August 4, 2023 – Story and photos by Joshua Ross
The 2022 MIAA Umpire of the Year will be taking his talents to the Little League World Series Regional bracket this year. Hingham’s Mark Rulli is one of 12 umpires selected, and the only one from Massachusetts, who will be officiating the tournament starting tomorrow.
The Northeast Regional will feature 12 teams from New England (ME, NH, MA, VT), Metro (CT, NY, NJ, RI), and Mid Atlantic (PA, MD, DE, DC). The games will take place 8/5 through 8/11 at the A. Bartlett Giamatti Little League Leadership Training Center in Bristol, CT and will be televised on ESPN.
The winner will head to Williamsport, PA to represent the Northeast in the Little League World Series starting 8/16.
“I’m honored to have the opportunity to represent both Hingham and Massachusetts on the national stage in one of the world’s most recognizable baseball tournaments,” Rulli said.
This isn’t Rulli’s first time umping high profile games. Last summer, he was part of the LLWS Europe – Africa Finals Tournament crew in Europe. He has worked games in Fenway Park and Yankee stadium. Last year, he was named 2022 MIAA Umpire of the Year.