“This is my area,” the friendly New York native said Thursday. And that is when the Washington Officials Association’s oldest active game referee said goodbye. Hassan, 89, was the home-plate umpire for one inning at the White River-Washington softball game, then retired – effective immediately. He was given a bouquet of flowers from a player on both teams, and congratulated for his service. If it was up to his mind and spirit, Hassan – who is seven months from his 90th birthday – said he would have continued on. But he admitted because of his physical health, he just could not umpire anymore, ending nearly 77 years of enforcing the rules of sports.