Dave Pallone, a former Major League Baseball umpire and the author of “Behind the Mask: My Double Life in Baseball,” will speak Monday, March 28, at the University of Central Florida.
Pallone will give a presentation titled “Who’s Really on First” at 7:30 p.m. in the Cape Florida Ballroom of the Student Union. The event is free and open to the public.
Pallone worked 18 years as a professional umpire, including 10 years with Major League Baseball. As the third-youngest umpire in baseball history and a gay man, he says he had two strikes against him. He worked at a time when fellow umpires wanted to get even with him for landing his job when they were on strike. And he was gay in a sports world where participants are supposed to be straight.
Pallone’s presentation will offer insight into the complex issues and challenges that come from understanding sexual orientation.
Sponsors include the UCF Recreation and Wellness Center, UCF Office of Diversity Initiatives and UCF Housing and Residence Life.