Joe Rossi Hall of Fame

2013 Hall of Fame Inductee Bob Jones – Kansas City, MO Bob retired from the Kansas City, Missouri Police Department in 1995. He currently works at Raytown Middle School in KC. Bob and his wife Debbie have been married for 38 years and have 2 children, Bryan, and Kristen. Bob Jones began his officiating career in 1978 working High School games and the MLB. From 1979 through 1991, Bob worked every Big 8 and Big 12 tournament game played - 121 straight playoff games. In 1991 Bob became 1st Supervisor for the Big 8 and eventually Big 12. He held that position until 1996. In 2001 he became the Coordinator of Umpires for the Missouri Valley Conference. His distinguished career includes 15 NCAA Division 1 Regionals - Super Regionals and 3 NCAA Division 1 College World Series. He has continued to work the Mile High Camp since 1980. Bob first came to Denver as the NCAA Regional Advisor/Evaluator. He is responsible for helping 3 CHSBUA members gain assignments into the NCAA Division 1 post-season. More than that, he planted the seed which eventually grew into the Mile-High Advanced Umpire Clinic and the UTEP Program as three individuals, with Bob's guidance, began the umpire development program, which has become the hallmark of excellence for over 25 years. Without Bob's input and continued participation, the clinic would have never prospered and become the successful event it is today, nor would have the UTEP training program ever gotten off the ground. Bob has helped train virtually 75 percent of the CHSBUA umpires registered in Denver. His proficiency in all phases of umpiring, from mechanics to handling situations, helped over 300 umpires increase their ability and raise the ability level of the entire Colorado High School Baseball Umpires Association. He is a trusted advisor, excellent teacher, and friend to all the umpires in the CHSBUA.