Seeking advice on crew management

[SE Minnestoa Re]

As a long time white hat, I have had to deal with an aging official's medical shortcomings.

The first time I was 35 and had an umpire in his mid-50's. We didn't see each other much during the off-season. First game of the year, he is on the ground 4 or 5 times. He was never like that. The next morning, really early, I get a call from his daughter. She asked if he worked the night before. When affirmed, she informed me that he had a stroke during the summer and was banned from officiating. She guessed he didn't tell me. I found myself a new umpire within an hour.

The last time was 15-years ago and I had an official who was fighting dementia. We let him work one last year but it was bad. I had to tell him we were going a different direction the next year.

I respected both of these guys greatly. To say it was difficult to cut them loose is an understatement. However, we have a responsibility to protect kids. We also need to protect the officials. I think being the boss prepared me for the talk. Both left with no hard feelings. The first guy even thanked me for making the decision for him.

Tough calls to make.

[Texas Aggie]

He's cleared for officiating, according to him.

That's a question for your association, not him.

Boomer makes a REALLY GOOD case for someone to be EMPLOYABLE for most things. Sitting at the desk, answering the phone, perhaps even sales or light warehouse work. It doesn't, to me, make a case that its OK for someone to be on the field. He couldn't be a Secret Service agent, for example. He has a history of blacking out on the field -- not everywhere BUT the field where the condition on presents itself in theory. He could black out at a moment he needs to move out of the way, get hit and suffer a very serious injury.

[Texas Aggie]

Narcolepsy

I have this problem, but it only seems to appear in the morning about the time I need to get up.

I'm not jealous about much of anything -- someone's house, car, bank account, wife, etc. For the most part, I couldn't care less. But I AM insanely jealous of people who can rise out of bed early and still feel well rested. I hunt down and torture people that say they're morning people (by having them listen to me tell them what I said in this paragraph!!).

[Welpe]

Originally Posted by Texas Aggie

But I AM insanely jealous of people who can rise out of bed early and still feel well rested.

Just curious and feel free not to answer but have you had a sleep study done?

[Matt]

Originally Posted by Texas Aggie

That's a question for your association, not him.

Umm, not when it comes to medical clearance.

Originally Posted by Texas Aggie

Boomer makes a REALLY GOOD case for someone to be EMPLOYABLE for most things. Sitting at the desk, answering the phone, perhaps even sales or light warehouse work. It doesn't, to me, make a case that its OK for someone to be on the field. He couldn't be a Secret Service agent, for example. He has a history of blacking out on the field -- not everywhere BUT the field where the condition on presents itself in theory. He could black out at a moment he needs to move out of the way, get hit and suffer a very serious injury.

Boomer was making the same point I was.