A California Little League umpire is drawing attention online for his animated style, with videos showing him sprinting across the field and sliding along with the players.
Sawyer Sparks went viral after a parent filmed him at a local game and shared the clips on Instagram.
By Friday, the video had received more than 126,000 likes.
Justin Ritchie, the parent who recorded the video, told FOX58 based out of Bakersfield, Calif., that he initially filmed Sparks to show his wife, who had not yet arrived at their son’s game.
“I was texting her, and she was asking about the game and how our son was doing. I told her that he’s not up yet, but this umpire, he’s really killing it out there,” Ritchie said.
After recording a few clips, Ritchie posted one online, where it quickly gained traction.
“And the next day, just the views and comments and messages I’ve been getting from this kid, I was like – amazing!” he explained.
Sparks told FOX58 his dramatic movements are aimed at improving accuracy on the field, particularly when he is working games alone.
“The reason why I run around the field is, since I’m the only umpire on the field, I want to make sure I get the most accurate calls as possible,” Sparks said.
Following the video’s viral success, Sparks said he later met Ritchie in person.
“I went ahead and met Justin, and I just told him … thank you for getting my skills out there and showing everybody what I can do,” Sparks said.
