Sports/Umpiring

I have, at least as long as I can remember, been heavily involved in sports. I seem to remember that the first sport that I took part in was swimming and then quite quickly added soccer added to the mix. Eventually soccer was replaced by baseball (in which I still am somewhat engaged). While growing up I was also played a lot of hockey (as a goalie) and football. In my late teenage years I even began to lift weights, run, and study karate. It is probably fair to say that if it is a fairly common sport in North America then I at least have some experience with it.

In addition to playing sports I also got involved in umpiring baseball. While my athletic days seem to be behind me I still make sure that I am able to umpire every summer. Helping young people play baseball is very rewarding in itself and is also a wonderful opportunity for personal development (in many ways beyond the obvious refinement of conflict management skills).