After one year in the Texas League, the American League bought the rights to my contract. They optioned me back to the Texas League for the 1970 season.

Minor league umpires are evaluated in their respective leagues each year and rated numerically. This enables umpires to know where they stand and helps them make prudent career decisions.

I learned a valuable life lesson that summer. You should find something in life that you really enjoy and seriously consider making that your life's work.

My dad was a carpenter and I would work with him during the summer and umpire on the nights I wasn't playing.

As a youngster, I played in Little League, Pony League, and all sorts of amateur baseball programs growing up.

After one year in the Texas League, the American League bought the rights to my contract. They optioned me back to the Texas League for the 1970 season.

Professional managers, coaches, and players have a right to question an umpire's decision if they do it in a professional manner. When they become personal, profane, or violent, they have crossed the line and must be dealt with accordingly.