[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 152 (Thursday, September 24, 2026)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E976]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING LOUIS ``LOUIE'' KRUPA ON BECOMING A MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL 
                                 UMPIRE

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JACK BERGMAN

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 24, 2026

  Mr. BERGMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Louis ``Louie'' 
Krupa of Sault Ste. Marie and Rudyard, Michigan, on achieving a 
lifelong dream of becoming a Major League Baseball umpire. Louie's 
journey to the Major Leagues was not a stroke of luck, but rather a 
testament to the power of perseverance, dedication, and a passion for 
the game of baseball.
  Louie developed his love for umpiring early, working his first Little 
League game when he was just 12 years old. But even before stepping 
onto the diamond, friends and family recall that when attending 
baseball games, Louie's attention often drifted from the players to the 
men behind the plate and scattered across the field. That fascination 
grew into a calling. He enrolled in umpire school in 2014, and while a 
professional opportunity did not immediately follow, he refused to walk 
away. He returned in 2015, determined to earn his place in professional 
baseball, and this time, his perseverance paid off.
  Louie worked his first professional game in the Gulf Coast League in 
the summer of 2015, launching a career defined by steady advancement 
and hard-earned respect. He moved through the New York-Penn League in 
2016, the Midwest League in 2017, and the Florida State League in 2018 
and 2019. In August of 2019, he earned a well-deserved promotion to 
Double-A and an assignment to the Eastern League.
  Following the cancellation of the 2020 Minor League season due to 
COVID-19, Louie returned to the Eastern League in 2021 and was named a 
crew chief in 2022. In 2023, he reached Triple-A, where he has 
continued to officiate games across the country. In 2024 and 2025, 
Louie was selected to work the Arizona Fall League, an important step 
for umpires pursuing opportunities in the Major Leagues.
  Louie's hard work reached its ultimate reward in 2026 when he was 
invited to Major League Spring Training for the second consecutive year 
and received his Major League uniform number, No. 27. On April 24, 
2026, he made his Major League debut behind the plate for the Colorado 
Rockies at the New York Mets. Since then, he has continued working both 
Major League and Triple-A games.
  Mr. Speaker, let us all join in congratulating Louie Krupa on 
reaching the Major Leagues. I wish him continued success as he begins 
this exciting new chapter of his career.

                          ____________________