[GarthB]

I can't believe this has become so complicated.

Windy, when I first worked D-1 I was told by a very experienced and senior partner, "assistants just don't exist. If they try to materialize, they are ejection bait."

He didn't add, "except if I'm having a heart attack", or "except if the head coach is shot by a jealous husband" or any other kind of exception. We were talking about umpiring. I knew what he was saying.

If you have the experience you say you have, then there is no need to play this continuing what if game. You know what is being said. If you walked on the field with Gus Rodriquez and he said, "assistants don't exist", you'd know what he was saying.

A little league umpire might have to ask,"what if". According to your resume, you shouldn't have to.