[SAump]

I enter work 15-30 minutes early every day (following long commute) and stay 10-20 extra hours every week. I explain that baseball season is only 2 months long and I put in that time fivefold the rest of the year. That didn't mean very much my first year, but as I have gained staus with more work experience, it is also beginning to mean something more to me. Or at least, I rationalize it that way. We are also short umpires in my area. I try to leave by 3:30, with 30 minute drive time prior to 4:30 start. Summer games don't start until 6 DSL or 8 DSL because of the heat. My coworkers know what I do and the passion I have for umpiring. By the time I leave work early, drive to my game, buy my equipment or pay for instructional time and assigning fees, I PAY to work games too.