:EEK:
Thank you Dakota for clearing up the point. However, Mike is correct--but your analogy of dishonorably discharged was perfect!!
Mike, I hope you don't think I was one of those discharged u
umpires!!
You know, I didn't start umpiring until I'd had 4 children and was 36 years old. It was hard for a female starting at that age and in 1986 here in Atlanta to
attain any recognition, but I worked hard.(Plus, I had a UIC that rode my ***, and I'm sure you know him--Charlie
Myers).I have always gotton along with Charlie and I count him as one of my friends, but did we ever have some arguements!! I can truly say though without him, I doubt I would have umpired 1 ASA National, much less 5. He and 4 other umpires were my teachers, friends and support: Cliff Browning, Lisa Miller (now deceased), and 2 ISF Modified Umpires, Ralph Miller (no relation) and Jack Couse. I can truly say that if Atlanta was still blessed with their style of umpiring, I probably would still be doing it. These days however, there are too many umpires that I would not take the field with as they need to be DD'd. Not to be snobbish, but if a old, overweight female can learn the RIGHT way to umpire, I think everyone else should too!!
Now, I'll get off my soapbox. Everyone, have a pleasant week!