Memorial Day Tournament

[Umpire in Chief]

I worked a Memorial Day tournament this weekend. It was my first day of calling games in quite a while.

 

I was assigned to the 11U field and those who are familiar with my rants and posts know I am not fond of youth recreation baseball. 

 

Well I arrived and was half way in a bad mood because it was 11U and half way because my scheduled start time of 9:00 got pushed back to 10:30 and my plans for afterwards were not going to happen.

 

As the day went on the baseball wasn't too bad for that age group. I was working with a good partner and my mood improved. 

 

But what impressed me the most and put me in a much better mood isn't even baseball or umpiring related.

 

They had opening ceremonies which were quite nice. The had all the teams that were present line up on the big field, all the umpires too, a parent actually did a terrific job singing the National Anthem (and I'm sure you all have been there for some awful performances of the Anthem). But even more than that something that touched me was that during our opening ceremonies the flag was behind the right field fence. I was moved to see that passers by on the sidewalk behind the edge of the park actually stopped looked at the flag and waited until the Anthem was over. This included some children on bikes. 

 

Is it bad that I didn't expect them to? But it was nice to see it. 

[BigUmpire]

I worked a Memorial Day tournament this weekend. It was my first day of calling games in quite a while.

 

I was assigned to the 11U field and those who are familiar with my rants and posts know I am not fond of youth recreation baseball. 

 

Well I arrived and was half way in a bad mood because it was 11U and half way because my scheduled start time of 9:00 got pushed back to 10:30 and my plans for afterwards were not going to happen.

 

As the day went on the baseball wasn't too bad for that age group. I was working with a good partner and my mood improved. 

 

But what impressed me the most and put me in a much better mood isn't even baseball or umpiring related.

 

They had opening ceremonies which were quite nice. The had all the teams that were present line up on the big field, all the umpires too, a parent actually did a terrific job singing the National Anthem (and I'm sure you all have been there for some awful performances of the Anthem). But even more than that something that touched me was that during our opening ceremonies the flag was behind the right field fence. I was moved to see that passers by on the sidewalk behind the edge of the park actually stopped looked at the flag and waited until the Anthem was over. This included some children on bikes. 

 

Is it bad that I didn't expect them to? But it was nice to see it. 

Real americans LOVE baseball and our flag.

Thanks for sharing this.

[OHUMP]

Great story whenever I hear people talking or not paying attention during the national anthem I want to go all Hansen brother from slap shot on them and tell them shut up i am trying to listen to the *U**ing song.