Ohio Hello

[TheGeneral]

Howdy Folks!

 

I have been in the business for 8 years now, and seeing that I'm only 21, I'd say that's a pretty decent time.  Starting in a league that I knew more rules than the spectators had teeth, I have moved from coach pitch tournaments to some high school varsity and travel ball.

 

My whole career started by taking risks, whether it being lying to my first assigner saying I have umpired before and saying my parents approved of me working for the local Little League (I was 13, had never umpired in my life, and my dad specifically told me no), or being sent (by the same assigner) with his OHSAA shirt and hat to do varsity softball... when I was still a junior in high school.  But these stretches of the truth got my name in the business, my foot in the door, and most importantly: much more experience than most folks my age.

 

Currently, I am the top umpire for our local girls softball association, and spend most of my time working their high school league.  When possible, I volunteer for our Special Olympics slow-pitch team.

 

I'm a student at Ohio University and my last name is Patton, and I am currently working towards commissioning in the U.S. Army, hence why everyone calls me "The General."

 

Hopefully I can provide a fresh perspective here as well as learn more from y'all older folks!

 

 

 

[BRUMP]

welcome

[BigUmpire]

Welcome!

One question: you stated: "Starting in a league that I knew more rules than the spectators had teeth"

Did you do the Georgia Wafflehouse tournament?

[blue23ll]

I remember that tournament ! They started the games right after the riding lawn mower races, right?

[TheGeneral]

Is that a thing? Because if so, I may have to check it out 'cause I do love me some Waffle House!

 

It actually was Jeffersonville, Ohio.  A small village that one of the "best" umpire, as they claimed, wore flip flops, gym shorts, a deep cutoff t-shirt (which for girls softball, I found highly inappropriate), and he called... more than once... a foul ball that ricocheted off the backstop and was caught an out.  Intelligent bunch. 

[BigUmpire]

Is that a thing? Because if so, I may have to check it out 'cause I do love me some Waffle House!

 

It actually was Jeffersonville, Ohio.  A small village that one of the "best" umpire, as they claimed, wore flip flops, gym shorts, a deep cutoff t-shirt (which for girls softball, I found highly inappropriate), and he called... more than once... a foul ball that ricocheted off the backstop and was caught an out.  Intelligent bunch. 

He would be great in Georgia!

What is a back stop?

[TheGeneral]

blue23ll: Even better, they had a mower derby!

 

For all you classy individuals that don't get out in these areas, it's the same as a crash-up/demolition derby, except with your lawn mower.

[BigUmpire]

I remember that tournament ! They started the games right after the riding lawn mower races, right?

You do remember!

Great tournament.

Fun seeing the 14u boys play with their wives and sisters watching.

Real family fun.

[TheGeneral]

BigUmp: Is there another name for the fencing that is behind home?

[BigUmpire]

Chicken wire here in Georgia.

[TheGeneral]

Aha. Better than the snow fence that I've seen used before!

[BigUmpire]

Any good snipe hunting where you live?

[TheGeneral]

Snipe run rampant where I'm from.

 

Fun side note, I just spent the last month at Fort Lewis with cadets from universities all over the US (including one dude from Puerto Rico), and only a handful of them had even heard of a snipe.  During our time in the field, we may or may not of sent a handful of them go on snipe hunts during their fire guard shifts...

[BigUmpire]

Snipe run rampant where I'm from.

 

Fun side note, I just spent the last month at Fort Lewis with cadets from universities all over the US (including one dude from Puerto Rico), and only a handful of them had even heard of a snipe.  During our time in the field, we may or may not of sent a handful of them go on snipe hunts during their fire guard shifts...

I am laughing out loud now!

You will have fun here.

[blue23ll]

 

Is that a thing? Because if so, I may have to check it out 'cause I do love me some Waffle House!

 

It actually was Jeffersonville, Ohio.  A small village that one of the "best" umpire, as they claimed, wore flip flops, gym shorts, a deep cutoff t-shirt (which for girls softball, I found highly inappropriate), and he called... more than once... a foul ball that ricocheted off the backstop and was caught an out.  Intelligent bunch. 

He would be great in Georgia!

What is a back stop?

 

 

What makes you think it was a HE? I think lady umps in deep cut off tshirts are the BOMB, even more so if they have a few teeth!

[blue23ll]

 

Snipe run rampant where I'm from.

 

Fun side note, I just spent the last month at Fort Lewis with cadets from universities all over the US (including one dude from Puerto Rico), and only a handful of them had even heard of a snipe.  During our time in the field, we may or may not of sent a handful of them go on snipe hunts during their fire guard shifts...

I am laughing out loud now!

You will have fun here.

 

 

Yes, General, welcome to our little corner of insanity. You should have fun here, just remember, there a few old grouches here who try to pick fights. They are easily ignored though! TENNNNNNN HUTTTTTTTT...general on deckkkkkk.

[TheGeneral]

Blue: My cousin and sisters used to play there and I got to see the fridge sized man attempt to make all calls without moving from his perch behind the plate. And trust me, you didn't want to see what all he had to offer under the "shirt." Now I did work with a gal like you mention, and that I didn't complain much about..

Thanks! And good to know, I'll keep that in mind.

Oh, and carry on, soldier. Carry on.

[Typhoon]

Maybe this should be your avatar. LOL

 

 

 

[mstaylor]

blue23ll: Even better, they had a mower derby!

 

For all you classy individuals that don't get out in these areas, it's the same as a crash-up/demolition derby, except with your lawn mower.

But have you done a combine demolition derby? I have done two. Lawn mower racing, check. Welcome to the site. 

[TheGeneral]

blue23ll: Even better, they had a mower derby!

For all you classy individuals that don't get out in these areas, it's the same as a crash-up/demolition derby, except with your lawn mower.

But have you done a combine demolition derby? I have done two. Lawn mower racing, check. Welcome to the site.

As much as I have wanted to, it hasn't been in the cards. I have yet to have the cash to throw down on a combine to destroy. However a local dealer always stocks up for this event, so hopefully I will soon!

[mstaylor]

I am in the entertainment business and do all sorts of odd events.