Thursday, February 21, 2008

Jack Miller
1932-2007

On October 18, 2007 NBUA lost a longtime member, president, assignor and many of us lost a good friend.  

Jack Miller joined NBUA in 1973 when this organization was in its infancy.   For many years on the playgrounds and high school fields, in college stadiums and yes, during the 1979 Major League umpire strike in the Kingdome, Jack Miller devoted himself to umpiring and his tremendous passion for the game.

Jack had an intense commitment to the kids. Jack once said "whether you have a good game or not, always remember you are there for the game and you are there for the kids."  

In 1982 Jack made the very difficult decision to leave the field and take over scheduling and assigning for this rapidly growing organization. Those of us fortunate enough to have games assigned by Jack will always remember Jack answering the phone with "NBUA, can I put you on hold" ----- click .   When the phones slowed down and it was your turn Jack was amazing.   The minute you spoke he knew who you were and just as quickly would ask about your family, your job or that last big game you worked.   While most of us only saw Jack a couple of times a year, over the phone he was a mentor, an advisor, a coach, sometimes a psychiatrist, and always a true friend.  

In 2003 Jack retired as NBUA assignor but not from NBUA.   After transitioning the assignor responsibilities to Leslie Fitzpatrick, Jack was named "President Emeritus of NBUA" and until his health started failing Jack came to every NBUA function.

As in his life, in his passing Jack continued to have an impact on all of us. When a memorial service was announced, Jack's family asked umpires who attended to wear their NBUA uniform to the service. October 28, 2007 was a typical October Sunday (light rain) and the Messiah Lutheran Church in North Seattle was packed.   Packed with blue uniforms, black uniforms and with an occasional plate coat or Elbeco uniform tossed in.   Current umpires, recently retired umpires and umpires who worked with Jack in the 1970's filled the church to hear Jack's long time friend Brian Gooch talk about Jack, his life and express just what he meant to all of us.  

Knowing how much Jack meant to all of us. Brian suggested anyone who wanted to share their thoughts to do so in writing.   Messages poured in from current umpires, from umpires who haven't umpired in years and messages came in from several umpires who moved out state long ago.   With all of these messages in hand, a book of memories was put together and given to all seven members of the Miller family.   The book was thick and while some of the writings brought a tear to the eye, most brought a smile or a laugh.  

The following are just a few excerpts:

• "His overwhelming passion for umpiring was only outdone by his passion to make me feel welcome to NBUA."

• "Jack didn't have Caller ID but he knew everyone's voice."

• "I asked an umpire how I could become an umpire in the Seattle area, his answer, CALL JACK."

• "Jack had faith in me and he told me so often."

• "He always took time to ask how my wife and boys were doing."

• "I have worked harder because I didn't want to let Jack down."

• The first time I met Jack, I walked up to him, he closed his eyes and told me to say something.   I said "Hi Jack" and he immediately knew who I was."

• "As a coach, Jack never failed me, he never failed his umpires, but most important he never failed the kids."

• "Jack was the rock on which the association rested."

• "At the end of each phone call Jack would always say thanks and at the end of the season there was always a hand written note with the paycheck."

• "The 3M corporation should have a special commemoration for all of the POST-IT notes Jack used."

• "It was not unusual for Jack to spend 18 hours a day, he worked until all games were covered."

• "Jack touched the lives of so many, I will miss him but he lives on in the lives of all who love baseball in Seattle."

• "I can see Jack, it's a picture perfect ballpark, it's a beautiful day, it's the 9th inning, the score is tied, the bases are loaded, there are two outs and Jack is behind the plate.   All is well .....everything is as it should be....the count is full.....and because I knew Jack...my heart is full as well."  

Those of us who had the pleasure of knowing Jack will miss him, and will always remember him.   And for current umpires, new umpires and umpires of the future, Jack will always be remembered through the annual presentation of the "Jack Miller Memorial Customer Appreciation Award".  

To the Miller family all of us at NBUA all want to say "thank you" for sharing Jack with us for all those years.