Dwight Stephens caps dream season with Little League World Series assignments

A dream season of baseball umpiring in 2025 almost didn’t materialize for Dwight Stephens. A year ago, you see, he was at a crossroads. The Texas native, and now resident of Blaine, was enduring an inner struggle. 

His mind was rationalizing that it was time to step away from the game, devote more time to his career and family life. But in his heart, the game continued to call. He hadn’t advanced as quickly as he had hoped to earn an assignment for League regional games and that created reflection.

Quitting isn’t in his nature, either. After all, commitment and honor run deep. He is a former Marine and current member of the Minnesota National Guard. The flicker that still burned in his heart told him he still had more to give. 

“I was truly ready to be done,” he said.

Instead, he forged into 2025, which can now be viewed as his storybook season, a high point in his avocation. During his MSHSL schedule, he received sectional assignments and then was selected to work in his first state tournament. He was assigned to the Class AAAA tournament at CHS Field. 

His umpiring season then continued into late summer and concluded on Sunday, Aug. 24 when he worked the plate for the championship game of the Little League World Series in South Williamsport, Pa. 

“I had a big 2025, no question,” Stephens said. “You are always sad when it is done and time to put away the equipment. When the last out was recorded in the Little League World Series, it was a powerful feeling of accomplishment. There were 30,000 in attendance and millions watching on TV. It was a great game, moved along really well and was a satisfying way to wrap things up.”

Stephens, who works as an accountant for a manufacturing company, found out in early February that he was selected to work in the Little League World Series. Previously, he had worked three LLWS regionals. 

Thrilled with the assignment, he reported to South Williamsport in May for preparatory meetings. He returned 15 days prior to the start of last month’s event for orientation, film work, grounds rules and meetings with coaches and administrators. Over the 11-day tournament schedule, Stephens had game assignments on 10 of them. 

“It is a lot of baseball, but when you have a passion for it, it is really easy to lock in,” said Stephens, who describes his umpiring style as equal parts preparation, clean mechanics, hard work and effort. 

When he received the championship day assignment, he admitted that he and his wife had tears of joy. It was an assignment that was not pre-determined; rather, it was based on his performance in the games leading up to the title game. 

“After the emotions are done, you return to what got you here,” Stephens said. “It was 11 years of hard work. It’s enduring the highs and lows along the way. It’s about getting locked in working with your crew. Once that first pitch is thrown, it is like a deep breath. You are back to work, relying on the good things that brought you here.”

Stephens began his officiating journey with the League in 2021. While he was eager to work big games, his experience reminded him to be patient and that opportunities would come. 

He was notified via email that he had been selected to work at the quarterfinals during the annual state tournament in June. Stephens thought it was a fake email or spam. 

“I kind of felt I was a big fish in the small pond for Little League baseball in Minnesota,” he said. “I wasn’t sure how I was faring at the high school level, though.”

To umpire on a Triple A field in downtown St. Paul added to the thrill of his League state tournament debut. He worked home plate for one game and then third base. 

“What a fantastic experience all around,” Stephen said.

Stephens, a three-sport athlete while growing up in Dallas, was introduced to officiating while he was in the service. He attended a one-day camp sponsored by Major League Baseball. While admittedly shy to participate, Stephens rose above that as he was looking for volunteer opportunities to help earn a promotion. Umpires from Little League baseball were present, and he was instantly hooked, including developing a mentor-mentee relationship with a veteran official. He now plans to give back in that same way as part of the Little League National Instructor Team. 

“I’ve found purpose and reason in my officiating,” Stephens said. “Giving back in all we do is key. That keeps me in this. That brings me more joy than working home plate in a championship game. Someone saw something in me to keep me going. If I can do that for others, that is pretty rewarding.”

And that is one of the powers of officiating.