Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
Gene Butts, member of the Northern Indiana Officials Association, residing in Sebring, Florida, during the winter months, has been assigned by the Citrus Belt Umpires to work the first exhibition game of the season for the Detroit Tigers.
The Tigers, based in Lakeland, Florida, will be playing the local college, Florida Southern University, with proceeds going to their baseball program.
Butts, a former Warsaw Community School Corporation teacher and WCHS athletic director, will begin his 50th season as an IHSAA umpire and 14th year with the Citrus Belt Umpires and the FHSAA.
This is his third opportunity to work for a major league club, working the plate in the Tigers' exhibition last season, and the Cleveland Indians intrasquad in 2000.
He opens his local season on May 2 at Northwood.
