Final Wrap up

I didn't get the final but did make 2nd base on the consolation game. That's OK because only 6 of 16 can get the final. Some umpires were assigned no game at all. I had a great time. Got challenged by the Taipai manager on a call on a sweep tag at 2nd on a runner sliding in. My call was upheld by the video review team. Two other calls by other umpires during the game were overturned on video review. So I guess I came out all right. Had some other bangers that never got challenged.

The entire experience has been incredible. It's unbelievably exciting to have your name announced before thousands of people as an umpire on a game. My plate games went well. I was told be several people including other umpires that I had a great strike zone. That was very rewarding. Having had the opportunity to do 2 plate games was great. Some umpires only got 1. Got some notoriety as the umpire on the game where the TV camera behind the plate was smashed on a pitch that got by the catcher. I have been very fortunate to have had to the opportunity to be a world series umpire. I also had the opportunity to do 2 TV inteviews with stations from 2 of the team's hometowns. That was a hoot. The entire atmosphere and the spectators make you feel like some sort of celebrity. I was even asked a few times for my autograph. Now that's an experience.

I appreciated most of all the calls and text messages I received from so many of you expressing your support and encouragement. Those were very special to me. This has been one of the greatest experiences in my life and one I know I'll never forget. Thanks everyone for a very special time and a very special year. You are the best.

Saturday's schedule and Sunday'possibilities

Well gang I got the LF line on the International Championship game Saturday at 1 PM. With Georgia being eliminated today in the "if" game this gives me a chance to make the final game. Here's hoping. Big surprise today. My wife and son Jordan came back to Williamsport for the weekend and really surprised me. It's great having them here. I will be happy with my series experience whether I make the final or not. It has been truly amazing. I have worked with a great group of guys and had lots of fun off the field as well as on. I have also received many messages of encouragement from so many friends. I even received an e-mail from someone I haven't heard from in over a year. The support I've received has been super. So it's on to tomorrow's Int'l final and then we'll see what Sunday brings. Thanks to everyone and see you soon.

What's up Thursday

Today I am working 1st base on the Texas-Washington rematch of last night's game at 4 PM on one of the ESPN channels but don't know which. It was very exciting. I had a lot of incredibly close plays at second base. In the end it came down to Texas' errors on one play allowing 3 runs to score that made the difference. We have a really critical game coming up today. The number of games is winding down to the important few. We will determine today who goes to the U.S. Championship game on Saturday. The other game is Georgia-Hawaii. If Hawaii wins there will be another game tomorrow to determine who goes to the U.S. Championship. If Georgia wins tonight it will be Georgia. Either way these are critical games. I have been very fortunate to get the games I'm on. I'll keep in touch and share with you what happened in today's game tomorrow. See ya.

Wednesday's action

I'm working the 8 PM game at 2nd tonight. Yesterday was quiet. I worked one game on the RF line. But I got to see several games and that was great. I'm looking forward to the rest of the schedule including the championship games. This is still an unbelievably super experience.

Tuesday's games and what's new

Today I am working the lines in two games, RF at 12 and LF at 6. Kind of a light day, but that's OK after getting back to back plates on Sunday and Monday. Yesterday's game was really great but a little trying with the TV camera getting smashed, the rain delay and then completing the game in a light rain. I think I still did OK. In any case it was great getting the plates and it was a great game yesterday. I have been having a great time. It's hard to put into words but umpiring in front of 10 thousand people is a real trip. Once the game gets started you get into the game and other than the noise level you focus on what you are doing. I have had the great support here of family and friends throughout the Series. That really makes a big difference. There is nothing like sharing a great time with the people you really care about. I wish you all could be here. I'll talk to you later. Thanks for all your support. The texts are really great to receive. If you want to send me one my phone number is 407-718-3233.

Another Plate Today

I have been given the plate at 4 pm today for the Carribean vs Mexico in an elimination game. I am really excited about this. I guess I did OK yesterday in my plate game. I'll write more about the last two days later today. My family left this morning so that is a real downer since they made the past 5 days very special to have them all watching and cheering me on. But on the bright side Denise and Dennis Sprenkle are still here and I really enjoy their support and company, Also Robert Stuart and Greg Gentleman are here for one more day and I have also enjoyed their support and comraderie. I want to thank everyone who has sent me great comments and well wishes. Its really heartwarming to have so many great friends. Thanks to everyone for making this time so special. Now on to today's game. I am hoping for another good one. I;ll do my best. I'll write more to you later.

My plate game

I just found out this evening that I am working the 12PM game on Sunday, Aug 22< on the plate. The game is on ESPN. Sorry if you did not get this notice on time to see the game but its the latest info I received on Saturday evening.

Ok I forgot to post this! 3pm game today

Ok i have a 3:00pm game Southwest vs. Midwest i will be on 1st base here we go!!!!!!

My games Fri and Sat

My schedule for Friday and Saturday, which is as far as they gave me is Friday at 8 PM, RF line (yeah, dig deal, I know) and Saturday at 1 PM (3rd base) and 8 PM at 2nd base. I'll let you know when I'm doing the plate. And yes Robert I made a mistake. I meant August 18.

I'm finally here

I'm finally here. It's Wed., September 18 and we have a coaches and managers meeting tonight. I'm hoping we find out something about our schedule but i here there may be a separate meeting tomorrow to go over that. I have already met some of the umpires, one of whom I had already met at the at the Little League Congress back in March. They seem to be great guys. I'm all ironed and ready to go. Let's see what tonight and tomorrow bring. I special thanks to Will Fedewa for helping me get ready last Monday. Thanks Will. I will bring you more as I get it.

Ready to Go

I have completed all of my games prior to the World Series and am now less than 2 weeks away. I was honored with doing the plate on the 11/12 State championship game won by Viera Suntree over Oviedo 7-6. It was an exciting game and incredibly hot with a heat index hovering at about 105. All went well and I am now ready to take on my Series assignments. A special thanks to Fred Lorentsen and Ray Schnyderite, District 15 host District Administrator and Baseball Umpire Consultant, respectively, as well as the rest of the District 15 staff for their outstanding hospitality and consideration from my crew and myself. We had a great time. Talk to you all soon

Finishing Touches

I continue to work games throughout the District All Stars Tournament to get prepared. I'm confident that I am almost ready for the World Series. I have a few more games to work in the District, Regional and State Tournaments that will polish up my final readiness. The time is drawing closer with about 5 weeks to go. It seems like almost yesterday there were months to go. My excitement is really building now.

I will use this blog to post my schedule when I get it for the World Series so if anyone is interested in watching the games I work on television they can. All games are being broadcast on ESPN, ESPN2, and ABC. You'll have to check your local listing for the exact channel for each game unless I know it in advance.

I went to the Little League refresher clinic this past weekend with Russell May, Eddie Bonilla, and Jeff French. It was a great clinic to get ready for their regionals and my world series. We reviewed a lot of 4 man mechanics (which helps them but not so much me. We will be using 6 man crews at the world series so there are no rotations). The plate work review was great. I got a few tips that will improve my plate work. Now all I have left is to work a few games at the district, sectional and state all star tournaments then it's on to the series. It's getting closer and I'm getting more excited.

Getting Started

I am preparing for my World Series. I have done many games this year and both learned and relearned a lot about my umpiring. I know that I will go to the series as prepared as I can be. My hope is to do myself, my district and my fellow umpires proud.

Right now the excitement of the upcoming event is palpable (big words to say I can really feel the excitement). After all stars, sectional and state tournaments I'm confident I'll be ready or as ready as I can get. I've had help from many people and wish to thank them all, but I want to give a special thanks to Greg Gentleman and Bob Gwynn for working so much with me and providing critical feedback.

I will be posting information to this blog on my schedule of games and my experiences in the World Series. I hope you find it interesting to share in my triumphs and tribulations, and most of all I hope you will share in the excitement of the experience. I know I will enjoy sharing with you as time goes along.