Ryan Powers, 19-year-old umpire

Ryan Powers and Matt Carlyon, 22, share a hotel room as umpires in the Gulf Coast League. Ryan says he is used to having roommates so it doesn’t bother him to have to share a room with a fellow umpire.  (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

Ryan Powers keeps a ball he had signed by major league umpire Ed Hickox. At 19, Powers is one of the youngest professional umpires and hopes to make it to the big leagues one day.  (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

In the Gulf Coast League, umpires like Ryan Powers are expected to do their own laundry.  (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

Ryan Powers prepares a wager as he plays poker with other Gulf Coast League umpires during a poolside game at their hotel in Jupiter, Fla. Poker participants include Mac Dietz, left, and Justin Houser, right, a pair of 20-year-olds from Mattawan, Mich.  (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

Ryan Powers leaves the hotel in Jupiter, Fla., with his umpire’s gear for another Gulf Coast League game.  (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

Ryan Powers shines his shoes using Scrubbing Bubbles in the umpire’s locker room at the Miami Marlins’ training complex.  (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

Ryan Powers shares a laugh with Manager Julio Garcia of the Marlins and Manager Steve Turco of the Cardinals as they exchange lineups before a Gulf Coast League game.  (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

Ryan Powers works behind the plate during a Gulf Coast League game between the Marlins and Cardinals in Jupiter, Fla.  (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)