Bill Ryan’s umpiring skills on display at state tourney

By John Sherman Published August 2, 2025

Umpire Bill Ryan of Apple Valley shows some panache in ringing up a hitter on Aug. 1 at Lower Rec Field in St. Michael.

ST. MICHAEL — One fan watching a game at Lower Rec Field in St. Michael earlier today asked, “Where do they get these umpires, anyway?

The fan wasn’t critical, just inquisitive. He actually liked watching an umpire behind the plate whose name is Bill Ryan. What did the fan like about Ryan? 1. He had a fair strike zone, 2. He knew the rules, 3. He was in charge of the game and 4. He was having fun.

As he changed clothes to umpire in the field for the next game, Ryan took a few minutes to talk about his experience as an umpire.

“I joined Northwest Umpires in 1986,” he began. “My first assignments were mostly high school and American Legion games. Before long, I was given some college assignments.”

Ryan said he umpired mainly in four college conferences — the Big Ten, the Summit League, the Horizon League and the Northern Sun Conference.

“I have done college ball for more than 30 years,” Ryan said. But he is not exclusively umpiring for the colleges.

Umpire Bill Ryan signals strike on a pitch in the dirt as catcher Palmer Steinmetz keeps his eye on the bouncing baseball.

“I enjoy Legion games and have done state Legion for about 30 years,” Ryan said. “I love coming back to the place I got my start. Legion is a great program in Minnesota. I enjoy being on the field with the Legion players and giving back to the community.”

At Apple Valley High School, Ryan was a football player, who specialized in kicking. He took his kicking talents to Concordia University in St. Paul where he also started at first base for the baseball team.

“A lot of the umpires out here are former high school and college athletes,” Ryan said. “I am always looking for young guys who might want to get into umpiring.”

Ryan has slowed down a little bit the last couple of years because of a knee replacement. But he never lets his knee stop him from hustling to call a play in the field.

The Apple Valley native gives this advice to young umpires: “Be confident, hustle and know the rules. And most importantly, have fun with the game.”

Ryan’s approach to coaches and players is to show respect. There are times for conversation, times to bear down on the play. Ryan is known for both.

Nate Schroepfer, Ryan’s partner Aug. 1 at Lower Rec Field, said, “Bill manages the game really well and he has taught me to have fun out here.”

Over the course of his career, Ryan has dreamed of moving into the pro ranks. Major League umpires face a 162-game ordeal — same as the big-league players. It’s an incredible commitment.

“I have been a replacement umpire at the Class AAA level and have been called up a couple of times,” Ryan said.

That’s probably as close to the Majors as he will come. Luckily, he loves doing college, town team, high school and Legion games.

“When I’m no longer having fun, that’s when I’m done,” Ryan said. “As of now, I still look forward to every game.”

There you have it fans, Legion fans. State Legion goes after the best umpires in the state and usually gets them. Division I Tournament Director Bruce Young said, “We get our umpires from Northwest Umpires and Eastside Umpires. Both organizations do a great job.”