On Tuesday, May 13, local KHSAA official David Lane said goodbye to a 52-year career.
Lane worked officiating several sports across the state for a good long while, though it started in a small town one state above.
In Franklin, Indiana, Lane began umpire work with his father, ‘Red,’ at the age of 12. Making $10 a game, five games a week, Lane was “a pretty rich kid,” for the time.
His father was a well-respected umpire himself, having made a huge impact on the game in Franklin. It was those early days working with his father that instilled a love for the field.
“I’ve always loved doing it, my dad coached and umpired and I started coaching a little and umpiring also,” explained Lane. “I moved to Kentucky in ‘99. Started officiating for KHSAA in the 9th region that year and then went to the 8th region for softball. Then advanced to basketball, football and volleyball.”
Though he worked multiple sports, softball became his favorite due to it being a “quick game with a lot of movement.”
Lane made quite the name for himself in the softball world of the Bluegrass state. In the last three years, he was called up to officiate the state championship game. He’s even worked NCAA and NAIA games in his tenure.
“He’s a standup, standout guy,” stated Grant County High School softball coach, Scott Simpson. “To get to his level, you’ve done a great job with what you do. When you get a nod to officiate the state tournament, you’ve definitely earned your stripes.”
Most notably as well as recently, Lane was voted by the KHSAA as the third best umpire in the state.
“After the state softball tournament, I found out I was voted the 3rd best,” noted Lane. “It’s an honor to be third best in the state, with over 200 officials just in softball. I’d like to be number one, but I got number three and I’ll take it.”
It was an incredible ride for Lane, starting with his father years ago in a small town in Indiana making $10 a game, ending 52 years later as a top three umpire in the state with accolades upon accolades. Not to mention the love and respect of several generations of player and official.
“From the time that he’s come from baseball to softball, he’s very knowledgeable of the game and respectful of it and the kids and coaches,” commended coach Simpson. “He’s done a great job. When he told me he was retiring, I told him we need him around. He said it was time to retire. Dave is, you know, true to the game and always up for question and discussion on calls. He always played it straight, it wasn’t a one-way game with him.
“He’ll be missed by older coaches who have been around a while, he’ll definitely be missed on the high school level. It’s a lot of dedication and time away, you’re missing dinner in the spring, missing your weekends. I don’t think there’s enough that can be said for what he’s brought to the game and on his knowledge of the game.”
Lane’s final game was a home game for Grant County as the Lady Braves faced Cooper. It seemed that the weather wanted to get in the way of his retirement, with rain delays lasting for over an hour.
“We had a nice ceremony for him at our field, but we actually delayed the game out for rain,” explained coach Simpson. “But they asked me about canceling it and I said no … when it stops, we’re playing this. He’s getting the recognition he deserves. It makes me proud that he wanted to go out on our field.”
The game went on and GC won 1-0 scoring the only run of the game in the last inning.
Lori, Lane’s wife of 12 years, reflected fondly on her husband’s career.
“His dad, Red, umpired and coached in Franklin and his dad was so well respected that they gave him a key to the city. That was when they weren’t paid to umpire. He helped build ballparks, officiate, and like his dad, he’s well respected here.
“I think it’s just … he wanted to honor his dad in a way, you know? Both, that family in general, is a family of integrity and values. And his son (Chris) umpired a year with him and that was something David was really proud of.”
In the end, it’s the memories of umpiring with his father and eventually his son that outshine all the rest.
“Umpiring with my dad and son are the two biggest moments with me.”
In the seminal baseball film “Field of Dreams”, Ray Liotta’s character Shoeless Joe Jackson says, “Man, I did love this game. I’d have played for food money … Shoot, I’d play for nothing.” The games of baseball and softball have had a magical hold on the American public for years. It won’t be easy for Lane to give it all up after 52 years.
“I’m going to miss the game … I love it a lot,” said Lane through tears. “I love officiating, I always have. I love the girls, they all know me here in the 8th region, that I’m fair. We have good times. Being on the field with my partners and the coaches. All of that is what I’m going to miss the most.”
And the list of those in Kentucky who will miss seeing him on the field is certainly long indeed.
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