As a cricket fan, Dennis Chaplin reckons he's privileged to enjoy the best view in the house.
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Having umpired 299 games, he's in a position to call it.
The president of Wagga's Cricket Umpires Association will walk on to Robertson Oval on Saturday to officiate in his 300th game.
He passed his exam in early 2009, was out in the middle a couple of weeks later, and made his first grade umpiring debut on October 17, 2009.
"Like a lot of umpires, I'd have to say it's the best seat in the house," Chaplin said.
"It's the best place to be, you get the best view of the game. It doesn't matter what game you're doing, you're going to see some really good cricket. By the same token, you get to see some terrible stuff too!"
Chaplin, 65, said he learnt early not to tolerate dissent but concedes making the jump to umpiring did take some getting used to.
"I suppose like any ex-player, you've had a bit of experience umpiring. But when you're an official there in your black trousers and white shirt, and what you say is going to be - or not meant to be argued with anyway - it is different," he said.
"But now with the experience under the belt and the local teams know you've got that experience, you don't get questioned as much.
"And these days I'm not afraid to take the next step and say, keep talking and I'll keep writing and you'll be on report."
Chaplin played his cricket with Wagga Leagues Club. He was a life member, after years on the committee and 15 years of service as a bowler who played every grade, from fifths to firsts.
His milestone effort as an umpire has included four first grade grand finals.
Other highlights include officiating a first grade game in Sydney, which included fringe Australia player Gurinder Sandhu, as well as a South Australian Cricket Association seconds game featuring a Sri Lanka international.
But Chaplin takes plenty of enjoyment out of the Wagga scene. He said witnessing Joel Robinson's century for South Wagga earlier this month was a pleasure, and Wagga City star Jono Nicoll is always worth watching.
"He's so intense that bloke. He had the right attitude and that's why he went so far," he said.
"But there's a few players coming along now who have got a lot of talent."
Blake Harper and Max Harper are among those, Chaplin says, while Ethan Bartlett was brilliant.
The umpire witnessed the former Wagga cricketer take to Wagga Sloggers when representing ACT last month.
"I was lucky enough to do the ACT Aces in the Regional Bash in Canberra this year," Chaplin said.
"Against Wagga, I've never seen sixes like it. It was a big Aussie rules ground and they were clearing the fence by 20 or 30 metres."
In the coming weeks there will be junior trials in Albury and Country Colts in Bathurst to oversee.
But the enjoyment in seeing the local competition unfold is evident, as game 300 looms.
"It should be good, second versus third," Chaplin said.
"Not that I've got any favourites here but St Michaels are coming good, which is good to see, and the Cats are looking to bounce back from their big loss to South Wagga.
"It should be a good match."