Reflections

I am starting to become acclimated to home again. One nice side-effect of the trip back is that I become regular in my sleeping habits, at least for a few days. Those of you who know me realize that is very unusual in itself. I have been in bed at around 11:00 PM every night so far. This will probably wear off by the end of the weekend.

I have heard positive comments from many of you regarding this blog, and the one I wrote in November. I have also received the requisite ribbing from my pals back in Michigan as well. I DO realize that not everyone is interested in some of the minutiae I included in my daily posts, and that most of you have more important things to do than track my daily activities (except Bruce Keeling, who has no other life). The blog first and foremost provided a way for me to stay close to my four girls back home (my wife, Vicki, daughters Hannah & Olivia, and my sister Tina) and to provide something I can look back on later to remember all the good times. It is also for the umpires that were here (and their families). If I've also provided a window to the experience for other umpires, officials and friends, then so much the better.

In reflecting on my second trip to Taiwan in five months, I would once again like to thank Dick Runchey for providing such a tremendous opportunity. Dick is the best thing to happen to international umpiring in recent times. He put together an extremely capable group of umpires for this tournament, and has a great leadership style. He allows you to go out and do your job without interference, but is also not afraid to give you a kick in the pants if you need it. Dick's efforts will play a big part in helping get baseball back in the Olympics after 2008. I have no doubt that USA Baseball (and others) will succeed in getting Olympic Baseball back with Dick's help.

I would also like to thank Rich Fetchiet, who has been involved to varying degrees with international umpiring for years. Rich's position is now more as a consultant in this regard, but I would never have been in a position to make a trip like this one or the World Cup without his help and guidance in my amateur umpire career. Rich's willingness to accept former professional umpires into the amateur fold cannot be overstated. He is an honest, straight-forward person, and I feel fortunate that my college baseball schedule is entirely in his hands.

The guys I umpired with this trip were fabulous. Out of the international umpires (those not from Taiwan) only Carlos Rey from Puerto Rico was at the World Cup tournament here last November. I became closer to several of the Taiwanese umpires that I did not know well before, and made new friends from Canada, the Netherlands, Australia, Austria, Mexico, Cuba & Puerto Rico. Thanks, guys, for making this a very special memory.

Thanks also go to those scoring the tournament, especially Moira and Jenny, who made the long bus trip to Douliou and hung out with us after the late games at the hotel. I gained a new respect for what scorers bring to our game through getting to know them. It was also great meeting the wives of Carlos and Dale (Jacky & Deb). The tournament support personnel and hotel/restaurant staff were a delight to work with as well. We could not have survived without Lidia and Lili communicating with us and keeping us in line.

It was also great to visit with some of the friends I made last November, who made an effort to remain in touch during this second trip. I was able to visit with Natalia and her friend Victoria, my good friend Johnny, and Queenie from The Frog (she of the perfect margaritas). I also met some of Queenie's friends, and corresponded with former staffer Natalie (not to be confused with Natalia) via email while in Taichung, although we were not able to work in a visit.

Most of all, I'd like to thank my family: Vicki, Hannah & Olivia, for allowing me to make a second trip away in such a short period. They were very gracious in allowing me to go. (That couldn't be because of the gifts I brought back, or the fact that they're planning a St. Joe to Orlando to Hawaii trip for later in the year, could it?)

If you are an umpire reading this post, I reiterate my closing from the prologue of the November journal. This is an umpiring experience like no other you'll ever have. Become a member of the ABUA and do whatever you have to do to put yourself in a position to work one of these events. It's a decision you will never regret.

To all -- thanks for reading and for keeping in touch via email as you did so. I will keep this blog and the photo albums online...feel free to share their contents with any and all.

-- Dave