Today, MTD, Jr., and I umpired a boys' H.S. freshmen baseball game today (Apr. 16/Thu.). The game was played at Wapakoneta (Ohio) H.S. which is near Ohio Northern University (where Mark goes to school). Mark was home for Easter Break last weekend and umpired a H.S. JV game while home. He left his plate shoes (size 13, just wait for it later in the post) at home because I told him I would shine them for him when I shined mine.
Note: When we umpire together, Mark always (well almost always, and no J. Dallas Shirley jokes please) works tha plate, after all, why should I get beat up behind the plate when I have a 19 year old son that can get beat up behind the plate.
I picked up Mark at school and we proceeded the game site. When we got there we discovered that I had forgot to pack Mark's plate shoes (but I hadn't forgot mine), and since mine are size 9, I ended up working the plate. And what a game it was,
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Game time was 05:00pmEDT, and Greenville H.S. did not show up until 04:50pm meaning we did not start until 05:20pm. We fiinshed the 6th inning at 07:55pm with the scored tied at 9-all, and sunset at 08:17pm. We decided to try to complete the game and Greenville H.S. scored 4 runs in the top of the 7th but by this time it was 08:16pm and we (the umpires and coaches agreed to suspend the game due to darkness). And a good time was had by all,
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The game fee was $50 per umpire and Mark and I spent almost $30 total on dinner,
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Our next game together is on Mon., Apr. 27th and I am going to make sure his plate shoes are in the van,
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Good night all.
MTD, Sr.