MICHAEL DOHERTY / Observer-Dispatch Whitesboro native and National Hockey League goalie Robert Esche, right, argues a safe at home call by Observer-Dispatch Sports Editor and umpire Craig Muder at Esche's charity softball game Thursday at Utica's Murnane Field. Esche and several other NHL players took on a team from the Utica Police Department.

Craig Muder

UTICA -- Robert Esche was in my face.

Put aside his Save of the Day Foundation for kids. Forget his offseason hip surgery. Dismiss our longtime reporter/athlete relationship.

Esche was playing a game, and I was the umpire. And the ump made a call that Esche knew was wrong.

Nose-to-nose. Me and a 6-foot-2, 210-pound NHL goalie who could drop me with one shot.

All I could do was smile, which I'm sure made Esche even more upset. But after a few minutes, the Whitesboro native returned to the spirit of his charity softball game.

And I started to breathe again.

Esche, a class act, brought several of his NHL friends to town Thursday for a softball game at Murnane Field. The crowd of 1,200 or so -- through donations -- helped raise money for wishes for seriously ill kids in the Mohawk Valley.

Esche's opponents were the Utica Police Department, who had no intention of rolling over for anyone. So when Dave Abdou -- who helped organize the event -- approached me about being an umpire, I knew it was no laughing matter.

Top of the fifth, I'm behind the plate. My partner, WKTV's Jason Powles, and I switched between the bases and the plate to lower our chances of having a controversial call.

Just my luck. A play at the plate. The UPD runner comes barreling around third on a base hit. Esche, the catcher, readies for the relay throw.

Bang-bang -- it's over. Down on one knee, I let my eyes make the call.

Safe!

He never raised his voice -- well, maybe a little. But he didn't scream. Still, I was close enough to feel the spittle from his mouth.

After playing hockey at the highest level, Robert Esche is too much of a competitor to go down without a fight.

He's also too big a person to not brush it aside. Despite an obviously achy hip, Esche played virtually the entire game -- won 20-17 by the UPD -- and patiently signed dozens of autographs after the final out.

Today, Esche will preside over his charity golf outing at Stonebridge Country Club. More than 200 people were turned away from that one. And a dinner follows golf tonight.

In total, thousands of dollars will be raised. Some special kids will be given the thrill of a lifetime. And our community will be a better place.

Thanks to you, Robert.

By the way, I have the photo. He was safe.

So, too, is Esche's status as a true role model.

Contact Craig Muder at cmuder@utica.gannett.com.