Umpiring is a job of passion for award winner Kevin Kirsch

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Kirsch umpired the IHSAA Class 2A baseball state championship between Boone Grove and Evansville Mater Dei, covered the North-South All-Star Game at Loeb and did the American Legion Baseball state championship in 2025.

He was one of the busiest men in all of baseball, and he wants it to stay that way. His son Jarrod is a starting left-handed pitcher for Wabash College and finds himself either watching or reading about the game when he isn't managing his business, Crawfordsville Outdoor Landscape Maintenance Company.

While Kirsch likes to have fun, he's strict and follows the guidelines set by the IHSAA and NFHS. Ultimately, he wants the coaches to leave his games an enjoyable experience. It doesn't mean he gets every call right, but he communicates, talks to the players and carries conversations with him.

Crawfordsville resident Kevin Kirsch calls a strike while umpiring a game between Lafayette Jeff and Kokomo on Wednesday, April 15, 2026.

Being able to relate to the athletes is the secret in why his number is called and texted when there's a big game.

"That’s part of it," Kirsch said. "You have to get at their level. They’re trying to compete. You’re not the enemy and it comes with years of experience, books, studying, lots of games called. These student athletes are doing the best they can on the field and I’m trying to do my best as well.”

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Kirsch doesn't have plans to advance further in his umpiring career. He's done college games, but it's on the moist fields that sometimes overlook farm pastures that Kirsch feels right at home.

"“Everybody thinks it’s a basketball state, but it’s a baseball state as well, and I see that talent every year," Kirsch said. "There’s a lot of talent in the state of Indiana. It's about baseball and I love giving to the kids.”

Ethan Hanson is the sports reporter for the Journal & Courier in Lafayette. He can be reached at ehanson@jconline.com, on Twitter atEthanAHanson and Instagram at  ethan_a_hanson.

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Award winning umpire Kevin Kirsch shares passion for baseball