Umpire Death in Chattanooga
 

Just an FYI - We lost a fellow "blue" last Friday during an exposure tournament in Chattanooga. I'm unsure of the circumstances around his passing, but apparently he had complained of headaches and had just come off the field. He was throwing up and lost consciousness. EMS was called and could not revive him. Apparently he had some additional medical issues.

The reason I'm writing this is remind everyone to drink lots of water during their Summer tournaments and don't push yourself too far. While we may be put in some situations where we feel compelled to push our limits, the cost of doing so can be severe.

During the same tournament, I was asked to do 9 games in a row. While my partner and I didn't have an official break between games, we took additional time and made sure to rest for 10-15 minutes, kept water and food going and made the best of the situation we could. We finished an hour and a half late, pissed off the UIC but we were OK - just really really tired.

Watch out for each other out there.

This should NEVER happen.

And saying YES to outrageous requests such as the above only encourages UICs to keep making unreasonable requests of umpires.



RIP ...

ARE YOU KIDDING ME!! When I was young, good looking, and had all of my hair there was no way I would do nine games in a row. Mark, Jr., is young, good looking (like is old man once was), has all of his hair (as opposed to his old man who does not have any hair anymore), and is in good shape, and he would not do nine games in a row.

MTD, Sr.

The most I ever did was 5 over an 8 hour period and that was too much.
R.I.P. brother.

Makes you wonder if the umpire who passed away was also asked to do that many games, and that contributed to his demise. I certainly hope the UIC in Chattanooga didn't place this umpire in that situation.

Thoughts and prayers to the umpire's family.

This. God bless the man in blue. :(