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Originally posted by SanDiegoSteve
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This reminds me of a funny incident that happened to me in 1990. Between innings of a varsity game between two local powerhouses, the visiting coach, who knew me oh so well, came to me on the line between innings. He put his arm on my shoulder casually and said, "you know Steve, I think you're doing a hell of a job out here." At that point I was feeling pretty good about myself. Then he continued, "but you see that guy out there?" He pointed to my partner who was in short right center and said, "he thinks you're horsesh*t!" He cracked me up, and we had a good laugh about it.
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I've told this story often, but new internet generations (two years or so) pop up, so....
In a state playoff competetion I opened behind the plate. The first pitch resulted in a lame bouncer to third, and B1 was out by a lot. I looked up to find the McAllen coach, Lupe Canul, breathing fire: "Get some help. That ball hit him in the box." I convinced him that any of the men who had seen it would have called it. "It's ain't an appeal play, Lupe."
He loses - on the road. The next night, I'm in the rocking chair when Lupe's choice for first-base umpire kicked a routine call. It was so routine, and coach of the team batting and his runner at second had already starfted for the first-base dugout.
Lupe finally got to Fernando, and they talked long enough for me to go for a hogdog and Dr Pepper. Finally, it broke up and Lupe went back to his dugout.
The plate umpire called "Play!"
Lupe called: "Time!" David threw up his hands - and Lupe started for me. For me? We're in the fifth inning, and I called one ball foul.
He arrives, puts his arm around my shoulders, and turned me to face left center. "Carl, I want you to know that next year I'm going to have aides."
Assistant coaches were all the rage at that time, especially in football.
"I think that's great. An extra coach can't hurt."
"Oh, I don't mean that. I mean 'aids,' like what I'm gonna get from the fucI*ing I'm getting from you and Fernie."
Then, he held me very strongly so I didn't collapse on the grass.
When I tell that story, someone also asks: "Did you eject him?"
I always tell the truth: "I asked for his autograph."
I saw Lupe last year at a select 12u tournament. I was calling the plate; his grandson was batting.
Lah, me.