A career worth the call: After 52 years in four sports, umpire Rene Arsenault hangs up his gear

July 10, 2026 - 02:06

When Rene Arsenault first stepped behind the plate as an umpire, the world looked a lot different. It was 1974 in Fitchburg. He was just a plucky high school graduate. Back then, the average home cost about 21,000 dollars. Gas prices hovered around 30 cents a gallon, and a loaf of bread listed for pocket change. Arsenault had no idea that simple start would stretch into a 52-year career spanning four different sports.

Over five decades, he became a familiar face on fields and courts, calling balls and strikes in baseball, blowing whistles in basketball, and officiating football and hockey. He saw the games evolve, players come and go, and the culture of sports shift around him. Through it all, his dedication never wavered. He showed up season after season, often in harsh weather and under intense scrutiny from fans and coaches.

Now, at long last, Arsenault has decided to hang up his gear. He leaves behind a legacy of consistency and respect. For him, it was never about the spotlight. It was about the love of the game and the simple duty of making the right call. As he steps away, he does so knowing he gave half a century to the sports he loved. That is a career truly worth the call.