Gee,
 

Now I wonder what I should do with all my umpire gear.

Regards,

Too easy...
 

I hear the Smithsonian is always looking for authentic relics for their collection.

I'll send you my address.

It's a shame to think that you will not be using it any longer.

Hawk it here and double your retirement fund.:D

I shudder to think how much you could get if you sold all of it.

Too bad you don't have a list of everything. :p

Oh boy, here we go ...

Walt, that may take 2 or 3 posts. Tim could outfit an entire association.

I remember his list from last year.

I call first dibs
 

Post your stuff big guy, but keep enough of it around so that when you change your mind next February you can still umpire!

Come on Tim_C. You are Big League in the Amateur World. What do the MLBU guys do with their old stuff? I imagine they 'give it' away to the minor league guys or to some local amateur guys back home. There should be some young amateur guys coming up in your Portland Association who could put the equipment to good use.

There may also be someone in your association that is going to the umpire school next year that could use some good equipment. Maybe that someone will make it to the bigs and still be wearing a piece of your equipment. I think you already knew the answer and will do this anyway.

What about that 18 wheeler you use to carry everything in? Guess you can downsize to a pickup now.

~sigh~
 

John, not going to happen.

After 41 seasons, 4001 games and nagging injuries the past two years it is obvious to me that the time was right to hang it up. I firmly believe that retirement should come two years too early rather than one year too late.

I have already "burned my boats" with the purchase of a Pontiac Solstice GXP that has no trunk!

I was also awarded a prestigious award by my local group that kinda sorta gives great closure to my umpire career.

Regards,

my .02
 

My hope is that you can get back to writing.............as I have always said...."strikes and outs" was my favorite column...best wishes on a fine career, one Im sorry to see end...

If they havent asked already, your state org or NFHS sure could use you in an advisory capacity....

(please keep some gear handy just in case...you catch some Brett Favre Fever.....:D)

Ha! Tim C, the Brett Favre of Portland. Keeps saying he's retiring every year, yet somehow keeps showing up on the schedule.:D

I was also awarded a prestigious award by my local group that kinda sorta gives great closure to my umpire career. Quoted

I can remember working on the West coast in an association who gave a 'lifetime membership card' to an umpire who should have left many years before. When he received it he said ' Well, this is $30 a year I will save and spend on fishing in the off season.' He is still working 15 years later.

It is nice to see that some people have the self awareness to get the hint when it is given.

I can only hope that you will continue to be active in your group as an evaluator and educator so that all of your experience and knowledge is not lost.