Well, it's over.  Sadly, I'm leaving Williamsport with a ton of great memories and serveral new friends.

 

The final game was really exciting!  I had a couple of calls and hope that I didn't embarrass myself too badly.  Fred Westbrook likes my leg kick and tells me that I'm finally ready for softball (I guess girls like that kind of stuff).  I called an infield fly (they tell me I was the only one who called it).  I called the first half of a double play.  It looked good to me, but most everyone said he was in the vicinity.  However, I got a call from a friend of one of the other umpires and he tells me that it was right (after reviewing it in slow-mo).

 

I'm back to Orlando tomorrow morning and look forward to gathering all of my souveniers and putting together some type of memory book or cd.  I'll put together something for everyone to enjoy.  Thanks to everyone who enjoyed this blog and the multitude of pictures.

Assignments are in for Sunday...I've got 2nd Base on the Championship Game!  I'm thrilled to be on the final game and, of course, in the infield.  The only problem is that Dugout, the LL Mascot, targets the second base umpire for his/her dancing routine!  I'm in trouble!

 

As to the other assignments...Audeliz Garcia (PR) has the plate on the Consolation Game at 12n...David Murphy (TX) has the plate on the Championship Game @ 3:30p (ABC-TV).

 

I'll keep you posted!

It was kind of boring yesterday...I was not selected for any games (as were three others) so we spent the day just watching baseball.  Lamar did the plate on the first game...he did a good job and represented the Southern Region well.  Congratulations, Lamar.

 

On the second game, Tim Joyce from NY did the plate.  He, also, did a great job as his wife and son came up from Long Island to see him.  Tim wears a helmet behind the plate that, I think, would drive me crazy.  He loves it and feels much more comfortable with it.

 

Today schedule...don't know...I'll try to post my assignments, if I have any.  Keep looking or call my home (407-423-0037) to ask my son...more to come.

I rushed back to the hotel to make this entry...the assignments are out for the Saturday games...and, I wasn't assigned.  This may be good news for Sunday, or not.  But, as I mentioned a few days ago...I've had two great games for the Series and everything else is just gravy!

 

Lamar Pelfry (GA) is on the plate for the National Final, and Tim Joyce (NY) has the International final.  I'm really proud of both of these guys.

 

I'm off to the stadium to umpire the Challenger Game...read more about it on www.littleleague.org.  It''ll be fun!  More to come...

Well, I decided that would try to get to Gettyburg's for the day.  I announced that I would rent a car if any of the other umpires wanted to go with me.  Tom Mohler said he would like to go (he's a 26 year veteran of the Indiana National Guard).

 

It was great...moving...spectacular...inspiring.  I've posted my photo on the Photo Album Page. 

 

Tomorrow morning, we find out our assignments.  I'll try to get the word on the site but it may be best for you to just tune in to the Saturday games.  After all, it won't kill you.

 

More to come...

I'm just returning to my room after a great game.  It was so neat and it went by so quickly.  I heard that ESPN had to fill in 20 minutes of air time because of the way the kids were hitting and the fast play.

 

I talked with Greg, Janet and my family...all told me about the good things that Harold Reynolds said...the way I handled the Hawaiian player in the batter box and the check swing.  I'm honored...but I still haven't met Harold yet.

 

Some of you are asking about the final games assignments.  I don't know and won't know the assignments for Saturday's games until Saturday morning.  About Sunday, I'd be thrilled just to be on the field for either game...so what happens happens...it's been a thrill just to be here...more to come.

Well, it's not the quarterfinals, even though it really is.  They call it the National and International SemiFinals, then the National/International Finals, and then the Final Game.

 

With the Series coming down to a single elimination tournament, games are much more exciting.  Yesterday, Asia (Japan) played Canada (British Columbia) and ended up with a 10 run rule.  The game was actually a little closer than the score.

 

In the evening...West (California) played Southeast (Maitland) in Lamade Stadium.  The umpires struggled a little bit but the bats of California and some great defensive plays by both teams controled the outcome.  I'm glad for that!

 

It's Thursday and I've been scheduled for tonights other US Semifinal Game at 7:30 pm on ESPN2.  I hope that Harold Reynolds will be kind to me...more to come...

 

P.S.  Sorry for the lack of pics for yesterday...please check out the www.littleleague.org site for photos of each day.

I got my next assignment for the Series...

 

Game 28 - THURSDAY, August 25

    NW (Hawaii) v. SW (Louisiana)

    I"ve got the PLATE

 

More to come...

Tuesday was a good day.  It appears that every game we did had some significant impact on the outcome of the four pools.  In the end, each pool had a clear winner and second.  Today, starts the Championship Series that culminates in Sunday afternoon's game!  Here are some thoughts...

 

First, I had 3rd base on the Saudi v. Venezuala game.  It went by pretty fast but I didn't have many calls at third.

 

Second, once again I was at third for the West v. SW game.  It was California against Louisiana (the comeback kids).  Once again, it went by pretty quickly even though the LA team had started a comeback. 

 

Third, Clay came up to see a game and visit.  It was good to see him and hear about his countless calls to Kenny about the Series.  Thanks for stopping by, Clay...it means alot to me.

 

Last, because the final game had a bearing on the Wed/Thurs pairings, the sechdule for today and tomorrow will be release at our 11am morning meeting.  LLB Steve Keener has asked to spend a few minutes with the umpires to talk about Little League and get our reaction on some issues.  I'm honored that he would ask.  At noon, the LLB World Series Alumni Assn will be holding their annual meeting.  Games start at 3p and 7:30p...I'll keep you posted.

I just wanted to express my personal and pubic thanks for Bob McKinney.  Bob and Suzie came up to the Series to support me and Maitland Little League.  I appreciate his hard work and dedication.

 

In addition, Bob took some great photos.  I've set up a special album for a few of his great shots.  It appears that Bob's got a chance to make a careeer as a photographer!