The Wind and the Flags

by Brent McLaren

Becoming a student of the game means learning how the game is supposed to be played, how it can be played, and how it should not be played. As an umpire my outlook drastically changed one August afternoon when the first words of rule 1.00, something I had somehow overlooked, became the most important lesson in the book: "Baseball is a game."

That afternoon I watched 81 yr. old plate umpire Gerry Wallace work his magic in an important national level game. The day was scorching hot, unrelenting cloudless sun, with just enough breeze to ripple the flags flying around the outfield. For both teams it was a critical game as well; a win or a loss would affect their success in the round robin portion of the tournament. More than that, it was to be a pitcher's duel that would eventually run two extra innings before the tie was broken. This would be high end, hard played, emotional baseball with each team trying to get only one run across the plate.

To describe Gerry to you? Unless you have seen him work you would think I am exaggerating. He was an inspiration. Spry, with more energy and exuberance than many of us decades younger could have mustered in the heat, he commanded the field in a gentle, "let's play the game" way. He was constantly talking to his catchers, full of stories, congratulations, encouragement, with a twinkle in his eye that showed his devotion to this sport at its finest.

To describe Gerry to you? Unless you have seen him work you would think I am exaggerating. He was an inspiration. Spry, with more energy and exuberance than many of us decades younger could have mustered at the best of times let alone in that heat, he commanded the field in a gentle, "let's play the game" way. He was constantly talking to his catchers, full of stories, congratulations, encouragement, with a twinkle in his eye that showed his devotion to this sport at its finest.

It had to happen though .... as frustration, tension and tempers rose the players started to push, but not Gerry, he calmly kept things going and taught me this one technique I will long remember:

It is the bottom of the 6th inning, a balk to bring in the tying run and here comes the coach with both boilers blowing excess steam. Wait and watch: soon after the debate started Gerry had calmly walked the coach away from the ears of players, the other officials, the fans and there they stood, side by side, discussing baseball, looking at the wind blowing the flags in the outfield.

No one in each other's face, no confrontation poses, fingers pointing, grandstanding: two participants in the game standing there, watching the flags and discussing baseball. After what seemed like a planned pause to catch our breath they parted and we were back playing.

Lest you think this was a mistake .... inning 7: Yes, it was a brutally close call at first base, but it was a call, the best call the umpire could have made and now "discussion" time has commenced. Gerry briskly walked the few steps to intercept the other coach before he reached the first base umpire. Wait and watch, here we go again, even his body posture removed the tension from the situation, and after scarcely a minute there they were, side by side, backs to the crowd, away from the players, working it out as the flags flew over centerfield.

Next time a coach or player gets in my face I'll remember Gerry Wallace and promise I'll take the time to watch those flags flying in the wind over centerfield. I'll will also remember his parting words to me every time I enter a diamond, "It's too easy for them to forget rule 1.00: Baseball is a game.' Nothing else really matters."

Can anything be more important, more simple, basic, hard to learn and easy to forget?

Thanks Gerry, it was a valuable lesson.

.... written August 12, 1997