When Maine’s Commissioner of Basketball Peter Webb puts his feet on the floor each morning, you might be surprised at the first thought which goes through his mind.
Basketball, you’re thinking.
Nope. Guess again.
His lakeside cottage?
Nope. One more try.
Jogging? No. Now, you’re out of guesses.
The correct answer is baseball. After all, this is the Houlton native’s favorite thing.
I received a call the other night from the likeable longtime basketball official, and I could hear the sounds of a baseball game in progress in the background.
“Where are you?” I inquired.
“I’m watching the Orono-George Stevens Academy baseball game,” he answered.
We went on to conduct our interview, part of which you’re reading today in this space.
I’ve had the good fortune for a number of years to meet annually with the longtime basketball official to discuss the rules and regulations of the high school game and learn the many nuances of the sport we both cherish.
But baseball, you’re asking?
Yes.
This year’s long discussion centered around baseball, a subject that a lot of people had no idea was this guy’s favorite sport.
Unbeknownst to a lot of people — even in the upper echelons of national and international basketball levels — Peter Webb has held some pretty impressive titles within the rankings of baseball hierarchy.
In charge of high school umpires in Aroostook County for 12 years, Webb held a similar position in Eastern Maine for 25 years.
In addition to those duties, Peter served the umpires as an official himself and as their executive secretary for 37 years, no small feat, considering the refereeing and assistant commissioner and commissioner duties he has held in basketball MPA-related chores.
Spend a little time with this guy and you’re likely to come away from that conversation with a pretty good knowledge of the town of Houlton, Maine, and a solid briefing of the baseball annuities of the place in all aspects of officiating.
Peter will wax poetic when he speaks of such places as Bob Ruth Field in Houlton, which was one of the first lighted fields in Maine.
Peter umpired 43 years, including semi-pro and American Legion baseball. Consider that, then consider this. He also officiated baseball in Maine at 49 different schools.
“Gosh, I loved doing that,” he said.
Despite all the recognition Peter Webb has received for all the basketball-related activities in his impressive life, it is all this baseball that gave Maine’s own basketball commissioner the background for his lofty hoop achievements.
“I loved every minute I spent on the diamond,” he said.
And it shows, Peter.
30-Second Time Out
I would be remiss as a longtime high school basketball coach if I didn’t pause today to recognize the outstanding educational career of Old Town High School principal and longtime high school basketball referee, Joe Gallant, as he steps down from his position to retire from education today.
Mr. Gallant was regarded on and off the basketball floor as a classy individual. He retired from officiating in 1995.
I have many fond memories of Joe’s officiating, and I wish him well in a much-deserved retirement from the day-to-day rigors of school.
I know I speak for many others when I talk of his grace on the floor and his love for basketball and all the people involved with it.