The "Yer Out!" Story

It was an ordinary day. We were preparing to play the big game at Schaeffer Elementary School for the championship of the "B" league. I was coaching my son Derek's team with Lanny A. who's son Dave was also on the team. We were playing against a team coached by Dallas L. who's son Andy played for him. Both Derek and Andy were leftys and both were very successful that year. Now, you have to realize that these boys are 10 years old and if you can throw the ball across the plate with any speed at all you will be successful. The sidelines were packed with family and friends from both teams to help cheer the boys on to victory. I was responsible for putting the lines on the field to register the area in play. I used a lime machine to make lines that were semi-straight, then hammered the bases in place. We were ready to go. Wait! We needed umpires. "Who wants to umpire," I asked the sidelines. I found a volunteer for the bases and Stan M. told me he would umpire behind home plate. We dug out the mask and chest protector for Stan and it was game time. The game was very close for the entire game with Derek and Andy pitching very well. Since we were home team we batted last. Going into the last inning we were ahead by one run. The opposing team came to bat and managed to get runners to 2nd and 3rd. There were now 2 outs and Andy L. came to the plate. He not only was a good pitcher, but a good batter. Derek threw a strike on the first pitch and Andy disagreed with umpire Stan. He told him. Remember he is 10 years old and umpire Stan is ........older. "Get back in the batter's box" Stan told him. Pitch number 2 was also a strike. Andy REALLY was upset with umpire Stan now. If Andy got a hit it could win the game. "Young man, you better swing at the next pitch, because I don't care where it is, it will be a strike," umpire Stan told Andy. Derek looked over at me and I signaled to throw the ball at eye level. That's where the pitch was and Andy swung at it. "Yer Out," cried the Umpire. Game over. We Win! It was and extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.