I’ll be watching games instead of officiating them.”

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JEFFERSONVILLE, NY — Dan Clark put aside his rule book on May 17, after 45 years spent officiating local high school sports.

His retirement was acknowledged at the close of a varsity softball game between the hometown Sullivan West Lady Bulldogs and the Lady Raiders of Port Jervis.

In a ceremony at home plate arranged by veteran Sullivan West coaches Anthony Durkin and Kurt Scheibe, the game was halted for a few minutes with two out in the final frame, so the Lady Bulldogs could present the well respected home-plate ump with a softball signed by the home team.

After graduating from Liberty High in 1964, Clark went on to teach mathematics at his alma mater for 35 years, and later officiated at local high school sporting events, including soccer, baseball and softball.

As a softball official, he was a member of the New York State Softball Officials (NYSSO), which was founded in 1977 and is affiliated with the New York State Public High School Athletic Association.

“Don is a great guy, has been a great official for a long time,” said Coach Durkin. He added that after the brief award ceremony and a couple of snaps of Clark holding the signed yellow sphere, the team raced into the backstop for a group shot with the home-plate ump.

Coach Scheibe joined Durkin in singing the praises of the legendary local sports official.

“Mr. Clark is and always has been a class act both on and off the field. He always takes pride in knowing the rules and giving both teams a great game every time he umpires. For as long as I have been coaching, he has been one of the best officials on the game. This year is no different, and he will be greatly missed in the years to come.”

Moments before Clark walked off a softball field for the final time, as dust devils swirled across the chilly field of play, he shared a few comments with the River Reporter’s sports scribbler.

“It’s been fantastic,” he said of his lengthy career as an official. “I still see so many kids who call me Mr. Clark, and what I enjoy most of all is the kids… I try to be fair. I grew up in the area, lived here all my life.”

Asked what he plans to do in retirement, Clark replied, “I’m always busy, anything outside… gardening, hunting, fishing and trapping.”

What about the evolution of high school sports?

“It’s gotten very tough on the coaches,” said Clark. “Kids don’t have the time to dedicate to sports like they used to, and don’t play in the backyards with other kids.”

In summing it up after almost half a century calling the shots as he sees ‘em, Dan Clark said with a touch of wistfulness, “I’ll be watching games instead of officiating them.”