Date: Sun, 11 Jan 2009 11:51:56 -0800 (PST) From: T H Subject: SUMMER BASEBALL 3.2 SUMMER BASEBALL (TOURNEY 3, PART 2) ------------------------------------------------------------ PETE'S RECOVERING ------------------------------- "Pete, Bulldog asked me to stand in for you next week. You are the master operator in these tournaments. You know everybody and everything. Where should I start?" "Excellent, Tom. Glad the old cow asked you. You know she is the real power behind the throne." "Yes. Besides being a real good laugh. But that eyebrow thing she does kinda spooks me." "Please, Tom, I can't laugh too hard for at least a while. She told you it was a committee decision to come to you?" "Yes." "Then you have everyone's confidence. They all want you to help this way." "Bulldog can bring you up to speed on the coming tournament. She's got my master umpire list and she's got my preliminary work schedule for you guys." "Work with her, Tom. She'll help you through. BTW, there will be a committee meeting before the tournament. She can tell you the details. It's SOP, so that all our bases are covered." "OK boss. Do you have Joel scheduled to work?" "Yes. And the kid named Steven. You worked with him last week." "Yeah, I did. I see talent in that kid, Pete. Another Joel." "Good. Me too. Take him under your wing, Tom. He needs a mentor. Besides that, he asked to work specifically with you. You made an impression." "How old is Steven, and where does he live?" "He's 16 and a local kid. He doesn't have a car. Or much of a home life." Pete paused, then said, "And he's gay." Just then a nurse came in to do whatever nurses do. I looked for big, rusty needles on her tray. None, dammit. Before I go...I'd like to ask Joel's honey, Mark, to help run things. Would it be approved for them to stay at the hotel?" "Hotel, absolutely. And yes to his helping. I see the reason for your questions and they should be together as much as possible." "Thanks. I'll let you rest now, boss. One last question...I won't be umpiring, right?" "Correct, unless an emergency comes up. Bulldog will tell you how hectic things are, how much information flows back and forth. I would like you to be point man on any game problems that arise." I left my friend and mentor and ex-lover to his rest. I'm going to call Bulldog, to see if she and I can meet before I leave town. She knows my email, fax, and phone numbers already. Then later I'm going to call Joel and Mark. ****************** Mental note for nurses...Menu for Pete. Include canned peas and lima beans. He HATES those veggies, LOL. Mental note for Tom...Did Pete just say Steven is 16 and gay?