Malachi Moore, the 11th Black umpire in Major League history, is paving the way for the next generation of Black umpires.
“I want to leave the state of umpiring better than I found it,” Moore said.
His two-day umpiring camp for ages eight and up is being held on December 13 and 14, in Compton, California.
Moore is hosting his camp through his non-profit Moore 44, built on helping to empower young lives based on stewardship, collaboration and service.
Malachi Moore Gives Back To Community Through Gift Of Umpiring Lessons
Moore wants to give back to the game. He created the camp in 2018 to help people learn how to umpire. Whether you want to use the skills to umpire little league or become the next big-league umpire, Moore is happy to teach anyone.
The 35-year-old umpire said his non-profit will even sponsor people who want to become professional umpires, sending them to the Harry Wendelstedt Umpire School which is shutting down in 2026. This is his way of paying it forward and giving back to help the next generation become successful umpires.
Moore was once uncertain about his life’s purpose. He attended Compton College and played baseball, but after college he didn’t know his next steps. MLB’s first Black crew chief, Kerwin Danley, found Moore at a free umpire camp at the MLB Youth Academy in connection with Compton College.
Kerwin Danley Gave Malachi Moore His Umpiring Opportunity
“Kerwin Danley saw himself in me,” Moore said.
Danley gave him an opportunity to become an umpire. Moore rejected the idea at first but then came around. Danley worked with Moore who eventually attended the Harry Wendelstedt Umpire School on a scholarship. After finishing, he was assigned to the minor leagues where he umpired for 11 years.
Danley was a mentor to Moore, helping him to become the umpire he is today. He was such an inspiration that Moore chose to wear number 44 after Danley who also wore the number.
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Malachi Moore Has Broken Barriers As MLBbro Umpire
Since starting his umpiring career, Moore has umpired in the All-Stars Future Game, the Wild Card Series last year, and even the MLB game at Rickwood Field. The Second Annual East-West Classic played on Rickwood Field, and held on Juneteenth this past summer, was a historic game consisting of the first all-Black umpire crew in MLB history.
“I’m looking for the next me,” Moore said. He is looking for the next big umpire whatever race or gender. He even wants to find and give an opportunity to the first Black female umpire. Moore has said that he found his purpose and that he has been called to expand the game.
Moore, who is one of five current Black umpires in the Major leagues, is kept motivated through the limited company he keeps. Moore takes pride in being one of the few Black umpires and thinks umpires deserve more recognition for doing their job.
“We’re more than just umpires, we’re athletes too,” Moore said.
