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John Leane, one-time Mesa County commissioner and now owner of Colorado West Custom Sports, provides officials for most sports in School District 51 and contracts with other school districts for officials. He has umpired baseball and softball games at various levels for many years. He says there has always been a certain number of obnoxious parents who question every call an official makes. But, he said, there seems to be more pressure on parents as well …

…four-year ride. Fewer still will make it to Division I college teams. I know of several top athletes from District 51 who attended events that showcased high-school athletic talents for Division I schools, only to realize they didn’t have the athletic skills to compete at that level. Some of the parental pressure would subside, I think, if more viewed high-school sports as simply fun and important high-school activities, not a stepping stone to later glories.