Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Stewart Lowe Eshelman Scholarship Letter

My name is Stewart Lowe and I would like to apply for the George Eshelman scholarship award.   Since I am a fairly new to the NBUA and most of you don't know me, l let me give you a brief introduction.   I have been involved in baseball most of my life, playing through high school.   While I was in college I started playing softball, and played softball for 28 years, 15 as the sponsor and business manager of my team.   When my son began in Little League, I retired from softball and started coaching his teams.   The teams I coached included spring league, summer tournament and fall league seasons for the last 10 years through the 2008 season.   I began umpiring like many other NBUA members, being drafted to do Little League games.   While working Little League games I met NBUA members that encouraged me to join the association.   I joined NBUA in 2007 and worked about 30 games while still coaching full time.   In 2008 I was able to work 71 games (with 18 rainouts).   Beginning with this season I have sold my business, I am done coaching and looking forward to umpiring full time.

A couple of training opportunities I have taken advantage of include working 6 games in the volunteer 3 man fall ball program last fall and to attend the Jim Evans Desert Classic in Tucson this past November.   I also purchased the balk video and the new Evans 2 man mechanic manual.   I am hoping that the extra training combined with being able to work a lot of games will enable me to improve my skills, advance my tier level and do a good job for NBUA.   I noticed in NBUA training that some of the drills that we worked on at the Evans camp were the same as what we were working on in NBUA training and I was able to help others that were having problems.   In the games I have worked so far this year I am much more confident and have a better working knowledge of the rules.   I also have a much better understanding of the proper positioning for different plays and even if I do make a mistake, I have the resources to go home and review my notes or books and figure out what the correct rule or mechanic is.   Several of the games I have worked this year have been with rookies, and I have been able to give them suggestions on things to work on improve.

In one of the drills at the Desert Classic, I had both Jim Evans and Dick Nelson in my face arguing my call. I was able to explain my call and settle them down so after that episode I will feel much more confident discussing a call with a coach!

Thank you for considering me for the Eshelman award and I am looking forward to many years of umpiring with the NBUA.