MITCHELL — Pat Dockendorf battled through cancer to umpire at the Class B state amateur baseball tournament this year. 

After losing weight and experiencing trouble swallowing, a tumor was found in Dockendorf’s esophagus and he was diagnosed with esophageal cancer on April 6.

“I was scared at first,” Dockendorf said. “Because I didn’t know what to expect, and after talking with the oncologist from Sanford and the one from Avera, they were more positive. They were like ‘If we can get the tumor shrunk down, then you can have surgery and get it removed.’ It would be what they would call cancer free.” 

As a result, Dockendorf lost 100 pounds, underwent 30 rounds of radiation, three rounds of chemotherapy and will have surgery on Aug. 16. He eventually gained 20-plus pounds and is back up to 196 pounds. 

“Right now I feel great,” Dockendorf said after umpiring an amateur baseball game on Aug. 10. “This is the best I have felt toward the end of the season. Earlier in the season I would get tired. Now, it’s like nothing is wrong. It’s like I was last year. I felt great tonight.”

But at one point, Dockendorf wasn’t sure if he’d be around to call balls and strikes. Dockendorf’s surgeon explained to him there’s “no such thing as an obese survivor of the esophageal cancer. When he described what they do, I can understand why because they will be taking a fair chunk of my stomach out when they reattach. But I am just happy to be alive.”

For Dockendorf, who had no prior health issues, the cancer made him appreciate life even more and said it’s a blessing to be alive.  

“I am so happy to be here,” he continued. “When they said you have cancer, I am like ‘Well, am I going to be able to keep doing this or how long am I going to be around?’ ”

Dockendorf, 55, was healthy enough to umpire baseball games this summer. He worked both amateur games and youth games for the Mitchell Baseball Association. 

It wasn’t just important for his physical health, but mental health as well. 

“It was important because otherwise I would be sitting at home doing nothing, and basically thinking about the cancer,” Dockendorf said. “My surgeon said ‘Go out and do it, if you can do it.’ He goes ‘Otherwise, you are going to sit at home and stew.’ That’s not good either. I came out and did the best I could. Early in the year I’d get tired during games, but I would fight my way through it.”

Pat Dockendorf, left, umpires at the at the Class B state amateur baseball tournament on Aug. 10 in Mitchell. (Ryan Deal / 605 Sports)

He missed one amateur game, due to a chemotherapy treatment the day before. During another game, he wore a chemo pack over his shoulders while working the bases. 

“I looked a little funny with a pack on my back, and it was kind of uncomfortable because it was heavier than I thought,” Dockendorf said. “It was actually connected to my port I’ve got in my chest. So it was something I couldn't disconnect.”

Dockendorf was assigned five games at the Class B state amateur baseball tournament, a highlight for any umpire in South Dakota. 

“It was important to get the tournament,” Dockendorf said. “... I was happy that I could come out and work.” 

And not just to be around the game, but to be around his fellow umpires. He said the other umpires have been supportive and willing to assist with duties on the base paths. 

“A lot of the guys have been very supportive,” Dockendorf said. “They are like ‘OK, if you get tired in a game or you can’t cover something, I will get to this position and cover.’ And most of the guys have been that way. They’ve been very supportive. So it’s been very helpful.”

Dockendorf said he feels great physically and mentally, but “now I am sad to see the season end.”

Dockendorf, however, is not done officiating games after the state amateur baseball tournament. Dockendorf, who is also a volleyball, football and basketball official, is now itching for fall sports. 

“I don’t get a whole lot of a break,” Dockendorf said. “I am not giving myself a break, maybe I should. I am maybe going to push myself too hard. I am hopefully not going to have any setbacks and I am looking forward to getting out on the football field with the crew I work with.”