[RadioBlue]

I appreciate the comments.

In this area, there is a shortage of umpires. Additionally, the schools do almost all of their own hiring. The schools also know when the schedule a JV game behind a V game on a field without lights, the likelihood of getting a complete game in is near zero percent. It's an opportunity to get some kids some ABs and some time on a diamond.

I spoke with the AD a couple of times and he talked to the Super. (The Super. was serving as game management which is why he felt the need to come up to us to begin with.) I told the AD that I would like to speak with the Super so we could clear the air.

I had a very good conversation with the Super. yesterday. I explained to him that absent an actual lockerroom, the parking lot and my car IS my lockerroom and I felt he invaded our space. Couple that with the fact that he did not identify himself prior to engaging in a conversation with us, we were placed on the immediate defensive.

He acknowledged that he should have ID'd himself first and that he should have handled the situation completely differently and that the reason the conversation ratcheted up so quickly was on him.

Turns out ... he's got a freshman playing JV ball. I asked him if it was possible if his frustration came more from him being a parent than being game management and he acknowledged that was probably the case. I explained to him that as a veteran umpire with decades of experience, I can deal with what happened just fine. My concern was more for newer officials. If a relative newbie was treated in this manner, I could see this being an incident whereby we lose an official. I told him that with the shortage of officials in this area, we can't afford to lose officials over something of this nature. He agreed.

In the end, it was a very good conversation and understandings were reached which is all I really wanted.

I also appreciate Bob J.'s suggestions regarding ways to get the next game started more quickly. If we know we are only going to get 20-30 mins. of JV ball in, we'll just stay put. In the future during situations where we're gonna play longer than that, we just might have the V plate guy stay back there and start the JV game with him working solo with the BU gets changed. Then, when he's ready, the original PU will go get changed while the new PU works solo.

I explained this to the Super (who himself coached baseball for nearly 20 years) and he was appreciative that we were able to learn something new. He also said he was appreciative of the fact that, despite the run-in between games, we hustled and worked hard in the JV game and didn't short-change the kids. I explained that we don't operate that way ... and most umpires I know wouldn't, either.

Thanks again for all of your input.