bluegorilla

I went in to kidney failure five years ago and was on dialysis until last August when a friend donated a kidney . I pulled my gear out of the shed and I'm going to try and make a come back . I'm 67 and most of my friends think I'm crazy ! My name here was bluegorilla . I'm trying to reset my password so I can post on the site . I have really missed this site !❤

As mentioned above , join a association . I bought all new gear last year and sold my old stuff to a newbie this year . West Vest Platinum chest protector and shins Wilson Dynalite mask ...... $80 . I know I practically gave the stuff away , but It helped a new umpire get started and he could spend his money on unis etc.

Why return the runners ?

My dad was an umpire when I was growing up and playing ball . As a LTC , he never got much flack from the coaches as the league was on post ! I too am a vet and after reading these posts I will start saluting the Anthem at my games !

I've had a very busy schedule the past week and have been off site . I don't often post ,but I'm frequently lurking in the background . I'm a veteran umpire that has learned much from this great board . Mike's insights and advice will be missed . I never knew Mike in person , yet I'm typing this with tears in my eyes . Such is my appreciation for this board and all who contribute to it !

I'm a 15 year cancer survivor . It can be beat . My thoughts and prayers are with you !

8 stitch works fine . Just wear your hat backwards !

Saturday I called the last three games of a 23 game week . Temp in the 90's with rain showers every day . I had the bases for the first two games . In the second game ,about the third inning , the pitcher looked at me and said he felt sick then proceeded to hurl and fell to his knees . He was carried off the field . I went on brake and drove to Subway for a sandwich . When I got back to the field for my plate game , the paramedics were at the field because a player had passed out in the dugout and was unresponsive with a blood pressure of 170 something over 40 something . As I was walking to the locker room , a player waiting for the next game was sitting in the bleachers getting an IV . I'M 59 and had no problems . I hydrate with water and Pedialite and cool off with Frog Toggs Chilly Pads . Hydration is the key . Cooling off helps and feels good ,but stay hydrated ! http://www.froggtoggs.com/chilly-pad-9.html

Had two plates today with teams from Louisiana . Both Head Coaches and all players called me coach instead of Blue , Mr. Umpire etc . First few times , I was looking around to see whom they were talking to .

Eject the offender immediately !

I call both and I'm in my 7th straight week of week-long tourneys . This week it's 18u baseball . The past two weeks I had 33 games of fast pitch . Sometimes it's tough switching back and forth , but I enjoy both !

http://www.coolvest.com/RPCM_Cooling_Vest/Recreation.aspx

It started raining here Tues.night . Was supposed to be a week-long tourney with 5 games a day . Cost me $800

My pet peeve is baseball only umpires that look down their noses at softball umpires ! Yes , there are differences in mechanics and rules but they are basically the same game played at very different speeds Go umpire a fast-pitch game sometime and perhaps you will have a little more empathy towards these softball guys you are forced to endure !

So , if you are my partner on the bases and I have a third strike in the dirt, you won't be much help will you ?