COVID-19 Closeup: Sandy Forand
COVID-19 Closeup
Subject: Sandy Forand, basketball official and softball/slo-pitch umpire.
What would you be doing right now with umpiring/officiating if the pandemic hadn’t hit? June is my sport change in season. Basketball and softball. I might still have an OBA (Basketball Ontario) championship in the area but definitely softball season. SloPitch Super Series in London would be in full swing on the weekends. Welland SloPitch, St. Catharines, Pelham and Niagara Falls leagues all a go. I umpire two nights a week, evaluate umpires one night and umpire on the weekends.
What are you doing now in relation to umpiring/officiating? I am a deputy umpire in chief for Softball Canada and as an Officials Development Committee member, I am updating the Level 1 NOCP manual. As well to keep umpires interested, Softball Canada has put out Blue Connections, a once-a-week webinar that has guest speakers (some the top officials in Canada and the world). I have been a part of three of these educational half-hour sessions.
What is the biggest obstacle to training during the pandemic? For me; it’s cardio. I’m not a person that runs outside. A lot of basketball officials are like that. That’s what I like about reffing, you’re enjoying the game experience and getting the exercise at the same time. Right now I’d prefer to swim, bike and row.
What do you miss the most about the pre-pandemic world of umpiring/officiating? Routine and structure. My children are older and my routine is what I make it. I enjoy officiating because I love being part of the game, seeing kids develop their skills and building rapport with the participants. Umpiring is the same, but I only umpire adults. It’s the best when I see former basketball players now in softball. That entire routine has changed.
What do you miss the least about the pre-pandemic world of umpiring/officiating? I was actually having sciatic issues and my body was screaming, “You need time off!” Then I got the time off.
What is the biggest thing wrong with umpiring/officiating? It has to be the abuse of officials. It has definitely escalated through the years in all sports. It really is horrible what parents have done to the game. We lose that young, inexperienced official mostly due to abuse.
Is there an easy way to fix the problem? No parents at the game. Ha. I think parents today lead such busy lives, they have invested a fair amount of cash for their child to play and it must be the official’s fault that their child is not excelling in the sport. What ever happened to just PLAY?
Is there a hard way to fix the problem? No parents at the game! I think associations are doing a pretty good job policing abuse. The OBA wants games forfeited if such occurrences continue throughout the game. SloPitch Ontario is very strong in its support of abuse of umpires and/or players coming off the bench.
What would be one suggestion to make umpiring/officiating better? Education and support for the grassroots official. Specifically, on the abuse of officials.
Has the pandemic changed how you will approach umpiring/officiating in the future? Oh definitely. So far, I have heard no return to play information for amateur basketball of any kind. Softball has been developing a return to play policy that will be implemented as soon as government bodies allow. There are many aspects of that policy. Distancing of the umpire is one of them.
What is the first thing you are going to do when life returns to normal? I would love to travel. I was supposed to supervise a Canadian championship in B.C. this August. I wanted to open the ticket and see my brother and sister. That’s cancelled for now. My husband’s family is out east in Cape Breton and that will be our first destination.Seeing family!
What daily activity do you miss the most? Socializing. I love people. I miss my students at school, the sports and all the participants.
What guilty pleasure do you miss the most? Taking the road less travelled, stopping in a town we’ve never been, for a nice glass of wine and music.
What is your favourite outfit to wear around the house if you are working from home? My garden work boots, jeans and a sweatshirt.
What do you do to replace the time spent involved in umpiring/officiating? My garden is glorious with the constant attention. Sitting in the morning with a coffee, enjoying the amazing birds. Sitting at night with a glass of wine again enjoying the time well spent. I’m also a Master Gardener through Guelph University and I still run a garden club for my school. Every week I produce a YouTube video Ms. Sandy’s Garden Club. The kids love it and we talk garden, plants, bids and animals. I have a trail camera setup and get great footage of animals passing through, such as the fox family, skunks and gigantic raccoons. The kids love it and surely it is a healthy, positive outlet in these difficult times.
Are you most likely to be a hunk, chunk, drunk or sasquatch when the pandemic ends? I think I’m a combo. Although very active, not the same active. A few comfort food pounds up and a drink more than usual was very enjoyable and worth it.
What is the worst habit you have picked up during the pandemic? Sleeping in an hour longer. Sometimes I wonder what day it is?
What is the best habit you have picked up during the pandemic? Spending my afternoons with my new best job, my grandson Jack. I love it! We go, go, go. Reading, outside exploring, playing and having fun.
What is something good about yourself you have discovered during the pandemic? I care about people. I mean, I knew that before but we need to help others. It brings meaning to our lives. And not just our own family but those in crisis. Like the families at Women’s Place.
What is something bad about yourself you have discovered during the pandemic? A pandemic is here and I will not be here forever. I am not invincible. And because of that, I need to spend as much time with my grandson, so he remembers me. That is the most important thing to me.
In the weeks ahead, BPSN is hoping to get people in Niagara’s sporting community to share their COVID Closeups. If you want to volunteer, shoot Bill or I a text. You have our numbers.
BPSN and the COVID-19 pandemic
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Thank you for your continued support.
Bill and Bernie.
