[RPatrino]

I was doing a game for a high school that I used to umpire at a lot, so much in fact that I knew most of the player's and coaches by name. The catcher was a big kid, powerful, and he had a wonderful sense of humor and was committed to protecting me at all costs.

Not surprisingly, his great attitude behind the plate changed, though, when he was at bat. I remember two humorous situations with Steve. One time, I called a strike just above his belt. Without turning around he said, " That wasn't high?" I responded, "Steve that's hittable"...no more words are exchanged. Next pitch was in the exact same place, and he crushed it over the left field fence. Rounding third he had the biggest grin on his face and as he passed me he said, 'Like that?" Second situation was when I rang him up on a beautiful curve ball, which he was terribly fooled on. After I do the ring up, he turned to me and said, "Hey, I liked that pitch too, but you didn't have to enjoy it THAT much..."