First Lathan The Kid Umpire Bobblehead Unveiled

MILWAUKEE – This morning, the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum unveiled the first bobblehead of 9-year-old Louisiana native “Lathan The Kid Umpire.” Lathan Williams, who is from Hammond, Louisiana, became hooked on officiating at just five years old and has turned into a local celebrity with a growing international fan following of over 175,000 followers on TikTok, over 150,000 followers on Instagram, over 115,000 followers on Facebook, and over 140,000 subscribers to his YouTube channel. The special edition bobbleheads were produced by the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum in conjunction with Lathan and his family.

Standing on a base bearing his name, the smiling “Lathan the Kid Umpire” bobblehead is decked out in his umpire gear making an out call. The unique bobblehead features a removable helmet. Each bobblehead is individually numbered to 2,024 and they are only available through the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum’s Online Store. The bobbleheads, which just arrived and ship now, are $30 each plus a flat-rate shipping charge of $8 per order.

Lathan, who is from Hammond, Louisiana, became hooked on officiating at just five years old and has turned into a local celebrity with a growing international fan following. After dressing up as a referee for Halloween and receiving umpire gear from Santa Claus at Christmas, Lathan became a viral sensation in March of 2021 for calling a Little League game from outside the fence while dressed in full umpire gear. The video aired nationally on Good Morning America and Fox News.

Lathan’s fame has only grown. He eventually began umpiring games for Little Leaguers, including players as old as 12. “The kids, they’re like so excited watching me umpire,” Lathan said. “They see me all the time, and they’re like, ‘Is that him? Is that him?’” Shortly before celebrating his eighth birthday in March, Lathan set out to enter the Guinness World Records with the title of “World’s Youngest Baseball Umpire” when he was the only umpire on the field during a sanctioned Ascension Parish Little League doubleheader.

Popular on social media, Lathan, who is going into fourth grade, has over 175,000 followers on TikTok (@lathanthekidumpire99), over 150,000 followers on Instagram (@lathanthekidumpire) and over 115,000 followers on Facebook (Lathan The Kid Umpire). His YouTube channel (@lathanthekidumpire9928) has over 140,000 subscribers. In addition to playing the sports he loves Lathan has also suited up in zebra stripes on the basketball court. He has also been offered a future scholarship by the prestigious Wendelstedt Umpire School in Ormond Beach, Florida, which has trained numerous umpires to work in professional baseball. According to his website lathanthekidumpire.com, “Lathan’s passion for the game has led him to not only set a Guinness World Record (pending evidence review) as the youngest baseball umpire, but do something even more important: shatter expectations about what young people can accomplish.”

When asked about having his own bobblehead, Lathan said “It’s really awesome to have my own bobblehead. Hopefully this can show people how cool being an umpire can be!”

“We are thrilled to release this bobblehead of Lathan Williams, who most know as ‘Lathan The Kid Umpire,’” National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum co-founder and CEO Phil Sklar said. “Lathan’s story is a remarkable one and his passion for sports is evident with every call that he makes. We are excited to see what the future holds for Lathan in the years to come!”

About the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum:
The National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum, which is located at 170 S. 1st St. in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, opened to the public on February 1st, 2019. The HOF and Museum also produces high quality, customized bobbleheads for retail sale as well as organizations, individuals, and teams across the country. Visit us online and on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.