Batter up!

Written by Betsy O’Leary

Lathan is the son of Hammond residents Joshua and Kristin Williams. The 8-year-old will start third grade at Hammond Eastside next fall. But he doesn’t just love to play the game like most of his peers. Lathan is a seasoned umpire, as well as a football and basketball referee, having officiated more than 100 games.

He first called a game at age 5 after dressing up as a referee that Halloween. Then, he asked Santa for some umpire gear for Christmas. The Big Guy delivered, and soon the 5-year-old was on his way to an early career as a sports official.

How He Got His Early Start

As his father, Josh, tells it, “He just shows up.” It all began with Lathan standing outside the Hammond America Sportsplex watching a baseball game and the umpire calling it. Eventually, the umpire noticed the little boy watching intently while copying his every move. When he invited him onto the field, a legend was born.

Since that fateful day three years ago, Lathan cut his teeth officiating local games in Hammond at the Sportsplex, Chappapeela Sports Park, some Ponchatoula football games, and Ascension Parish Little League baseball games.

World Record-Setter

On March 6, Lathan became the placeholder for the Guinness Book of World Records as the youngest umpire to officiate a baseball game. Lathan was the double-header umpire for the Ascension Parish ball team playing at Stevens Park in Gonzales.

Guiness record-keepers are still proving his claim of youngest umpire. Once his evidence is accepted, Lathan will move from placeholder to title owner in the Guiness Book of Records.

Just a Boy with Big Dreams

When asked about future plans, Lathan has lofty goals. He wants to go on to umpire MLB games and hopes that he can also referee NBA and NFL games. He’s off to a good start, having already attended the famous Harry Wendelstedt Umpire School near Daytona Beach, Florida. The umpire school has graduated more MLB umpires than any other school in the country.

Impressed by Lathan’s talent and drive, school officials already awarded him a full scholarship once he turns 18.

For now, Lathan enjoys his time on the sports fields officiating games whenever he can. He’s been on the field with the Savannah Bananas, a minor league exhibition team full of hijinks akin to the Harlem Globetrotters on the basketball court.

Lathan’s parents manage his social media presence on TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. The couple’s other son, Logan, also is a sports fan who has competed in sporting games throughout the south in both basketball and baseball. The family appreciates the support they’ve received from the local sporting community for Lathan’s endeavors.

Follow Lathan’s adventures by liking and subscribing to #LathanTheKidUmpire on all your favorite social media sites and at lathanthekidumpire.com.