About Us
Taking Umpiring to the Next Level
Next Level Umpires is the baseball umpiring group of Next Level Sports Management LLC. All baseball games contracted through Next Level Sports Management use Next Level umpires.
Our Story
Our association began as the umpire group for the York County Baseball League. Under the leadership of Ken Hersey, the group started from humble beginnings and soon began supplying umpires to the York/Adams county area on a large scale. Upon Ken's sudden passing 2015, Paul Shields stepped in to take the reins of the organization. Paul has expanded the group farther and wider than ever thought possible during his tenure. In early 2021, Nick Lovell was brought on staff as an assigner with the York County group. Working together over the next two years, Paul and Nick formalized what was once a small group into a full-service umpire association, Next Level Umpires, and officiating management company, Next Level Sports Management.
Next Level Umpires Staff
Paul Shields
Administrative Consultant and Senior Adviser
Nick Lovell
CEO and Coordinator of Officials
Daniel Wetzel
Director of Training and Development/League Assigner
Ben Wagner
8u-10u and Little League Assigner
Bob Downey
Assistant Little League Assigner
COMING SOON
Mechanics Specialist and Evaluator
Join Us
Becoming a sports official is a fun, interesting, and important responsibility — providing a valuable service for the success of youth sports and competitive athletics. It’s also a great way to engage with the community, and stay active. Take the first step in your officiating journey and register today.