The Darkest of the Darkside

[Tim C]

"Tee is retiring for other reasons, which I hate to hear about."

John:

I thought I was crystal clear in "why" I retired from active umpiring:

I strongly dislike umpiring games.

Each year for the last four years I have worked fewer games each year in an attempt to enjoy wasting from 3 to 4 hours a day to work games.

Let me explain that last statement:

I feel that umpires need to have both a well thoughtout and complete pregame meeting with their partners. I also believe that there is a great opportunity to teach umpiring by post game conversations. Add to that travel during rush hour in the PDX area the committment of time (mostly away from my job) AND the fact that parents attend games things just quit being enjoyable.

John, I have also made it clear that I am applying for a "Lifetime Membership" with my local association. If I am elected to that prestigious membership then I can do everything if my local group (teach, evaluate, be a board member, etc.) with the exception of umpiring games.

This has to be a "win-win", right? Why on earth would anyone "question" when ANYONE retires at the top of their game rather than waiting until they make a joke of themselves?

As I said before: "It is much better to retire two years too early rather than one year too late!"

Respectfully,