Last month at a Babe Ruth board meeting, I was asked if I wanted to apply to umpire in the Cal Ripken Major/70 World Series in Branson, Missouri in August.  The hotel and food costs would be covered by the tournament host committee, Babe Ruth Calgary would cover the cost of the flight to Branson.  Originally, I declined because I would be away for 11 or 12 days and that is pricey for boarding 3 dogs.  I then thought about it and figured since it was possibly a once in a lifetime opportunity that I’d go.  I can use money I earn umpiring to cover the dogs boarding costs.

So, I sent in my application and booked the time off work, in the event that I was chosen.

Well, yesterday morning I received an email confirming that I had been selected to umpire.  It will be an interesting experience for sure.  The baseball should be quite good.  The players are 12U, it starts to get competitive at that age and this will be the best of the 12U from all over the place.

I have never been to that part of the US before, but I am sure it will be hot and humid in early August.  I am looking forward to the trip.  I am also looking forward to 3 weeks off of work in total, even if it is a mostly working vacation.