Good Games/Bad Games/Half Assed Games

After my strike zone rant of yesterday, and the discussion of joy killing attitudes of some coaches in the game of High School Baseball....I headed to Lima Central Catholic yesterday afternoon. My partner was a replacement for Vince, who I had worked with last week...Vince had a family death and had to opt out, and was replaced by a younger umpire, in his forth year from Wapakoneta.

I told Aaron that it was his turn to do the plate, since it was Vince's spot in our rotation, and he did an excellent job behind the dish. LCC taking on Lehman Catholic out of Sidney, in the sunshine and 75 degree weather. Lehman has a veteran coach, LCC a younger coach who is making great strides in the program....what a treat, especially after the bitch session on Tuesday. Both coaching staffs have respect for the game, the players under them, and the work the umpires do....The homestanding Thunderbirds won 12-4, surviving a first pitch Home Run by the Cavaliers. Lima Central Catholic, fresh off the State Basketball Championship is looking good for a run in baseball as well.

Refreshed that the game, despite some close calls and a warning to a young Freshman about the illegality of "faking" a tag without the ball, the game was in complete contrast to the one the day before...no bitching, no complains, just good old fashion baseball, the way it was ment to be played and worked...tonight I am with Chuck(who I worked with Monday at Van Wert), at Spencerville, in a NWC League game against perennial power Crestview. I have the plate, and the temperatures will reach a near record 80 or more by the time the game begins at 5pm.

Hockey_____

The Stanley Cup Playoffs began last night...and much to my pleasant surprise, the Philly Flyers opened with a win at New Jersey, pulling out a 2-1 victory....meanwhile other road winners were Ottawa at the Pittsburgh Penguins, and Colorado shocking the top ranked team in the West, San Jose...the only home team victory went to Phoenix over favorite Detroit in another 1 goal win, 3-2. In fact each of the 4 games last night was decided by a single goal...this bodes well for the ratings of the playoffs, sad to say, I will have to settle for watching Philadelphia on the Computer or catching it on XM Radio...unlike last year, when Philly was on VS Network almost every game until eliminated, this year they are being ignored. Not that they haven't deserved that "honor".

Some things to do around the house...mow the lawn? That may have to wait until tomorrow...

back later>>>>