AGM

The cricket umpires' and scorers' association had their AGM the other day, and I went along to it, though I was determined not to take any responsibilities. So why bother? Well, I like the people who run it, and I think they do a good job. So as long as they run it well, why should I try to change things? I was offered a position, and I politely turned it down. Another reason not to take on a responsibility is that many have served the association for many years, and I will only be in my third year of umpiring next year, so can not claim longevity.
I also hope to be involved in schools cricket next season; perhaps coaching a second or third team in the school, and so I intend to take it on properly, including being there on the Saturday for the games. And if I am there on Saturday, then that is one day of the weekend, and I cannot expect my wife to look after the baby all week and all weekend. As it is, one weekend day can be justified as it ensures that I keep my job.

So coaching and umpiring school cricket rather than umpiring senior grade cricket. Ironically, there are probably bigger crowds!

I do hope to umpire some senior grade games, as well as some Otago representative age group games.

Lousy game

Aargh well, it had to happen. I had a pretty bad game on Saturday. I can't make too many excuses except to say that I got flustered, I felt under pressure, I did not take the right decisions quickly enough and made a couple of bad decisions.

I just have to grit my teeth and concentrate. Watch the small decisions, such as the byes, wides and leg-byes. Then think long and hard about the major ones, such as the LBWs and catches behind the wicket.

Unfortunately this means I will get a deserved stinker of an evaluation. perhaps I am not up to level four this year, but then if I get a job in the location where I went to an interview it won't really matter, as I will not do very much umpiring.

This evening we have a meeting, and I think I will mention to JH that I had a bad day, and so prepare him for the poor evaluation.