Well just one month until the big flight across the world, to commence what I am sure will be an experience of a life time.

Just to give you an insight to this trip:....I was fortunate enough to be the recipient of an Australian Sports Commission grant to help me pursue attending the Jim Evans Professional Umpiring Academy (Baseball) in Orlando (Kissimmee), Florida, USA. With the additional support of the Baseball Umpires Association of Victoria, fellow umpires, Victorian Provincial Baseball League, and my own association, Geelong Baseball Association, I have raised enough funds. The support has been fantastic and I take this opportunity to thank everyone.

To give you a run down on me: I have been around baseball for about 11 years now. My son Ben took up the sport after his cousin has been playing in Ballarat and Bacchus Marsh for some years. Well not long after that I found my self playing also (had being doing at least one sport most of my life).

Before I knew it within a couple of years I was assisting with the kids training, scoring games and eventually coaching, but then also found myself on the local club (Bacchus Marsh) committee. Mind you I had been on many a committee previously in swimming, so it was not new grounds.

But about 4 years ago after trying my hand at scoring, and not really enjoying it I decided to try my hand at umpiring, attended the yearly Victorian level 1 course, umpired only Winter for the year after that, but 2006 gave the summer season ago....enjoyed it and have umpired all seasons since.

This gives you an insight to me....as the days goes past until I depart I will provide other do some more posts, but hope to be able to find the time to update this blog to provide other umpires, my friends and family information as to what I am up to in the US.