Zdeněk Židek is warming up for the Minor League Baseball (MiLB) season. The Czech lawyer is the only European umpire in organized baseball in the US.
Židek, a former fastpitch softball pitcher, transitioned from player to umpire in softball. He then started to chase the dream of becoming a Major League Baseball (MLB) umpire.
He made his debut at the Class A short season level in 2019. After missing the 2020 season due to COVID-19 restrictions, he joined the 2021 Los Angeles Dodgers MLB Camp.
Židek will start the 2021 season in the Class A 12-team East Division.
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"I'm very happy for the new opportunity," commented Židek. "I'm looking forward to the next challenges."
After being named the 2020 Umpire of the Year in the Czech Republic, Židek contributed to start an online umpire school in his home country.