In 1990, while living in Lakeland, Florida, a colleague asked if I would be interested in becoming an umpire. The local Little League organization was expanding and needed more trained umpires. Within a few years, I added certifications to the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). In the summer of 1993, I had the opportunity to attend MLB Umpire School in Vero Beach, FL.  It was very enlightening to receive instruction from veteran MLB umpires. I remember many things from those classes and on-field training that have life applications. I want to apply some of those lessons to the challenge of building lives on the firm foundation of Christ.

Admiral William H. McRaven gave the commencement address at the University of Texas in 2014. During that address, he shared some admonitions to the graduates from his experiences during his training as a Navy Seal. He applied those lessons to encourage the UT graduates in the next chapter of their lives. In like manner, I would like to use some of the seemingly mundane lessons from my training as an MLB umpire.  

1. Shine your shoes!

The late Harry Wendelstadt, MLB umpire from 1966-1998, began one of the first classes by telling us to shine our shoes. Expecting to hear some great gem of wisdom from this veteran umpire, I was surprised by this initial lesson. I asked myself, is an umpire with freshly polished shoes better, or is an umpire with scuffed-up shoes worse? The obvious answer to both questions is No!

So why was that an essential initial fact to becoming a major league umpire? He explained, "Polishing your shoes starts the process." He jokingly said, "If the fans threaten to kill you, at least you'll die with shiny shoes!" He explained that shining your shoes is the initial step toward professionalism. That seemingly simple task establishes your mindset. It communicates to others your attitude about your responsibility.  Your first decision, to shine your shoes, has been established, even if every call on the field will be questioned.

Life sometimes has days when nothing seems to go right. Everything that can go wrong seems to go wrong.  There appears to be a conspiracy to see how much you can take before you explode. According to the Bible, there is a conspiracy against Christianity. The Devil leads it. The Bible labels him as our "adversary" who seeks to "devour" us (I Peter 5:8). Life is full of resistance and haters.

There are days when it appears that no one is your champion. Those closest to you are adversarial. Remember that God is still there when the world has you in the crosshairs.

• He never leaves us nor forsakes us (Hebrews 13:5).
• He is a friend that sticks closer than a brother (Prov. 18:4).

Settling this initial Truth is necessary for a solid foundation. It sets the tone for Life. In Psalm 63:1, David said, "O God, thou art my God, early will I seek thee…." Before fighting the giants, dealing with unruly family members, or battling the enemy, David sought God. That settled his heart and told those around him that he was ready.

So, if you want to build your Life, shine your shoes.

2. Don't go looking for trouble!

Baker Bledsole, my crew chief, used to say, "Don't go on the field looking for trouble; trouble will find you; it's the nature of the position." Any time you are in a position of judgment or enforcing rules, there will be confrontation. When I first started umpiring Florida High School baseball, I would occasionally be paired up with a novice, an inexperienced partner. Someone out to show everyone he was "large and in charge," daring someone to question his authority. That dare was usually taken. Pettiness was his style. Arrogance was his attitude. Those games usually ended in protest or controversy.

Life has its share of troubles and pressures. Those who face Life with a proverbial chip on their shoulder are defensive, paranoid, and pessimistic. They conclude that the world is out to get them. Don't approach Life looking for trouble. It will find us.

Jesus said, "In the world, you will have tribulation…" (John 16:33a). That is a fact. However, if we have the proper perspective, we can develop a coping mechanism when those troubles come. Jesus gave it to us in the same verse. He said, "…be of good cheer, I have overcome the world(John 16:33b). "Being of good cheer" is having a positive mental attitude about a sure thing, not looking for trouble but being confident in trouble.

In baseball, a confident, experienced, trained, optimistic umpire typically leads to a smooth, non-confrontational game in the face of adversity. Likewise, a Christian, whose foundation cannot be shaken by the storms of Life, is a trained student of the Word, has an experiential relationship with their God, and has placed confidence in Jesus, the Overcomer.

So, if you want to build your Life… don't look for trouble.

3. Don't have rabbit ears!

If I had heard that once, I would have heard it a thousand times. At any one time, in a baseball game, dozens of things require uninterrupted concentration and focus. From the twitching of a pitcher's shoulder causing a balk, the placement of the batter's feet inside the box, or the catcher's setup behind the plate, all these things are in the back of the umpire's mind.  Oh yes, there is the responsibility of calling balls and strikes, fair or foul, safe or out. Being ready to get the call right in a split second is always on the ump's mind.

At most games, there is a heckler whose Life's mission is to harass the umpire. Being behind the plate puts you in a highly vulnerable position. Fans are only a few feet away from home plate in some ballparks. The most obnoxious fans seem to be able to secure those seats. As an umpire, I have been referred to by every derogatory term imaginable. I've been threatened and accused of partiality toward one team. It's tough to "take it" and move on. Having "rabbit ears" means having overly sensitive ears and fragile egos. Umpires are instructed not to respond to the crowd's comments or criticism. Umpires need to stay focused.

Life will be filled with "nay-sayers," those who mock every decision and seem to critique our every move. Some gossip and slander your character. They make it their Life's mission to be your source of humility.

On April 23, 1910, President Theodore Roosevelt delivered a speech in Paris entitled Citizenship In A Republic. The most quoted part of that speech has been subtitled The Man in the Arena. This sums up the attitude that we must understand toward those who take pleasure in cynicism:

It is not the critic who counts, not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the Arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at best knows, in the end, the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.

Jesus suffered such a contradiction of sinners. At the beginning of Passion Week, the crowd cried out "Hosanna," an expression of adoration, praise, and joy, but by the end of the week, the fickle crowd was shouting and demanding a crucifixion (which they were granted).

We are warned about the hypocrisy of spending our energy trying to remove the speck from other's eyes while having a pole in our eye (cf. Matt. 7:3). Realize that most people in Life need a good Spiritual eye exam.

So, if you want to build a life… don't have rabbit ears!

4. Snap-Thump or Thump-Snap.

In the afternoons at Umpire school, we had "on-field mechanics." We were taught how to rotate under certain conditions. Critical lessons included on-field responsibilities and getting into a position to make the call.

One of the most unusual drills was called "Snap-Thump or Thump-Snap." We would each be blindfolded and placed in position near first base. A batter would hit the ball to a fielder, who would field it and throw it to first base. A runner would run to make the place close. We were taught to listen to the sounds. If we heard "thump-snap," the runner was safe, as was the runner's foot before the sound of the ball snapping in the glove. That would mean the runner hit the bag before the ball snapped in the first baseman's mitt. The "snap-thump" would indicate that the runner was out. Humorously speaking, Joe West, the instructor, said, "Since most fans and managers believe we are blind, we need to be able to call the game regardless." The real purpose of this drill was to train umpires to use all their senses. Another valuable lesson from that drill is to get into a position to make the call early, wait to be sure, and sell the call. All these ancillary lessons have life applications, which I will touch base on (no pun intended) at the end.

In most cases, perception is not reality. Some folks are convinced that what they see or want to see is the Truth. In Life, some only get half the story or see part of the big picture. Then they react. Slander and gossip spring from this approach.

Christ was accused of things the wicked man perceived were true in Matt. 12:1-4, the Pharisees followed Christ around to try to catch Him doing wrong. He is walking through a cornfield and begins to pluck ears of corn for Himself and his disciples. The Pharisees quickly perceived that He was breaking the Law. Jesus was evil and disobedient because He plucked ears of corn to eat on the Sabbath. Jesus declared He was the Sabbath's Lord (v. 8).

After that, he went to a synagogue, and a man had a crippled hand. The Pharisees asked him about healing on the Sabbath. Verse 10 states their purpose was to find a way to accuse Him. Jesus, being omniscient and able to discern their motives, spoke logically to them about the pettiness of their rules (i.e., sheep in a ditch on the Sabbath), and then He healed the man's withered hand. The Bible says that immediately, the Pharisees went out and held a huddle against Christ, "how they might destroy him" (v. 14). Eventually, their perception led to the reality of an innocent Christ being tried, scourged, and crucified.

Magicians have proven that the hand is quicker than the eye. We are easily deceived, sometimes on purpose, sometimes by perception. We want to believe what we want to consider. "As a man thinks in his heart, so is he" (Prov. 23:7).  The Bible declares that even our hearts are deceitful (Jer. 17:9).

In the movie The Wizard of Oz, Dorothy, the Lion, the Scarecrow, and the Tin Man have defeated the Wicked Witch of the West and are back to claim their promises from the mighty Oz. The scene shows them standing before the projected image of the blazing fire. Toto, Dorothy's little dog, senses something is not correct. So, he pulls the curtain away and reveals a man behind it speaking into a microphone. They notice and realize the folly. Oz says, "Don't pay any attention to the man behind the curtain."

As the story progresses, the moral is revealed that they can conquer their perceived shortcomings. The lion was courageous when he stood for something worthy; the Tin Man had a heart that could be tender when it found something to care for; the scarecrow was intelligent when he needed to be strategic for survival, and Dorthy could go home all along by realizing that there was no place like home.

The easiest thing in life to do is to "not pay attention to the man behind the curtain." What I mean by that is not seeking the Truth but convincing ourselves that our perception is reality. We then engage in a reactionary process.

There are always at least two sides to every story. So, what or who can we trust? One of the most challenging life lessons is to learn all the facts. We have an innate desire to be correct. We can trust God. We can trust the Bible. Using all that is available to you, get all the facts. Use all the opportunities to know the Truth.

So, if you want to build a life…Snap-thump or Thump-snap.

5. Show respect; expect respect. 

Respect is reciprocal—you give it and expect it. What's the best way to interact with an umpire? You could kick dirt on his shoes, call him something unprintable, or offer to pay for new glasses—but any of those might rub an umpire the wrong way—and maybe get you tossed from the game.

With ten years of umpiring at the professional, collegiate, high school, and youth levels, I have seen all that and more. I've argued countless calls, good and bad, thrown out a few coaches, and somehow retained a love of the game. When working with umpires and coaches, I can summarize my advice in one Word: respect.

I have tremendous respect for coaches. I have been one. I respect the incredible amount of time that coaches put into their jobs. I appreciate that they're trying to win a ballgame and develop athletes. I always try very hard to treat them with respect.

Coaches, fans, and players must understand that umpires are not the enemy. They don't have a stake in who wins. They're just there to officiate the ballgame and must be treated with respect, too.

There are lots of reasons coaches come onto the playing field. They might want to contest a call, clarify a rule, or ask about the strike zone. They might need to stand up for their players, even if that means getting tossed from the game. Good umpires do their best not to take it personally—in fact, that's an integral part of the training at all game levels.

Experienced umpires, like good coaches, can also take constructive criticism and realize that they can stand improvement. But no matter how justified a coach may be, there's a right way and a wrong way to approach an on-field official. We've all witnessed the wrong way. But what's the right way to approach an authority?

Respect is mutual. Most umpires work full-time jobs. While umpiring in the Grapefruit League in Florida, I would leave my full-time job as a Christian School teacher and travel sometimes two-plus hours to umpire a 7 o'clock game. Leave that field at 10:30ish, drive 2 hours back home, and be up and ready to teach a full load of classes the next day. Some weeks, I would have two-night games, church on Wednesday, a doubleheader on Saturday, and a Sunday afternoon game. For some weeks, I was worn out.

Being professional when fatigue and weariness are weighing on my attitude was a challenge. I did not need a Coach to throw a temper tantrum and treat me like a buffoon because he disagreed with my strike zone. My pregame meeting with the coaches was very brief.

I pointed out three things: (1) 3 teams on the field: a team of baseball players, a team of coaches, and a team of umpires. Let's all remember our positions and expectations. We will all get along as long as the players play, the coaches coach and the umpires ump. When the coaches begin umpiring and the players begin coaching, we will have trouble. (2) Strikes and balls, fair and foul, out and safe, are all judgment calls and are unquestionable. If you want to discuss the interpretation of any other rule, get a proper acknowledgment to come on the field, and we will discuss it like adults. (3) Coaches, are all your players properly equipped according to the game's rules, expectations, and regulations? With an affirmative answer, I would say, "Good luck to both teams, play hard, let's have a batter and play ball."

The best games I ever umpired were those where I was shown respect. Those games were well done because it was easy to respect those coaches.

When I coached High School baseball, I used to have special parking for the umpires, a particular changing room, and Card Blanche at the concession stand. Water was brought to them throughout the game. In addition, I disallowed anyone but me to speak to the umpire. Players were not allowed to show their disapproval in words or actions. I wanted them to know I respected their authority.

In Romans 13:1-7, we are commanded to obey and respect our authority. Jesus was never disrespectful; although none were His authority, He recognized earthly authority. Contemplate the fact that the Creator submitted to His Creation's laws.

In the Gospel of Mark chapter 12, Pharisees and Herodians were sent to Christ to catch Him being disrespectful and seditious toward the government. They tried to twist His words against Him. They asked him about the lawfulness of paying taxes (tribute). Jesus, knowing their motives and hypocrisy (v.15), turned their questioning back on them by telling them to pay what was due to whomever it was due (v. 17).

In Matthew 17: 24-27, Christ respected the local authority and paid the Temple tax. Was the tax used to advance the Gospel? No! Taxes collected by the Sanhedrin were used to pay the Roman government to carry out crucifixions and persecutions of Christians. Did Christ know this? Yes! He knew there was a "bad call" on behalf of the umpires in charge, but He submitted anyway.

Phil. 2: 1-11 teaches that Christ's attitude was humility: "…he humbled himself and became obedient unto death…" (vs. 8). That meant he submitted to the procedure of the earthly government, "…even the death of the cross" (v8). In doing so, He provided for man's greatest need: salvation.

Life will be filled with bad calls; learn to accept them and live on. Respect for authority is not widespread in our culture. Young people are taught at home and school to question everything, especially authority. Everything is negotiable. Declare your rights regardless of responsibility. Say what's on your mind. Protest, resist, and rebel. If you don't like something, make a scene. That may be our culture's way of coping with Life, but that's not the Bible's direction. Romans 12:18 instructs us, "If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceable with all men."

If you're going to build a life…show respect; expect respect.

6. Make the call; sell the call!  

Umpires are taught when on the field "invisibility is the best ability." Umpires are not there to be seen; the game is not about them. After a game, what do you see the officials do? Scurry off the field. (They are running for their lives! --Sometimes!) But officials are taught not to hang around after a game; their job is done. The accolades and emotions are for the teams, coaches, and fans. Umpires usually try to disappear.

Have you ever wondered why umpires make such an animated motion when visually portraying a call? That's called selling your call. Make everyone understand your certainty of judgment. We were taught to be sure, make the call, and sell it.

I was the field umpire in one high school game, and there was a close play at third base. I hustled to get in the proper angle based on where the throw was coming from to get the best, most advantageous view of the on-coming play. The ball came in slightly before the runner slid into the base. Dust and bodies flew. I was sure the runner was out; the ball beat him there. But in the back of my mind, one of the umpire instructors said, "Wait for it, wait for it." I wanted to "pump" the runner out and strut across the diamond in complete confidence of my call. But thankfully, I listened to that voice in my head. When the dust settled and the bodies were untangled, the ball was lying on the ground next to the base. I immediately started the "safe" motion and emphatically pointed at the dropped ball. Then, walking away, I heard the third baseman say, "Good call, ump."

There are many life lessons taught here.

• First, get into position early. Follow God's leading. Don't hesitate when you've determined His will. Prov. 3:5-6 instructs us to "trust in the Lord, lean not unto your understanding…acknowledge him and he will direct your path."
• Secondly, don't be too hasty and anxious. Haste makes waste, as the old saying goes. Many mistakes in Life are made because of impatience. Many of Life's heartaches, predicaments, and struggles are our own. We must have it, do it, or go there. God is not to blame when we ignore His directions, instructions, and will. We jump out of the proverbial frying pan into the fire. We make a mess of our lives and expect God to "bail us out." Isa. 40:31 shares the spiritual benefit of waiting on the Lord. Waiting on the Lord renews our strength, rejuvenates our endurance, and revives our stamina. Many of the decisions in Life are not evil or God's denial of pleasurable things; they are simply trusting in His timing and permission.
• Thirdly, be decisive when making the call. Our society is filled with instability and uncertainty from one influence to another. One of the problems in today's church is the wavering compromise of Truth. James 1:8 says, "A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways." Matt. 5:37 states, "…let your communication be, yea, yea: nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than this cometh of evil."
• Finally, be enthusiastically confident. Stand for the Truth. Let others know why you believe what you believe. 1 Peter 3:15 admonishes us "to be ready always to every man that asketh you a reason for the hope in you…" Enthusiasm is contagious, and so is its lack.

If we build our lives on a firm foundation, we must be sure of that foundation. Others will be watching. Our lives, as believers, are the only sermons some will ever hear. We must be careful what we preach.

I was challenged years ago by the fact that Christ is often packaged in unattractive packaging. Imagine if food was packaged in a plain brown wrapper or box, with no pictures of color or ingredients, just a plain box with the type of food in it. Would we desire it or buy it? Suppose only one kind of pizza, the best pizza in the world, was sold in a plain brown box with just "pizza" on the cover. The rest of the pizza makers sold their pizza with colorfully designed appealing boxes. Which would sell more?

Not to be irreverent, but so often, Christ is portrayed in the most unattractive and boring way, characterized by sad, depressed, defeated, hurting, jealous, vengeful hypocrites. Imagine what our churches, schools, and communities would be like if Christianity were the most exciting, happy, joyful, contented lifestyle. People would flock to be a part of that.

If you're going to build a life…make the call, sell the call.

Conclusion:

I love baseball, and I enjoyed umpiring. Many lessons I learned while umpiring have applied to my Life as a school administrator. Making the right call, standing by the call, and knowing that not everyone will be happy with your call are all valuable lessons.  

It's one thing to view the game as a player, a fan, or even as a coach, but from behind the mask, I gained a greater appreciation of the game of baseball.  

If we are going to build lives on the firm foundation of Christ, let us remember the applications of:

• Shine your shoes (it determines your initial attitude),
• Don't go looking for trouble (inevitably, it will happen; it's normal, so be prepared),
• Don't have rabbit ears (being too sensitive leads to defensiveness and hurt feelings),
• Snap-thump or thump-snap (use all the opportunities and gifts available to discern what is the good and acceptable will of the Lord [Rom. 12:2]),
• Show respect, get respect (this two-way street is invaluable when presenting the Gospel of Christ),  
• Make the call/sell the call (be available to God and enthusiastically share the hope within you through Jesus).

A word to the wise is always sufficient!