parks
West Texas umpires get once-in-a-lifetime experience at Banana Ball games in Midland
By Luke Johnson at KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS)
· July 3, 2026
· 2 min read
MIDLAND, Texas (KOSA) - Banana Ball is in Midland , and some West Texas umpires are getting a once-in-a-lifetime experience.The Texas Tailgaters and the Party Animals are in the middle of a three-game series at Momentum Bank Ballpark. The Texas Association of Sports Officials is providing line ump...
Key takeaway Craig Kolls, a district director with TASO, said it’s an honor to have a hand in the representation.
Why this matters in The Midland
The presence of Banana Ball in Midland not only brings an exciting brand of baseball to Momentum Bank Ballpark, but also a unique opportunity for local umpires to gain experience. As West Texas umpires take to the field for the three-game series, they are representing a region with a rich baseball tradition. The involvement of the Texas Association of Sports Officials and the participation of umpires from Midland, San Angelo, and Abilene highlight the importance of local sports infrastructure. Moreover, the comments from Craig Kolls, a district director with TASO, underscore the challenges faced by sports officiating nationwide, including a shortage of umpires. This issue is likely to resonate with local sports enthusiasts, who may be encouraged to consider officiating as a way to give back to their community. With the need for umpires spanning from Little Leagues to professional ranks, Midland residents interested in getting involved can visit TASO.org to learn more.
About this story
Original reporting by KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) . The Midland surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: parks ·
Published: July 3, 2026 ·
Source: KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? MIDLAND, Texas (KOSA) - Banana Ball is in Midland, and some West Texas umpires are getting a once-in-a-lifetime experience.The Texas Tailgaters and the Party Animals are in the middle of a three-game series at Momentum Bank Ballpark. The Texas Association of Sports Officials is providing line ump...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 3, 2026 by KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) and curated for The Midland readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Luke Johnson at KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS). To learn more about how The Midland selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more parks coverage from The Midland, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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