I decided that the tales of my officiating ought to fit with the season. Thus, I will be relating baseball/softball stories in the next month or two.

But, before that, I need to have you enter the mind of a sports official.

Almost without exception, we do it for the love of the game, to get some exercise, and to keep involved with the young people who are competing.

Would we do it for free? Probably not, but, if one is looking for a job to earn big bucks, officiating is a poor choice.

That said, there is a huge shortage of high school officials. The pay has improved greatly, and I would encourage young men and women who love the game to give it a try.

A big shoutout has to go to the spouses of officials. Back when girl’s basketball and football were both played in the fall, there were many times when I would come home from teaching high school, only to leave a couple hours later three and four nights in a week to officiate, getting home at 10 p.m. or later.

My wife was (and still is) a gem and never complained about all of the hours I was away. But I also made sure I never missed any of my son’s events.

This is not just an “officiating” story but shows what my wife had to put up with.

It was early in my umpiring career. I was off to Millington to umpire a baseball doubleheader.

Now, Millington was about a 45-minute trip from home, and it was the first time I had been there to umpire. The first game started, and halfway through the game, a rainstorm arrived. We delayed the game for a half-hour or so, and the rain stopped.

I am ready to call the game, as I felt the field was unplayable. The infield was all dirt, no grass, and now lots of mud.

But, oh, no, the entire Millington team was out on the field with rakes and sand, trying to rake up dry dirt and get rid of standing water. So, 45 minutes later, the field is now playable and we resume.

The first game is over and I’m thinking it is now after 7 p.m. There is no way we should start the second game, as it is getting dark. Then I noticed that this field has lights.

Now, remember, this is long before cell phones, so I could not call my bride to let her know I would be late. We played the entire second game and I finally arrived home. It was well after 10 p.m.

My poor wife had been worried for hours, wondering where I was. Wives of officials get used to meals at weird times, umpire and referee clothes always in the laundry (I usually washed my own), and equipment bags in car trunks.

Again, I welcome questions and comments. theoldref@yahoo.com.