Day 3:
First game was Idaho and Oregon. Idaho came out big and won in 7, 12-4. Both teams played well, had good attitudes and were a joy to work with. I have been spending the last couple of days saying what I have been doing wrong and how it is going to affect me in the future but I wanted to spend today telling you about what I have enjoyed today. Occasionally I get to connect with a kid playing for a moment or two and it makes it that much more enjoyable. In this game I was on first base and outside the fence were two kids and their dad. The older of the two, probably 3 years old, was calling out to me in between pitches and I'd turn and smile. Between innings I did the major no-no and went and talked to him, asking about his trucks and talking about his shirt that had a firetruck on it. It was a short 30 second talk but it was great to do. The dad looked happy and I think the kid is going to have a positive outlook of umpires for a while.
One of the players from Idaho is the substitute (they have 10 players). He pitched yesterday so I told him he did a good job out there. Today there was a homerun hit over his head. We talked in between innings and he mentioned that he wanted a ball hit to him but not one like that. I told him that Oregon was making fun of their center fielder yesterday for not being able to jump 25 feet to catch those homeruns. Nice moment.
One of the things they told us today was to take a moment to smile, to take a moment and turn around and enjoy the beauty. Me, I am the type of guy to enjoy the moment as it is so this was something I do. I have enjoyed working as an umpire in the biggest tournament of my life thus far but I think I have enjoyed most working with great umpires and working two games a day for a week which has been amazing.
The second game was one of the premier games of the tournament, Arizona and Hawaii. I was on the plate for this one. The game lived up to the hype as it started off 3-2 Arizona, then a one run shot to make it 3-3, then a 3 run shot by Hawaii to make it 6-3 and ending 7-3. The game was extremely competitive and well played, high on emotions but also high on good sportsmanship. I had good report with the catchers, talking with them, taking care of them as they took care of me. The Arizona catcher asked me what I felt about the hotel as he has seen me there in the pool so we talked about that for a bit. I enjoy talking with my catchers and calling them by name (it is on the lineup card usually) and treating them like young adults.
So at one point today I had one of the coaches from a team come up to me and say that I was probably his favorite umpire that he has met all year and that it was great having games where he didn't have to worry about the umpires because they were doing their job. I don't base my abilities off of what coaches say because those opinions change from call to call but it is really nice to hear we are appreciated.
Overall, this was a day to appreciate the opportunity, look at the bright side and enjoy the moment. I appreciate Dave for recommending me, Western Region for choosing me and Paul and John for hosting a great tournament. I can't wait to start back up on Tuesday!
Tuesday schedule, I have 3rd base at 9 am, and 2nd base at 12:30. On Wednesday, I have the plate at 9 and 1st base at 12:30. Thursday, I'm not sure what I will have since those are the semis and it will be determined after Wednesday. It's coming too fast.
8 Man Crew
The Inaugural Intermediate Western Region Umpire Crew
Sunday, July 21, 2013
Saturday, July 20, 2013
Day 2: Third and Second
Day 2:
First game was Butte verses Northern California. I was at 3rd base. Originally we were heading down to the other field to do the Northwood (Host team) vs. Hawaii game but our plate umpire is from the host district and having him on the plate for the game usually is not that kosher. So we switched. The game was good. Northern California beat Butte pretty handily but the Butte guys had a good attitude. I always like that.
My bad: There was a rotation that I completely missed 2nd to last play of the game. I was at third base and we had a pop fly to the fence that the ump on second chased out. I had a runner at 3rd I was watching the tag for but the fielder really wasn’t close so I should have been to second base to watch the throw in. I wasn’t until the throw was on the way and I started saying, oh man, that’s my call, that’s my call to myself as I frantically started towards 2nd. 4 man mechanics are killing me. The play wasn’t close so no harm but I sure felt stupid. Next play the ball is hit to the shortstop and the runner runner collides with the shortstop right after the throw. I call “That’s Interference” but the shortstop was able to get the runner out at first so nothing was made of the call. It was the right call though so I bounced back quickly.
Game 2 was Arizona verses Idaho. I still really like the attitude of the Idaho players. Arizona jumped all over Idaho in the first few innings and it was obvious that Arizona just had the bigger bats today but the Idaho players still had fun, still played hard, and never said a bad word about anyone except for the centerfielder who couldn’t jump 25 feet high to catch those homerun balls. I was at second base for this game and got pretty good reviews for it. I was not upset with my work out there but feel like I can definitely use more study on the proper rotations while at second. I also need to work on my timing as I had a safe call that if I would have gone the other way, I would have been in trouble as the ball ended up trickling past the second baseman on a pickoff that I didn’t see until it was 5 feet behind him. I need to make it a habit to use the same timing I need on out calls as I do on safe calls. No need to hurry.
The really bad: I had a pickoff from the catcher from Arizona that the shortstop and second baseman had been working on for a while. The second baseman goes to the bag to catch the ball on the runner from first. Meanwhile the shortstop comes in front of the bag and pretends to catch the ball to keep the runner on third from going. The second baseman catches the ball and applies the tag. So I’m in the middle of this, the shortstop comes behind me and I catch him out of the corner of my eye as I am following the ball. He slaps his glove and to me it sounds as if he caught the ball. I hear this and miss the catch at second and the applied tag. I turn to look at the SS and the second baseman says, “I have the ball” and shows it to me. I’m dumbfounded at this point and have nothing else to say but “Then he’s safe.” I sold it but I had no clue whether the ball beat him there or not. Between innings, Cliff told me that I got it right so that was some consolation but tracking the ball is muy importante.
Speaking of Cliff, I am really, really enjoying working with him. He is one of the most sound, consistent and professional umpires I have ever seen (Outside of Dave Burt (My UIC (Kissing up))). Just watching how he handles things is making me reconsider my mechanics and adjusting them to be more like him because if I get more like him, I’ll be a better umpire.
Tomorrow, I have first base at the 9:00 am game for Idaho and Oregon and then the 12:30 pm Arizona and Hawaii game. Both 12:30 games are powerhouse games – Arizona has been dominant so far and Hawaii totally dominated their game today while the other game is the traditional rivalry game of Southern Cal vs. Northern Cal. All four teams look really good and any of these four could win the whole thing and head to Livermore. My plate should be a real exciting, well-played game. Hope I live up to the hype :)
Friday, July 19, 2013
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!
Wednesday, July 17, 2013
Introspective
Like I said earlier, tomorrow is the day. Here it is 9pm the night before Regionals and I can't help but look back. I remember my first game. I was at second base on the Junior field at North Rialto Little League. Joey Broxmeyer, my UIC, was at third, Danny Robbins was on the plate and I forgot who was on first. I was so inexperienced. The first close play at second, a pick-off play, I looked like a deer in the headlights and pointed at my third base ump to get some help. He was like... Ummm... I was like... ummmm... so we ended up calling safe. I definitely threw him under the bus. The game ended with a play at the plate where the ball clearly beat the runner to the plate, the runner lowered his shoulder and ran into the catcher, and Danny promptly ejected the kid from the game. Welcome to umpiring.
I remember having to fight the umpire myths as later in the year I called a kid out for throwing the bat and pelting the catcher in the stomach, only to have my UIC again correct it and pull me aside to say that I couldn't call him out.
I remember a ball hit straight down the line that hit the fence and I hesitated to make the call. I looked and looked and called it fair. The defensive coach was like, no way, that was foul, then I looked again and played it through my mind and said that it hit the fair pole above the fence, so called it a home run.
I remember the catcher turning around after I called a kid safe at home and saying, "Man, you suck." I was so caught off guard that I couldn't do anything.
I remember working hard and trying to get as many games as I could. I remember doing almost every major game for 2 years at North Rialto. I remember doing a 9-10 All-Star tournament by myself. I remember absolutely falling in love with umpiring and I still feel that way.
Tomorrow begins my biggest step thus far on my umpire journey. I look back 6 years and see how much I have grown in my willingness to take the authority of an umpire, my comfort on the field, and my knowledge of the rules. Sometimes I still feel like that uncomfortable rookie out there but know that I am better equipped today than in March of 2008.
I am here because of my mentors. Joey Broxmeyer. Danny Robbins. Mark Bolter. Steve Bailey. Dave Burt. The umpire trainers at Western Regional. The smart people on the Yahoo WRLL Umpire boards.
I am here because of those I have now trained. Adam. The dads at Alta Loma. I am here because of my partners. Dick, John, Lou, Chris, Mick, Brian, Josiah and countless others I've had the privilege to work with.
I have a lot of people to thank for the step I take tomorrow. I hope to do them all proud. Of course, I look forward to having fun while working as I truly believe that no matter what, this is a game and it is meant to be fun. I look forward to dancing, to working with knowledgeable guys who know their craft and will help me get even better, to being part of the greatest moments in these kids lives to this point. This is going to be a blast!
I remember having to fight the umpire myths as later in the year I called a kid out for throwing the bat and pelting the catcher in the stomach, only to have my UIC again correct it and pull me aside to say that I couldn't call him out.
I remember a ball hit straight down the line that hit the fence and I hesitated to make the call. I looked and looked and called it fair. The defensive coach was like, no way, that was foul, then I looked again and played it through my mind and said that it hit the fair pole above the fence, so called it a home run.
I remember the catcher turning around after I called a kid safe at home and saying, "Man, you suck." I was so caught off guard that I couldn't do anything.
I remember working hard and trying to get as many games as I could. I remember doing almost every major game for 2 years at North Rialto. I remember doing a 9-10 All-Star tournament by myself. I remember absolutely falling in love with umpiring and I still feel that way.
Tomorrow begins my biggest step thus far on my umpire journey. I look back 6 years and see how much I have grown in my willingness to take the authority of an umpire, my comfort on the field, and my knowledge of the rules. Sometimes I still feel like that uncomfortable rookie out there but know that I am better equipped today than in March of 2008.
I am here because of my mentors. Joey Broxmeyer. Danny Robbins. Mark Bolter. Steve Bailey. Dave Burt. The umpire trainers at Western Regional. The smart people on the Yahoo WRLL Umpire boards.
I am here because of those I have now trained. Adam. The dads at Alta Loma. I am here because of my partners. Dick, John, Lou, Chris, Mick, Brian, Josiah and countless others I've had the privilege to work with.
I have a lot of people to thank for the step I take tomorrow. I hope to do them all proud. Of course, I look forward to having fun while working as I truly believe that no matter what, this is a game and it is meant to be fun. I look forward to dancing, to working with knowledgeable guys who know their craft and will help me get even better, to being part of the greatest moments in these kids lives to this point. This is going to be a blast!
Packing day
Got to pack today. It starts tomorrow (games on Friday) -- !!!!
Got this picture today from my league president. By the pen in my pocket, I can tell it was from the Sectional Finals.
Got to remember to pack my computer, my charger, trading pins, and clothes. Those may be important.
Short post today. I just wanted to share the picture really :)
Got this picture today from my league president. By the pen in my pocket, I can tell it was from the Sectional Finals.
Short post today. I just wanted to share the picture really :)
Sunday, July 14, 2013
All Stars District - Divisional
I am done umpiring for the year except for one more tournament. It is amazing how fast this year has gone by. It seems like a few weeks ago that I received my letter in the mail about being invited to Irvine for the tournament and now it is happening this Thursday. It has been quite the ride. I have guaranteed my wife that I will not umpire as many all-star games next year because there were times this post-season where my kids would wake up 5 minutes before I was walking out the door for work and ask, "Are you coming home tonight" and then have disappointed looks on their faces when I said I was umpiring.
Ultimately, umpiring is my favorite hobby. It is something I am passionate about and love doing, something that really adds to my life, but I don't want to have it cost me my kids. I don't want them to grow up hating baseball because dad was away too often because he was umpiring. So next year I will pull back, especially during All-Stars. There were 2 weeks that I didn't work maybe 2 days, both Sundays, at a ball game. Getting the practice in was good. Missing my family was the drawback.
Not really how I wanted to start this one off but that's where life took me this time.
So, on to tournaments. Here is a list of all the different levels of All-Stars I have done this post-season:
I did post this on facebook but think I'll admit it here too. Over the last 3 years I have umpired 7 games where my home league, Alta Loma, was eliminated from tournament play. This included 2 this year -- the Juniors at District and the Intermediate at Sub-Division. I am the bad luck charm for Alta Loma. Sure, the Intermediate won District and Sectionals with me behind the plate, but sooner or later I umpire the game where they bow out. It's a bummer. I like seeing them win but won't cheat to make it so.
So in the last week, I have gotten 4 really cool hats. I got a black District 71 hat. I got the Section 8 hat described above. I received a Division III hat that is really cool from District 24 for doing the Intermediate Division. Has Division III on it superimposed on an outline of California. And then I got a different Division III hat from my UIC for doing that Division Softball game. 4 really cool hats in a week. I guess that could be considered pay by some but I like the recognition. I don't accept a dime for doing this, just hot dogs and a gatorade usually (I only eat hot dogs during baseball season.) The hats are a nice thank you gift.
It is hard to believe it is 4 days away. I am not umpiring this week outside of Regionals (although I was invited to do some 10-11 sectionals but I need to spend that time with the family before taking off for a week and a half.) So here is the schedule if anyone is interested in coming out and seeing me blow a call or two but have a fantastic time doing it:
What: Intermediate Western Region Tournament
Where: Quail Hill Community Park, Irvine, CA (Click for map)
When:
Friday: 9:00 am, 12:30 pm
Saturday: 9:00 am, 12:30 pm
Sunday: 9:00 am, 12:30 pm
Monday: No games scheduled
Tuesday: 9:00 am, 12:30 pm
Wednesday: 9:00 am, 12:30 pm
Thursday: 2 games, TBD
Friday: Championship game TBD
I will post my schedule when we go over it in case you want to come out and watch me behind the plate or when I ump the centerfield line.
I have Wednesday off as my first day of vacation to pack. I hope I can sleep between now and then though.
Ultimately, umpiring is my favorite hobby. It is something I am passionate about and love doing, something that really adds to my life, but I don't want to have it cost me my kids. I don't want them to grow up hating baseball because dad was away too often because he was umpiring. So next year I will pull back, especially during All-Stars. There were 2 weeks that I didn't work maybe 2 days, both Sundays, at a ball game. Getting the practice in was good. Missing my family was the drawback.
Not really how I wanted to start this one off but that's where life took me this time.
So, on to tournaments. Here is a list of all the different levels of All-Stars I have done this post-season:
- District
- 9-10s (Semis)
- 10-11s
- Little League
- Intermediate (Finals)
- Junior (Finals)
- Senior (Semis)
- Sections
- Intermediate (Finals)
- Senior (Opening Round)
- Sub-Division/Division
- Intermediate (Semi-Finals)
- Major Softball (Opening Round)
I did post this on facebook but think I'll admit it here too. Over the last 3 years I have umpired 7 games where my home league, Alta Loma, was eliminated from tournament play. This included 2 this year -- the Juniors at District and the Intermediate at Sub-Division. I am the bad luck charm for Alta Loma. Sure, the Intermediate won District and Sectionals with me behind the plate, but sooner or later I umpire the game where they bow out. It's a bummer. I like seeing them win but won't cheat to make it so.
So in the last week, I have gotten 4 really cool hats. I got a black District 71 hat. I got the Section 8 hat described above. I received a Division III hat that is really cool from District 24 for doing the Intermediate Division. Has Division III on it superimposed on an outline of California. And then I got a different Division III hat from my UIC for doing that Division Softball game. 4 really cool hats in a week. I guess that could be considered pay by some but I like the recognition. I don't accept a dime for doing this, just hot dogs and a gatorade usually (I only eat hot dogs during baseball season.) The hats are a nice thank you gift.
It is hard to believe it is 4 days away. I am not umpiring this week outside of Regionals (although I was invited to do some 10-11 sectionals but I need to spend that time with the family before taking off for a week and a half.) So here is the schedule if anyone is interested in coming out and seeing me blow a call or two but have a fantastic time doing it:
What: Intermediate Western Region Tournament
Where: Quail Hill Community Park, Irvine, CA (Click for map)
When:
Friday: 9:00 am, 12:30 pm
Saturday: 9:00 am, 12:30 pm
Sunday: 9:00 am, 12:30 pm
Monday: No games scheduled
Tuesday: 9:00 am, 12:30 pm
Wednesday: 9:00 am, 12:30 pm
Thursday: 2 games, TBD
Friday: Championship game TBD
I will post my schedule when we go over it in case you want to come out and watch me behind the plate or when I ump the centerfield line.
I have Wednesday off as my first day of vacation to pack. I hope I can sleep between now and then though.
Thursday, July 4, 2013
Wow, this is going fast
Wow. All-Stars started 2 weeks ago today and we are 1 (maybe 2) games away from the Sub-Division tournament in the Intermediate division already.
It has definitely been an interesting tournament so far. I've had to make some calls that weren't popular and a couple that I haven't seen in a while but think I got them right. I had a runner do a little dance in front of the shortstop on what was the last out of the game. The shortstop made the play anyways and got the out at first so nothing was made of it but I could have imagined the explosion if the shortstop would have booted the play and the out would have been called because of interference. Dodged that one.
10/11 game the other day. I'm base ump and we have a trouble ball into centerfield. I'm charging out from A (first base) and watch the 11 year old centerfielder lay out as the ball lands in his glove. He does 2 flips and lifts his glove to show that he caught it. Unfortunately, as he lifted his glove the ball flew out. Had to call safe as the release was not voluntary. This, of course, got the coach and fans going ballistic. Coach asks for time and I explain it. I don't think he bought it but the ruling was correct. That was one of the tough calls.
There have been quite a few calls so far that I am glad that I have paused and not made the immediate call because I would have had to reverse myself. I had a missed tag at home and a dive back by the runner, another one at third last night -- one out and one safe but the pause, read and react saved me both times.
The Intermediate Sectional tournament has been an adventure so far. Last Saturday was the start and we had the first game at 10:00 am. Game time temperature started at 95 degrees and by 12:00, it was 105. Game was two hours and it was the longest two hour game ever. After the game, I found a tree, got out of my gear and just laid down. People walked by and thought I was dying. I really was just cooling down. Second game was at 1pm. Apparently people were so concerned about me that they had another guy get his gear just in case. I was fine in the second game on the bases. My poor plate umpire thought he was going to pass out everytime he squatted behind the catcher starting in the 4th inning. 2 1/2 hours later, we were done. I found the same tree and laid down. This time, it was harder to get back to my car, took me about 20 minutes carrying my gear with me as I found a bench to rest at on the way back to my car. So I went to a pizza place, had a calzone, a large glass of water (to go with the 3 Vitamin waters and 8 bottles of water I had already had that morning), and air conditioning. Felt much better after an hour and a half watching X-Game biking and drinking water. So I go out and help with a Junior game at 7pm. This is a marathon 16-15 4 hour 7 inning game that I was at second base (4 man). I got to work it with Steve, Dave and Big John, one of my favorite crews to work on, so the extra time was not too bad. Started the day at 10am and got done with the last out of the day at 11:07 pm. Not a bad day.
Monday Intermediate we have a 12-12 tie after 7. Manager gets ejected for arguing an out call at the plate and then going back to the dugout and throwing a bat. More for the bat throw than the argument. The field we are playing at doesn't have lights so we had to call it on account of darkness at this point. Game continues 3pm on Tuesday. Scoreless for 4 innings, one run comes across in the top of the 12 and they hold the home team scoreless in the bottom of the 12th to complete the game. 4 1/2 hours, 12 inning game 13-12 final. I wasn't expecting to play another 5 innings and then a 7 inning game afterwards which went quick (1:45) so it was good. I was able to go up and help at a 7:30 10-11 game (the one with the almost great diving not-catch described above.)
Wednesday Intermediate: Losers bracket finals. Ejected manager is gone for this one too. Game ended up being 6-4, 1:50 minute game with team that had ejected manager win. So Saturday's finals game will be District 71 and District 21. District 21 didn't play a district game to get there so they have played surprisingly well. It should be a good game on Saturday. The first game is at 10 and the "if" game is at 1. ("If" being if Rialto Eastern beats Alta Loma the first game, then they will have to play a second game.) I have done a lot of plate this tournament as they want to give me some experience and I have the plate again on Saturday. Last night, Steve took the plate so it was a change of pace for me and both teams so I was happy.
Things to work on: I am feeling really shaky on my low strike/ball call. I have to solidify it up and only have 15 days to do it. Regionals is coming quick. I am so looking forward to it!
It has definitely been an interesting tournament so far. I've had to make some calls that weren't popular and a couple that I haven't seen in a while but think I got them right. I had a runner do a little dance in front of the shortstop on what was the last out of the game. The shortstop made the play anyways and got the out at first so nothing was made of it but I could have imagined the explosion if the shortstop would have booted the play and the out would have been called because of interference. Dodged that one.
10/11 game the other day. I'm base ump and we have a trouble ball into centerfield. I'm charging out from A (first base) and watch the 11 year old centerfielder lay out as the ball lands in his glove. He does 2 flips and lifts his glove to show that he caught it. Unfortunately, as he lifted his glove the ball flew out. Had to call safe as the release was not voluntary. This, of course, got the coach and fans going ballistic. Coach asks for time and I explain it. I don't think he bought it but the ruling was correct. That was one of the tough calls.
There have been quite a few calls so far that I am glad that I have paused and not made the immediate call because I would have had to reverse myself. I had a missed tag at home and a dive back by the runner, another one at third last night -- one out and one safe but the pause, read and react saved me both times.
The Intermediate Sectional tournament has been an adventure so far. Last Saturday was the start and we had the first game at 10:00 am. Game time temperature started at 95 degrees and by 12:00, it was 105. Game was two hours and it was the longest two hour game ever. After the game, I found a tree, got out of my gear and just laid down. People walked by and thought I was dying. I really was just cooling down. Second game was at 1pm. Apparently people were so concerned about me that they had another guy get his gear just in case. I was fine in the second game on the bases. My poor plate umpire thought he was going to pass out everytime he squatted behind the catcher starting in the 4th inning. 2 1/2 hours later, we were done. I found the same tree and laid down. This time, it was harder to get back to my car, took me about 20 minutes carrying my gear with me as I found a bench to rest at on the way back to my car. So I went to a pizza place, had a calzone, a large glass of water (to go with the 3 Vitamin waters and 8 bottles of water I had already had that morning), and air conditioning. Felt much better after an hour and a half watching X-Game biking and drinking water. So I go out and help with a Junior game at 7pm. This is a marathon 16-15 4 hour 7 inning game that I was at second base (4 man). I got to work it with Steve, Dave and Big John, one of my favorite crews to work on, so the extra time was not too bad. Started the day at 10am and got done with the last out of the day at 11:07 pm. Not a bad day.
Monday Intermediate we have a 12-12 tie after 7. Manager gets ejected for arguing an out call at the plate and then going back to the dugout and throwing a bat. More for the bat throw than the argument. The field we are playing at doesn't have lights so we had to call it on account of darkness at this point. Game continues 3pm on Tuesday. Scoreless for 4 innings, one run comes across in the top of the 12 and they hold the home team scoreless in the bottom of the 12th to complete the game. 4 1/2 hours, 12 inning game 13-12 final. I wasn't expecting to play another 5 innings and then a 7 inning game afterwards which went quick (1:45) so it was good. I was able to go up and help at a 7:30 10-11 game (the one with the almost great diving not-catch described above.)
Wednesday Intermediate: Losers bracket finals. Ejected manager is gone for this one too. Game ended up being 6-4, 1:50 minute game with team that had ejected manager win. So Saturday's finals game will be District 71 and District 21. District 21 didn't play a district game to get there so they have played surprisingly well. It should be a good game on Saturday. The first game is at 10 and the "if" game is at 1. ("If" being if Rialto Eastern beats Alta Loma the first game, then they will have to play a second game.) I have done a lot of plate this tournament as they want to give me some experience and I have the plate again on Saturday. Last night, Steve took the plate so it was a change of pace for me and both teams so I was happy.
Things to work on: I am feeling really shaky on my low strike/ball call. I have to solidify it up and only have 15 days to do it. Regionals is coming quick. I am so looking forward to it!
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