Finnblue

Sometimes I felt that it was a little bit strange that an umpire from Finland had to explain rules to Americans... MS

That even hit the news here in Finland. http://www.iltalehti.fi/urheilu/2009081310077632_ur.shtml

My experience with kids 9-10: they kept me on my toes all the time, I never knew what they were going to do with the ball. At least I learned to expect a trouble play almost all the time ;-). The catchers are small and I need to go really down to get my head on top of the catcher's head, so I thought if I could do it better from knee. Well, couple of innings later this nine year old pitcher threw a pitch that bounced next to the catcher - who didn't move his glove - and I got it square on my cup. It wasn't hard throw but it hurt yes. Next monday I had the same level again so I continued my experience... mistake! Same thing happened again. So now I just squat lower when I have small catcher between me and the ball. MS

HI ALL! Greetings from North-East corner of Europe! Baseball started here 1981 and has been strugling since. But we enthusiast still go on and try to improve our skills and make the sport more known in our country - I still meet people in Helsinki that are surprised that baseball is played in Finland. My first umpiring job was also 1981, plate, and no good knowledge of rules. But I got through it with no problems. I have umpired amateur and kids games in Japan, USA and several European countries. I love doing it and I'm happy my family is in baseball, too. Mika Sarjanen Helsinki Finland