So I got everything ready to go for our first game of the season. Baseball bag packed, sleeping bag in car, dressed in several layers and a few snacks, including a thermos of hot coffee...just in case. It is April 7 and 43 degrees outside. We are heading to Liberty Center for a boys baseball game. I am excited to see how the boys have improved from last year. Matthew had the opportunity to umpire almost all their home games last season and it was fun to see them from the opener to the final game.
We pull up and I see Liberty is playing Napoleon. Look out boys, this is going to be interesting! After getting settled into the sleeping bag...and yes it IS the way to go...the game begins and although Napoleon gets a run Liberty Center pitches a great inning, but Napoleon shuts them out. Unfortunately, Liberty's pitcher gets a ball to his hand and is out the rest of the game.
The boys play 7 innings and Napoleon ends up on top 15-3, but Liberty played hard and I have to think if their starting pitcher had stayed in they may have brought this one home. Great start to the season!
Matthew did a great job on the plate and after counting up all the pitches he had a total of 288 squats. Now if I could just stand behind him and squat along with him I could give Suzanne Summers a run for her money!
We leave the field at 8:00pm and the temp has dipped to 39 degrees. I phone in pizza to pick up one way home and the first game is officially under our belts with no injuries :)
Showing posts with label maumee. Show all posts
Showing posts with label maumee. Show all posts
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Play Ball...or Not?
I woke up this morning (game day) and the sun is shining, but rain is forcasted for the afternoon. Great! Not sure if the games will get rained out...not usually, unless there is standing water on the field. These teams play in all kids of weather!
After leaving church a little later than planned, we skip our normal #10 at McDonalds and head straight for the game. It is 35 degrees, windy and rainy as we pull up next to another umpire who is suiting up.
Matthew starts putting on his gear as I gather up my sleeping bag, quilt, baseball bag (packed with snacks, umbrella, hat, gloves, clicker, etc.) and my folding chair. I put on my extra sweatshirt and pull my hood up. Yes, umpire's girls have just as much equipment to put on and carry! The number one thing to remember is to be prepared for ANY kind of weather.
We set out on the trek to Field B with two other umpires in tow. They are all very professional and take their responsibilities seriously. As we approach the fields we are met by the groundskeeper who informs us that the Field D game has been cancelled. This umpire had driven from Oak Harbor to officiate and did not get a call ahead of time. I can tell the guy is upset and unfortunately the team did not call until 10 minutes before start time to notify that they would not be coming. In a heartbeat, Matthew offers his field to the umpire. I am shocked! Nevermind all the prep work we did to get here or the fact that he just lost the money for his days work! No umpires don't get paid for showing up when a game is cancelled. The other umpire gratefully takes the game and we head back to the car.
As we walk, I ask Matthew why he did this. He smiles and tells me that maybe that guy needed the games more than he did and he will make it up later in the season. I am so proud of him! The respect and genuine unselfishness these umpires have for one another is remarkable.
Not the way we planned on starting the season, but it works for me!!
After leaving church a little later than planned, we skip our normal #10 at McDonalds and head straight for the game. It is 35 degrees, windy and rainy as we pull up next to another umpire who is suiting up.
Matthew starts putting on his gear as I gather up my sleeping bag, quilt, baseball bag (packed with snacks, umbrella, hat, gloves, clicker, etc.) and my folding chair. I put on my extra sweatshirt and pull my hood up. Yes, umpire's girls have just as much equipment to put on and carry! The number one thing to remember is to be prepared for ANY kind of weather.
We set out on the trek to Field B with two other umpires in tow. They are all very professional and take their responsibilities seriously. As we approach the fields we are met by the groundskeeper who informs us that the Field D game has been cancelled. This umpire had driven from Oak Harbor to officiate and did not get a call ahead of time. I can tell the guy is upset and unfortunately the team did not call until 10 minutes before start time to notify that they would not be coming. In a heartbeat, Matthew offers his field to the umpire. I am shocked! Nevermind all the prep work we did to get here or the fact that he just lost the money for his days work! No umpires don't get paid for showing up when a game is cancelled. The other umpire gratefully takes the game and we head back to the car.
As we walk, I ask Matthew why he did this. He smiles and tells me that maybe that guy needed the games more than he did and he will make it up later in the season. I am so proud of him! The respect and genuine unselfishness these umpires have for one another is remarkable.
Not the way we planned on starting the season, but it works for me!!
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