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christheump
351 Posts |
 Posted - 03/15/2013 : 11:44:32
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I just wanted to thank this forum and the many coaches, parents, and kids that I have had the opportunity to meet, speak with, and call games for, but it is time to hang the mask up.
The reasons are simple:
First, my body just cant take it anymore. I am not a big guy, but 200 lbs going up and down a several thousands of times over the weekend takes its toll on you.
Second, it just was not fun anymore. I wanted it to be fun, but it just wasnt and I hate it that it became that way. I loved doing it. I am the kind of person that will act like what people say doesn't bother you, but it will evetually get to you. There were too many nights that I would go home and not be able to get that one call off my mind. Bad or missed calls bothered me and I tried my hardest not to make them. I hated being reminded by a small portion of parents and coaches that I was not perfect.
Even with this small amount of bad memories and physical reminders, calling games for both travel and rec ball was awesome.
I was still a kid at heart. I loved the beginning of tournament time. Every year I had visions of the Bad News Bears(yes the original) opening scene where the sprinklers were going and the grass was being being cut as I would I pull in the park entrace. Man, I got to relive that and see that each weekend.
I will miss the sweet sound of a well hit ball, the popping sound of leather meeting leather on a nice fast ball that hits the outside corner, the smell of hot dogs and hamburgers on the grill, and all of the hot baseball moms(yes we did notice yall) flirting with us trying to get a call or two!  I will miss seeing which teams would be on my field for Pool Play and to see if I knew them or not. I will miss seeing what the current years fashions would hold, would the pants legs be up or down, what were the new cool braclets and/or necklaces, which bats were the hot ones for the year.
I will miss those kids, parents, and coaches that appreciated the hard work and effort I put forth. |
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4bagger
131 Posts |
Posted - 03/18/2013 : 13:14:46
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Chris, I thank you very much for all the thankless work you did for the game, the families and the kids. Being an ump is the most difficult job on the field because when you do your job well you are hardly noticed and the times you have an off day everyone wants your head.
I try to make it a point to thank the umps, whether good or bad, because as I get older, I understand better.
Maybe you can hang up the mask for a season or two and then come back re-charged. The game needs great umps like you who know the rules, how to apply the rules, how to calm disputes and still have time to check out the hot baseball moms (we ALL notice).
Enjoy your rest and never say never. The sounds of the games, the smells of the parks and the smiles of the kids are a hard drug to beat. |
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ChinMusic
126 Posts |
Posted - 03/18/2013 : 19:53:58
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Chris... Thanks for all your good feedback over the years. I have always enjoyed your posts.
Don't sell the gear... You might need it if/when the bug bites you again.
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F2202
63 Posts |
Posted - 03/21/2013 : 03:33:55
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Chris,
No idea who you are, or if we ever worked a game together. Maybe we did, probably not. Best of luck to you in life!
-Frank
P.S. Send me an email and let me know where you've worked/what level of ball you umped. |
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Its time....
