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Had a real fun weekend this last one. Our association volunteered to work a special olympics tourney in conjunction with local public safety officers. This was an eye-opening experience, I will never more complain when bones and joints ache when I get out of bed in the morning! Those "Olympians" are great. Attitudes are wonderful, and tempers were all under control!
The first game I did, however did have a serious setback. One young man while rounding 1B made a stop and fell. 1B coach was telling him to get back to first, and the runner trying hard as he may couldn't get up. A yell from the dugout, or stands said "something is wrong with his leg" I then looked closer and saw something wasn't right. The runner had snapped his right femur, had to be in pain, but was still trying to follow his coaches instruction to return to the base! He did have surgery to repair the break, and all will be well, but that was painful, as well as humbling to witness.
The "Armed Escort" part; Our group did all the plates, but public saftey people worked the bases. Some of them were on-duty, in uniform, complete with armament! Might be nice to have them as partners at ALL games!
The PSO folks requested our assistance this year. Last years tourney they worked all positions and found that umpiring ain't as easy as it looks. Most of the PSO's told us the have great respect for the job we umpires do, and they don't ever want to take that heat again! Can you imagine, these guys and gals arrest armed criminals, rush into burning buildings to save lives and such, but don't like the "heat" of being a sports official!
Our DD and a friend, both college SB players came home for the weekend and also called some. They had fun as well, and were a huge hit with some of the male olympians! Local college and HS softball and baseball players volunteered to work the scoreboards, concessions, and anything else needed. Those kids were very proud to be part of that effort (and we were too!).
Like I said, Was a fun weekend!
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