ITV: Face of the Earth, earth, earth.... EDITION

Friends, softballers, countryfolks,
Lend me your ears.

It is with a heavy-but-grateful-heart that I write this final blog post. After nearly 10 years I have decided not just to (officially) shutter this blogspace, but also, and more importantly, step away from the umpiring profession.

I've been in contact with Dave, of course, but rather than approach you all individually to say thank you, I thought this the most efficient means. So, from the sincerest depths of my silly heart, thank you.

I started working for Dave and DC Cityball in the Spring of 2004 -- when the league was around 10 or 12 teams in size and the league was entirely softball focused. I've had the incredible joy to see that same league grow to over 40 teams in softball, with Spring, Summer, and Fall seasons, not to mention flag-football, basketball, volleyball, and even briefly (and hopefully again) wiffleball (but NEVER kickball!). I was but a lad of 20 years at the time, though I may or may not have gotten the job owing to my time spent at Garrett's in Georgetown (my brother, the day bartender there).

In the last 9+ years I've enjoyed being an umpire for co-ed rec league softball more than I or any other human has the right to enjoy it. I've been so so incredibly fortunate to make a lot of wonderful friends, with whom, except for my involvement in the league, I'd have never crossed paths. I've been to some of your weddings and some of you were at mine. Some of you even had children, the next generation of Cityballers  -- I was not present for that, as it was gravely outside my jurisdiction as umpire.
To think that summer job I took as a sophomore in college would have netted me so many great friends and memories as an adult is beyond me.


Outside of the league, I've spent birthday parties and sporting events and incredible, miraculous, and debaucherous end-of-the-season softball celebrations parties with many of you. On the field, I've had some of the greatest belly laughs and most enjoyable Sunday afternoons of my life. I've been able to take part in charity tournaments (and great Bartending 4 Change events) and marathon make-up playoff afternoons and it-rained-from-Tuesday-to-Saturday-oh-shit Sunday morning groundskeeping  sessions. I've seen a guy standing on third base on field #4 get pegged in the back from a homerun on field #5 (it was pretty funny) and I've gotten into fights with tourist-kite flyers and angry skee-ball entrepreneurs. I've been yelled at and called names every now and again(and that sucked), but mostly I've been thanked (for what, I'm never sure) and welcomed and given free beers and made to feel really great and happy and lucky to be around an enormous group of incredibly warm and funny people.

My reasons for ending my illustrious officiating career are simple -- like the reasons for my increasingly sporadic blog posting over the years, I just don't have the time or energy to do it anymore. I've been fortunate to get more and more teaching work, doing my other job that I really love.

I could never name every person deserving in my list of thank yous but I want to thank, most especially, for myself and so that all of you know, Dave Sack. Dave brought me on as a kid (for the full, and maybe truthful origin story, see here) and has always, always asked for and respected my opinions on league matters, always supported me as an umpire and employee (Dave has always had the backs of every one of his umpires) and always held (and continues to hold) the quality of the league and the positive experience of his employees and players as the highest value and top priority. He's been a great, generous, and accomodating boss. He also, like many of you, is someone I can count among my friends.

From the Swingers, the Bayside Tigers, the Ligers/Frozen Ropes, Hot Stovers, and Sharks, to the Bambinos, and Perfect Strangers, and Mad Cows and ODB, and Charlie Work and the Jerks and Destroyers and god-damn so, so many teams -- I have had so much ridiculous fun working with all of you over the years. Teams that have been with the league forever and teams that are new (and those still to join in the future!) you're a part of a really great community and I thank you all so, so much for allowing me to be a part of that.

I also would like to specifically call out to my fellow umpires -- Ryan, Macy, Henry (I will conclude your tale one day), Erin, Salim, Renji, Adam, Nick, Mike, John, Dennis, and everyone else (sorry if I'm forgetting!) thanks for all your hard work and post-game venting sessions and collaboration over the years.

Thanks to all the people who gave me water and gatorade and sandwiches and beer and sunscreen and umbrellas and everything or even just let me pet your dog. Ya'll are saints.

Finally, thanks to Maria, my incredible wife who has been driving me to the fields for years and coming down to watch and hang out and also to pet dogs and listen to me complain about the infield fly rule forever.

Anyway, I thank you all and I acknowledge how privileged I've been all these seasons. I hope you will all keep in touch -- I will definitely come down for games, but probably not when its muddy or 100 degrees anymore.

Thanks, everyone and, you know, Play Ball! and all that nonsense.

-Brian, ITV