He’s a man who wears many hats - and now he has added one more.

Last month, Dan Rossino was elected to the position of Vice President of the Little League World Series Alumni International (LLWSAI), an organization that supports umpires around the globe in an effort to improve benefits and programs for officials of Little League baseball.

“Our main goal is to create a vision and a mission statement,” said Rossino, who lives in Lehighton, is a graduate of Jim Thorpe High School, and teaches at LB Morris Middle School in Jim Thorpe. “We have 100 new members who are joining our organization, and the question we’ll be asked to answer is, ‘What are we going to give back?’”

Rossino’s involvement in youth and high school sports has spanned several years. In 2005, he was selected to umpire at the Big League World Series - an affiliate of Little League baseball - in Michigan for teams comprised of 17-19 year-olds. He is an NCAA softball umpire and a PIAA high school football and basketball official. He has officiated two state football championship games and umpired two state championship softball games. He’s an active member in the Blue Mountain Umpire Association, and an assigner for Colonial Football League officials, as well as for several local booster club youth basketball games.

Rossino’s election as an unpaid vice president at the organization’s annual meeting comes with a two-year term, and then he will automatically replace the current president of the LLWSAI, who is from Texas, at the top of the organization.

“I was shocked when I heard I was elected,” Rossino said, “I was watching the meeting on zoom from my laptop.”

“I am an advocate for youth sports and specifically, that’s what I’ll be doing in my new position for Little League baseball and, of course, for those who officiate the events. Beginning in October, we will be working together to create a mission statement, and we will be in contact with LLWSAI members in the United States, Asia, and all over the world in an effort to communicate with officials as to what their needs are.”

Rossino is well aware of the declining numbers of Little League umpires, as he is with the same problem the PIAA is having with youth and high school sports throughout the past five years. With increasing numbers of parent misconduct at baseball games, one of the major challenges the LLWSAI will have besides attracting new umpires is how they will have to handle unsportsmanlike conduct from chirping dugout coaches and bleacher fan umpires.

“This will be an important part of our organization’s objective when we create our mission,” he said, “and that is to listen to everyone’s concerns, and do whatever we can to improve their experience on the field.”

When asked what his family thinks about him adding another responsibility to his already overcrowded plate of duties, Rossino replied with a chuckle, “They think I’m nuts, but I’ve always believed that family comes first, and as far as everything else, I love all of what I do and I strive to be a role model for young men, women, and youth who play and officiate sporting events.”

To those who know Rossino, they’re familiar with his positive outlook on life. One of his favorite sayings is, “Today is a great day to have a great day.” Another is, “Be the most positive and enthusiastic person you know,” and still another is, “Be the reason someone smiles today.”

Rossino will carry his mantra into his vice presidency, and then onto his presidency with the LLWSAI. His duty to serve in these positions will become yet another extension of his lifetime of service to his community that will now include all the components of Little League baseball from around the world.