May 29—Umpires don’t typically bask in the spotlight at a baseball game but Vincent Chapman is not your ordinary umpire.
Since February 2022, Chapman has delighted audiences as the Dancing Umpire, bringing excitement and impressive moves to home plate as a member of the incredibly entertaining Savannah Bananas, a popular, independent team which launched in Savannah, Ga., in 2016.
“The organization is definitely fans first,” said Chapman, 43. “The Savannah Bananas are so accessible. During games we sign autographs and take pictures. The organization does a really good job of not only finding good athletes with good talent on the field but good people that genuinely love the fans.”
Knowing how difficult accessibility can be in particular for fans of major league sports, he recognizes the importance of the Savannah Bananas filling a void.
“In Major League Baseball and other major league sports there are select players that enjoy giving back to others but for the most part there is red tape,” Chapman said. “If you want an autograph you have to be really lucky. If you want to get a picture that’s almost unheard of. So, our organization is definitely fans first entertainment and they do a great job of hiring people with that same mindset.”
Before he was hired by the Savannah Bananas, Chapman had already gone viral. In 2015, a video of him dancing at a game reached more than 12 million views and thousands of shares. Ellen DeGeneres also uploaded one of his dancing videos on her Ellentube online digital portal, further increasing his online footprint. Initially he was unsure about joining the team but grew more comfortable venturing into unchartered territory.
“As un umpire, you’re not supposed to be seen or heard but what I do is completely opposite,” Chapman said. “I’m drawing attention to myself in a good way, which is what the Bananas want. I never thought about doing this. Now young people are looking up to me and can have something to look to if they want to pursue this. But it was different for me because it had never happened before. I call it fate.”
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In 2008, the native of Texarkana, Texas, who started umpiring baseball his sophomore year in high school, began dancing for fun at youth baseball games in between innings, which earned him the Dancing Umpire nickname. But his love of dance and music has always been an inherent part of his non-wallflower personality since he was a child. He grew up appreciating a broad range of music such as country, blues, old school rock, rap and R&B. Right now he’s really into Jelly Roll and Post Malone. By and large, there’s no fear when it comes to Chapman and his grooves and he encourages others to stay true to themselves.
“Be who you are — don’t worry about what other people think,” he said. “As long as you’re being a good person and you mean well — be you. If you want to dance — dance. If you want to sing — sing. If you want to be a comedian — be a comedian. The world is not for everyone else — it’s for you. Don’t let others dictate who you are. You’re cool because you’re you. I think different is okay. I think outside the box is good, as long as your intentions are good. I enjoy making people smile because it makes me happy.”
He admitted he’s received his share of detractors but he’s not letting anyone steal his joy.
“The keyboard warriors say negative comments all the time but they don’t know who I am,” Chapman said. “They’ve never met me or have had a conversation with me. They don’t know my heart. But it’s okay. We all have different opinions. But at the end of the day, I’m going to be true to who I am and continue to be me.”
From 2-5 p.m. Monday, June 22, Chapman will be in Kettering at F&S School Supply, 1012 E. Dorothy Lane. His appearance is in support of Kaitlyn, a 22-year-old fighting ovarian cancer. Tickets for the meet and greet are $25. Anyone who purchases tickets will be entered into a drawing to win tickets to the sold-out Savannah Bananas games happening June 19-21 at Great American Ballpark in Cincinnati. Tickets are available now and can be purchased in-store at F&S. All proceeds go toward helping Kaitlyn. A food truck and Italian ice will be a part of the event as well. The raffle winner will be selected and tickets will be sent out Thursday, June 18.
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“We’re all going through something,” Chapman said. “If I can be a bright light — to a kid who loves watching us on TV or YouTube and wants a picture with me or autograph — that’s free for me. It costs nothing to be a good person, to be kind. Treating others with joy not only makes your day but (someone else’s) day.”
Chapman is enjoying his fifth season with the Savannah Bananas, whose roster includes Tony Award nominee Derek Klena (“Jagged Little Pill”) and Jackson Olson, who will compete on Season 35 of ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars” this fall. He hopes his genuine enthusiasm for baseball and dance continues to make an impact.
“Music makes people happy. Dancing makes people happy,” Chapman said. “I’m blessed to be able to do it in front of millions of people now and on a positive platform like the Savannah Bananas. It’s a great time and I get to do the three things I love: umpire, entertain and dance.”