Our Mission
The South Atlantic Umpires Association is committed to fostering a community of skilled and dedicated umpires. We provide comprehensive training opportunities and resources to support umpires at all levels of experience. Our mission is to elevate the standards of umpiring and contribute to the overall integrity and fairness of the game.
Our Members
The South Atlantic Umpires Association has a proud tradition of developing officials who advance to NCAA Division I and professional baseball. Through the high-quality training and instruction provided within our organization, several umpires have successfully elevated their careers to the highest levels of the game. Many of these accomplished officials return each fall to serve as instructors at our Carolina Umpires Camp, sharing their experience and expertise with the next generation of umpires.
Don Wiggins
Don serves as the local assignor for all high school and middle school games during the spring season, as well as summer and fall tournaments at The Ripken Experience. He also assigns officials for NCAA Division II, Division III, and JUCO games hosted at Ripken, along with several other tournaments and events throughout the Pee Dee region. Don is a former NCAA umpire with extensive experience and a strong reputation for excellence in officiating. He is the primary contact for anyone interested in becoming an umpire in the Pee Dee region.
Stacy Atkinson
Stacy began his umpiring career in 1993 on the local recreation fields of Clarendon County, quickly advancing to high school and American Legion baseball. By 1998, he was not only working games but also assigning umpires across multiple levels. In 2006, he organized a crew of top-tier officials who traveled the East Coast to work collegiate showcase tournaments. After attending NCAA College Umpire Camps beginning in 2007, Stacy began officiating at all levels of NCAA baseball, where he met Don Wiggins. He joined South Atlantic Umpires in 2012 and, by 2019, while working at the Ripken Experience, developed a passion for mentoring and instructing younger umpires. This passion led him into an administrative role with SAU, where he now assists with assigning, scheduling, and camp organization. Stacy is driven by a simple philosophy: to provide today’s umpires with the opportunities and guidance he wishes had been available when he began.
Mike Snover
Mike Snover began his umpiring career at the age of 16, working recreational baseball in his hometown. After moving to Myrtle Beach, he joined South Atlantic Umpires in 2013. In 2016, Mike attended professional umpire school at age 27 and went on to work in professional baseball for eight seasons, reaching the Triple-A level. He currently works NCAA Division I baseball in the Sun Belt, CAA, and SEC, and was selected to umpire the 2025 Sun Belt Conference Tournament. Mike also serves as an instructor at our annual camp, where he helps develop and mentor umpires at all levels of the game. He also works daily at the Ripken Experience in the Summer, providing valuable in-game feedback
Elliot Melton
Elliot began his umpiring career with South Atlantic Umpires (SAU). He attended the 2021 MLB Umpire Camp in Round Rock, Texas, where he earned a scholarship to the Wendelstedt Umpire School. Graduating as the top student in January 2022, Elliot began his professional career that same year in the Carolina League of Minor League Baseball. Since then, he has rapidly advanced through the MiLB ranks and was selected to work the MLB All-Star Futures Game in 2025. Elliot now serves as an instructor at the Wendelstedt Umpire School and returns annually as an instructor for our camp.
Evin Johnson
Evin is a AAA Minor League Umpire that got his start at The Ripken Experience in Myrtle Beach, SC with South Atlantic Umpires. Evin has officiated in the New York–Penn League (2017–2018), South Atlantic League (2019), Carolina League, Texas League, and Eastern League (2022–2023), before advancing to Triple-A in 2024. He also worked the 2026 World Baseball Classic Qualifiers in February 2025. Evin returns to Myrtle Beach every fall as an instructor at our Carolinas Umpire Camp
Matt Carnahan
Matt began his umpiring career with South Atlantic Umpires in 2021 and attended the Carolina Umpires Camp. His dedication quickly propelled him into the NCAA Division I ranks, officiating for several conferences since 2023, including the SEC, Sun Belt, SoCon, ASun, and CAA, and was selected to work the SoCon Conference tournament in 2025. In addition to collegiate assignments, Matt serves as a fill-in umpire for the MiLB Carolina League. Matt is an instructor at our annual camp and provides on-field instruction throughout the summer at the Ripken Experience, offering valuable live-game training to developing umpires.
Cody Clark
Cody Clark began his umpiring career with South Atlantic Umpires (SAU) in 2012 and attended the MiLB Umpire Training Academy in 2014. Over the course of his nine-year professional career, Cody officiated in several renowned leagues, including the Appalachian, South Atlantic, Carolina, and Southern Leagues, and earned a spot on the Triple-A International League roster. His accomplishments include selections to the 2019 Southern League All-Star Game and two League Championship Series. Cody now serves as an instructor at multiple umpire clinics across the region, including our Carolina Umpire Camp, where he plays a key role in mentoring the next generation of umpires.
Jose Polanco
Jose Polanco began his umpiring career in 2018 at Ripken Baseball in Myrtle Beach, where he quickly developed a deep respect and passion for the game from a new perspective — behind the plate. His dedication to the profession led him to attend the Minor League Baseball Umpire Academy, where his hard work earned him a spot in professional baseball in 2020. In 2023, Jose advanced into NCAA Division I baseball, officiating in several conferences including the Big South, Conference USA, and the ACC, and was selected to work two conference tournaments. Jose strives to mentor younger officials and help grow the next generation of umpires, sharing his experience and love for the game at every level, serving as an instructor at our yearly camp.
Mark Whalen
Mark brings more than 44 years of umpiring experience across all levels of baseball. A graduate of professional umpire school in 1991, he has worked NCAA Division I, II, and III, JUCO, and high school baseball for over 35 years, as well as youth baseball at the 11–12-year-old level. For more than 15 years, Mark has been dedicated to training and developing umpires—helping individuals advance into Minor League Baseball and supporting others in refining their craft to reach their full potential. Mark serves as an instructor at our annual camp and works daily throughout the summer at The Ripken Experience, helping umpires refine and elevate their skills on the field.
Frank Buddy Sardoni
With over 20 years of umpiring experience across all levels of baseball, Frank brings a wealth of knowledge, professionalism, and passion to the game. For the past 15 years, he has served at the High School level, and for the last decade has worked in Region 19, the Penn State League, and at the Division II, Division III, and JUCO levels.
Known for his strong understanding and application of the rules, Frank has attended numerous Umpire Camps by the COG/UCU/SAU, continually refining his craft and deepening his commitment to excellence on the field. He takes pride in sharing his experience and insights with fellow umpires and helping others grow in their officiating careers. Currently, Frank contributes to the development of officials as part of the training staff for the South Atlantic/Pee Dee Umpires Association. His dedication to the game and to umpire education continues to make a positive impact both on and off the field.
Our Umpiring opportunities
South Atlantic Baseball Umpires offers officials a significant number of opportunities to work games nearly year-round from youth 8U games all the way up to the NCAA level. Our organization provides consistent assignments across multiple levels of play, ensuring umpires can stay active, gain experience, and continue developing throughout the year at whatever level they aspire to work.