Eddie Ochmanski was born in Augusta, Maine in 1935, one of ten children - 5 boys and 5 girls. He attended Augusta schools and graduated from Cony High School class of 1953. Following into the tradition of his athletic brothers he became a 3 sport star in football, basketball and baseball.
In 1953 Eddie joined the Air National Guard with the 10Ist Fighters Interceptor squadron. In 1958 he retired. He received many certificates of commendation and recognition from the Department of the Air Force and National Guard after his 32 years of service.
He began his long umpiring career in the South Portland National Little League in 1963. In 1964 and 1965 he worked in the Little League and Senior Little League under President Ray Stevens (Hall of Fame 01). In 1969 Ochmanski joined the Western Maine Board of Baseball Umpires.
In 2005 Eddie “O” began his 36th year of umpiring. He has worked playoffs in Little League, Babe Ruth League and American Legion ball as well as the high school ‘Tournaments both classes A and B. He has long been a regular on the collegiate circuit.
From 1975 through 1977 he was president of the Western Maine Board and one year served as the board assignor.
He has always worked in the popular Twilight League and in recent years has been a favorite in the over 30 men’s league.
He says his greatest thrill in his career was participating in the American Legion tournament at Pawtucket, Rhode Island in 1975.
“An umpire always respected by the coaches, other umpires, and baseball players . . . a wonderful father, husband and friend -Sonny Noel, General Chairman
Eddie began his affiliation with the Hall of Fame in the Vern Putney era in the 1960’s usually as a secretary at meetings. He was a very dependable worker. He received a 25 year certificate from the umpire’s board.
Ed and his wife Jayne (Diversi) reside in South Portland, ME.
Their daughter Kimberly A. Cushing and two grandchildren Jessica and Mitchell live in Swartz Creek, Michigan.
From Portland Press Herald
https://www.pressherald.com/2013/10/22/edward-j-ochmanski-77-maine-baseball-hall-of-famer-air-guard-veteran/
Edward J. Ochmanski, 77: Maine Baseball Hall of Famer, Air Guard veteran
Dec. 29, 1935- October 15, 2013
"He was better known in the Maine sports community as “Eddie O” for his involvement as a football official, baseball umpire and timekeeper of high school basketball at South Portland High School and the Cumberland County Civic Center. He served on the Maine Football Board from 1959 to 2008 at all levels of the game from pee-wee to officiating 20 state championships, eight of which he was the head referee. His Maine baseball umpiring career began in 1963 in South Portland National Little League. In 1969, he joined the Western Maine Board of Baseball Umpires. He worked playoffs in Little League, Babe Ruth League and American Legion Ball as well as high school tournaments both class A and B. He was also a regular on the collegiate circuit. He served as president of the Western Maine Board and as the board assignor. He was popular on the Twilight League and a favorite in the over-30 men’s league. He was an affiliate of the Maine Baseball Hall of Fame and served as the secretary. He was inducted into the Maine Baseball Hall of Fame in 2005 for his more than 25 years of umpiring."
He was better known in the Maine sports community as “Eddie O” for his involvement as a football official, baseball umpire and timekeeper of high school basketball at South Portland High School and the Cumberland County Civic Center. He served on the Maine Football Board from 1959 to 2008 at all levels of the game from pee-wee to officiating 20 state championships, eight of which he was the head referee. His Maine baseball umpiring career began in 1963 in South Portland National Little League. In 1969, he joined the Western Maine Board of Baseball Umpires. He worked playoffs in Little League, Babe Ruth League and American Legion Ball as well as high school tournaments both class A and B. He was also a regular on the collegiate circuit. He served as president of the Western Maine Board and as the board assignor. He was popular on the Twilight League and a favorite in the over-30 men’s league. He was an affiliate of the Maine Baseball Hall of Fame and served as the secretary. He was inducted into the Maine Baseball Hall of Fame in 2005 for his more than 25 years of umpiring.He was better known in the Maine sports community as “Eddie O” for his involvement as a football official, baseball umpire and timekeeper of high school basketball at South Portland High School and the Cumberland County Civic Center. He served on the Maine Football Board from 1959 to 2008 at all levels of the game from pee-wee to officiating 20 state championships, eight of which he was the head referee. His Maine baseball umpiring career began in 1963 in South Portland National Little League. In 1969, he joined the Western Maine Board of Baseball Umpires. He worked playoffs in Little League, Babe Ruth League and American Legion Ball as well as high school tournaments both class A and B. He was also a regular on the collegiate circuit. He served as president of the Western Maine Board and as the board assignor. He was popular on the Twilight League and a favorite in the over-30 men’s league. He was an affiliate of the Maine Baseball Hall of Fame and served as the secretary. He was inducted into the Maine Baseball Hall of Fame in 2005 for his more than 25 years of umpiring.