Fallen Umpire

[bossman72]

Yeah, someone totally not affiliated with that man could definitely be posting that account and using that man's death as a way to fill it. I would also be skeptical

[soundedlikeastrike]

Our local USSSA association recieved a notice from the Na. office, "due to death of Umpire that was struck by a line drive (no details other than that), SB umpires will no longer work inside the bases".

My curiosity sent me looking for details.

I'm do not recommend you slap a 50 in an envelope and fire it off.

[soundedlikeastrike]

No the facility is not a indoor one, not sure where that came from?
But it looks like a beut. with lots of ball being played.

[bossman72]

Originally Posted by soundedlikeastrike

Our local USSSA association recieved a notice from the Na. office, "due to death of Umpire that was struck by a line drive (no details other than that), SB umpires will no longer work inside the bases".

Not to be cynical, but aren't you supposed to work outside the bases at all times on 60' diamonds?

[soundedlikeastrike]

I began umpiring SB in 2000, base umpire always worked inside. We have a couple of USSSA associations here in Wa. that adopted and worked outside. But it was always taught to work inside. I've never had a problem with it, never been hit or had a partner hit, had some lasers that had one hopping but no different than the occasional laser in BB at 90'.


Never been 60' bases since I've been playing, 65' and then last year moved to 70'. I never considered not working inside, even with the big boys. Till now that is..

[wadeintothem]

NCAA, NFHS, and ASA all start outside.. I dont know of a single major softball organization that has their umpires inside before the pitch. That is a baseball mechanic, not for the 60' base game. You are not inside for slow pitch or fast pitch.

I found where someone could purchase his obituary as published in the Houston Chron.

https://www.legacy.com/houstonchroni...onID=100975981


The same date of death as listed on this fund raiser page http://www.clubmonkey.com/Events/GregFerguson.asp

I did not find any news articles but it is always difficult to search newspaper articles online.

[soundedlikeastrike]

[QUOTE=wadeintothem]NCAA, NFHS, and ASA all start outside.. I dont know of a single major softball organization that has their umpires inside before the pitch. That is a baseball mechanic, not for the 60' base game. You are not inside for slow pitch or fast pitch.

USSSA, I would recognize them as a "major softball organization". In my local area we have approx. 250 SP teams of which 242 play USSSA, 8 ASA.

If you read my post, I said, it was "taught" to work "inside" on the 65' and 70' bases.

Thanks for posting the addtional links: God bless and be careful out there.