Newbies focus on — and ask about — the game fees. Veterans accept the implications of being private contractors. Those of us close to being over the hill and out the door talk about the fairness of the way that umpires pay for the privilege of working baseball games.

This article will probably get me a nasty note from the state office. The executive director will tell me that if I wouldn't try to piss people off, I'd live a happier life and maybe not lose any game schedules. The "game fee" that I'll get for writing this article tells me that two cases of Keystone Light, now priced at $20 a case plus tax where I buy, are just about what I'll net for voicing my opinions.

Read on!

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Something had to be done quickly.

In keeping with most authors, Carl claimed he hadn't told everything in the first volume. So, naturally, there was a sequel.

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Click the title to read the excerpt.

Guest writer Paul Hennessey says it has to stop, and has some suggestions for cracking down on people who abuse the officials and abuse the sport of hockey.

Editor's note: Pete played for Oklahoma State Univesity. In a game I worked behind the plate (State vs. OU) Pete swung very hard — and broke an aluminum bat! What I'm saying is, I wouldn't want him mad at me. The next time he came up, there was a pitch and I yelled: Two!" He looked at me and said: "Two?" I said: "Yeah, Pete. Too. Too damn low to be a strike."

Now that may not have happened. But if it didn't, it could have.