Put this one in the 'et cetera' part of "Politics, Religion, Etc."

There is a severe shortage of officials in youth sports, especially at many levels of baseball.

What is leading to a shortage of youth sports referees?

The Umpire Shortage Crisis: Why Your Officials Are Walking Away and What Your League Can Do About It

America has an umpire shortage. Unruly parents aren't helping - WMUR

The State of Referee and Umpire Shortage in Youth Sports | Athletic Business

NASO Survey Indicates Concerns with Sportsmanship, Shortage of Officials

Shortage of officials threatens youth sports

Youth and High School Referee Shortage Reaching Crisis Stage | League of Fans

Umpires say shortage isn't about the money. Find out how attrition could affect youth baseball and softball this summer in the Carolinas

The pay has always sucked, it requires a lot of hours in travel and some leagues and school districts stiff game fees, but the overwhelming reason so many referees and umpires have left the field is not just worsening sportsmanship, but outright abuse of officials, especially by parents. There has never exactly been a surplus of officials, but the average age in youth baseball for umpires is at the point where senior citizens are being called up to work games again.

That's great when officials want to stay involved, but a very bad sign when it happens because prime age men and women stay away from officiating because they do not feel safe.
Look at some of these videos:

Texas youth baseball coach assaults an umpire after being ejected

Umpires under attack at youth baseball games

Man attacks umpires in Jackson County youth baseball game brawl

SHOCKING footage shows umpire, father attacked at youth baseball game

Texas high school football player attacks, knocks over referee after being ejected from game | ABC7

Angry Father Attacks Referee at Middle School Basketball Game | A&E

Referee breaks silence after he's attacked at youth basketball game

Dad Tackles Referee During Soccer Game After Controversial Call

I'm not talking about insults and angry words, there is criminal assault going on at some games. And the insults and thug behavior that doesn't end up in police reports and online videos is destroying the spirit of many sports leagues.

The problem has been growing for years. We always recruited athletes to become officials (who better understands how the game should be played?) with little success, but even when I stopped working games a couple decades ago, it was getting harder and harder to get new officials. Not because there was no appeal to officiating: Officials are very good at teaching sportsmanship, fair play and focusing on doing things the right way, and I have known some truly excellent men who grew up learning ethics as much as they learned game schemes and the rules.

But when I officiated, there was a basic respect by everyone for being part of the game. Everyone, from players to coaches to officials to the guys who kept the grounds in shape, all the way to the concession workers, they all were part of something good and true, and we were all better for it. Very few games ended without both teams showing sportsmanship and saying "good game" even if they lost.

But about 2012 or so, the tone shifted a bit, and little by little games went from sportsmanship to one-upmanship, players only told "good game" to their own teammates, and the number of fouls for violent behavior started rising. By 2019, before the Covid pandemic shut down sports for a time, I was already hearing from officials about fans and coaches following them to their cars after games, shouting insults and making threats.
It is now common for armed security or law enforcement to be at many sporting events, even for under 12 teams.

This is not what sports should be for kids, even in high school.

There is a way back, but it's a long and rough road. And the reason I am posting this, is for all you parents out there with kids in sports.

If you can do it, learn the rules and take the clinic and become an official at a sport you love. It's good for the sport, you'll be making a real difference. And if you can't do that, at least make sure you always, always, thank the officials who work your kids games, even if you're not completely happy with their calls.

They are out there when a lot of others are not, doing a job that pays badly if at all (many officials work for free at young levels), for which they receive little praise and often a lot of insults, and more and more a level of actual danger to their persons.

They deserve your respect.

Thanks.

nudge

I coached summer track for a few years until I got tired of the parents. (Not the parents. Some parents)

As you know, in Texas, many of the kids run to get faster for football. That's cool. I had a father accuse me of favoritism because one of my kids got a scholarship to the Naval Academy. His didn't. Truth is, D1 isn't looking for 5'10" 220 pound defensive linemen. The kid who went to Navy (just retired as a pilot in December) is about 6'4 1/2" 230.

When you're on the track, you have to prioritize. Especially in the field events. 5 year olds jump, then 8, etc. the guy in question was on the track riding me for ignoring his teenager. He doesn't perform for at least an hour.

Mitch Blood Green said:

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I coached summer track for a few years until I got tired of the parents. (Not the parents. Some parents)

---

It only takes a couple bad ones to ruin it for the kids.

Loved a lot of the players and most of the coaches. And some of the parents.

My son's boys' baseball league a decade ago was beset with a team coach the city league would not get rid of. The coach was abusive toward other coaches and kids he didn't like. His wife pitched in as well. Soured my kid on baseball when he got into fisticuffs after a lot of mouthing off at a coach on my son's team, and the police had to be called in. That coach was still a coach the next year. I don't know about the umpire.
As I understand it, there are many other city league leaders who need to purge some of their own to save the game.

Oldbear83 said:

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Mitch Blood Green said:

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I coached summer track for a few years until I got tired of the parents. (Not the parents. Some parents)

---

It only takes a couple bad ones to ruin it for the kids.

Loved a lot of the players and most of the coaches. And some of the parents.

---

I told a kid he should run the 800. I said he'd be good at it. (He would have been sub 2:00 with work) not world record but competing.

His mother came onto the track and said I was giving him false hope because he was white.

EatMoreSalmon said:

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My son's boys' baseball league a decade ago was beset with a team coach the city league would not get rid of. The coach was abusive toward other coaches and kids he didn't like. His wife pitched in as well. Soured my kid on baseball when he got into fisticuffs after a lot of mouthing off at a coach on my son's team, and the police had to be called in. That coach was still a coach the next year. I don't know about the umpire.
As I understand it, there are many other city league leaders who need to purge some of their own to save the game.

---

I'd never get involved in coaching youth popular sports. The abuse isn't worth it to me.

These umps take it in the shorts.

Mitch Blood Green said:

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EatMoreSalmon said:

---

My son's boys' baseball league a decade ago was beset with a team coach the city league would not get rid of. The coach was abusive toward other coaches and kids he didn't like. His wife pitched in as well. Soured my kid on baseball when he got into fisticuffs after a lot of mouthing off at a coach on my son's team, and the police had to be called in. That coach was still a coach the next year. I don't know about the umpire.
As I understand it, there are many other city league leaders who need to purge some of their own to save the game.

---

I'd never get involved in coaching youth popular sports. The abuse isn't worth it to me.

These umps take it in the shorts.

---

Yes.
And the shins, and the neck, and the back of the head, and the forehead…

EatMoreSalmon said:

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Mitch Blood Green said:

---

EatMoreSalmon said:

---

My son's boys' baseball league a decade ago was beset with a team coach the city league would not get rid of. The coach was abusive toward other coaches and kids he didn't like. His wife pitched in as well. Soured my kid on baseball when he got into fisticuffs after a lot of mouthing off at a coach on my son's team, and the police had to be called in. That coach was still a coach the next year. I don't know about the umpire.
As I understand it, there are many other city league leaders who need to purge some of their own to save the game.

---

I'd never get involved in coaching youth popular sports. The abuse isn't worth it to me.

These umps take it in the shorts.

---

Yes.
And the shins, and the neck, and the back of the head, and the forehead…

---

My plate gear was designed to take a hundred mph pitch, and I used a 4 pound iron face mask.

Now foul balls off my arm or wrist is something else entirely. I can tell weather changes a few hours early because of that.

Oldbear83 said:

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EatMoreSalmon said:

---

Mitch Blood Green said:

---

EatMoreSalmon said:

---

My son's boys' baseball league a decade ago was beset with a team coach the city league would not get rid of. The coach was abusive toward other coaches and kids he didn't like. His wife pitched in as well. Soured my kid on baseball when he got into fisticuffs after a lot of mouthing off at a coach on my son's team, and the police had to be called in. That coach was still a coach the next year. I don't know about the umpire.
As I understand it, there are many other city league leaders who need to purge some of their own to save the game.

---

I'd never get involved in coaching youth popular sports. The abuse isn't worth it to me.

These umps take it in the shorts.

---

Yes.
And the shins, and the neck, and the back of the head, and the forehead…

---

My plate gear was designed to take a hundred mph pitch, and I used a 4 pound iron face mask.

Now foul balls off my arm or wrist is something else entirely. I can tell weather changes a few hours early because of that.

---

Was umping fun? My 3 year old says he wants to play soccer. For Christmas he gets his first glove and number 26 Cubs jersey so he can be a loser like the rest of us.

Mitch Blood Green said:

---

Oldbear83 said:

---

EatMoreSalmon said:

---

Mitch Blood Green said:

---

EatMoreSalmon said:

---

My son's boys' baseball league a decade ago was beset with a team coach the city league would not get rid of. The coach was abusive toward other coaches and kids he didn't like. His wife pitched in as well. Soured my kid on baseball when he got into fisticuffs after a lot of mouthing off at a coach on my son's team, and the police had to be called in. That coach was still a coach the next year. I don't know about the umpire.
As I understand it, there are many other city league leaders who need to purge some of their own to save the game.

---

I'd never get involved in coaching youth popular sports. The abuse isn't worth it to me.

These umps take it in the shorts.

---

Yes.
And the shins, and the neck, and the back of the head, and the forehead…

---

My plate gear was designed to take a hundred mph pitch, and I used a 4 pound iron face mask.

Now foul balls off my arm or wrist is something else entirely. I can tell weather changes a few hours early because of that.

---

Was umping fun? My 3 year old says he wants to play soccer. For Christmas he gets his first glove and number 26 Cubs jersey so he can be a loser like the rest of us.

---

Officiating is a calling. You are teaching game rules but also life lessons, and no one bought a ticket to see you, so you have to focus on the players, not your ego .

But if you love the game, being an official puts you right where it happens. You literally have the best view of the action, and protecting safety and fair play is very fulfilling, partly because you know most people could not do that job.

Oldbear83 said:

---

Mitch Blood Green said:

---

Oldbear83 said:

---

EatMoreSalmon said:

---

Mitch Blood Green said:

---

EatMoreSalmon said:

---

My son's boys' baseball league a decade ago was beset with a team coach the city league would not get rid of. The coach was abusive toward other coaches and kids he didn't like. His wife pitched in as well. Soured my kid on baseball when he got into fisticuffs after a lot of mouthing off at a coach on my son's team, and the police had to be called in. That coach was still a coach the next year. I don't know about the umpire.
As I understand it, there are many other city league leaders who need to purge some of their own to save the game.

---

I'd never get involved in coaching youth popular sports. The abuse isn't worth it to me.

These umps take it in the shorts.

---

Yes.
And the shins, and the neck, and the back of the head, and the forehead…

---

My plate gear was designed to take a hundred mph pitch, and I used a 4 pound iron face mask.

Now foul balls off my arm or wrist is something else entirely. I can tell weather changes a few hours early because of that.

---

Was umping fun? My 3 year old says he wants to play soccer. For Christmas he gets his first glove and number 26 Cubs jersey so he can be a loser like the rest of us.

---

Officiating is a calling. You are teaching game rules but also life lessons, and no one bought a ticket to see you, so you have to focus on the players, not your ego .

But if you love the game, being an official puts you right where it happens. You literally have the best view of the action, and protecting safety and fair play is very fulfilling, partly because you know most people could not do that job.

---

Is it true that this is you calling a game? I read that somewhere.

Oldbear83 said:

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Mitch Blood Green said:

---

Oldbear83 said:

---

EatMoreSalmon said:

---

Mitch Blood Green said:

---

EatMoreSalmon said:

---

My son's boys' baseball league a decade ago was beset with a team coach the city league would not get rid of. The coach was abusive toward other coaches and kids he didn't like. His wife pitched in as well. Soured my kid on baseball when he got into fisticuffs after a lot of mouthing off at a coach on my son's team, and the police had to be called in. That coach was still a coach the next year. I don't know about the umpire.
As I understand it, there are many other city league leaders who need to purge some of their own to save the game.

---

I'd never get involved in coaching youth popular sports. The abuse isn't worth it to me.

These umps take it in the shorts.

---

Yes.
And the shins, and the neck, and the back of the head, and the forehead…

---

My plate gear was designed to take a hundred mph pitch, and I used a 4 pound iron face mask.

Now foul balls off my arm or wrist is something else entirely. I can tell weather changes a few hours early because of that.

---

Was umping fun? My 3 year old says he wants to play soccer. For Christmas he gets his first glove and number 26 Cubs jersey so he can be a loser like the rest of us.

---

Officiating is a calling. You are teaching game rules but also life lessons, and no one bought a ticket to see you, so you have to focus on the players, not your ego .

But if you love the game, being an official puts you right where it happens. You literally have the best view of the action, and protecting safety and fair play is very fulfilling, partly because you know most people could not do that job.

---

I assume you root Astros?

I was a soccer referee starting at age 15 and continued running center through college. It was a great way to make a little money and while in college, beer money.

I certainly remember a couple of instances where the parents and coaches went overboard but for the most part, it was a positive experience.

When my youngest started competitive swimming, I became a swim official - mostly just to satisfy the volunteer requirements for his swim club.

Mitch Blood Green said:

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Oldbear83 said:

---

Mitch Blood Green said:

---

Oldbear83 said:

---

EatMoreSalmon said:

---

Mitch Blood Green said:

---

EatMoreSalmon said:

---

My son's boys' baseball league a decade ago was beset with a team coach the city league would not get rid of. The coach was abusive toward other coaches and kids he didn't like. His wife pitched in as well. Soured my kid on baseball when he got into fisticuffs after a lot of mouthing off at a coach on my son's team, and the police had to be called in. That coach was still a coach the next year. I don't know about the umpire.
As I understand it, there are many other city league leaders who need to purge some of their own to save the game.

---

I'd never get involved in coaching youth popular sports. The abuse isn't worth it to me.

These umps take it in the shorts.

---

Yes.
And the shins, and the neck, and the back of the head, and the forehead…

---

My plate gear was designed to take a hundred mph pitch, and I used a 4 pound iron face mask.

Now foul balls off my arm or wrist is something else entirely. I can tell weather changes a few hours early because of that.

---

Was umping fun? My 3 year old says he wants to play soccer. For Christmas he gets his first glove and number 26 Cubs jersey so he can be a loser like the rest of us.

---

Officiating is a calling. You are teaching game rules but also life lessons, and no one bought a ticket to see you, so you have to focus on the players, not your ego .

But if you love the game, being an official puts you right where it happens. You literally have the best view of the action, and protecting safety and fair play is very fulfilling, partly because you know most people could not do that job.

---

I assume you root Astros?

---

More a Yordan fan than an Astros fan at times, but yeah.

That said, as an umpire you see and hear a lot of cool and sometimes hilarious stuff from players and coaches. Especially high school and AAU games.

For example, my rookie year I'm working as the base umpire in a game at Oak Ridge. Bang-bang tag play at 2nd in the home 8th inning as the runner tries to steal the base, he's out but it's crazy close and the score is tied.

So out comes the coach for Oak Ridge and I brace for an argument. Worse, he outmaneuvers me and has his back to the crowd while I am facing the crowd (this matters because it's a lot easier to look in control when you talk to the coach with your back to the crowd).

"I CAN'T BELIEVE" he starts, and suddenly drops his voice to continue "that kid went off on his own and ignored the sign".

As I'm digesting that last part, he suddenly raises his voice again. "ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND?!?" followed by "I asked myself when I saw him doing that."

So I realized the coach was putting on a show for his team. I had two problems now. First, I mentioned that I was facing the crowd, so I had to make sure I did not smile or worse break out into laughter.

The other problem, is that when a coach unloads a rant on the umpire, he usually ends up getting tossed, but I wasn't about to throw this guy out. Began to wonder what my partner might do, as he started walking up the line from home plate.

The coach timed it well, marching off just before my partner got to where we were. My partner looked concerned, then confused at my calm and happy manner.

"So, you OK?" he asked, and I nodded.

"We discussed my view position on the tag" I said, and we went back to our positions for the next batter.

I explained the joke to him after the game.

Oldbear83 said:

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Mitch Blood Green said:

---

Oldbear83 said:

---

Mitch Blood Green said:

---

Oldbear83 said:

---

EatMoreSalmon said:

---

Mitch Blood Green said:

---

EatMoreSalmon said:

---

My son's boys' baseball league a decade ago was beset with a team coach the city league would not get rid of. The coach was abusive toward other coaches and kids he didn't like. His wife pitched in as well. Soured my kid on baseball when he got into fisticuffs after a lot of mouthing off at a coach on my son's team, and the police had to be called in. That coach was still a coach the next year. I don't know about the umpire.
As I understand it, there are many other city league leaders who need to purge some of their own to save the game.

---

I'd never get involved in coaching youth popular sports. The abuse isn't worth it to me.

These umps take it in the shorts.

---

Yes.
And the shins, and the neck, and the back of the head, and the forehead…

---

My plate gear was designed to take a hundred mph pitch, and I used a 4 pound iron face mask.

Now foul balls off my arm or wrist is something else entirely. I can tell weather changes a few hours early because of that.

---

Was umping fun? My 3 year old says he wants to play soccer. For Christmas he gets his first glove and number 26 Cubs jersey so he can be a loser like the rest of us.

---

Officiating is a calling. You are teaching game rules but also life lessons, and no one bought a ticket to see you, so you have to focus on the players, not your ego .

But if you love the game, being an official puts you right where it happens. You literally have the best view of the action, and protecting safety and fair play is very fulfilling, partly because you know most people could not do that job.

---

I assume you root Astros?

---

More a Yordan fan than an Astros fan at times, but yeah.

That said, as an umpire you see and hear a lot of cool and sometimes hilarious stuff from players and coaches. Especially high school and AAU games.

For example, my rookie year I'm working as the base umpire in a game at Oak Ridge. Bang-bang tag play at 2nd in the home 8th inning as the runner tries to steal the base, he's out but it's crazy close and the score is tied.

So out comes the coach for Oak Ridge and I brace for an argument. Worse, he outmaneuvers me and has his back to the crowd while I am facing the crowd (this matters because it's a lot easier to look in control when you talk to the coach with your back to the crowd).

"I CAN'T BELIEVE" he starts, and suddenly drops his voice to continue "that kid went off on his own and ignored the sign".

As I'm digesting that last part, he suddenly raises his voice again. "ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND?!?" followed by "I asked myself when I saw him doing that."

So I realized the coach was putting on a show for his team. I had two problems now. First, I mentioned that I was facing the crowd, so I had to make sure I did not smile or worse break out into laughter.

The other problem, is that when a coach unloads a rant on the umpire, he usually ends up getting tossed, but I wasn't about to throw this guy out. Began to wonder what my partner might do, as he started walking up the line from home plate.

The coach timed it well, marching off just before my partner got to where we were. My partner looked concerned, then confused at my calm and happy manner.

"So, you OK?" he asked, and I nodded.

"We discussed my view position on the tag" I said, and we went back to our positions for the next batter.

I explained the joke to him after the game.

---

that's hilarious

Oldbear83 said:

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Mitch Blood Green said:

---

Oldbear83 said:

---

Mitch Blood Green said:

---

Oldbear83 said:

---

EatMoreSalmon said:

---

Mitch Blood Green said:

---

EatMoreSalmon said:

---

My son's boys' baseball league a decade ago was beset with a team coach the city league would not get rid of. The coach was abusive toward other coaches and kids he didn't like. His wife pitched in as well. Soured my kid on baseball when he got into fisticuffs after a lot of mouthing off at a coach on my son's team, and the police had to be called in. That coach was still a coach the next year. I don't know about the umpire.
As I understand it, there are many other city league leaders who need to purge some of their own to save the game.

---

I'd never get involved in coaching youth popular sports. The abuse isn't worth it to me.

These umps take it in the shorts.

---

Yes.
And the shins, and the neck, and the back of the head, and the forehead…

---

My plate gear was designed to take a hundred mph pitch, and I used a 4 pound iron face mask.

Now foul balls off my arm or wrist is something else entirely. I can tell weather changes a few hours early because of that.

---

Was umping fun? My 3 year old says he wants to play soccer. For Christmas he gets his first glove and number 26 Cubs jersey so he can be a loser like the rest of us.

---

Officiating is a calling. You are teaching game rules but also life lessons, and no one bought a ticket to see you, so you have to focus on the players, not your ego .

But if you love the game, being an official puts you right where it happens. You literally have the best view of the action, and protecting safety and fair play is very fulfilling, partly because you know most people could not do that job.

---

I assume you root Astros?

---

More a Yordan fan than an Astros fan at times, but yeah.

That said, as an umpire you see and hear a lot of cool and sometimes hilarious stuff from players and coaches. Especially high school and AAU games.

For example, my rookie year I'm working as the base umpire in a game at Oak Ridge. Bang-bang tag play at 2nd in the home 8th inning as the runner tries to steal the base, he's out but it's crazy close and the score is tied.

So out comes the coach for Oak Ridge and I brace for an argument. Worse, he outmaneuvers me and has his back to the crowd while I am facing the crowd (this matters because it's a lot easier to look in control when you talk to the coach with your back to the crowd).

"I CAN'T BELIEVE" he starts, and suddenly drops his voice to continue "that kid went off on his own and ignored the sign".

As I'm digesting that last part, he suddenly raises his voice again. "ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND?!?" followed by "I asked myself when I saw him doing that."

So I realized the coach was putting on a show for his team. I had two problems now. First, I mentioned that I was facing the crowd, so I had to make sure I did not smile or worse break out into laughter.

The other problem, is that when a coach unloads a rant on the umpire, he usually ends up getting tossed, but I wasn't about to throw this guy out. Began to wonder what my partner might do, as he started walking up the line from home plate.

The coach timed it well, marching off just before my partner got to where we were. My partner looked concerned, then confused at my calm and happy manner.

"So, you OK?" he asked, and I nodded.

"We discussed my view position on the tag" I said, and we went back to our positions for the next batter.

I explained the joke to him after the game.

---

Yordan is having a monster year. MVP?

DAC said:

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Oldbear83 said:

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Mitch Blood Green said:

---

Oldbear83 said:

---

Mitch Blood Green said:

---

Oldbear83 said:

---

EatMoreSalmon said:

---

Mitch Blood Green said:

---

EatMoreSalmon said:

---

My son's boys' baseball league a decade ago was beset with a team coach the city league would not get rid of. The coach was abusive toward other coaches and kids he didn't like. His wife pitched in as well. Soured my kid on baseball when he got into fisticuffs after a lot of mouthing off at a coach on my son's team, and the police had to be called in. That coach was still a coach the next year. I don't know about the umpire.
As I understand it, there are many other city league leaders who need to purge some of their own to save the game.

---

I'd never get involved in coaching youth popular sports. The abuse isn't worth it to me.

These umps take it in the shorts.

---

Yes.
And the shins, and the neck, and the back of the head, and the forehead…

---

My plate gear was designed to take a hundred mph pitch, and I used a 4 pound iron face mask.

Now foul balls off my arm or wrist is something else entirely. I can tell weather changes a few hours early because of that.

---

Was umping fun? My 3 year old says he wants to play soccer. For Christmas he gets his first glove and number 26 Cubs jersey so he can be a loser like the rest of us.

---

Officiating is a calling. You are teaching game rules but also life lessons, and no one bought a ticket to see you, so you have to focus on the players, not your ego .

But if you love the game, being an official puts you right where it happens. You literally have the best view of the action, and protecting safety and fair play is very fulfilling, partly because you know most people could not do that job.

---

I assume you root Astros?

---

More a Yordan fan than an Astros fan at times, but yeah.

That said, as an umpire you see and hear a lot of cool and sometimes hilarious stuff from players and coaches. Especially high school and AAU games.

For example, my rookie year I'm working as the base umpire in a game at Oak Ridge. Bang-bang tag play at 2nd in the home 8th inning as the runner tries to steal the base, he's out but it's crazy close and the score is tied.

So out comes the coach for Oak Ridge and I brace for an argument. Worse, he outmaneuvers me and has his back to the crowd while I am facing the crowd (this matters because it's a lot easier to look in control when you talk to the coach with your back to the crowd).

"I CAN'T BELIEVE" he starts, and suddenly drops his voice to continue "that kid went off on his own and ignored the sign".

As I'm digesting that last part, he suddenly raises his voice again. "ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND?!?" followed by "I asked myself when I saw him doing that."

So I realized the coach was putting on a show for his team. I had two problems now. First, I mentioned that I was facing the crowd, so I had to make sure I did not smile or worse break out into laughter.

The other problem, is that when a coach unloads a rant on the umpire, he usually ends up getting tossed, but I wasn't about to throw this guy out. Began to wonder what my partner might do, as he started walking up the line from home plate.

The coach timed it well, marching off just before my partner got to where we were. My partner looked concerned, then confused at my calm and happy manner.

"So, you OK?" he asked, and I nodded.

"We discussed my view position on the tag" I said, and we went back to our positions for the next batter.

I explained the joke to him after the game.

---

that's hilarious

---

Got another one from my rookie year. The chapter matched rookies with veterans their first year, so they could learn and have help when needed.

In a JV game at Memorial High School, I worked with Bob Charmo, our chapter President. The coach was in his first year and did not know many officials. I was the HPU and Bob was working as the base umpire.

We had a close call at first base and the home coach came out to argue the call, thinking Bob was out of position. He tore into Bob, attacking his judgment and ability.

I did nothing for a little while, then slowly started walking towards the two men per our training, and almost broke out laughing when I heard the coach tell Bob, "you need to learn from better officials, like the guy at home plate. He is in charge and when you have learned more you will understand that."

Bob glanced at me and gave a small wave with his hand to say he was fine, and I paused halfway down the foul line. I didn't laugh but couldn't help but smile.

The first base coach, who also worked the varsity games as a coach. saw me smile and came over.

"Something I should know?" he asked.

"That's Bob Charmo" I explained.

"Oh ****" replied the base coach, who knew that Bob had - at that time - worked the last four 5A state championships (5A was the top level in those days). The irony of the JV coach saying he needed to learn how to officiate from me was top-level comedy.

I officiated everything from Little League, to USSSA, to high school, to Legion to D3 baseball and softball. A few state championships along the way. I was on the left field foul line for a Team USA tour before they left for Athens. Jenny Finch warmed up from the warning track throwing strikes over the plate (at least they had the height from my viewpoint checking the field pregame). Volleyball and basketball too, but more rec ball than anything in those two.

Hung it up eight years ago. I won't go back but I could physically walk on a field next season and be right where I was when I left, but there are many, many stories. A few injuries too. I was hit by a baseball in the hand as a home plate umpire so hard once, you could see the stitching from the ball for almost a week. Mask kept a bat from my face more than once.

" Mask kept a bat from my face more than once."

Not that I liked catching a pitch or foul ball in the mask, but I remember how everyone stopped when it happened and was impressed I was OK, while no one cared about the foul ball whacking my wrist with nothing to protect it.

Out of curiosity, do you remember what brand of plate shoes you liked best? The ones I got from Honig's had great protection but were way too heavy, so sometimes I'd wear Wolverine steel toe shoes with a steel plate over the plane.

No idea on the brand. Probably something Honig, but protecting the toes was crucial, so I dabbled in the they're not umpire shoes, but they are black so leave me alone style of shoe too.

There was one mask hit that probably looked to the fans a whole lot worse than it was, but it was pretty bad from my view too. Only time I fell to the ground in 20 years.

Bat clips the side of the mask that hangs out which moved the mask to a point where the left side of my face is somewhat exposed. Somehow it still protects my face from the ball which catches me around the nose area of the mask. Catcher then jumps up and catches me square in the chin. Now the mask goes flying and I end up down on a knee. All three of these things happened at the exact same time or within .001 seconds of each other. It was crazy fast. And also, hard to blame the catcher for hitting me because I may have already been on the way down, so I wasn't where I was supposed to be.

I don't remember losing conciousness, but I was down on said knee for a few minutes while a trainer checked me out. He didn't find anything wrong, and I told him I was fine; I just needed a minute, but I wouldn't be surprised if I called the rest of that game with a concussion.