For those wondering how this process worked, it was pretty easy.
I sent out an email in February, reminding all the assignors in the state of this project, and letting them know when I would be in their area. They sent me an invite to temporarily join their group, and then they would send me an assignment. In almost every case I received whatever game happened to align with the dates I selected.
There was, however, one exception.
Skagit County. I knew I wanted Mt. Vernon vs. Burlington-Edison. When I found that they were playing at Burlington-Edison on April 3 – the day before Wendy and I took our spring break trip to Italy – I begged their assignor Tim to be put on it.
The “Battle of the Bridge” had special meaning to me in that for both teams, when I told them that I was taking this tour, asked that I include them when I pass through Skagit. So to be able to accommodate both of them was serendipitous. When I got the assignment, however, and saw who my partners were – well, that was the chef’s kiss. Jim Shulock (on the right in the photo) and Kevin Rose (on the left).
My relationship to both of these guys goes back into the late 90s when I was a traveling clinician, bouncing around the local groups to share new high school rules with the umpires and coaches. While Kevin was always knowledgeable, it was Jim that I ended up bonding with in a weird way. As both the younger brother of a former major league umpire (John Shulock – oh, yeah, that’s why that name rang a bell!) and a retired Navy Jet Pilot, “Shu” had no lack of self-confidence (with a touch of brashness). In our first encounter he challenged me indignantly on a high school rule and I rebuffed him publicly with an equal measure of confidence. Thus began the beginning of a life-long friendship that bordered on brotherhood.
For the next 25 years Shu and I experienced life, loss, and lots of baseball together. The stories we have had together would be long and boring to the average reader. Suffice it to say that to be able to work the game I desired with one of the handful of umpires that I consider a brother both on and off the field was a highlight of the tour.
I knew we were in for a treat when we got to our designated parking area. I was assigned the plate and was starting to get my game face on, but couldn’t help but be interrupted by a number of local well-wishers who dropped by to share the moment. I used to go up to Skagit on a regular basis to do clinics before a couple of dust-ups (since resolved, thankfully) got in the way. The day was blessedly warm and dry, and as we went through our pregame I relished every moment.
The stands at Burlington-Edison were fairly well packed. The two towns are only separated by the Skagit River (hence the “Battle of the Bridge” moniker), so have a long-standing rivalry. Mt. Vernon, as the defending state champions, walked in with a huge target on their backs. It had been a long time since I felt this kind of electricity.
At the pre-game meeting the Mt. Vernon coach (Tony) immediately greeted me. I had just seen him at Bellingham, so he was ready for me. The B-E coach (John) looked at me as though he couldn’t place me (which made sense, in that he knew all the Skagit umpires). We went through the standard pregame banter, had introductions, the flag salute, and then got down to business.
From the opening pitch, I felt locked in. Both pitchers had great stuff going, and both catchers were great to work behind. Kevin and Shu both had plenty of three-man experience so we clicked as a crew. I found myself taking a step back and soaking in the moment, remembering that I had a job to do but also remembering to savor the instance.
I was summoned over to the Burlington-Edison bench in the third inning to take a line-up change. That was when John (the Head Coach) said, “Man, it took me a while to recognize you, sorry about that. I just want to say thank you for all you’ve done for the game and we are honored to have you here today.” I was touched. With everything else, this just heightened the experience.
The game ended up flying by. Mt. Vernon scratched out two runs, the second late in the game on a pop fly near the first base line that was just out of reach for the first baseman. Mt. Vernon’s staff held a clean sheet, and the game ended 2-0 in favor of the visitors.
I strolled off the field, soaking in the last moments of the experience. As we changed back into our street clothes I excused myself to head back to the press box to say hi to Bill, the announcer/scorekeeper for B-E, who was one that insisted on my coming to his field. I tapped him on the shoulder and held out my hand. He took a second to recognize me, then said, “Was that YOU behind home plate?!” I laughed and said it was indeed. I reminded him of my promise and that I fulfilled it. He said he wish he had known as he would have announced it.
I was glad he didn’t. Although there is a little of this tour about me, to be sure, it’s always been about the game. The kids put on a great game, and I didn’t want to deflect any of the attention.
After everyone else left Shu and I grabbed a quick beer together. We talked about life, baseball, and how quickly time had passed. It was the perfect ending to what was a perfect game. We said our goodbyes and I headed off to Wendy’s to get ready for our trip.
There is still a lot of baseball left in this tour. I will be hard pressed to find a game that will match this one for personal meaning.
My friend Harold dropped by pregame to visit.
