Umpire Mike Quesnell celebrates milestone of 7,000 games
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) — Mike Quesnell has spent more than four decades behind the plate and on the bases. Now, the longtime umpire is celebrating a major milestone: officiating his 7,000th game.
Quesnell said reaching the mark was far from guaranteed after undergoing two heart procedures last year.
"I didn't really think I was going to make it to 7,000," Quesnell said.
Over the years, Quesnell has officiated games ranging from Little League to the college level. Without children of his own, he said the players, coaches and fellow officials he has met have become his family.
"I consider everyone my family," Quesnell said. "I never had children. From Little League all the way to doing some college at Whitewater, I consider everyone my family, and I love everyone for that. I can feel the love and support."
Quesnell said that support has become more noticeable over time, with players increasingly approaching him after games to offer their appreciation.
"Years ago, people would just walk off," Quesnell said. "But now the kids come up to me. They come up to me and say, 'Good job, ump.'"
His milestone comes as youth and amateur sports leagues continue struggling to recruit and retain officials.
Quesnell worries some leagues could eventually disappear unless younger people step forward.
"There's such a shortage that I think, at a certain point, and hopefully not in my time, some of these leagues are going to be going away because no one is really going out there," Quesnell said. "We try to recruit, recruit, recruit, but the numbers keep going down and down."
Quesnell joked that the five members of his current officiating crew have a combined age of about 300.
"We need you younger guys," he said. "We need you younger guys."