MLB Umps Give Back to Local Kids Suffering Serious Illnesses
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- They're in town for the Orioles and Nationals games, but a group of MLB umpires are also here to give back.
WJZ's Amy Yensi reports, before heading to the ball park to police the players, some MLB umps spent time at a local children's hospital and got some fans of their own.
The Johns Hopkins Children's Center transformed into a workshop. A Build-a-Bear workshop, to be precise.
Children battling serious illnesses or injuries got a day to just be kids, courtesy of the UMPS CARE Charities.
Just like on the field, the umps say they have to keep their emotions out of it.
"I kind of have to check my emotions outside the doors of the rooms before I go in and put on my game face because when I leave some of these rooms, it hits me hard," said MLB umpire Angel Hernandez.
"We get more out of it then the kids do," added Ted Barrett. "Just really happy to be able to give back a little bit."
While helping the kids assemble and dress their new stuffed animals, everyone is able to forget where they are for just a little while, including parents.
"This year she has a lot going on and the hospital gives back to the children," said Ebonie Hutton.
So far, MLB umpires have visited more than 120 children's hospitals all over the U.S. and have handed out more than 10,000 Build-a-Bears.
For more information about the UMPS CARE Charities and their events in our area CLICK HERE.
