Honor and Loyalty

You will notice from prior posts I have been officiating some softball and a team from my home town is participating. I did 4 games, 3 games in a row, one off, then one more to finish the night/day.

Well my first game of the day, was to work behind the plate and the old home town team was one of the teams, and Coach Swenson was the 1st base coach for Blanding. I love where I grew up, I love the friends I had and the opportunities of being able to play all the sports, football, basketball, and baseball, throw in a little golf, even some wrestling. By-the-way, I don't think much of soccer. I attend many of the games that Blanding plays when they are in the area, it is a chance to see old friends, and we are getting old. So one could say I am Loyal to Blanding. So it was kind of tough to put loyalties behind and honor the avocation of officiating where one doesn't let loyalties get in the way of calling what you see with a clear mind.

They won the first game, and then I had to do them again on my 3rd game. They were ahead most of the game but the team from Springville came back in the last inning to lead 4 to 3 and Blanding could score in the bottom of the inning.

I recall attending one of my daughter Jen's 8th grade games, I can't recall but I don't think any officials showed up to officiate, so I was ask to step up to the court and help. I recall having slip-on dress shoes and slacks on at the time. I recall it being a good game and having Jen's teammates and coaches thank me afterwards. I didn't get to watch Jen play too many more times, she was always the 13th player on a 12 player team. Something that was very disappointing to her and made me cry in my heart for her because of the disappointment of not making the teams as a Freshman and Sophomore. One of the issues one had to go through when you attend a large high school, and maybe me as a dad not playing hoops with when I should have. Jen is now a great mother of two precious girls and one of my heroes.

So remember to put honor and loyalty into perspective.