HHIDDEN IN PLAIN SIGHT

Written by Madeline Pistorius

Collegiate umpires Eddie Newsom and Laura King both agree that this career path is a real game changer.

In a tight-knit community, it is easy to believe you have everyone figured out -- their careers, families, and hobbies. You know where you can find them shopping or eating Sunday Brunch. But we’ve discovered there are hidden gems in our community. Eddie Newsom and Laura King, a sales rep and teacher, respectively. Both have a second career in the public’s eye, yet they’re hidden in plain sight. In fact, you’ve probably seen them and have not realized their true identity.

Eddie Newsom

For as long as he could remember, Eddie Newsom played baseball. Instead of retiring from the field and joining the stands when his playing time came to an end, he discovered a way to remain on the field. He became an umpire. He began his journey in 1997 and has just completed his 26th year as a college baseball umpire, with over 1,800 games under his belt.

The father of two and husband to wife Dee Dee spends his week working his job of 24 years at Quikrete in Hammond. On Friday, he’s on a plane, traveling to the designated location of the ball game he is umpiring that weekend. On Sunday night, he’s on a plane back home, just in time for work on Monday.

“I can’t do anything fun for a few months. It’s a juggling act,” Eddie Newsom said, “but it’s worth it. It started off as a hobby. Now I fit it into my work.”

Eddie has reached many milestones throughout his career, but he isn’t stopping until he achieves his ultimate goal. “It’s the chase for Omaha,” Eddie said. “It’s no different than the teams. It’s the only thing on my list I haven’t gotten yet.” In fact, he has a game ball collection that he keeps in a pyramid shadow box, and theoretically, there are only a couple of spaces left to fill before he gets to his Omaha goal.

Through traveling the world and interacting with top players and sports influencers, Eddie has had the opportunity to advance his knowledge of the game in unique ways. He has officiated games both in the United States and in other countries such as the Netherlands, South Korea, and Japan. “The regional cultures influence the way the players and staff interact during the game, and it is meaningful to be a part of that,” Newsom continued. He has saved the umpire sheet from every game since the start of his career as mementos. He was quick to point out that some of the greatest players to play the game are within those pages.

Travel is the best and also the hardest part. “There are sacrifices, to each their own, but being away from your family is the biggest sacrifice. It’s important that I dedicate the time I am away to being the best I can be, representing not only my family, but my friends, town, conference, and myself.”

When asked what makes him successful in his career, Eddie replied, “The key to success in umpiring is having a strong understanding of the rules of the game and being able to apply them fairly and consistently.” “Umpires must also be able to remain calm and impartial in all situations while having the ability to make quick and accurate decisions.”

While Eddie keeps this part of his life quiet, he uses the skills he’s developed on the field, confidence, focus, and common sense, throughout his life here in Tangipahoa Parish.

Laura King

Local teacher, Laura King, is a Hammond High graduate, girls’ basketball coach, and mother of two. Her hands are full already, but after making a bet just a few years ago, she found herself beginning a new career as a college official.

Upon watching a friend of hers officiate, she jokingly bet him that she could do a better job. “He told me they needed people, so I went out there and did it,” Laura King said. “And I instantly fell in love with it.”

Since then, Laura has officiated not only high school sports but college conferences such as the Sunbelt, Southland, Big 10, and Big 12.

“I have always loved sports and had I’d been coaching for 15 years before I started officiating. You have different perspectives as a coach, and it translates into being a good official,” King said.

For Laura, her experience has been different than the others in her field. “It’s really just word of mouth,” she said. “One person watches me work, they spread the message – suddenly I’m in multiple college tournaments, back-to-back.”

In fact, after only two years, she was presented with the huge opportunity to officiate the Oklahoma State and Florida State softball game. What takes many years to accomplish, Laura has been able to do in record time.

When asked what her favorite part is, she replied that nothing beats working with people.

“Seeing the players, knowing what they go through, and having the ability to see it from a different side,” Laura said. “I know I will go out there and give them a game that they deserve. It might not always be perfect, but it will always be a fair game.”

Laura may have started out with more opportunities than her peers, but it is her hard work and consistent performance that have made her so successful. When asked where she sees herself at the pinnacle of her performance, she replied, “Eventually, making it to the Women's College Softball World Series is a dream of mine. I’m sure it’s everybody’s hope at some point. I have the desire, the want, the backing, and the mentors to get me where I want to go.”