What we miss about sports: Murfreesboro area umpire Mike Wheeler misses interactions

The coronavirus has shut down the sports world. Here's what some prominent members of the Murfreesboro sports community are missing during this unprecedented time.

Baseball umpires have heard every complaint and jab you could imagine.

Murfreesboro area umpire Mike Wheeler, who has worked both college and high school games during his career, would gladly accept all of that chatter just to get back on the field.

Athletes, coaches and fans are being shut out of their favorite sports right now because of the COVID-19 pandemic. But those who officiate also are missing out on their favorite pastimes as well.

"What most of us are missing at the high school level are interactions with players and interactions with coaches," said Wheeler, who has been a high school umpire for the past 13 years after spending time in the college ranks. "And, to some extent, the fans as well."

Wheeler, who also assists TSSAA assigner Ken Norfleet for umpires in the area, has built relationships around the baseball community for the past decade-plus, something that hits harder when athletics are shut down.

"It's an exciting time for those kids," Wheeler said. "I've seen a lot of them from middle school all the way through high school. You kind of get to know the players, and they get to know us.

"You wonder about these kids who have played their whole life, and recruiting. It's really tough for them."

While some officials use the money earned as a supplement to their income, Wheeler said umpiring isn't about the money.

"Most of us were ballplayers beforehand," Wheeler said. "We have a passion or tie to the game. As we got older, many of us started getting into the umpiring side of it. It keeps us around the game we care about. For a vast majority, it's a hobby."

Wheeler said he has been checking on his fellow umpires, as well as coaches, during the shutdown.

"It's kind of a brotherhood," Wheeler said. "We're all friends and know each other's families. I talk to several of them every day, checking on them and how they're doing. We're obviously not talking about a game the night before or rules interpretations."

There's an uncertainty of whether the high school baseball season will resume. If it does, Wheeler will be ready.

"We have our gear in our cars," he said.

Reach Cecil Joyce at cjoyce@dnj.com or 615-278-5168 and on Twitter @Cecil_Joyce.