riorities and obligations drive us all. It's one of the traits common to sports officials. So I pound this column out a day or so ahead of my deadline — just in time to draft, read, revise, re-read, and self edit before the coming weekend. You see, day after tomorrow (Feb. 15) I open my 38th season as an umpire. (I'd have finished the column last night, but I had to check and pack my gear.)

Because I've written in several forums over the last 14 years, a fair number of people are familiar with different parts of my background. You see, one of the great bits of advice offered any writer is to "give your readers some insight into your self." Particularly true when sports officials are the readers and are asked to accept advice writers offer. "New" ideas from "credible" sources have a better chance of acceptance. So, if you've never seen my ramblings before and you're wondering who the h-e-double-pickets this Ehret guy is, here's the quick and dirty.

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