|
A few weeks ago at a Volleyball Tournament.......I ran into a Dad whose daughter I coached in softball 8-9 years ago...........(we were HS buddies from eons ago and he has also been a VERY succesful SB coach (2 State Runner ups and 1 State Championship between his 2 daughters)
He, like me has multiple daugters, but only 1 playing softball at this time and he wants to spend more time at the fields........
He asked about umpiring...........!!!!!
I told him then that I would get back with him when the new season started getting closer..........
We had our annual board meeting this week and I got to thinking about my old buddy........and what I could do to not only encourage him.............but help him become an ASA umpire...........
1. I have 8 nice Elbeco shirts in my closet..........fine for league in our association (I have already given away a few in the last couple of years).........donate him a couple........keep the rest for other prospective umpires.........+ my favorite 1 to keep in my archives...........grin
2. I have 3 chest protectors..........adequate/above-average/best.........offer him either the adequate/above-average one.
3. I have 2 sets of shinnies...........1 old set of All-Stars to the knee with NO instep protection......and 1 with.........(offer him the older shinnies)........
4. Old 100 lb. mask and 1 light weight one.........throw away the 25 yo. mask and give him places to buy new LW mask.............grin
5. Offer indicator, plate brush, etc. (things that I have multiples of.........NOT extra ball bag, etc.)
IOW............I can really help get this new guy going without ham-stringing me on equipment..............
And I can still afford to give up at least 1 plate brush, 1 indicator, and a few old Elbeco's before I hyperventilate because of "LOW GEAR SYNDROME"............
My first couple of ASA shirts were Elbecos that were given to me by my Area UIC...........may have made a big difference in not having to spend another 40 bucks to outfit me back then............
Just a thought.........
Recycle some of that old equipment to entice a new umpire into our ranks.............
I talked to my old buddy this evening and told him what I could donate towards his new career...............He is champing at the bit.............grin
Joel
[Edited by Gulf Coast Blue on Oct 9th, 2002 at 09:39 PM]
|