Day 1: 1st and Plate

Day 1:

Well, yesterday was really day 1 but it was umpire meeting and then manager meeting and then more umpire meeting. Today was our first day with games.

So I started the first game at first with Nogales, Arizona and Oregon. The game was pretty much a blow out from the first inning. Ended up being 15-0. I was at first base for this game. I’ve been preparing for 6 months for this moment and I have got to tell you, I was anxious to get it right but I was nowhere near as nerve wracked as I’ve seen some regional umpires. I made sure to remember that it is a game and acted like it. Of course I also treated it like the biggest game these kids have ever played in and treated it with the respect they deserved. There were definitely some things that I need to work on – most of it having to do with 4 man rotation instead of 2 man. There were some things that I nitpicked myself about that no one really said anything about, rotating inside on a hit to the outfield which I fixed as the game went on, an out call at first where I said, “He’s Safe” instead of just “Safe” (small details) and staying on the foul line.

Second game was Idaho verses the home team, Northwood Little League. It started off really good, started 1-0 Northwood, then 2-1 Idaho, then 3-2 Northwood. Then the bottom of the 4th hit. Northwood dropped 9, making it 12-2 and a possible mercy . Idaho scored 1 in the top of the 5th and that was the last run scored, so we did 7 innings, 12-3 final in 2:37. Of course, there was a 20 minute protest in there about an illegal bat check. It was much better than the 2 hour protest on the other field, again about an illegal bat. Different result on the other field than ours.

So for this game I was behind the plate, my first regional plate. I wore my new ball bags, my new regional hat and my light blue jersey. I have to say, my zone was consistent today. I was really happy with it, much happier than I have been many times in the last couple of weeks. I need to work on hustling to the right position many times, especially following the catcher. Overall though, I was really, really happy with my performance today as I concentrated, put my experience to work and worked with 3 really fantastic umpires who made the whole day easy.

After the games, I came back to the hotel and jumped In the pool. I tell you, that Jacuzzi felt really, really good after a long day on the field. I may have to live there for the rest of the week.

Day 2 is coming soon so I am off to bed. I will definitely be adding lots of pictures as Steve is coming down for some games and took some great pictures today that he texted me. Expect the picture post after I get home. Can’t wait for tomorrow!