Prologue: Reflections

In looking back on this great experience, I'd first like to thank some people that made it possible. Most importantly, Dick Runchey, who selected me for this tournament. Dick has done more to help umpires through his work with the ABUA and internationally with the IBAF than most people will ever fully realize. The process of trying to get the best umpiring for these tournaments, while working within the limits of the truly political international governing body, is extremely difficult. As officials, we often talk of politics. In this instance, Dick is dealing with people who actually think an umpire would cheat for his country if placed on a game involving them. He is dealing with those who think that an umpire on a game might be influenced by the actual politics between that umpire's country and the government of a team on the field. These people don't understand how umpires think, and Dick faces daily challenges in trying to break through these stereotypes. Many thanks, Runch, for all you do.

I would also like to thank Vicki, Hannah and Olivia for allowing me to take such an extended trip away from them. They are always supportive, and I could not have come on such a trip without their blessing. Having them to return home to makes everything worthwhile.

I would also like to thank Rich Fetchiet and Dave Yeast. These two guys have been shaping the face of amateur baseball officiating for years, both in the United States and internationally. Rich and Dave have given me opportunities in college baseball that served as a springboard to this great umpiring experience.

The people of Taiwan and the other umpires on the trip were a joy to work with. The support staff at the hotel, in the dining room, and for the tournament itself were friendly and helpful. The umpires are great people. Despite the language barrier, we WERE able to communicate and truly had a great time working with and getting to know each other. I have made friends that I hope to keep in touch with for years to come.

For those umpires who may have opportunities to work internationally, I am including a checklist of things you might find helpful:

• Take a camera and video camera if you have them. If you have a fancy SLR, don't forget to take a compact camera as well. Take the nice one when you do the tourist thing, and bring the compact one EVERYWHERE you go for snapshots. I only had my nice camera, which was a pain to lug everywhere.
• Keep a journal. It can either be an online blog like this one or a notebook you write in daily. You will want to look back on these memories down the road, and tracking your trip daily will help you do this. (Online blog services like this one, Google, are currently free.)
• Take souvenirs for people you meet. This was one where I missed the boat. Take pins, flags, and other small, inexpensive items you can give out to umpires or anyone from the country with whom you develop a relationship. Take hats, T-shirts or other mementos for people you get extremely close to.
• Travel as light as you can. You need to have room for things you are given or purchase while visiting. Go especially light on shoes and pants. Don't skimp on underwear and shirts, which you go through more quickly. Use the option of a wash-dry-fold service as opposed to taking everything you own.
• Have a plan for maintaining communication with people back home. I could have used my mobile phone while in some parts of Taiwan, but at a cost of $2.00 a minute. Instead, I used this blog, email and video-conferencing to keep in touch regularly with my family and others in the states. If you have a notebook computer, bring it and use it. The video conferencing service I used (TokBox) is currently completely free.

In closing, thanks to those who read some or all of this blog as it was written and were supportive through email while I was away. I wrote it primarily for me and my family, but I'm glad others seemed to enjoy keeping up with what was going on as well. I will leave the blog running indefinitely; feel free to share the address with anyone you think might enjoy reading it or looking at the photos.

And to those umpires who might be approached about taking such a trip: FIND A WAY TO MAKE IT HAPPEN. It is sometimes difficult to get away from work for extended periods, particularly since Runch is currently struggling with the stipend the umpires receive. I guarantee that if you find a way to make it work, you will not be disappointed.