a native of Maracaibo, Venezuela who was also selected and has drawn home plate as his assignment.

“We’re veterans of 54 professional games together and I just cannot tell you how happy I am that we’ve both been chosen. David [Arrieta] is an excellent umpire and I’ve already told him that he can count on me on any checked swing calls, even though I am down the left field line,” Mang said.

While major league umpires are graciously compensated when working beyond their normal workload, umpires at the rookie level view it as simply working an additional game.

“For many of us, it’s our first couple years in professional ball so we look at it as an honor just to have been chosen. The meal money is more than worth it right now for us,” he stated.

Mang, who graduated this past winter from the famed Harry Wendlestedt Umpiring School, said his father, John, Sr., a noted area umpire and official was able to join him this past weekend while working in Batavia, New York.

The elder Mang was more than willing to dispense some sound advice.

“It’s always great to have your father watch and observe you, especially a dad like mine who has been involved in the game as long as he has. He’s always been encouraging to me and makes sure that I understand that an umpire must be on his toes the entire game and always ready for a situation when it arises,” Mang noted. “He also told me that I might only get one play out there during the game so I better not blow the call.”

Mang added that the common thread for everyone at the rookie level is the hopes of advancing their careers to the next level.

“I’ve been fortunate this year in that I have met some of the keenest minds in the game. From managers to bench coaches to players and even ground crew members, we all have the same aspiration and that is to get to the next level,” he said.

The five Mahoning Valley all-stars representing the American League include starting first baseman Nellie Rodriguez and shortstop James Roberts, and reserves Claudio Batista (second base), and lefthanded pitchers Luis Lugo and Matt Whitehouse.

Coaching the American League squad will be the host Connecticut Tigers (Tigers) staff while the National League will be led by the Brooklyn Cyclones (Mets) coaching contingent.

A luncheon honoring all players and umpires will be held today at noon.

First pitch is slated for 7:35 p.m.