First Week Back Umpiring

Spring has finally Sprung

Not much has happened since I was asked if I would come back. Of course I thought about it and decided, SURE, Why Not? But only if I could just be an umpire and not get caught up in trying, wanting, or encouraged to get involved in the league and the players any further than that.

This is my fifth time back to the league after a falling out of some sort — mostly due to having ideas and plans to make the league more fun, better, and bigger but getting shot down or discouraged due to lack of support. So I leave and get away from it for a year or two.

People ask me why I keep coming back after being neglected, betrayed, shunned. It is because I love the game, the players, and the action out on the field seeing it up close in person. And deep down inside, I feel I can bring a positive change to the league and play if they would finally retire, get tired of the hasle, or give it a try. But that is not the reason I came back this year. Loomis asked if I would — sort of begged me if certain things were done my way and certain people were gone. He promised I would be involved with the website, improving their league to garner more players and teams, up the marketing and advertising, and other things.

But none of that has happened as of yet. Of course Ronnie is back, and they are getting that dust to settle. I understand. But I am not going to get myself all uptight anymore about the way the league is ran or should be handled. I have learned one thing in all this time — the league will never change, so do not try to change it.

I am just an umpire now, and that is all I want to concentrate on. And Spring has finally sprung so games can begin. As of Monday, April 29, 2019, C1 Men's has had 2 nights of play. That is how many rained out nights they have had since the season started in early April.

On standby, on call, and back up umpire?

No set night for me to umpire

I would like to have my own night, as I am not a fan of being on call, on standby, or being a back up — I do make plans and have other things going on in my life. When I have a specific night or nights scheduled to umpire, then, or course I set aside time and include that in my life style. But I am not going to plan nothing and hope I get a call to umpire.

Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday

It is partly my fault for having an activity on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 5:30 to 6:30 that I will not get out of just to umpire. But I can do the 8 and 9 pm games, possibly the 7 if they really wanted me to.

But that does not stop them from giving me something on Tuesday or Friday night, which are open, or well, were, open. Now instead of me telling people I cannot make that event because I have a responsibility to WNCSSA League, the players, and the teams to be at the games to umpire, I tell the league, “Sorry, I already have plans. I cannot umpire.”

Do I feel bad, sad, or bothered about it? NOPE! Remember, I am just an umpire, I have no other connections, strings, or allegiances that I thought, felt, or assumed I had in the past.

Do I have fun umpiring?

Yes, mostly. But will I go that extra mile like I have in the past? Probably, because that is who I am. Do I do it so people will like me? No. I do it so people will respect me and rely on the positive, caring, and supportive person I am. Will I get it, Respect that is? From the players, YES. Most of them.

This past Monday, April 29, 2019 I did 2 games for C1 Men's, and it was a blast getting back on the field. Watching some great plays, and enjoying the company of great local people.

I will be at Memorial this Friday, in fact, tonight, to do four games for COED. Not sure where the umpire for the night is, but I was asked to cover tonight, the 10th, and the 17th at Memorial. Looking forward to it!