What exactly is “Enhancing The Umpire Experience”? For over two years, I’ve been giving thought to what that means and the goals I would want to achieve should I be given the opportunity to do so. There are so many aspects to the umpiring experience both on and off the field.
How can we, here at BCN, help everyone become the best they want to be while making it fun to read? There’s a delicate balance that needs to be struck and hopefully you see this publication as the continuation of the bi-weekly pregame…with a twist or two along the way.
Talking “umpire” baseball is one of my favorite things to do. War stories about the “game within the game” get me excited for my next opportunity to be on the field. Shooting the proverbial “shit” with my umpire friends is something I do everytime I’m in my car, no matter the hour of the day. So, you can only imagine that helping to put these publications together is a true labor of love.
In this edition, we start with a message from our fearless president, Dave Maher. Dave, to be frank, is a stud. He’s getting so much stuff done this is what is on his mind this cycle.
It seems that Norm Gordon either can’t get away or just doesn’t want to get away even though he’s gotten out of “dodge”. We’re talkin’ post- games. Jumping off the field and talking about any fresh battle scars and small on- field victories is always a good thing after a hard game’s work. Read here.
Rules, rules, rules… and more rules. Greg McEvoy chimes in about some of the silly things batters and runners may do….. Sometimes they interfere and we have to deal with it! What were they thinking when they hindered someone trying to make a play? See how to deal with that here.
We are inserting a quick document into the fold, Adamczyk’s Attic, a good resource for finding the right equipment for you. Equipment is a very personal thing, certainly not a “one size fits all” type of deal. I’m really short, even “petite”, so I get easily swallowed up by certain brands and styles.
Lastly, Craig Hughes brings you some important information about managing lineup cards. Keeping track of the game is pretty important for so many reasons, especially so if there’s any chance of bad weather or darkness after you start!
Happy reading and may the strikes and outs be with you!
Michael Chmar
Co-Editor, Blue Crew News