Bill Kinnamon
Encyclopedia
William Ervin Kinnamon was an umpire
in Major League Baseball
who worked in the American League
from 1960 to 1969.
Born in Lincoln, Nebraska
, Kinnamon officiated in the 1968 World Series
, and in the All-Star Game
in 1962 (second game) and 1968. He went on to become an umpiring instructor, and operated one of the two principal umpiring schools for several years.
Kinnamon graduated from Lincoln High School and the University of Nebraska
, where he earned a degree in business administration. He married Thelma Lorraine Johnson on April 29, 1945. He was stationed in Alaska
while with the US Army during World War II
, before beginning his baseball career as a Minor League player in 1949.
Kinnamon began his umpiring career in the Sooner State League
in 1953, moving up to the Pioneer League (1954), the Eastern League (1955-56) and the American Association
(1956-60) before joining the American League staff in September 1960.
During the 1961
season, Kinnamon became a part of history as the home plate umpire during Roger Maris
' record-breaking single-season 61st home run, which was hit on October 1st to break Babe Ruth
's single-season record.
Through the course of his career, Kinnamon worked roughly 1,500 games including the 1962 and 1968 All-Star Games and the 1968 World Series
. He later founded his own umpiring school. After retiring from field duties due to a June 1969 injury, he became an umpiring supervisor, and then the chief instructor in the major leagues' new Umpire Specialization Course, which later became the Umpire Development Program. He eventually began running the training program independently, operating one of the two principal umpiring schools from 1974 to 1981 in St. Petersburg, Florida
before selling the school to umpire Joe Brinkman
, who had been an instructor in Kinnamon's program since 1973. A resident of Daytona Beach, Florida
throughout his major league career, he later relocated to Largo, Florida
.
Kinnamon died in Clearwater, Florida
, at the age of 91.
Umpire (baseball)
In baseball, the umpire is the person charged with officiating the game, including beginning and ending the game, enforcing the rules of the game and the grounds, making judgment calls on plays, and handling the disciplinary actions. The term is often shortened to the colloquial form ump...
in Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
who worked in the American League
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
from 1960 to 1969.
Born in Lincoln, Nebraska
Lincoln, Nebraska
The City of Lincoln is the capital and the second-most populous city of the US state of Nebraska. Lincoln is also the county seat of Lancaster County and the home of the University of Nebraska. Lincoln's 2010 Census population was 258,379....
, Kinnamon officiated in the 1968 World Series
1968 World Series
The 1968 World Series featured the defending champion St. Louis Cardinals against the Detroit Tigers, with the Tigers winning in seven games for their first championship since 1945, and the third in their history...
, and in the All-Star Game
Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The Major League Baseball All-Star Game, also known as the "Midsummer Classic", is an annual baseball game between players from the National League and the American League, currently selected by a combination of fans, players, coaches, and managers...
in 1962 (second game) and 1968. He went on to become an umpiring instructor, and operated one of the two principal umpiring schools for several years.
Kinnamon graduated from Lincoln High School and the University of Nebraska
University of Nebraska–Lincoln
The University of Nebraska–Lincoln is a public research university located in the city of Lincoln in the U.S. state of Nebraska...
, where he earned a degree in business administration. He married Thelma Lorraine Johnson on April 29, 1945. He was stationed in Alaska
Alaska
Alaska is the largest state in the United States by area. It is situated in the northwest extremity of the North American continent, with Canada to the east, the Arctic Ocean to the north, and the Pacific Ocean to the west and south, with Russia further west across the Bering Strait...
while with the US Army during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, before beginning his baseball career as a Minor League player in 1949.
Kinnamon began his umpiring career in the Sooner State League
Sooner State League
The Sooner State League was a minor league baseball league that operated from 1947 through 1957. The league owners kept it alive in 1958, anticipating a return to play in 1959. However, when only Ardmore and Paris, Texas, were able to secure working agreements, the League folded on February 12,...
in 1953, moving up to the Pioneer League (1954), the Eastern League (1955-56) and the American Association
American Association (20th century)
The American Association was a minor league baseball league at the Triple-A level of baseball in the United States from to and to . Together with the International League, it contested the Junior World Series which determined the championship team in minor league baseball, at least for the...
(1956-60) before joining the American League staff in September 1960.
During the 1961
1961 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: New York Yankees over Cincinnati Reds ; Whitey Ford, MVP*All-Star Game , July 11 at Candlestick Park: National League, 5-4 *All-Star Game , July 31 at Fenway Park: 1–1 tie...
season, Kinnamon became a part of history as the home plate umpire during Roger Maris
Roger Maris
Roger Eugene Maris was an American Major League Baseball right fielder. During the 1961 season, he hit a record 61 home runs for the New York Yankees, breaking Babe Ruth's single-season record of 60 home runs...
' record-breaking single-season 61st home run, which was hit on October 1st to break Babe Ruth
Babe Ruth
George Herman Ruth, Jr. , best known as "Babe" Ruth and nicknamed "the Bambino" and "the Sultan of Swat", was an American Major League baseball player from 1914–1935...
's single-season record.
Through the course of his career, Kinnamon worked roughly 1,500 games including the 1962 and 1968 All-Star Games and the 1968 World Series
1968 World Series
The 1968 World Series featured the defending champion St. Louis Cardinals against the Detroit Tigers, with the Tigers winning in seven games for their first championship since 1945, and the third in their history...
. He later founded his own umpiring school. After retiring from field duties due to a June 1969 injury, he became an umpiring supervisor, and then the chief instructor in the major leagues' new Umpire Specialization Course, which later became the Umpire Development Program. He eventually began running the training program independently, operating one of the two principal umpiring schools from 1974 to 1981 in St. Petersburg, Florida
St. Petersburg, Florida
St. Petersburg is a city in Pinellas County, Florida, United States. It is known as a vacation destination for both American and foreign tourists. As of 2008, the population estimate by the U.S. Census Bureau is 245,314, making St...
before selling the school to umpire Joe Brinkman
Joe Brinkman
Joseph Norbert Brinkman is a former umpire in Major League Baseball who worked in the American League from 1973 to 1999 and throughout both major leagues from 2000 until his retirement during the 2006 season....
, who had been an instructor in Kinnamon's program since 1973. A resident of Daytona Beach, Florida
Daytona Beach, Florida
Daytona Beach is a city in Volusia County, Florida, USA. According to 2008 U.S. Census Bureau estimates, the city has a population of 64,211. Daytona Beach is a principal city of the Deltona – Daytona Beach – Ormond Beach, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area, which the census bureau estimated had...
throughout his major league career, he later relocated to Largo, Florida
Largo, Florida
Largo is the third largest city in Pinellas County, Florida, USA and is part of the Tampa Bay Area. Centrally located, it is the crossroads of the county. As of the 2000 census, the City had a total population of 69,371. As of 2004, the population estimated by the U.S. Census Bureau was...
.
Kinnamon died in Clearwater, Florida
Clearwater, Florida
Clearwater is a city located in Pinellas County, Florida, US, nearly due west of Tampa and northwest of St. Petersburg. In the west of Clearwater lies the Gulf of Mexico and in the east lies Tampa Bay. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 108,787. It is the county seat of...
, at the age of 91.