10-Year-Old Boy Is The Umpire's Biggest Fan

It isn’t uncommon for children to become fascinated with a sport, movie or public figure. Kids are always looking for new ways to play make-believe or use their imaginations. 10-year-old Vincent Stio is no different than any other child. He is completely captivated by baseball. But while most kids want to be like the players, Vincent is way more interested in the umpires.

Each and every game at the Carolina Mudcats' stadium near Raleigh, you can find Vincent dressed in full umpire gear copying all of their calls and movements. When Vincent first started to become interested in umpires, his parents thought it was a phase. "It's a two-year phase at this point," his mother Maria Stio said.

But his love for the umpires doesn’t stop at the games, every day this sweet boy will put on his gear and stand in front of the TV doing the exact same thing. It’s so funny to watch him mimic the exact stance and hand movements used by the pros. And each umpire is like a start to Vincent. He even sleeps next to a box of autographed baseballs from umpires. Vincent recently took his love of umpiring one step further when he attended an umpire school to learn the tricks of the trade.

This little boy’s passion and dedication is so amazing to watch. In a day when most kids would rather be sitting in front of a phone or tablet, it’s refreshing to watch a child get out and enjoy something new. What do you think about this umpire in training?