Protect The Game Announces Ed Jones TC UIC Scholarship

Fort Collins, Colo. - Protect The Game and Triple Crown Sports have teamed up with the family of Ed Jones, a foundational Umpire In Chief (UIC) for TCS, to create the annual Ed Jones TC UIC scholarship in his honor, benefiting military veterans and their advancement as youth sports officials

The $5,000 annual gift from the Jones Family will play a vital role in PTG's operational costs, the ability to assist veterans with travel to PTG training, and create opportunities to reward stand-out Protect The Game graduates.

Ed began his storied career working for Triple Crown's Colorado Series in 1980's while working closely with Triple Crown Founder Dave King, and went on to establish the finest national umpire crews for the company. Ed was well-known for his willingness to always jump in to help with any event.

"I'll do whatever you need me to do. I just want to be a part of it," said Jones.

Ed passed away in 2014, but his impact on Triple Crown events, employees, and umpires will carry on for years to come. Jones was one of the initial inductees into the Triple Crown Sports Hall of Fame in 1997, and his ashes are buried under home plate at TC Colorado Field at Triple Crown Headquarters in Fort Collins, CO.

"The greater portion of my (so far) nearly 40-year involvement with Triple Crown Sports, was spent in the company of Ed Jones.  A friend, a road trip partner, a co-worker, my UIC, a lodging coordinator for many, a mentor, and an overall force of nature in gathering people to get work done while also showing them the time of their lives," said Protect The Game Founder Patty Harsch.

"I know that in his eternal life, Ed is still guiding me in acknowledging the importance of training good umpires, and making sure they are well taken care of.  There is no doubt he is pleased that his family continues to assist with this guidance through an annual donation to Protect The Game which will celebrate officiating commitment, spread goodwill, and keep our mission moving forward."

Protect The Game’s upcoming training session on May 14-16th will be run in his honor in College Station, Texas. Ed was a proud Texas A&M alumnus and we will continue to carry out his legacy and impact through these trainings.

Letter from Ed's daughter:

I know my dad, Ed, is still umpiring from that great softball field in the sky. And, I know this

because the tale of how PTG and I connected around this scholarship is such an incredible,

funny, touching story -- it's almost too crazy to believe unless we had a little help from a

heavenly ED, TC UIC.

This incredible chain of events started with an errant text from Patty, at PTG, to my brother,

Mark, wishing him "Happy Birthday." It was so unusual and out of the blue, it led me to

contact Patty. She obviously meant to text a different Mark, "Happy Birthday." When I

contacted Patty, I expected mostly to catch up as it had been about 10 years since she and I

last visited.

However, that conversation was when I first learned about PTG's work to train vets, free of

charge, to become umpires. I couldn't believe it! Unbeknownst to Triple Crown and Patty, I

had already been looking for a way to honor my dad and had been exploring setting up a

scholarship at Triple Crown in my dad's name for future umpire candidates.

How could this not be my dad still calling plays as the now heavenly, UIC, I suggested to Patty.

I know for myself, I will always feel my dad somehow orchestrated Patty sending that text to

the "wrong" Mark just at the "right" time.

Triple Crown was not only my Dad's profession and passion for over 25 years, Triple Crown

became his second family. For Dave's, Patty's and everyone at Triple Crown's kindnesses to

him over the years, I will be forever grateful. And, for that reason especially, I'm so excited to

see this scholarship come to fruition.

I know in my heart my Dad's spirit is also beyond elated and so proud of PTG and its mission

to continue teaching the highest of umpiring standards while also honoring the men and

women who served our country so bravely. And, as I always feel -- brave enough to get

behind the plate!

My Dad once told me, ultimately, the men and women who became his umpires --and friends--were always -- always -- first in his heart. He also hoped his focus on and respect for the integrity of the game was something his umpires carried forward willingly and exemplified with every call. He was so proud of his umpires year after year for their accomplishments as people and as umpires.

PTG is the culmination of all of my Dad's ideals around the game. Thank you, Patty, for all you are doing through PTG. I am still amazed, and so grateful, this seemingly incredible, crazy chain of events led to an opportunity for a scholarship to be set up at PTG in my dad's

memory.

I will always cherish knowing in my heart, as well, our favorite "TC UIC" is still very

much involved with and loving all of us --- and the game! Somewhere, I hear him saying "Play Ball!"