UMPS Care Cincinnati Children's Hospital Event Puts Smiles on Kids' Faces

We recently sponsored, along with Bristol Myers Squibb, MLB umpires' visit at the Cincinnati Children's Hospital as part of UMPS CARE charities. Myself along with crew chief Randy Marsh, Angel Hernandez, Marvin Hudson, Lance Barksdale and James Hoye, who were all in town for the Reds-Giants series handed out Build-A-Bears to and signed autographs for sick children in their activities' center.

Personally, the smiles on these kids faces were more a gift to me than anything I could have brought to them, and I was extremely impressed by how well the MLB guys can work a room and interact so positively with the children we met, some of them who you could tell were very sick. So, I was touched.

So you know kids would be impressed by MLB players like Derek Jeter coming to visit and signing autographs. How would they feel about MLB umpires? Well, from their reactions, I think they thought it was pretty cool.

Some select photos below. Complete slideshow from event here.


(Marvin, Angel, Lance, myself, Randy and James Meet in Lobby)



(Executive Director, Samuel Dearth and I Prepare Build-A-Bear Outfits)



(Angel and Randy with Child and Parent)



(Boy with Reds Build-A-Bear and Autographed Shirt)



(Boy and I Smile for Camera)



(James, Lance and Marvin with Reds Fan)



(Randy, Angel and Reds Mascot "Gapper" with Girl)



(Girl Says "No" to My Cheerleader Outfit Suggestion)



(Girl with Her Selection is Too Cute for Words)