Postscript - Part 1

So today Arizona was the first team knocked out of the Intermediate World Series.  They will have one more game as a consolation against the first team knocked out of the international bracket.  I do like that they do this now, everyone gets three games.  It's how Uganda played an American team last year that was a joy to watch and I'm sure it will be an experience for both teams to show that no matter the language, no matter the distance, something like baseball makes the world a smaller place and ties us together in a common language.

I friended a mom of one of the kids from Idaho that I got to know decently yesterday on Facebook.  They were the first people I met in Irvine.  I was out looking at the fields, starting to run through some game situation rotations in my head when this family walks up, mom, dad and a bunch of kids.  We get to talking and I find out they are from Idaho and Brady and Seth are on the team.  Well, they aren't twins so I ask about ages on the team.  Everyone was 13 except for Seth, who was 12 and Brady was the team catcher.  Cool.

We talk for about 45 minutes until Cal, the dad, has to run to get his affidavits verified and we part ways.  I finally run into Tamara who lets me know about the hotel and I go check in.  I get to the hotel at the same time that my roommate, Jerry from Turlock, gets there so I am saved from running my debit card which had almost no money on it as I am not planning on getting breakfast in bed or renting Land Before Time 52 on PPV.  Cool.

So my first game behind the plate was for the host team, Northwood Little League, verses Idaho.  Northwood won the game 12-3.  Cal came out and questioned a bat (the other game had a 2 hour, 17 minute delay about an illegal bat) I tell him it's legal, we get the crew together and we all say it is legal, he protests, which is his right, the Tournament Director says the bat is illegal so Mike, the manager of the other team wants to check with Williamsport at that point.  It comes back that the bat is alloy and legal in Intermediate.  Cal was very gracious and game goes on, 15 minutes later.  The other game was still in protest at that point.

Brady was a great catcher.  I didn't get hit once in two games behind him so I like catchers like that.  I also make it a point to talk to my catcher, get to know them a bit, and take care of them because they take care of me.  Brady was great.  We talked a bit.  They were from Fort Worth originally but took a 2 week vacation up to Idaho and ended up staying.  Long vacation.

I got to talk with Cal and Brady a couple more times during the week and it was always a pleasant chat. I am really glad I got to meet them.

So like I said, I friended Cal's wife cause I'd like to follow the career of Brady and Seth because they played with great skill and heart.  So I get a message today from Cal and I am in awe.  It is amazing the impact we can make in one week.  I'm glad I'm an umpire.  Here's the message (it's on my facebook timeline so it wasn't private):

Tony, by far my favorite umpire I have ever met! It was an honor and a privilege to have you umpire our games in Irvine. I appreciated your skill and commitment, but more so I greatly appreciated your humble attitude and your demeanor towards the kids. You are a class act all the way! Anytime you are ready to umpire some games in Idaho you let me know...you are welcome here anytime.

Hey, that play against Arizona you mentioned on your blog......it completely fooled me too. dang...they are good.

We were in over our heads, but you and the other umpires were great and made us feel like we belonged there....

Thank You Tony, You deserve every opportunity you get. Great job keeping up with the blog, I enjoyed reading it.

If you ever see Cliff and Matt, let them know they are second and third on my list..... I loved that crew when you were together. Great Job to your entire team.

Cal Bateman
Bonners Ferry, Idaho

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I'm glad they were there.  They belonged, not just because we made them feel that way but because they played the game the way it is supposed to be played.  Thank you for your kind words Cal.  It is nice to hear that the parents who are booing me (which really doesn't happen but it is an umpire rite of passage) aren't the only ones with opinions out there.

I had another blog planned for today but that will have to wait, so I guess I'm not done :)  Games start tomorrow out in San Bernardino -- my favorite time of the year is here!