Balls and strikes: making the calls with Major League Baseball Umpire Doug Eddings

Las Cruces native Doug Eddings (AP photo)

From the Las Cruces SunNews - by Teddy Feinberg - Entering his 14th year as a Major League Baseball umpire, Las Cruces native Doug Eddings has seen his fair share on the field. After spending 10 years in the minor leagues, the 43-year-old Eddings made his Major League debut in 1999. Since then, he's called an All-Star Game, a Division Playoff Series, and the American League Championship Series. Eddings still calls Las Cruces home - a resident of Picacho Hills, he is the co-owner of the local restaurant Ump 88 Bar and Grill. Thursday, he will open the MLB season, however, umpiring second base at Wrigley Field in Chicago, when the Cubs host the Nationals. After getting behind the plate for the series finale on Sunday, Eddings will then head to Texas for a three-game set between the Rangers and Seattle Mariners, before hitting the road once again to Miami. Such is summer living for Eddings. And it's been that way the past 24 years. Read interview with Doug Eddings

Balls and strikes: making the calls with Major League Baseball Umpire Doug Eddings