[Elaine "Lady Blue"]

Hey Mike,

It's a little closer from Georgia to Delaware and I called SP for 10 years including States and Regionals. Also did 2 JO SP Nationals. So, how about me? I could use a change of scenery.

As for my wish list, I want to continue getting healthier,
lose more weight and get rid of my "little friend" that is attached to my stomach. That should be in February. I'll decide then if I'm still in umpire retirement or if I'll return. But, to tell you the truth, unless I could pick my partners for regular games out of my association, I'd rather retire. Since umpires seem to be at a premium, my group is using folks that we would have NEVER used 5-6 years ago for travel and HS ball! Plus, how do I tell the assignor that I won't work with him or his best friend because they SU*K !?!?!? So, my wish would be that my group's umpires would really become better umpires or quit!
It would surely help my nerves at Renee's games, as they seem to call at least 1/2 of them. I needed valium during her HS season as the assignor and his buddy called nearly every game and they were terrible!!! Good thing I was still recuperating from surgery and had pain pills that kinda zoned me out. I don't understand why they don't know that they really need to study, go to schools and listen to the veterans. Course, they think they're veterans with about 5 years for 1 and 3 for the other, but they're TERRIBLE!!! I was one of the trainers, and one of these guys would never listen to me nor try to do as I suggested.
What is a former umpire like me, to do?????