Early Career
In 1935, Barlick was hired as an umpire to the Springfield Municipal Baseball League. In August 1936, the Class-D Northeast Arkansas League was in need of a replacement umpire, and hired Barlick for the last 4 weeks of the season. In 1937, Barlick was hired by the Class-B Piedmont League, moved to the Eastern League in 1939, and was promoted to the International League later that season.
In September 1940, National League umpire Bill Klem was unable to work, so Barlick was hired as a replacement. He made his debut in a doubleheader at Shibe Park on September 8. Barlick was offered a contract for the 1941 season, and was 26 years old at the start of the season, making him one of the youngest Major League umpires in history. Barlick made his first ejection on July 27 of that year, when Brooklyn Dodgers catcher Herman Franks objected to Barlick's strike zone.
Barlick was selected as an umpire for the 1942 All-Star Game at the Polo Grounds, the first of 7 All-Star games he would officiate in his career.
Barlick joined the Coast Guard in November 1943, during World War II. He was discharged in 1945, having earned the rank of Seaman, First Class. Barlick returned to umpiring in 1946, when he umpired his first World Series.
In 1947, Barlick was the first base umpire during Jackie Robinson's Major League debut. In 1949, Barlick was again chosen as an umpire for the 1949 All-Star Game. He began the game at home plate, although when it became time for the umpires to rotate, as was customary during All-Star games, Barlick left the game, leaving the right field line uncovered; no reason was given for his departure. Barlick would eventually umpire 7 All-Star Games (1942, 1949, 1952, 1955, 1959, 1966, 1970), as well as 7 World Series (1946, 1950, 1951, 1954, 1958, 1962, 1967).
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