Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Northwestern vs. Illinois-Chicago

Tuesday night March 30th in Chicago.  If you had told me when the schedule came out that it would be 60 degrees at game time for a 7:05 start I would have kissed your ass at the top of the John Hancock Building.

But there we were at UIC playing in unbelievable weather.



First of all let me say that working a night game at UIC is a great experience.  The backdrop of downtown Chicago over the centerfield wall is just unreal.  I look forward to going back and doing it again.

Now to the game.  Worked with a couple of guys that if I could go on the field with them every night..then I couldn't HELP but be a better umpire.  The teams had no clue how good they had it.  Two ex-AAA umpires and a ex-AA umpire in a three man crew is good for ANY game at ANY level..Much less a mid-week non-conference game.

Mark Winters and David Riley---You both MAKE me want to continue to get better every day.  Professionals.  Don't take any crap.  Hustle your ass off.  Work hard and have fun.  It is what the game should be EVERY day.

It was truly my pleasure to be on the same field as you guys.

Oh yeah.....the game.  HA!!!

UIC beat Northwestern 6-1.  UIC threw Johnny Wholestaff and beat the Wildcats who just flat didn't show up.

2:35 plate job for Mark...who honestly COULD have mailed it in coming back from working Texas A&M-Missouri last weekend and headed to Norman, OK this weekend for OU-Texas.  But he didn't.  Worked his ass off and we all had a great time.

Beautiful thing working with pros.  You don't have to worry about where they are on the field.  You always know they are where they are supposed to be.  Which makes everyone's life easy.

IU-Michigan coming up next for a three-game series at Indiana beginning Friday. 

Everyone have a GREAT Easter weekend...be safe in your travels...and get 'em all correct.

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