[Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.]

Yesterday (Sat., May 07th), I had a boys' H.S. varsity baseball game. I was on the bases and a very good umpire (works college ball) and friend (who is recovering from cancer; just finished chemo last week; I don't know how he does it) was on the plate (he wanted the plate and I was not one to argue with him because I consider him a better umpire than me. The Visitors is a Div. I team and the Home team is a Div. IV team; head coaches are good friends and that is why the game had been scheduled.

Starting time is scheduled for 12:00pm but with the threat of rain in the air we get started at 11:55am. V was leading 14-12 going into the top of the seventh; V proceeded to score three more runs for a 17-12 lead going into the bottom of the seventh. H scores five run in the bottom of the seventh to tie the score at 17-17. It is now 03:00pm.

The eighth inning is scoreless and V goes down one, two, three in the top of the ninth. Then, in the bottom of the ninth, with one out and two men on, B/R4 hits a monster three-run shot to left field for a walk-off home run. We walk of the diamond at 03:35pm.

I thought I had just worked a girls' H.S. freshmen softball game. I really felt bad for my partner, but he laughed it off as just another day at the office.

MTD, Sr.