When will you "call it a day"

[Always Wright]

I turned 54 last Saturday and will be starting my 30th year umpiring in March. I call HS & JUCO in the spring, PONY in the summer (not so much in the summer any more). I wanted to reach 30 years, so I will work this year. After that, I am going to seriously evaluate. I did not have a great year last year. I missed more calls on the bases than I can remember. I did OK behind the dish. I'm going to work real hard at having a better year this year. I have to decide if the bad calls were a result of some degree of not working hard enough, or if I just can't do it anymore because I have slowed down too much. Also, the cold weather in March and April gets to me a lot more now than it used too. Even if I give up working on the field I will stay involved. I teach a course in my school in Officiating and one of my students has gone on to a fine career calling college ball and working in one of the independent leagues.

Chris Wright
Brooklyn, NY