Our experience with the Umps Care Charities was a once-in-a-lifetime experience for our family. As HUGE baseball fans, we jumped at the opportunity to take part in this day.
Our specific experience was an offer to Active Duty Military members in Washington state. The game was between the Seattle Mariners and the Detroit Tigers. To begin the day, we were invited into the VIP lounge at T-Mobile stadium. We had time to look around the Mariners Hall-of-Fame which even as a die-hard Cubs fan was a very cool experience. After hanging out in the VIP lounge we were taken to the Umpires locker room where we met each of the 4 crew members and had a chance to hang out with them and ask them about life as a Major League umpire. After visiting in the dugout we were able to go out through the Mariners dugout and on to the field. We hung out on the field for about 30 minutes before the game and were able to take lots of pictures and watch the grounds crew prep the field for the game. As an added bonus, the umpires gave each of us a game ball and even gave my son an UMPS Care hat and a $20 voucher for food during the game. After the on-field visit we watched the game from great first base line club level seats.
This was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience that we will never forget. This day will be a memory I hold fondly for the rest of my life. The entire experience was first class. The members of Umps Care went above and beyond any of our expectations.
Thank you to all who made this day possible.
A special thank you to our coordinator, Gina Luplow who was with us all day and a huge part of our experience. And of course to our four umpires from Crew S: Crew Chief Ted Barrett, and umpires Kerwin Danley, Lance Barksdale and our fellow Chicagoan John Tumpane. Keep up the great work fellas. You have at least three fans in the stand when you are out on the field!!
Umps Care was amazing to us! We had a fabulous experience that our whole family will remember for the rest of our lives. Three Major League Baseball umpires met us on field at the Rogers Centre in Toronto, along with a professional photographer! We felt like rock stars! They shared stories of working the World Series, umpire school details and how they work as a team! They signed items, took multiple photos and were very patient and kind. My son was giddy with excitement. From start to finish things were easy and everyone we dealt with was very kind. This is a fabulous charity that makes children with various challenges feel important and cared about!
As the Event Manager with the USO Northwest, I was contacted by Umps Cares, to see if we could find a military family or group to meet with the officiating umpires for a Tacoma Rainiers game and then attend the game. I looked into what Umps Cares Charities is about and found that through UMPS Care Charities, at-risk youth, children battling chronic illness, kids in foster care, and military families in every Major League and every Triple-A market across the country receive a “big league” experience. Let me tell you they did not disappoint.
There are three things I find very, very rewarding about Umps Care. The first is the way that it keeps me informed and involved with a game that I love. The baseball connections are constant and offer a side of the sport not known to everyone. The second aspect that I enjoy is the knowledge that my financial donations are being put to immediate and good use. I know that the money I send their way is ending up where it ought to be. Finally, I have found the individuals involved in the charity to be responsive and helpful whenever I do get in touch with them. The staff is accessible, affable and dedicated.
My charitable dollars are well spent when they make their way to Umps Care...no need to review that call!
Dr. Thomas P. Dolan
Umps Care Charities has been bringing smiles to our pediatric patients and families for many years now! I always remember the first time they came with their Build a Bears and outfits and certificates and bear homes! It was quite a sight! What I truly love about them is that they are so organized and detail oriented, while still being open and flexible to the needs of our pediatric healthcare environment. All the UMPS and staff were so at ease with everyone they encountered, smiling and engaging in light conversation making all the visits truly enjoyable! Many of our chronic patients now bring their bears back and forth to the hospital with them and they have become a true source of comfort during these healthcare experiences. Thanks for all you do Umps Cares Charities!! Meghan D. Kelly, MSEd, CCLS, Director of Child Life, Patient and Family Programs, Children's Hospital at Montefiore, Bronx, NY
Umps Care Charities went above and beyond to make our visiting youth umpires feel welcome and special. What I liked most was that the pro's took the time to answer questions and show a human side to their profession. It allowed us to meet the umpires as human beings and listen to their baseball stories and experience.
I like to say that it's impossible to look at a photo from one of the UMPS CARE events and ever yell at an ump at a ball game again.
Look at the smiles, the radiant faces -- on both the umpires and the kids they're with, both during the hospital visits and the ballpark tours. While this year has obviously been different, I commend UMPS CARE for finding ways to STILL send love and support to their target audience.
But man, those smiles -- you just can't replace those smiles and you just can't forget them. And you can't ever stop thanking and supporting everyone who plays a part in bringing them.
So that's why I'm still and will always be an UMPS CARE Charities volunteer and supporter.
UMPS Care Charities helps enhance our program at Most Valuable Kids, and provide once in a lifetime experiences for the under-served kids we work with. Being able to meet a major league umpire is something these kids would typically not even be able to dream of, but UMPS Care make it happen! Being able to hear the stories of the umpires career paths opens up their minds to new possibilities and helps them DREAM BIG!
What I love most about this charity - besides how much fundraising goes directly to those in need - is how those behind the charity are the only ones who can do what they can do.
As Major League umpires, they are so connected to a game everyone loves on a big stage. Through their on-field pre-games and tickets to children and families to their pre-game hospital visits to sick children in cities where they have games, the charity provides a bridge to pro baseball, and all that embodies, in a way only they can.
Additionally, what I’ve noticed is how they recognize gaps in need. Umpires at any level who have fallen on hard times due to an illness, fire or other tragedy? Their family committee provides direct financial assistance.
Scholarships needed for children adopted late on life, because those families had little time to save? Their All-Star scholarship provides funds for all years of college to one recipient each year.
Umps Care does what it does because they can where others can’t. We at Ump-Attire.com choose to support them year-in-and-year-out because they can do things we can’t.
I believe this is the best charity in baseball that most have not heard of. Our support makes a bigger impact than at those charities most have.
If you are considering supporting Umps Care, know that you’ll see an immediate, positive impact equal to your level of support.
I was an UMPS Care scholar from 2012-2016. During this time, not only did I receive money for college, but I also received support from the UMPS Care family and care packages every semester. In January 2018, I had the pleasure of meeting many of the umpires that are part of the organization when I spoke at a charity benefit. They truly care about their scholars and children in foster. They still keep in touch and I couldn’t be happier to be a part of a meaningful organization!
I was an UMPS Care scholar from 2012-2016. During this time, not only did I receive money for college, but I also received support from the UMPS Care family and care packages every semester. In January 2018, I had the pleasure of meeting many of the umpires that are part of the organization when I spoke at a charity benefit. They truly care about their scholars and children in foster. They still keep in touch and I couldn’t be happier to be a part of a meaningful organization!
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I entered foster care at the age of 9, and my life was changed forever. My foster mom adopted me at the age of 13, and I got a new start and a bright future. After working hard, I was able to fulfil my dream of attending Butler University, but I couldn’t have done it without my Umps Care Allstar Scholarship. Not only did Umps Care provide financial support, I also received a sponsor umpire. Ted Barrett and his lovey wife Tina sent me care packages at finals to give me encouragement. I was also able to attend a baseball game that Ted was umpiring. Last year, I flew out to Phoenix to speak to umpires about my experience and how Umps Care changed my life. Umps Care has been more than just a scholarship; they’ve been a family.
As a former UMPS Care Charities All-Star Scholarship recipient; I can say the support from this organization changed my life. Not only was the financial support pivotal in allowing me to pursue higher education, but the mentorship and support they offered was critical in instilling me with confidence and empowering me to realize what I was capable of accomplishing.
Much of my success is built upon the foundation of support from UMPS.
I am proud to be a member of the UMPS family. Thank you for all you’ve done for me and you continue to do for communities across the nation.
Working closely to support our military and their families with the UMPS Care Charities has been an amazing experience. Giving our heroes an experience they will never forget is truly touching. Thank you UMPS Care and the HOUSTON Astros Foundation!
Thanks,
Speedy
USO HOUSTON
What a phenomenal charity. Amazing how hard these umpires work during the season, how poorly they can get treated in the press from time to time, yet will stop everything they are doing and bring significant blessings to so many kids and families across the country. The hearts they touch, the dreams they make real, the scholarships they provide. Truly an amazing charity. Keep up the tremendous work Umps Care!
Previous Stories
As children, we all had our sports hero's and/or idols, those people we looked up to and admired for all their tremendous accomplishments in their particular profession. But then as we get older, we often lose sight of what heroes really look like. For me, Umps Care Charity takes me back to my childhood and has allowed me to refine my definition of what heroes really do look like and realize that heroes really do exist. The Major League Baseball Umpire’s charity, Umps Care, is having a profound impact on the lives of hundreds of kids and families - each year. It’s because they focus on ‘the why’ they are doing this, that they are having generational impact. The Umpires make it clear, this charity is not about them, it’s about the benefactors they serve. Get involved in Umps Care, allow yourself to be inspired and, once again, be able to appreciate what true hero’s look like.
I am the youth Umpire trainer (and umpire) for a Little League in Nor Cal, and enjoyed the privilege of Umps Care hosting our youth umpires at an Oakland A's game. The great staff of Umps Care and Oakland A's made all the arrangements for six of us to meet umpires Mark Wegner, Nic Lentz, and Stu Scheurwater on the field before the game.
These young men were incredibly warm and generous with their time and showed a genuine appreciation for our young umpires as we talked of the highs and challenges of being umpires at any level. They gave tremendous insights into life as an MLB umpire and advice on techniques for making calls or handling difficult situations. They made our youth umpires feel proud to be umpires. Mark, Nic and Stu demonstrated a strong connection as a team and provided thoughtful comments about the evolving game and impact on umpires.
It was a brief time that we will always remember. Thanks so much to Umps Care and the hard-working umpires that volunteered their time to make our kids feel special!
Umps Care Charities provided an unforgettable experience for the underprivileged youth that we serve in the San Francisco community. A day at the S.F. Giants Oracle park stadium for a home game, field access to meet the umpires, a gift bag with several nice items and a food voucher. This experience is out of reach financially for so many youth in the tenderloin community. It was a memorable and rewarding afternoon for these youth. On behalf of the Larkin Street Youth Services, we appreciate the genuine and generous support of the Umps care Charities organization.
Umps Care Charities is such an amazing organization! I have seen firsthand the work they do to bring smiles to children's faces. Umps Care’s Blue Crew Ticket program provides children with a once-in-a lifetime experience providing them a unique connection to the game of baseball. The umpires are always so involved and you can tell that they absolutely love doing this program! Thank you to Umps Care Charities for all that you do in the community...and a special thanks to all of the MLB and MiLB umpires who make these experiences so unforgettable!
- MacKenzie Hickox
I joined Big Brothers Big Sisters in April 2019 and I had heard that there would be opportunities to do 'fun things' but, I had never imagined that we would be attending a Red Sox game- much less the Sox vs Yankees-! Umps Care had made this possible to BBBS and had made the spot for 3 matches (six people) to attend the game-
But that was not only it- it got better... they gave us goodie bags with: a Hat, Sunflower seeds, Caramel Popcorn, Wristbands, Topps Baseball cards, Umps Care Eyeblack stickers, $10 cash to spend and a Game Ball handed to each of us by the Umpires we met before the game. Then we walked out onto the warning track below the Green Monster while the Yankee players were warming up on the field - it was a total goosebumps moment-!
We had been met at the gate by Kensha Dorneval-Grandoit from the Red Sox and she made us all feel very welcome and had introduced us to the Umpires as she showed us around (she did a marvelous job-!)
We met Umpires: DJ Reyburn and Paul Nauert. Both are great guys with tons of information and we hit them with all the questions we had been thinking about- being decisive, knowing what you want as soon as you see a menu- being able to live with decisions- coping with self doubt- going to umpire school - spending time reviewing tough calls on video- and the benefits of using your keeping your brain sharp. They both enjoyed our questions and were super friendly and cool.
My Littlle Brother had never been to a game and he said "I feel so 'extra'-!" We had a great day and the Red Sox won- which just made it awesome.
We really appreciate the opportunity can attest to the fact that 'Umps Care'
The communication was very good leading up to the event and Umps Care gave us plenty of details and had emailed a very well thought out list of questions and answers - good job guys_
Thanks again- I hope you are able to continue doing this- it is making an enormous impact and by extension, helping to mold our future in a very positive direction.
Umpscare contacted our mentoring organization to invite several of our youth to a VIP experience with our local MiLB team. We were hosted by the umpires who were very personable and friendly with our youth - none of which had ever been to a baseball game! Those youth that attended were able to have a behind the scenes peek at the ball field and left with a great bag of gifts to remember their visit. Umpscare helped us by providing an experience for one of our mentoring matches to share - this helps our clients build affiliation with our agency and encourages mentors to see the youth they're mentoring more frequently. The staff from Umpscare was professional and easy to communicate with and we're appreciative that they asked us to participate in this experience.
I have photographed two events for Umps Care and I’m very impressed with their mission and their actions. The effect that they have on the children who they visit in the hospitals is very positive. They brighten the day of those kids and it is very touching to witness. The Umps are great !
Long Ball players and coaches participated in Umps Care Charities an the coaches were blown away because they had never seen the inside of the Bulls stadium. Two of the players who never considered umpire as a career was very intrigued. This was our second time participating and the two coaches asked if they can go again next year. Of course that won't happen because we have so many more coaches and players to chose from. I didn't go and so unfortunately I don't have any pictures.
Amy - on behalf of the Carolinas Metro Reds, Coach Madden and Coach Davis, and our players/families, we wanted to thank you and UMPS Care Charities (and the Charlotte Knights) for a fantastic night at the ballpark last night….. It was a truly special experience that we will all remember and cherish for a long time… special shoutout to your Umpire crew of Alex Tosi, Ryan Wills, and Skyler Shown; they were (as you probably expected and get tired of hearing) really gracious, insightful, and engaging (they obviously have an important and difficult job, but they were totally focused on our experience during the time we spent with them from the time we met them up nearly until game time)……. attached via this DropBox link are some photos and short video clips (https://www.dropbox.com/sh/qp324gh9h3guhjt/AAA6RV1WMDEJGj1bi8h-2eDJa?dl=0 ) and attached below are a few of our personal favorites …….. in addition to hanging out with Alex, Ryan, and Skyler, our players got to take a few cuts in the batting cage, put the bases in place, shout out ‘Play Ball’ just after the National Anthem, and even met Tim Tebow! (we all did some serious consumption at the concession stand also!)…..
a serious congratulations to Umps Care Charities for your work in seeding into the community (a real tribute to the organization and all the umpires that toil tirelessly in support of the great game of baseball); this was really a cool event and should be widely known and publicly known and acknowledged. …….. thanks again Amy, and let us know if we can provide you and the Umps Care Charities organization any more information/feedback…...
Alan Barnes
Through my involvement as a big brother in the "Big Brothers Big Sisters" program, I recently had the pleasure of attending a Cleveland Indians game with my little brother. We got to walk down to the field before the game started and meet with the umpires - what a cool experience! There's so much we didn't know about what it takes to be an umpire in the major leagues. Special thanks to umpire Roberto Ortiz for taking the time to welcome us! Big thank you to UmpsCare for setting up the event - my little and I immensely enjoyed it!
UMPS Cares provided a special experience for three different HopeKids Kansas City families this baseball season! It has meant so much for our organization to be able to work with UMPS Cares and send our families to the games where they can make special memories together that will last them a lifetime! UMPS Cares has truly been amazing to work with and we are so thankful for our partnership with them and the Kansas City Royals!!
For the past 5 years, we have teamed up with UmpsCare to invite them to our hometown in Toronto, Canada for a visit at the hospital for Sick Kids. We are incredibly grateful for the work that this charity puts in every year to bring big smiles and joy to the children of our city. There selfless acts of charity do not go unnoticed by the hospital staff and parents of these children and we are very honored to work with such an incredible group of people!
Every step of the way with Umps Care Charities is as Professional organization as you'll get. Ultimately I was a former professional umpire in Triple-A baseball & flew home for a family emergency. The MLB umpires that are affiliated with Umps Care Charities came to my family's aid when my wife & I experienced a traumatic c-section for our twin daughters who arrived 8 weeks early. Fearing the unknown, my phone was flooded with outpouring love and support from the SAME people who are a HUGE part of this charity. Both daughters hanging on for dear life with their bodies covered in needles and tubes is completely disheartening. You feel hopeless and you don't know what to do or what is going to happen.
Each day I was home for the next 4 weeks, I did not go a hour or a day without people from this organization calling or emailing me. It's their love and their prayers that we were so thankful when our first daughter was able to go home, but the other was still fighting for life. Still, in their busy schedules with games and travel - the calls CONTINUED to pour in! Soon after, we would receive checks in the mail to help offset the cost of my lost wages in umpiring to help pay our bills. We could NOT have done this without the help of Umps Care.
For this, we are for FOREVER thankful & blessed that we have 2 HEALTHY, ATHLETIC and Honor Roll students entering high school. It was our promise that we would make an annual donation to help Umps Care Charities.
It is my humble and distinct honor to serve as an active Board Member. Without Umps Care Charities and the people that make it successful, we may not have been in the position we are in now. We will ALWAYS be an Umps Care Charities family & serve them to our fullest.
Thank you for your time in reading my post. God Bless! - Scott Kennedy (Board of Director)
A BIG shout out to UMPS CARE CHARITIES for providing such an awesome experience for our matches. We are so grateful to be included!
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Decatur County
Taking part in the Umps Care Blue for Kids Hospital visits is gratifying on many levels. The Build-a-Bear workshop let’s the children pick out & dress a new cuddly friend! Some of these very ill children haven’t had much of a reason to smile lately. Seeing these children happy & not thinking about their illness for a few moments is worth more than words can express.
Just as important is seeing how happy the parents are when they see the smile on their child’s face. Having an ill child is as tough on the parents as it is on the child themselves.
The Umps Care Blue for Kids Program helps families dealing with some terrible situations forget about their problems for at least a few hours!
What an excellent example of giving back. This charity not about those involved but is focused on the children and young adults that might not be at the most fun times of thier lives. Just a few minutes a laughter can change a bad circumstance into a day of joy.
Our Bigs and Littles had the time of their lives getting a behind the scenes, exclusive experience with Umps Care Charities. In addition to the once-in-a-lifetime experience, the admin team was super easy to work with and so helpful answering questions!
These guys really made an impact and put a smile on the faces of four kids who experienced severe trauma in their life. The kids still talk about. They even looked for them in the stands when they took the field. We are very grateful for the impact of Umpcares
As a non-profit ourselves, working with Umps Care was an excellent experience. We were able to partner up as a Canadian organization, and they provided children and youth that we work with unforgettable experiences. The feedback we received for the whole process was excellent! The communication between us was always very open and we were both there for the same end goal; to change a child's perspective!
I have been a volunteer for UMPS CARE Charities since 2009 and have never once regretted putting in the time and volunteer hours for them. The work the umpires do in children's hospitals, with at-risk kids and kids waiting for adoption, and their other efforts, is something I'm proud to support behind the scenes.
I've attended a few of their events, and the smiles on the faces of the kids makes it all worthwhile. But even bigger are the smiles on the faces of the umpires. You realize seeing them in action how much they love doing this, how much they love participating in the charity, and how much they love and appreciate the opportunity to give back.
UMPS CARE Charities makes it easy to want to volunteer for them, and the people involved make it easy to want to continue. They're professional, intelligent, creative, and very welcoming. I always feel like my ideas are valued and listened to, and always feel like my contributions are worthwhile. I can't imagine NOT volunteering for this amazing organization.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Milwaukee would like to thank UMPS Care Charities and BLUE Crew Ticket program for the amazing experiences they have provided our Bigs and Littles! The opportunity to share with our young people the behind the scenes of what it takes to be a professional umpire with a meet and greet changes the perspective of playing baseball at Miller Park. It is a true pleasure working with the organization who make this experience a homerun. Thank you for all you do and we look forward to the 2018 season!
USO San Diego cannot say enough about the great work that Umps Care Charities is doing for our youth. This past summer Umps Cares Charities partnered with us here at USO San Diego providing a once in a lifetime opportunity to military family who absolutely loves baseball. The family was treated to snacks in the ballpark, admission to a Padres game and the best part they were invited onto the field to meet the Umpires of the day's game; they asked questions and took photos. The family had an absolutely amazing time and the found the experience to be incredible. Without Umps Cares this opportunity would not have happened and we received great feedback that the family simply had the greatest day ever.
Thank you Umps Cares Charities Inc for always putting a smile on the faces of families who may need it the most.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Arizona has have the privilege of working with UMPS Care Charities for a few years now, and have nothing but great things to say about it. We have been actively involved in their BLUE Crew Ticket program, which allows a once in a lifetime experience for our Bigs and their Littles to meet professional umpires on the field, take pictures, and attend the game. Not only has it been so easy and wonderful to work with the UMPS Care team, but their hard work in organizing these opportunities has clearly paid off judging by the tremendous feedback we receive from those who attend. Thanks for everything you have done for us!!
I am with CPS and I was able to take a few of my kids on my caseload to this event. They had a blast. We got to do so many things that most people never get to do in their lifetime. The umpires were very kind and we enjoyed talking to them. I am grateful that my kids were able to take advantage of this opportunity and I am grateful that I was able to have this amazing experience as well.
Umps Care Charities has been the most wonderful organization to work with, and I must sing their praises. I am a Program Manager at Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Bay Area, and the game day experiences our youth (and their mentors) have had because of Umps Care Charities is immeasurable. Whether at an Oakland A's game, or an SF Giants game, our kids have been treated with cool swag, fun on the field experiences, and of course, getting to watch a baseball game--all for free. These events become special memories for our mentees/mentors, and everyone that attends always shares what a fun-filled day they have had. Not to mention, coordinating these events with our Umps Care Charities coordinator (Jenn) has been a breeze. She is wonderful, and I truly enjoy working with her. We, as an agency, couldn't be more appreciative of the work this organization does to make the lives of our youth better---so THANK YOU UMPS CARE CHARITIES!
UMPS Care Charities is an outstanding community partner. As a Wendy's Wonderful Kids Recruiter in the Denver Metro Area our organization has taken over 20 youth to the ROCKIES game. The kids are so excited to go on the field, meet the UMPS and receive a bag of goodies with baseball memorabilia. There are many times when the kids will say, "remember when we went to the baseball game". I know these memories are cherished as a special time among chaos they experience in their day to day lives. Thank YOU!!
As Special Services Director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Pittsburgh I can say it has been a pleasure to work with the Umps Care Charities year in and year out as they provide Bigs and Littles with unique experiences that will be remembered for a lifetime.
Our mentoring matches have greatly enjoyed the Blue Crew experiences which include an opportunity to get a behind the scenes view of PNC Park as they make their way out onto the playing field to meet with the umpires who will be working the game. Each of the umpires that participate greet each match and eagerly share not only some of their expertise but show genuine interest and concern for the youth, asking them an as many questions as they themselves receive. In addition to the personal attention, each of the matches receive a gift of a baseball, get a photo taken with the umps and in addition to tickets to watch the game - they also receive an awesome goody bag of baseball snacks.
All of this adds up to an experience that makes each of our Littles (and their Bigs) feel special - and that is an immeasurable gift to share. BBBS of Greater Pittsburgh was one of the original charity partners to benefit from Umps Care Charities and I can say that many, many matches have been lucky enough to add this experience to their bucket list...and each I can say have walked away with a great memory and a greater appreciation for baseball and the umpires who play such an important role.
We greatly appreciate all the great work done by the folks at Umps Care Charities!
My name is Edna Green. I am a Wendy’s Wonderful Kids Recruiter in St. Louis, MO, and I am excited when my clients who are placed in pre-adoptive homes are given the opportunity to attend a once in a lifetime baseball experience. I can honestly report that after each family has attended a game they share pictures, talk about the game, and gush about how wonderful the experience was. They especially love meeting an umpire from a major league baseball team! I am so grateful for the opportunities that UMPS CARE provides to children!
We LOVE working with UMPS Care Charities! Most Valuable Kids of Greater Cincinnati is blessed to have a partnership with such an amazing organization! Their program allows us to reward underserved kids with an experience of a lifetime! I can rave about their program but from the words of one of our 12 year old recipients who participated with his family, "It's was the best day of my life!" Taking the kids from a neighborhood filled with poverty and exposing them to the UMPS fabulous experience fills kids with so much self-worth!
My name is Wendy Farmer, and I work for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Kansas City. Over the last several years, Umps Care has provided a one-of-a-kind opportunity for children in our program to explore Kauffman Stadium with their mentors. The in-depth tours and personal attention from the umpires has always been impressive to our clients, and they all enjoy sticking around afterwards for the game. We truly appreciate this unique non-profit and the opportunities it allows!
My name is Ronald Mumford and I am a Wendy's Wonderful Kids Adoptions Recruiter. I have been participating in this wonderful program with my clients since it's inception. Many of our clients in South Florida have never been to the ballpark. The experience is extraordinary. The children are excited and many have requested to attend games regularly. The umpires have always been engaging and first class to the children we serve. One young man in particular told me he didn't like baseball and he didn't want to go. I coaxed him and finally he relented. I am pleased to say that because of his experience with Umps Care Charities he attends games regularly and began playing baseball on the Optimist team in his neighborhood.
