outside protector

[Rich]

Originally Posted by Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.

Rich:

If I were a coach (and I have no desire to go over to the Dark Side) and I had my choice between an umpire who was umpiring his sixth game in a row as opposed to an umpire who was umpiring his sixth game of the day but was in a three umpire rotation where each umpire did not umpire more that two games in a row, I would definitely choose the latter. And as an umpire I would choose to be the latter umpire too.

MTD, Sr.

I couldn't possibly care what the coaches want.

I do two or three of these marathon days a year, usually before I go on vacation. On those days, I'm there for the money, nothing more. In June I did 7 straight baseball games -- the first 4 on the plate. I was there to make $350 to take with me on vacation. And I'm arrogant enough to note that even in my fourth plate, I'm still better than 90% of the people they get working their first plate.

If they want me to sit a game, they'll have to pay me for it. Otherwise, I'm sure there are other umpires willing to work. (Actually, I'm not so sure, because by the time I agree to do it, they're usually saying that there's nobody else -- could I please do it?).

With the exception of those 2-3 days a year when I whore myself out, I don't work anything but single games and doubleheaders.