Kenilworth Groundkeeper Umpires Yankees Old-Timers' Day

Chris Parkhill stood at second base inside Yankee Stadium on Saturday, August 8, 2026, not as a fan but as an umpire, while Mariano Rivera pitched during the New York Yankees' 78th Old-Timers' Day game. For the Kenilworth resident and groundkeeper at David Brearley High School, the experience represented a lifelong dream come true.

Parkhill was one of four NJSIAA umpires who officiated the three-inning alumni exhibition. He brings 15 years of high school umpiring experience and 11 years at the college level to his work behind the mask.

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The Call Comes

The opportunity came in May when his high school assigner, Keith Hoffman, reached out with an invitation to work the game. When Parkhill received the news, the reality of the opportunity began to sink in. But nothing could fully prepare him for the emotions he felt stepping onto the field.

"When I first went out on the field I was going nuts on the inside and just couldn't believe I was standing on the field at Yankee Stadium," Parkhill said. "Then, when the game started, it was crazy that I was on the field when Mariano Rivera was pitching. I was beside myself."

Meeting the Legends

Between innings and after the game, Parkhill spoke with Bernie Williams, Paul O'Neill, Johnny Damon, and Alfonso Soriano on the field. But the moment that stood out most came from David Cone.

"I got into a conversation with David Cone, and it was awesome because he came back with an autograph hat just for me," Parkhill said. "I just couldn't believe that David Cone came back and gave me an autographed hat. It was surreal. He was such a great guy, they were all class. It's definitely a day I will never forget."

The Full Experience

After the Old-Timers' game concluded, the Yankees placed Parkhill and his family in a luxury box to watch the regular-season game between the Yankees and the Atlanta Braves—a gesture that extended the dream throughout the day.

Parkhill has been collecting baseball cards since childhood, his first set arriving in 1979. He now holds more than 20,000 cards in his collection, a testament to his lifelong passion for the game.

"It was just an amazing day and I want to thank my assigner, Keith Hoffman, and the Yankees organization for being first class all the way," Parkhill said.

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FAQ

Q: What did Chris Parkhill do at Yankee Stadium?
A: Chris Parkhill, a Kenilworth resident, worked as an umpire at the Yankees' 78th Old-Timers' Day game on August 8, 2026, stationed at second base during the three-inning alumni exhibition.

Q: Who is Chris Parkhill?
A: Chris Parkhill is a Kenilworth resident who works as a groundkeeper at David Brearley High School. He has 15 years of high school umpiring experience and 11 years of college-level umpiring.

Q: How did Parkhill get the opportunity to umpire at Yankee Stadium?
A: His high school assigner, Keith Hoffman, reached out with the invitation in May 2026.

Q: Who pitched during the Old-Timers' game?
A: Mariano Rivera pitched during the three-inning Old-Timers' Day game.

Q: Which Yankees legends did Parkhill meet?
A: Parkhill spoke with Bernie Williams, Paul O'Neill, Johnny Damon, and Alfonso Soriano. He also had a memorable conversation with David Cone, who gave him an autographed hat.

Q: What made David Cone's hat special?
A: Cone went back and got an autographed hat specifically for Parkhill, which Parkhill described as surreal and a moment he will never forget.

Q: Did Parkhill see the Yankees-Braves game?
A: Yes. After the Old-Timers' game, the Yankees placed Parkhill and his family in a luxury box to watch the regular-season Yankees-Braves game.

Q: Is Parkhill a baseball fan?
A: Yes. Parkhill has been collecting baseball cards since 1979 and now owns more than 20,000 cards.