Hometownstories.org

Hometownstories.org

Share this post

Hometownstories.org
Hometownstories.org
The Primary Objective of Youth Sports
Copy link
Facebook
Email
Notes
More

The Primary Objective of Youth Sports

Ben Talley's avatar
Ben Talley
Aug 17, 2022
∙ Paid
11

Share this post

Hometownstories.org
Hometownstories.org
The Primary Objective of Youth Sports
Copy link
Facebook
Email
Notes
More
3
Share
Establish Interleague Play So Your Little Leaguers® Have a Well-Rounded,  Fun Season - Little League

A friend once asked me if my years of teaching at the Bristol Jail were ever dangerous. I replied, “Not nearly as dangerous as umpiring behind the plate in a Little League game.” Lol … kinda.

I coached and umpired regular Little League games in Bristol Virginia Little League for several years.  I was naïve enough to think I’d have no trouble when umpiring, because virtually all the parents already knew me and respected me as a teacher.

But less than a full inning into my first game behind the plate and I heard from the stands, “Mr. T., you can teach, but you sure can’t see!”

My skin was much too thin to be a really good home plate umpire. Indeed, a really thick skin should be a prerequisite for such a job. Because you can bet your umpire’s mask you’re gonna be treated unfairly back there; by parents and fans alike.

I once asked a friend to secretly video a parent who liked to sit high in the stands far away (somewhat resembling a buzzard perched in a faraway treetop) and berate every umpire’s calls. No matter who was umpiring. No matter what the call.

I then placed the video in the parent’s mailbox with a note (yes, I signed it) that said, “You are a good lady, but this is what your children constantly see and hear.”

Keep reading with a 7-day free trial

Subscribe to Hometownstories.org to keep reading this post and get 7 days of free access to the full post archives.

Already a paid subscriber? Sign in
© 2025 Ben Talley
Privacy ∙ Terms ∙ Collection notice
Start writingGet the app
Substack is the home for great culture

Share

Copy link
Facebook
Email
Notes
More