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Show Lakeside Review, Wednesday, August 13, 1986 "r- Is v ' O vlAX'AX 'f&'iite'&fcfx- A - Si &$ X;'i ' Sii jaE V 4& fcsfrras-.- . &' x.o ifXkJ ;':: ,v'. ;' 4 3C 1 f r,;.v.v :v j if a?5'? tmw1 AIA f? " '",24 v5i t i .'4 , f' L js I J ;W If? iv v , 'I .! t&J At ' ' -4x a c .A '""-- t :. it? - i 3 C : i:. ;.' 5S2 :f .... sfesfes,. 4 IV' ..,... f V-- C s I- d; - W V i A K , " ' ' ''' .$ '. X ' N It V$ 'i---s v? f- . X 4 ... A V.f, ir V:- ::X-;- S '' ! '';Si "' ?' f af - V :VT! v w s -s ''! ' ' Jspife J 4 ir?i i: s 'i'A,. su.! S "-- ' vi4 rhsA 1 - V ' , i: fc. - 1$: f-- ; & ' v ' ' .' : foots it 4 A ' ' v 5 Jf I f ;. " A I ;'1 x r;Si V , , - ''' H' Umpire Chris Lindstrom hot V. & ,,i; , v, .''XxxiV '' .A - ' ' ii , out of the way of an errant pitch. ,,' A - ''' c V1?,'', ; V x;' .. r; Y i: si .i 1 i y , t if - tv -- r& V'i'.V.f'r i' 't && l.' t ' ' & : - TV v k .x :;,.'-V-.--r- r .A. y x ; 4'v Mrs. Lindstrom finds that by being on top of the game she can avoid confrontations about close calls. CLINTON Every once in awhile someone comes along wth the pluck and panache for a par- - tie league baseball, All the advances wrought by Gloria Steinam wielding her charred bra in the late sixties and early seventies have not entirely found their way to small-tow- n ticular endeavor that makes peo- pic notice. Even someone, perhaps espe- cially someone, who seems un- suited to the job. Chris Lindstrom is a woman a flair for what is still viewed as a man's job in a mans an umpire in lit- environment boys baseball, Yes, I get some men every once in awhile who try to intimi-wit- h date me, Mrs. Lindstrom said, Although the coaches w ho know her well usually dont try intimidation, those who use the tactic find out fast they dont get far. The diminutive mother of four boys is no patsy, and she takes no guff from imposing coaches. Usually she tries to head trouble off before it has a chance to start. one main thing youve as an official is get do to got people's respect. Once they think you know what youre doing your baseball-playin- g job is easy," she said, I know I've made my share of enemies, but I hope it's just be- cause of the stripes and not me as a person. Chris Lindstrom Some of the tools of the trade, the shorts are optional. - 'h,'- y Mrs. Lindstrom has been officiating professionally for the past seven years, with time off for the - - . V' .' 'V mr Y-- - v if" s y,il :';S ' '"' "'' jyi 'ii!V' ' , ? ts W ' , a tJi I 'xVi .t: .f' .S.a.o,l If li u r ..s f.. S V , " , V I' 'f V x v x' 'N I st; & , t-- J j A; V ' There's nobody in the stands that isnt prejudiced. Even if it's just a bystander, they'll pick a team they want to win. So it's just you and your partner out there trying to make the game fair, she said, Coaches, fans or players who think an official has it in for them, is most always mistaken. Mrs. Lindstrom said, When you're an official in sports, you dont have time to look at the color of a uniform, , Y'ou only have time to make the offers her. call and not figure out which Its not a bad job to be able to team is which. mold in with family life. Its good Anyone who has seen an money for a woman, tensely emotional game, must and I can still have my time with wonder why any sane person the kids. would invite the kind of abuse e But how many e jobs that is certain to come to the can you get, short of the Internal cial who makes a close call, right Reveuc Service, that the people or wrong, you deal with arc predisposed to Part of it is the rush you get hate you. when things go well. Fans love to hate umps. its sad to say, but sports They call them Zebras in bas- - doesn't always bring out the best ketball, and in baseball Blue is in people. Some coaches are so word. a great and so positive. Sometimes Mrs. Lindstroms And some can let one call children dont enjoy going to competcly turn the momentum of games because its their Mom out the game, there people are yelling at. But if a coach will make up his mind not to let a call get to him, one call, good or bad, will not make a difference. If the coaches will be positive,' and keep their players morale up; it's real hard for the officials to; change the complexion of offi-Th- part-tim- four-lett- er y v'' I" 'X J , !, Photos by Robert Regan Story by Gary Hatch Mrs. Lindstrom shows the count to the pitcher in a Clinton City baseball game last month. r . ;; On the other side of the coin, because Mrs. Lindstrom is also a mother and a spectator on occa- -' sion, she has a good perspective on the way people see umpires. I can be the worst spectator in the world. That's why I can sometimes laugh when someone from the crowd gets upset with me because of some call I made." Mrs. Lindstrom said. Mrs. Lindstrom isn't always in the stands when her boys are playing, and umping for her own children is sometimes a problem.; One time I had my kid at full count before I realized who' ii ' was, Chris Lindstrom said. But Lance pitched, and I did not like umping behind the plato . when was on the mound. And it's probably better for him that I don't. When it's your son, the corners youd normally give to the other kids you dont give to your own. i i A 'X ,v,m $ V', ' ' 7 X "S i Her other boys are: Chad, 15; Lance, 13; and Trent, 9. She referees girls junior high and high school volleyball and basketball in the winter, and she umpires up to five nights a week in the summer for Clinton City and other recreation baseball pro- grams. She also officiates church softball several mornings a week in the summer. Even with that busy agenda, she likes the freedom umpiring 4. v t who is five. she said. ' lA birth of her youngest son, Brian, |