Fallen Umpire

[soundedlikeastrike]

I know this is a BB forum, but it's officials. Our association just heard of this tragic event. Could have been any of us. I don't know his age or family status, but will be soliciting my association for donations. He was struck on 12/21 and passed away on 1/5 or so, sorry I don't have more details

This umpire was struck by a line drive near second base, and never got up.
God bless his family and friends.

Greg Ferguson from Houston, Tx.

"Donations for GREG's family can be sent to":
Wachovia Bank
Attn. Linda Ferguson Special Account Condolence cards may be sent to:
Account Number: 1010187445182 Linda Ferguson
2800 Post Oak Blvd 10739 Sandpiper
Houston, TX 77056 Houston, TX 77096

[bossman72]

Dude, I don't think it's smart to be posting a bank account number for all to see...

[soundedlikeastrike]

I'm sure there are plenty of safe guards in place, with these type accounts. This is posted on many web sites, thats how I found it.

[Steven Tyler]

Originally Posted by soundedlikeastrike

I'm sure there are plenty of safe guards in place, with these type accounts. This is posted on many web sites, thats how I found it.

Unless you know for sure this is legit and not a scam, which happen quite often over the Internet, I would check this out first just to make sure.

[BretMan]

It's legit- unless several hundred posters on multiple discussion boards, along with the owners of the indoor sports complex where this happened, are all in on the scam.

Google "Umpire Greg Ferguson" and you'll find the links.

[BigTex]

Originally Posted by BretMan

It's legit- unless several hundred posters on multiple discussion boards, along with the owners of the indoor sports complex where this happened, are all in on the scam.

Google "Umpire Greg Ferguson" and you'll find the links.

I did Google "Umpire Greg Freguson," and I found three softball fan sites, and one softball field site. I am not questioning the validity of this tragic event, I do however find it odd that this did not show up in any news source. With the death of Mike Coolbaugh in AA this past year, one would think that another on-field death would at least make the local paper.

[waltjp]

I'm skeptical, to say the least. I tried to search some of the Houston newspapers and couldn't find any information about Greg Ferguson and I'm surprised that none of the members of this board who are from Texas know anything about this.

[Steven Tyler]

The only indoor facility I can think of in the greater Houston area is the Astrodome.

The weather down there is nice enough in the winter that they play outdoors year round.

Sounds like a scam to me.

[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.