Staff Feature: Justin "the Snake" Eslinger

Most people use Craigslist to sell a used car or look for a roommate (among other things). We find it's a great place to find savvy employees as well.

Justin Eslinger joined our team at the beginning of the 2010 baseball season, quickly integrating himself into our fast-paced and dynamic environment.

Described as soft-spoken and modest by the rest of the Ump-Attire team, Justin heroically and single-handedly captured a snake that recently crawled into the warehouse. After battling the nearly eight-inch long viper for what seemed like minutes to the self-described Ophidiophobe (person who is scared of snakes, for you non-scientific readers), Justin was congratulated by his co-workers and showered with adulation and cupcakes.

Although not being that familiar with the world of baseball and umpiring, he has learned much from his co-workers about the sport beyond his admitted knowledge of beer and razzing the opponents' left-fielders.

A lifelong Kentuckian and University of Kentucky Basketball fan, Justin comes from the publishing industry, a career that started as a reporter for his college newspaper, the College Heights Herald, to proofreader and engineer at the famed American Printing House for the Blind. Other credits include local Louisville magazines the LEO and Velocity.

Justin will serve in a utility role for us, being trusted to gravitate to where he is needed including what I am most excited about, using his journalism skills to complete writing projects for this very blog.

Several upcoming stories in the works for this Western Kentucky University journalism grad include our Father's Day article and the green practices of our Amish manufacturing partner.

In his spare time, Justin enjoys outdoor activities and managing his suburban ranch for dogs (which include Lucy the hound, Loretta the beagle and Short-Round the lil' mutt).

Father-Son Officials? Submit Your Names for Father's Day Article

A staff member suggested we begin featuring a customer each month on the blog. I thought that was a great idea! But who to write about first when you have so many customers?

Recently David Vosteen shared with me an article on his son Tyler in a Babe Ruth newsletter (scroll to near the bottom if you want to read). After reading the nice article, I was left still wanting to know more about the father-son relationship such as how David felt about his son umpiring, what Tyler thought of his Dad such as was he an inspiration, did they umpire any games together and, if they did, how that went.

So as some ideas do, two ideas come together to form one, and I thought it would be great to feature a father-son umpiring duo in honor of Father's Day as our first customer feature article. Neat, uh?

So if you umpire (or referee) and your father has or if you have been an umpire (or referee) and your son now does, we'd love to honor you and your father or you and your son by listing your names in with the article.

Please include a minimum of your names, sport and city or cities in an e-mail to my assistant Sherry Spalding at sherry@ump-attire.com.

Feel free to include other information such as ages, years experience, levels, etc as we may use that in the article or in future ones. Or if you prefer, regarding the additional information, you are welcome to wait until the article comes out the week before Father's Day and share your story in the comments of the article.

In a short time, actually only 30 minutes, after posting our Father's Day article intentions on our Facebook fan page, we have already 7 sets of Dads suggested! Super! Keep 'em coming.

Ted Barrett, MLB Umpire - Watching and More About

I had the privilege of watching Ted Barrett, who I played golf with at a charity event, behind the plate in-person at yesterday's Reds-Brewers game.

I thought he did an excellent job and very much enjoyed watching him as he has a great presence about him back there especially with his larger frame and the manner in which he carries himself.

It was also a great game that found my favorite team, the Reds coming back from a 4-1 deficit to win in the 9th off the struggling all-time saves leader Trevor Hoffman.

Ted, in his 12th year as a full-time MLB umpire, is considered by several, including myself, to be the nicest of the bunch. He has worked in several post-seasons including the 2007 World Series and also worked the plate during David Cone's perfect game. How cool is that?

Despite having a reputation of being a super nice guy and being an ordained minister, he is forever tied to history in one particular ejection (quoting from his Wikipedia entry where you can learn more about him).

"In the fifth inning of a game between the Atlanta Braves and the San Francisco Giants on August 14, 2007, Barrett ejected Atlanta manager Bobby Cox for arguing balls and strikes. The ejection was the 132nd of Cox's managerial career, breaking the major league record" for ejections held by the legendary John McGraw.

If you want to catch Ted behind-the-plate at a baseball field or TV near you, you will find him there every 4th game on Brian Gorman's crew.