Support Jim Evans Academy of Professional Umpiring

Mr. Pat O'Conner
President
Minor League Baseball
P.O. Box A,
St. Petersburg, FL 33731 Dear SirWe the undersigned are graduates of the Jim Evans Academy for Professional Baseball Umpiring and we provide the following petition in support of the Academy and in particular the proprietors and our mentors, Jim Evans and Dick “Sarge” Nelson.Sir, we are umpires who have come from the far reaches of the globe and throughout the United States. We chose the Academy for its reputation and its standard of professionalism to develop us into the best possible umpires that we can be. It’s record stands not only within the US minor and major league systems, but also across the globe in events such as the Olympics, the World Baseball Classic and the numerous domestic competitions that exist.The influence of the Evans Academy knows no bounds and no racial barrier.We the graduates do not condone any form of racism, but we are well aware that mistakes have been made and that issues needed to be addressed where they existed in order to uphold the values and moral fabric of the community. However, we also know and trust the men behind the Academy and their ability to move forward from such events, learn the lessons that need to be learned and bring home a commitment to deliver the best possible environment for employees and students into the future.To this end Mr. O’Conner, we plead with you to take account of the value and integrity of those that founded and promogulated the teachings of the institution of umpiring for the past 22 years and recognise the value of their commitment and efforts towards this great game and weigh that against the seriousness of the offence. We truly believe that it would be a tragedy for their experience, devotion and history to be lost and relegated to the archives as a footnote dictated by a single error in judgement. To do so would dishonour the legacy of all those that have worked so hard and so professionally in the interests of baseball and tarnish the reputation and efforts of all those that have come before.We, the graduates, humbly and respectfully request a reconsideration of the decision to sever the association that Minor League Baseball with the Academy and give everyone involved the opportunity to prove their worth and restore the faith that so long been accorded to them. We by no means believe all should be forgotten. These events can stand as a lesson and a reminder of the importance of respecting everyone, no matter who they might be. We would encourage forgiveness and ask that it be turned into a positive for both the league and the Academy rather than relegated to an unforgivable mark that will be carried for life by against all those that have worked so hard for the good of baseball as whole throughout the year. Forgiveness and education hold far more value for everyone than punishment without an ongoing lesson.Yours in baseball The Graduates 1989 – 2012
Jim Evans Academy of Professional Umpiring“Forgiveness is not an occasional act, it is a constant attitude.”
Martin Luther King Jnr