‘Called Up: The Emmett Ashford story’: overcoming and staying true to yourself

From left to right: Jeff Swimmer, Adrienne Bratton, Raymond Bell, Tim Mead and Lorn Foster give their thoughts on the documentary during a Q&A panel. EMILY PARIS, Staff Photographer

On Feb. 24, Chapman athletics and the Black Student Union hosted a first-cut screening of “Called Up: The Emmett Ashford Story” at Argyros Forum 208, a documentary about Emmett Ashford, the first African American umpire in Major League Baseball — who also just so happens to be a Chapman alumnus.

 A vintage photo of Emmett Ashford is autographed by the Major League Baseball umpire himself. Photo courtesy of Adrienne Bratton

After the documentary finished screening, there was a Q&A panel hosted by documentary professor Jeff Swimmer, and the audience got the opportunity to ask executive producer Raymond Bell and other individuals on the panel questions about the documentary. Overall, the documentary received positive reviews from audience members.

“This is my first time hearing about (Emmett Ashford), so that’s awesome; (it) just goes to show how much we really don’t know,” said Kari McMiller, president of Black Student Union and junior integrated educational studies major. “It was really interesting to see how he came up in his career, made his (own) way, and (paved the) way for other Black umpires.”

Perrie Woolridge, a junior communication studies major and member of Black Student Union, paralleled the documentary to an article she had read in her sports column writing class. The piece pointed out that, while baseball was the nation’s pastime, it had some dark history associated with it.

“I thought it was an amazing film, and it showed the true history of baseball that I think sometimes people like to gloss over,” Woolridge said. “The fact that (Emmett Ashford is) not even in the hall of fame (despite being) one of the most known umpires of baseball history just goes to show that we have a lot of work to do.”

What made this documentary debut unique was Emmett Ashford’s personal connection to Chapman University. He graduated from Chapman in 1941, where he competed for the baseball and track and field teams while writing for the school newspaper as sports editor. 

A film poster for “Called Up: The Emmett Ashford Story”  — which was showcased during the screening — serves as a promotion for the newly released documentary. EMILY PARIS, Staff Photographer

In 1951, Emmett Ashford left his 15-year post office job and became an umpire, climbing the ranks and eventually being promoted to the Pacific Coast League (PCL). Finally, after 12 years and working 922 games in the PCL, he was promoted to the major leagues, making his debut April 11, 1966.

Emmett Ashford’s enthusiasm and passion for the game was on full display during his umpiring career, but his skin color and boldness to break the traditional role of umpiring brought upon him discrimination and racism.

“When Emmett Ashford came to become an umpire, he (brought) a different color and a different flair to the game,” Bell told The Panther. “To stay within himself gave him a sense of direction — a sense of purpose — (along with) the fact that he wasn’t going to bend or break with his style of umpiring.”

Flashback to game five during the 1970 World Series between the Cincinnati Reds and Baltimore Orioles: it’s the bottom of the 5th inning and on a 1-1 count, pitcher Mike Cuellar attempts a bunt, which Reds pitcher Tony Cloninger picks up easily. Cloninger tosses the ball to catcher Johnny Bench, forcing an out at third base.

Bench tries to go for a double play, but Cuellar makes it to first base safely. There at first base is Emmett Ashford, emphatically sweeping his arms in one brisk motion, ruling the runner safe. This was the style of umpiring that the baseball community had to grow and accept over time.

“There was a real paradox that played with (Emmett Ashford’s) life because of his flamboyance, and his electric way of umpiring also made him a target … for a lot of racially motivated attacks,” Swimmer said during the Q&A portion of the event. “And just to think of this hot house atmosphere that must have been for him (in the stadium), seemed daunting.”

An article from Chapman College Review about Ashford’s debut in the Pacific Coast League. Photo courtesy of Chapman College Review Archives

But these attacks did not stop Emmett Ashford from continuing to umpire for the game he loved. During the Q&A panel, one of the things Bell said that viewers could take away from the documentary was the importance of, like Emmett Ashford, following one’s passions and staying true to oneself.

Junior screen acting major and Black Student Union member Madison Meadows said she takes pride in her culture’s history and noted that recognizing figures like Emmett Ashford in her own community is important when considering what direction to take in life.

“I think that it’s so easy to look at where you are right now and be like, ‘I can be an actress’ or ‘I can be a baseball player’ or ‘I can be a football player,’” Meadows said. “But it’s so important that you pay homage to people who paved the way for you to even think that dream. I feel like (Emmet Ashford has) definitely been a great role model for that.”

Sharing a similar sentiment, Adrienne Bratton, daughter of Emmett Ashford, spoke directly to younger audience members in the room. She voiced that she hopes viewers of the documentary carry themselves with the same respect that Emmett Ashford had for himself, regardless of the situations he was put in.

“Dream. Dream big,” Adrienne Bratton encouraged event attendees. “And whatever you go for, it has its parameters … but like (Bell) was saying, you have character, and you have youth. When my father was out there being demonstrative … he had a big voice, and he projected himself as huge on that field. And so that’s what I’d say … take yourself with you, let us see you, that's what's going to make it unique.”