Moving

[BlitzkriegBob]

I am moving back to Houston in a couple of weeks, and I think this may signal the end of my umpiring career. I have enjoyed it very much (most of the time), and I know there will be times that I will miss umpiring. I wanted to take a minute to thank all of you for all of the guidance and help that you have provided to me over the last several years. You all have made me a better umpire. I can never express my gratitude enough.

It was a little tough walking off the field for the last time a couple of weeks ago. My last game was uneventful, which is always a good thing. The tournament didn't start out that way for me. My first game of the day I tossed a coach in the top of the 2nd (earliest ever for me), and tossed another from the same team a little later. The joys of calling Illegal Pitches! It will probably take me a little time to wean myself from visiting here every day. When I get back to Houston, I'll probably end up looking for a baseball team that needs someone to come in and throw a little batting practice. I love this game too much to walk away completely.

[Welpe]

I'm sorry to hear that this may be the end of your umpiring career. Any particular reason why you won't continue to call once you come back this way?

[Skahtboi]

Yeah Bob. Umpiring is even more fun in Texas!!!!

[tcannizzo]

Why is Houston equated to the end of your umpiring career?
Just askin'

[BlitzkriegBob]

It isn't so much that I don't want to umpire once I get down there, it's just that I anticipate not having the time to do it due to work obligations. At least for this year, I think it would be very hard for me to fit umpiring in, and after I sit out for a year I think it will be hard to restart again even if I do end up having the time. I'm getting old, my body aches, and arthritis medication has become a food group for me.

Maybe once I get down there I'll contact some of you through here so I can get my fill just living vicariously through y'all!

[txtrooper]

What part of town are you moving to? I schedule for a park just north of Houston and could work you into some games, when you have the time.

[Gulf Coast Blue]

If you are so inclined and living south of Houston let me know and I should be able to help you get set up.

Joel