That’s My Story

The following is a true story. The names have been changed to protect the innocent and the clearly guilty.
I try to be a supportive wife, even if that means I attend nearly every softball game for my husband.
The truth is I am really starting to follow baseball. Even though it is still a little slow for my pace I have come to a new found appreciate for America’s favorite pastime.
Despite the rainy weather and mud bog field my husband’s team (which I will now refer to as team A) had to take the field. There was one issue – a shortage of umpires.
So I willingly volunteered for the job. I knew that if the ball gets to the base first the runner is out. How hard can it be?
I tried to stay out of the ball’s way since getting hit in the head was not on my agenda. I tried the best I could to see when the ball would reach the glove and where everyone’s feet were.
I do not plan on quitting my day job.
What I never accounted for is how hard it truly is to see when the ball reaches the glove and how difficult it can be when a first base coach is moving around to keep an eye on where everyone is.
So apparently I made a mistake.
Not since Jerry Meals messed up a play that cost the Buccos an overtime win against the Braves was an umpire’s call so quickly and loudly disputed. While this may be a bit of an exaggeration Meals is a seasoned veteran and I was trying my first hand as a first base umpire.
I called a player from team D out at first base. The player turned around and said “I’m not going in on that one” while team D’s supporters blasted my decision. What I did not know is when a player and the ball arrive at the plate at the same time the runner wins. Admit the commotion my typical tough self retreated. I was pretty upset. Now not only did I have to worry about a stray ball knocking me into next week but I also had to worry about making a bad call and dealing with an upset team. Why not be calm and just say I think I was safe. I’ll admit that I am human and can make a mistake if you can calm down and remember you are in a league that is supposed to be playing just for fun. Somehow that was lost somewhere between first base and the crater hole left by Mother Nature.
So I got back my composure and luckily the rest of the plays were not as close as that one. The player from team D gave a half-hearted apology after he was safely on base in the next inning. But there was no way my ego was accepting that apology.
So I learned my lesson – the best place for me is a view from the bleachers. And if you are playing a game, give the rookie umpires a break.