Injury Update: The Season Comes to an End

This is NOT me

So not the news I had hoped for. I am done for the year. Sending me home. But I'll back track for you first. Thats the best way to tell a story. Ahh what do I know? As you may know a couple of Sundays ago in Boise I left the game due to injury. I got smoked by a foul ball in the 1st inning. The ball took my mask completely off, which is not the norm. After picking it my mask I went back to work. I felt a bit dazed but okay. As the inning went one I began to have trouble tracking the ball and making decisions on the pitches. I left the game after the 2nd inning due to a concussion. After little over a week I had not cleared the ImPACT test. The ImPACT test in a computerized neuro test for my injury. It helps with the return to work decision for me. So after a week of not passing I get a phone call from work. "We are sending you to Pittsburg today." So I boarded a Red eye to Pittsburg. No sleep and an AM Dr appointment. However I got to go see Dr. Micky Collins, who is the one of the nations leading minds on sports concussions. I love reading anything he publishes and puts out in the media. So it was a great experience to get to meet him and learn a bit. He put me through a battery of tests. Again I would love the opportunity as an ATC to come out and study under this guy. He is phenomenal at this. Just not so much on this end.

After some testing by him I had some symptoms return. He said that he would bet my car that they would return if I exerted myself. So with only 2 weeks left he decided to call it a season for me. He said if this was April it would be different and I could be back in 3 weeks. 

 This is the right choice. I'm not completely better. But close. I got to see a vestibular physical therapist for an evaluation and some rehab. She gave me some rehab exercises for my vision. A lot of my symptoms come from my eyes. So this really is cutting edge rehab. Its exciting stuff really. I even got to meet a AA guy form the Texas League named Kelvin. He is awesome man. A man of God and a good umpire. Glad I got to meet him and share some stories with him for a night.

The Crew

There is no doubt that I will recover so please don't worry. This season was a great experience. I learned a lot about baseball. Professional baseball is nothing like amateur. Just a different sport. Both are great but way different. I like it. It is tough but rewarding. The experience has also been great for my marriage. Billie Jo and I have gotten closer by being apart. She has been a great sport. I have made some great friends and some great contacts. I had an incredible roommate in AZ. I also had a rocking partner in the NWL. We will see where this will take me. It's been blast, a real blast. I had some rough spells but what an experience. God has continued to bless me and will continue to, I am sure. Well one thing is for sure I am ready to get back on the field next season. Until then time to get healthy.

Lastly I wanted to thank the many people who have supported me this season. I couldn't do it justice by naming names. You know who you are. And Thank you. God Bless.

-I've always felt like an umpire. I still am one and really like that.