Things I'll Miss about Ohio, Part I - Umpiring

Today will begin a small series on this here ol' blog, called, Things I'll Miss about Ohio." Given the impending move to our nation's capital, there are *some* things that I'm going to miss about Ohio. After all, it has been my home for the past four years.

Umpiring

I've spent all four summers here as a little league baseball umpire. I umpire multiple age groups, from 8-year-olds all the way up to high school. I umpire almost every night of the week, except when it rains. It all started on a whim when I moved to Oxford. On a drive down to Cincinnati, I saw a sign for little league sign ups, so I called the number listed on the sign, left a message, and said that I'd be interested in umpiring if the chance was available next summer. Six months later, they called and asked if I would still be willing. Truth be told, I thought the position was volunteer, but they said they paid $30 per game. What a deal, I thought. I was a broke graduate student, and an extra $1200 for the summer sounded like a good deal. It was such a good deal, I decided to stick with it for four years, even while working full-time.



I think what I'll miss the most about giving up the shin guards and face mask is the connection to the community I feel when I umpire. As a transplant to this strange place called Oxford, I have always felt a real disconnect to the town. Umpiring helps bridge that. I talk with a lot of parents in between innings, not only about baseball, but about life in general. They know my name, I know most of theirs. I know their kids' names; I've watched them grow and develop as baseball players and as kids. I'm able to tell the parents how much improved their kids' swings are, and they appreciate that.

Of course, there is the obvious pressure that comes from umpiring, which is what I shall call "critiques" of my performance, which occur from time to time. I think I would have been more susceptible to them had I been umpiring for the money as opposed to doing it for fun. Oxford has a great little league, and have had very, very few instances with fans, coaches, or parents. Even in the midst of a hyper-involved parental culture, I can honestly say that the parents with whom I interact have been wonderful. It's been a stereotype-busting experience I might say. Coincidentally, whenever I tell people that I umpire little league, the first question they usually ask me is what the pressure is like from the "crazy parents." I like to take that opportunity to tell them that it's not always like that, and in fact, it's quite the opposite.

I don't think I'll continue umpiring when I get to Maryland. I just won't have the time, and I just don't think it'll be the same.