As a fifth-year umpire, I have warned many people that the umpire is becoming extinct.
I have written countless social media posts about what I have endured through my first four seasons. I have gained some unbelievable friendships, met some great people and overall enjoyed myself. However, there are many who have turned their equipment in, and decided to hang it up.
I have seen the very good, the very bad, and the very ugly. Besides the countless expletives thrown my way, I have been told I was blind, drunk, on drugs, partial to one team, and that I wanted to go home early. I have had to break up arguments that involved fans, coaches, and a near fist fight where I was close to calling 911.
The umpires that continue to stick with it do it mainly for the love of the game. Some need the money and I think we can all understand that; that is why they stay.
If you had a child on a middle school baseball team this year you most likely did not have umpires. There are other factors as to why we have the shortage that’s currently happening such as an older population retiring, a pandemic and of course a mass exodus from New York State.
A little league or travel baseball game is supposed to be a place where you can go to watch a game in its purest form. It’s for the kids, it’s their game. I am begging you to be the example that you want to set.
An umpire is going to make mistakes as sure as the kids will make errors and strike out.
Editor's note: John Mohlmann is an East Northport resident and umpire for District 34 (western Suffolk County).The above piece, as well as all pieces that appear with a byline in our “Opinion” section, reflect the opinion of the author only and not necessarily the opinion of the editorial board as a whole.
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