Do umpires really get hurt? Well, unfortunately the answer is yes. Hurting my back last September during a game, I was forced to undergo surgery last month to repair a herniated disc. This comes on the heels of having neck surgery in 2001 as a result of taking a fast ball to the mask and causing a similar disc injury.

I am currently in Phoenix, Arizona completing the long rehabilitation to return to the field. There is no timetable at this point in my recovery, but I hope to get back to work as soon as possible.

Things were going very well during my first week of therapy but after an encouraging session with Brett Fischer of Fischer Sports Therapy, I slowed with traffic on the busy 202 freeway, and was rear ended by three vehicles. The good news is there were no serious injuries and the bad news is that the force of the collision set me back in my recovery a bit.

On the bright side of things, I am really enjoying the success and ongoing events of BLUE for Kids. We are planning our next BLUE REACH program in May at St. Joseph's Hospital here in Phoenix. I will be hosting the program and am looking forward to visiting the children. Click here to read a little about the scheduled event.

I will be checking in from time to time to inform everyone on my progress and involvement with BLUE for Kids.

- Mike DiMuro

Major League Baseball (MLB) Umpire Mark Wegner (see Bio) joined the BLUE for Kids umpire roster this weekend. Originally scheduled to host one mentor/youth match of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Snohomish County on Sunday at Seattle's Safeco Field, Mark met matches on Saturday as well when Marvin Hudson stepped away from the game for a few days.

On Saturday, mentor Shirley Thom with Allisen (pictured on the left in top photo) and mentor Audra Black along with Billy (pictured at the right) took to their seats after meeting briefly with Mark. In addition to an umpiring crew autographed baseball, everyone received sunflower seeds and gum ("must haves for any ballgame", says Mark).

Allisen and Shirley are HUGE baseball fans. (Shirley was a Pony League coach for four years and has also done a bit of umpiring as well.) This was Billy's first ever Seattle Mariners baseball game - Audra, thanks for being there and making this possible for Billy.

On Sunday, mentor Kevin Apgar attended the game with Marcus. "Everything worked out great", said Mark. "Kevin and Marcus were waiting for me when I walked out. We got some pictures and got to talk a little. Marcus was very excited and Kevin is a really nice guy." Pictured from L-R are Mark, Marcus, and Kevin.

The visiting Detroit Tigers managed to sweep the home town Mariners this weekend but the opportunity for Bigs and Littles to spend time together at the ballpark was indeed a winner.

A huge thank you to Wendy Page, Director of Partnership Development for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Snohomish County for identifying three terrific matches!

Samuel Dearth
Executive Director - BLUE for Kids

BLUE REACH is a hospital-based program for professional baseball umpires to visit children coping with serious injury or illness. During the season opening series in Baltimore I visited Johns Hopkins Children's Center. It was our very first hospital event.

» READ THE ARTICLE

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- Marvin Hudson

A great crowd of 55,000+ turned out for the Mets first weekend series of the year and didn't leave disappointed. The Mets hosted the Florida Marlins with pitching stand outs Tom Glavine and Dontrelle Willis battling against each other.

Big Brother Mark Vitelli and Troy from Big Brothers Big Sisters of New York City were my guests and witnessed a come from behind victory by the home team Mets. Final score Mets 3 Marlins 2.

It took until the 6th inning for either team to dent the scoreboard with the Marlins getting two runs on a Josh Willingham double in the 6th. David Wright of the Mets then took matters into his own hands by driving in the team's 3 runs with a triple in the 7th inning that plated two runners and a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the ninth to win the game.

To Mark and Troy...on occasion I am unable to meet up with guests before the game and unfortunately this weekend was one of those games. Samuel mentioned that he has your mailing address so I'll be sure to send a game ball in the mail within a week or so. I'm back in New York in August so perhaps we can meet then. Work that out with Samuel.

For me it's home to Atlanta for an off day today and then to Boston on Tuesday for their home opener against the Blue Jays. Minnesota is the next city for TICKETS FOR TWO. See you in Minnesota! - Marvin

I think it is safe to say that players, managers, umpires, fans...everyone is ready for spring training to come to a close and for the new season to begin. This year I am working alongside crew chief Ed Montague, Jerry Layne, and Mark Wegner. We opened the season at Baltimore's Camden Yards for a game between the home town Orioles and the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.

Total attendance fell just shy of 47,000 fans including four tickets recipients of the BLUE for Kids TICKETS FOR TWO offering. Brian Jones and Brandon (pictured above) joined us from Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Maryland while Jim Richards and Bryan (right) drove in from Northern Virginia's Big Brothers Big Sisters agency. The home town fans left with smiles on their faces as the Orioles hit four home runs and won the game 9-6.

To mentors Jim and Brian, keep on doing what your doing. Opening Day with you is an experience these young boys may remember for many years to come. Thanks for coming out and we'll see you at another game soon. - Marvin

Spring training drew to a close today in my home Major League Baseball park of Atlanta. Mentor, David Tidwell (L) and his little brother Verlyn (M) joined me at Turner Field. It took some doing to finally meet up but I snuck over before the game for a quick picture with them.

Here's the spring box score:

• 23 spring training games
• 7 games where we were able to leave tickets
• 24 kids and caring mentors or chaperones who attended the games
• 5 recipient agencies that included two from Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, two from the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice, and the Associated Marine Institutes.

For me it's on to Baltimore to open the year. I'll be joined on opening day by mentor youth matches Jim Richards & Bryan of Big Brothers Big Sisters of the National Capital area and Brian Jones & Brandon of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Maryland.

I'll also visit Johns Hopkins Children's Center to meet with kids and hand out some stuffed animals. That should be fun!

- Marvin