As many of you know, in the second inning of the Cubs-Marlins game on July 26 I took a pitch to the mask and had to leave the game at Wrigley Field. Getting off the field was a precautionary measure, prompted in part by Major League Baseball's continuing concern about concussion injuries suffered by quite a few umpires in the past few years. Fortunately, my New View mask did its job. Tests have shown no evidence of injury and I've been cleared to return to work.

The number of phone calls and e-mail messages sent my way by friends, fellow umpires and so many of our customers has been both surprising and truly heartening. No matter where we are in life most of us know there are people out there who care about us, but when there is a problem you find out quickly just how many casual acquaintances really deserve to be considered friends.

   Thank you for your concern.