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To the editor: I am not in the practice of writing a "Dear John" letter but here is one that is very appreciative.
The Columbiana County summer baseball program wrapped up, if not successful in terms of wins and losses for individual teams, certainly successful in terms of having many young women and men having the opportunity to play a great game, make new friends, learn respect, etc. There are many to thank for this: coaches and managers, scorekeepers, ground crews (see coaches and managers) and you, the fans.
But one person who had a part of every game, no matter who played, where the game was played, or what time it was played was John Bobalik. John, you see, schedules umpires for each and every game. He also warms up for the summer league by scheduling many of the umpires for high school games starting in late March. Rainouts, rescheduled games, umpires called out to work just begin to tell the story of what he and other assignors go through to make sure each game has umpires. Oh, mistakes are made, but by and large John does a tremendous job. So much so, that he literally exhausted himself near the end of the season. Fortunately, he had a phone in his hospital room, and continued to schedule "the blue" for several days.
I think I speak for all the umpires in our association who are also kept happy with getting enough games (yes, don't forget about trying to please us as well), in thanking John for an incredible job. Take a well deserved month off before starting volleyball season. At least there are not generally rainouts during volleyball.
To close, I would like to encourage more people to consider getting into officiating. No, I am not snickering as I say that. Nearly all of my games this summer, I was able to walk down one sideline and up the other after the game and thank the fans for the behavior and support of the kids.
College students living at home or attending school in another area, officials are always needed. The local association will make every attempt to hook you up with the local association and assignors in your college locale. Yes, there are those who attend games (I won't call them fans) and an occasional coach who makes the job a little more difficult than needed, but it is a way to stay involved in sports and meet great people you work with such as John and my fellow umpires. Thank you.
GLEN WINDRAM,
Leetonia