Growing up I was a pretty good athlete, playing "the" three sports in the 60s of which baseball was my favorite. I have always regretted not playing baseball in college along with, or even instead of, football. I even played basketball my freshman year at Austin Peay.

However, this story pertains to baseball umpiring. Back in the 1960s I knew the game well and always had thought I would try umpiring some day. That opportunity came earlier than I expected.

I was a teenager, about 16 or so, and stopped by a minor league game to see if a certain young lady was there. She was so I hung around behind home plate hoping she would pass by on her way to the concession stand.

The game going on was 8-year-olds and the umpire behind the plate was Roger Smith, a guy I knew well from umping some Babe Ruth games I pitched. The guy calling the bases was terrible, probably asked to ump because there wasn't anyone else. After several missed calls Roger asked my if I wanted to take over the bases and I said sure.

One of the first plays after I took over calling the bases was a slow grounder toward second and the 2nd baseman fielded it, threw to first, the runner was clearly out by two steps, and I threw up both hands and called him safe! Everyone, including me, was shocked. Why had I called him safe?

To try and cover my tracks I pointed at the base and said he had pulled his foot. Total lie trying to cover my... mistake. The 1st baseman had been standing right in the middle of the base, which young kids do.

I ended up calling a lot of games but never again liked calling the bases and would call all the games behind the plate instead. As long as I stayed mentally involved, which you do calling balls and strikes, the better I did.

What happened with the young lady? Well, her little brother was the pitcher on the team in the field so...