About Behind the Plate Memorial Golf Tournament

Our Mission

Umpiring is a brotherhood and when our brothers pass on, it impacts us deeply. While this tournament is memory of Barry Lentz and Jaime Carothers, it is also in memory of all of our brothers that have gone before us.

This tournament also aims to benefit the umpiring community by raising money for the benefit of three different individuals/groups. We are raising money to assist in the final expenses of Leann Buckwell, the wife of one of our own brothers. We are raising money to establish a fund to assist new umpires with expenses. Lastly, but certainly not least, we are raising money to benefit Wounded Warrior Umpire Academy to benefit those who served our country and now wish to create an outlet through umpiring.

Barry and Jamie were more than just umpires, they were teachers, mentors, and givers. They gave the game to the young youth to learn and to be challenged. That's what an official is

Barry Lentz

Barry Lentz umpired for Carolina Umpire’s Association, Dixie Youth Baseball, and taught science at AL Brown High School. He tragically passed away in 2025 after a battle with cancer. He was an institution in Kannapolis and is sorely missed within our association.

Logo of the Carolinas Umpire Association,

Jaime Carothers

Jaime Carothers umpired for Carolina Umpire’s Association and American Legion Baseball. Jaime worked in security for Bank of America before his passing. Before that, he spent decades as a Special Agent in the Federal Bureau of Investigation. He tragically passed away in 2025 and is, also, sorely missed within our association.