A Little Bit of Catching Up Four Days Later

I have been home from the LLWS for four days now and lots of people continue to call, text, and email me with congratulations and questions.  It's been quite humbling to have all these folks recognize me in one way or another.  I need to write on this blog those memories I have before they fade away, but time is still fleeting.  I now have other things I need to do as well - like work.   Needless to say, however, my productivity this week has not been too great.

I've been keeping up with many of my Blue Crew friends.  All of us are having trouble comprehending what we just accomplished.  There is still a great deal of emotion rolling around.  However, I can honestly say that all of these guys and their wives, girlfriends, and fiancés are very special to me and we will be friends forever.

Four things have happened to me since the end of the LLWS championship that bear some recognition.  First, I received a telephone call from the Youngstown paper, the Vindicator, to get my take on the championship game.  Some of that interview was published and I will post it later with a corresponding link.  Second, I was asked to speak before the Curbstone Coaches group in Youngstown on September 17th.  This is quite an honor for me.  The Curbstone Coaches is a local group that invites sports-related individuals, many of them professional athletes or coaches, to talk about their experiences.  Third, next Friday, September 7th, a local TV station wants to do a short interview during a live segment during their newscast.  And finally, today a good friend, Ed Strauss, called me and asked to meet me.  He gave me a near complete set of DVD recordings of this year's LLWS games.  It was a huge surprise to me and I was quite touched by his kindness.  Ed is a great person and an ardent supporter of YSU athletics.  For him to do this for me is awfully special.  It really made my day.

One Hour to Go

An hour before the championship game and most of the laughter in the locker room had faded into near solemn silence. Very strange atmosphere today. Some guys appear happy, but not enthused, others are sad, some seemed irritated or angry. I think finality has sunk in for some of us. Some guys might be miffed that they aren't working this last game. Me, I'm just humbled to be a member of the championship game crew. This is the fulfillment of my Little League umpire dream.

Championship Day Begins

I arrived at the park around 9:45 AM and the place is a beehive of activity. The first game's umpires are getting ready and there's a subdued atmosphere in the locker room. Mostly, I believe this is due to the fact that we now realize that this magical ride is coming to a close. Everything we do now is for the last time as a LLWS umpire. I hope that this melancholy is just a fleeting moment.

I'm looking forward to my game assignment. Not everyone made the championship game crew and I feel guilty in some respect. There are 15 other guys who also deserve this honor. I hope those not on the field realize that a part of them will be with me. None of us worked this series as individuals. We are more than a team. We are a true Band of Brothers.

Championship Game

I have been selected to work 3rd base in tomorrow's championship game between Japan and Tennessee. The game will be televised on ABC at 3:00 PM.

Today's Thoughts and Saturday's Games

Today, Friday, is an off day for all of us umpires.  We're tired, but still pumped up about our time here the LLWS.  Many of us will be touring and resting today, getting ready for the remaining games this weekend.  As for Karen and I, we will be touring around this morning with her parents who have been here the last two days.  I have a luncheon to attend, then Karen and I will tour the Pennsylvania College of Technology prior to the arrival of our daughter, Heather.  I'm looking forward to seeing her - we haven't had one of our father-daughter snit spats in nearly two weeks!  I miss them and her witty comebacks.  Tonight, after the parents leave, the three of us will go to a street fair here in Williamsport and have some family time together.  I already anticipate that Karen and Heather will be chatting up a storm with me not in the conversation.  That's ok with me - they are more than mother and daughter; they are best friends.  And that's the way it should be.

As for tomorrow, the game assignments were made this morning.  I was not assigned to any games, so I will be sitting somewhere in the stands rooting for my brothers in light blue (or black, as it may be) work the International and United States Championship games.

There will be two games on Sunday - a third place game between the losers of today's game and the world championship between the two winners from Saturday's games.  The assignments for those games will be made late Saturday and I will post my role, if any, as soon as I know.  I suspect that I will get an assignment, but I don't know which game or which position.  It really doesn't matter.  I've done more here already than I set out to accomplish.  I am satisfied.

One last note about assignments.  I believe I mentioned this before, but it bares repeating.  Making umpire assignments at this level is so complex due to numerous variables and the need to have simultaneous balance and quality.  This has been no easy task, I'm sure.   I would not want the responsibility.  I cannot tell you how much respect I have for the three guys making the decisions about which umpire does what, where, and when.  Yet, Mike, Doc, and Frank have been absolutely marvelous in this regard as well as with their encouragement and advice.  As Frank might say, they have been "Huge, huger than hugie!" (I'll explain this Frankism in a later post).  These guys have had difficult choices to make and hopefully, from my perspective, our collective lack of egos (or at least smaller than usual egos) have made their job easier.  My hats off to them all.

Awards Breakfast - Quick Note

All of the LLWS umpires returned from the Little League Volunteer Awards breakfast about an hour ago.  It was a very special event which I will go into some detail at a later time.  However, I wanted to briefly note one of the highlight moments during that event.

Cameron and Judy Watts
(Photograph taken from web
page cited in this posting)

This year's Mom of the Year Award was given to Mrs. Judy Watts.  What a story!  See the following link for more details: www.littleleague.org/Page58960.aspx.  During her introduction, I and quite a few other umpires had tears in our eyes.  (Yeah, through my own watering eyes, I saw you weepy boys!  You don't have to hide your inner feelings off the field!)  What a great son she has in Cameron, too!  Before the introduction was over, we all decided to give her a standing ovation since she is also a LL umpire.  Turns out, we weren't alone.  Everyone stood and applauded.

After the breakfast, I went over to introduce myself to Mrs. Watts. I wanted to congratulate her and thank her for her dedication and service to LL.  Surprisingly, she remarked  that she knew who I was and that she was following my games.  Moreover, she was reading this blog.  How cool is that! 

So, thanks for reading my inane diatribe, Judy, and once again, congratulations and thank you for all that you have done, are doing, and will do for Little League.  You are awesome!  And so is Cameron!

Thursday's Game

I will umpire tomorrow night (8/23) at 1st base in the Texas-California elimination game, which is being televised at 8:00 PM on ESPN2.

Wednesday Morning Notes

Time is really passing fast here at the series.  Our days are so packed with activities that I cannot post here as often as I thought I could.  Moreover, after my last game of the day, I spend about two hours returning text messages, emails, phone calls, and Facebook messages from all of well wishes sent by my very kind friends and family.  In fact, my phone often runs out of power while I am sitting in the stands watching another game from the stands.  When Karen and I return to the room, I'm spent and just flop into bed.  However, no need to worry.  I am keeping notes that I will eventually turn into a complete story of this incredible experience.  Thanks for your patience.  I have all kinds of stories to share with all of you.

We have some down time this morning.  The first game is not until 4:00 PM, so I hope to rest and catch up on some work.  However, I do want to share one of yesterday's highlights with you.  Uganda played  the team from the Northwest region in a consolation game.  The setting was electric!  About 7,000 fans filled Lamade stadium and the hillside to watch - and more than 90% came to cheer for Uganda. This is amazing considering that the Uganda team brought no home town fans or parents whatsoever.  All the Little League world adopted them as their very own throughout this tournament and today was no different.   I will have more to relate to you later regarding this incredible team and their story, from my perspective, but it is no secret that EVERYONE wanted them to win their first LLWS game - even some of the Northwest fans.  Prior to the game, a few of us umpires went to the "well" at field level to watch the pre-game activities and part of the game itself.  Attached is a video of both teams dancing with Dugout.  It was a great sight to see.  We later retired to the umpire locker room to watch the game on TV not so secretly cheering for Uganda.  After the last out, we then watched some of the best Little League sportsmanship ever.  Despite the Ugandan win, the Northwest team was all smiles, hugging each of their opponents and giving them their batting gloves as a token of respect and appreciation.  The Ugandan coach was hugging the Northwest coaches and players, even carrying some of the latter around on his shoulders. The party continued for about 20 minutes before the ground crew scurried them all way.  It was the perfect Little League image of sportsmanship and a model for what should be for other parts of our lives.

Wednesday's Game

I will working the left field line at 8:00 PM on an ESPN game featuring the Southeast vs. Southwest (Tennessee vs. Texas) in the LLWS.

Meeting Dr. Hale

Earlier today while sitting in the stands waiting for the Nebraska-Germany consolation game, a gentleman approached me asked if I had umpired the Panama vs. Uganda game and the West vs. Southeast game. That gentleman was no other than Dr. Creighton Hale of Little League fame. I was awestruck in that not only did he seek me out, but also by his praise and congratulations. Then he gratefully thanked me for being here to umpire. We had a very pleasant conversation during which i had us photographed together. I am very deeply humbled by this experience.

Dr. Hale and I at Lamade Stadium

Tuesday's Game

Tomorrow, I will be the third base umpire for the game between the Carribean and Mexico. The game will be televised on ESPN at 4:00 PM.

Game Assignments and Posting Thoughts

My apologies for not getting to post today's games until late last night.  Also, my apologies for not blogging about about the details of my experiences.  Please understand this is not from being lazy or not wanting to keep up with the blog.  Not only are our days completely filled, but for the rest of the tournament the assignment of umpires to games gets tricky.  Mike Legge and his crew (Frank and Doc) are doing a fantastic job of keeping us all on the straight and narrow while trying to balance out the needs of the tournament in terms of umpire assignments.   There is a key principle at work as well: you are not permitted to work a game involving a team from your region.  Starting tomorrow, that provides even more problems for Mike and colleagues because some the regions will be collapsed into each other (e.g., Midwest and Great Lakes become one region).  Therefore, any game involving a team from the above two regions will not be umpired by my good buddy Jesse Howard or myself. This situation is the same for many of my new umpire buddies.  In short, because of these complexities and the possible outcomes of the late games can affect who does umpire, Mike cannot make assignments until the end of the day.  This means that I can't get the word out to all of you until even later that night.  Hence, please keep checking the blog (or send me messages via email, text, or Facebook for updates) and don't hesitate to post responses, comments, criticisms, love, hate, .... whatever.  I'd love to hear from you no matter what medium you use.  I cannot tell you how appreciative I am of your support.

Again, this entire LLWS experience cannot be described in words.  I'm in umpire heaven.

Monday's Games

I work at 2pm at 1st base on ESPN. Then I work 2nd base at 6pm on ESPN2.

A Passing Thought

Much is made about Disney's Magic Kingdom. Well, in just a few short days (actually long, fun-filled days) here at the Little League World Series, I find it hard to believe that the Magic Kingdom is located in California or Florida. It's right here in Williamsport, Pennsylvania! As evidence, I present the following photo from one of yesterday's games.

Sunday's Game

I will be the plate umpire for the West vs. Southeast winner's bracket game to be televised at 2:00 PM on ABC. Wish me luck, please!

Tomorrow's Games

I work third base at noon tomorrow (Carribean vs. Europe) which will be televised on ESPN. At 6:00 PM I will be on the left field line for the Mexico vs. Uganda game also being televised on ESPN. My good buddy and fellow Central Region umpire, Jesse Howard, will have the dish.

What a blast my game at the plate was tonight. More about that later.

It's Just Baseball

I will post more about the experience here as I have time. However, each of us umpires agree, words cannot possibly describe what it is like to be in the Little League World Series. We are being treated so exceptionally well. The LLWS staff is very generous with their time and effort. The folks in the crowd are very friendly and appreciative. The players are having a blast as are our wives. The kids are having a grand time getting and trading pins. To say this event is bigger and better than Christmas in August is not an exaggeration.

A quick note about the nerves each of us umpires had - the key word is 'had'. After the first inning jitters in our initial games, all anxiety disappeared. We completely forgot the crowd (the largest I've ever experienced), the instant reply, and the television cameras. We all just did what got us here. We all discovered it's the same game we umpire all the time. It's just baseball.

My Schedule for 8/16 and 8/17

A quick update - the umpire schedule has been released for games on Thursday (8/16) and Friday (8/17).  I will be umpiring the following games:

• Thursday, 3:00 PM on ESPN2 (West vs. New England) - I will be on the Right Field Line
• Thursday, 8:00 PM on ESPN (Midwest vs. Southeast) - I will be at 2nd base
• Friday, 5:00 PM on ESPN2 (Latin America vs. Middle East/Africa) - I will be at home plate 

The schedule for Saturday and Sunday cannot be determined until late Friday.  I will post that information as I get it.

Now I have nerves big time!

CORRECTION:  My 3:00 PM game is on ESPN, not ESPN2.  Sorry!

LLWS - Day 1

As noted in the previous post, Karen and I arrived in Williamsport to a whole new group of friends.  I'm sure that I'll post more about these wonderful people as I get to know them better.  However, if first impressions are true insights, then sharing this experience with these folks will be a real blast.

My very first look at Lamade Stadium

We could not get into our room immediately, so after some terrific fellowship with our new friends and their significant others, Karen and I had some lunch, then traipsed on over to the Little League complex.  We didn't have a lot of time to look around, so we made a brief entrance into the park.  We were met by two great events staff people at the gate who were extraordinarily gracious in pointing out some features and history of the complex. We even quickly met the team from Latin America.  These kids are obviously as thrilled as I am.

I got my first look of Lamada Stadium.  I was awestruck.  I think reality is finally starting to set in - I am a World Series umpire!  Interesting, we saw the ground crew working on the first base line of Lamade Stadium.  The staff person told us that this morning the ground crew decided to replace the turf along that line because it was not up to their standards.  Amazing!  Replacing turf within 48 hours of a game!  The staff person further noted that the fields of both stadia are mowed and watered each day.  It really shows.

Moreover, it's been like Christmas in August.  You can't imagine the gifts that the other umpires brought for all of us - bags, shirts, hats, etc., in addition to the traditional pin exchange.  No one told me about this tradition.  I only brought a few trinkets in addition to my pin.

Tonight, we umpires attended a meeting with LLWS staff and the coaches from all the teams.  Steve Keener, the CEO of Little League, gave a very welcoming and inspiring speech that included a gracious shout out to the umpires.  Clearly, he appreciates us being here and assured us that a key principle would be respect for the umpires in each and every game.

Tomorrow will be a big day for the umpiring crew.  We meet at 9:00 AM to go over a number of items as well as to retrieve our credentials and other materials.  Also, we will receive our umpiring schedules for the first two days of the tournament - so stay tuned.  I will post my duties as soon as possible.  In addition, we will be having photos taken, then participate in the annual LLWS parade later tomorrow evening.  It will be a full, busy day, but we all are looking forward to it all.

Have Arrived

We got to the hotel about an hour ago and met many of the umpire crew, including Torben. I suspect that he and I are going to be fast friends. He already has a nickname for me - Family Guy. If you've seen the cartoon, you might know why. Clearly, Torben and I will be having many, many laughs together!

Off to Williamsport

Today's the day!  In a few hours, Karen and I will be making our way to Williamsport.  We're all set except for a few items to go in the suitcases that need to be loaded into the car.  After that, just a stop for a Starbucks, some fuel, then to the highway.  Next stop, the Little League World Series.  I never believed this day would ever happen!

Last night, while busy packing and answering numerous messages wishing us well, I did a live interview with a local radio station, 1390 AM WNIO.  It was fun to do and I hope the show's hosts thought it worthwhile.  My daughter, Heather, recorded the show and I will post the audio sometime later on this blog.

One of the calls I received let night was from my parents who listened to the radio show online from Western Pennsylvania where they live.  They told me that they were bursting with pride - and Mom was in tears.  They had some very touching words for me - something to the effect that I didn't turn out half bad as an adult.  Little do they know that one of the principles of being a Little League umpire is that you never fully grow up!  Karen can vouch for that.

In addition, my father called back later to say that a writer for the Beaver County Times, my old hometown newspaper, would be calling me soon about my upcoming experience at the LLWS. Sure enough, a fellow from the Times  named Bill Allman called me last night.  What a surprise! Bill and I were teammates on our Little League team more than 40 years ago.  We played for the Eagles, a team coached by my dad.  Interesting coincidence, eh?  We had a good time reminiscing about our "glory days" and winning the league title and partying like crazy in my backyard in celebration. What great memories!  Since those days, we've both taken different pathways in life, but once again those paths have crossed. What a small world, indeed!  Bill's interview of me lasted  about 30 minutes. He said his story would be printed in Thursday's issue.  I really can't wait to see it.

Well, gotta go wake up Karen and finish packing now.  More later.  Stay tuned!

Radio Days Correction

Just found out that tonight's interview has been switched to 1390 AM (WNIO; http://www.sportsradio1390.com).  It will begin around 7:30 PM.  The do have a live stream as well and can be heard via iHeart Radio, too.

Radio Days

For those of you who care, you may be interested in listening to WKBN radio (570 AM; www.570WKBN.com) tomorrow night at 7:00 PM.  I've been asked to do a "call-in" interview  about my upcoming stint at the Little League World Series for the station's Sports Rap program.  For internet radio aficionados, WKBN's web site has on-line streaming feed.  For non-Youngstown area residents, you should also be able to listen via iHeartRadio.

A Bit of LLWS History Here at Home

As the time to travel to Williamsport gets closer, the well wishes are continuing to flow in many forms: emails, phone calls, text messages, letters, and cards.  Yesterday, I received a very unique message in a card from my good friend, Chuck Lundquist, a retired Lutheran minister, whom I haven't seen in months.  Chuck not only wished me luck, but provided some sage advice that you would expect from a "person of the cloth".   Chuck further noted that he is a graduate of South Williamsport High School (1946) as well as Lycoming College (1948; when it was then known as Dickinson Junior College), which is also located in Williamsport.  Chuck also included a tidbit of information that I didn't know.  I quote the following from his card:

"I'd be interested in your WS alumni umpire card number.  My dad had card #9.  He worked the original LL field on 3rd St in Williamsport, across from the Bowman field where the Scrappers play." 

[The Scrappers refer to our local professional minor league team that plays the Crosscutters of Williamsport, a minor league team associated with the Philadelphia Phillies.]

Now how interesting is that!  It is indeed a small world.

Dan is Now Blogging! Where's Torben's?

My new umpire buddy,
Dan Campagnolo

Another of the Little League umpires working this year's World Series has caught the blog bug! Dan Campagnolo of Los Gatos, California, started his own blog to help document his journey to Williamsport as well as to communicate with friends and colleagues back home.  His a good story, especially the one in which he discovered his selection.  I would encourage others reading this blog to also check his out as well.  It is located at the following URL: dan-llws-2012.blogspot.com

That now makes three active blogs by three different LLWS umpires: Dan's, 'Cousin' Tony's, and mine.  Folks reading these blogs will surely get various insights into our collective experiences in Williamsport.  However, one of this year's "Blue 16" seems to be a bit of a skeptic regarding blogs.  C'mon Torben!  Jump on in.  The water's fine!

Television/Game Schedule: General Information

For those folks who continue to look for the Little League World Series television schedule, here's a link to the relevant web page. This schedule includes all the televised games at all levels of Little League. Personally, I'm looking forward to the Midwest and Great Lakes championship games in the Central Regional.  I'll be looking for my friend Jay McNeely on one of those two games.

Official 2012 LLWS logo "borrowed"
from the Little League web page  (link)

For specific information regarding the games and teams involved with the Little League Baseball tournament in Williamsport, here's a link to the 2012 schedule and bracket.  This is a PDF file that you can print and mark up as the tourney progresses.  Also, here is a link to the World Series (Baseball) web site as well as a link to Little League's Facebook page.

As I noted previously, none of us umpires yet know what games we will be working nor which particular position we will be assigned.  I suspect we'll know some information by the evening of August 15th, and probably just our assignments for the first few days of the tournament.  The games being on August 16th.  Hence, keep checking this blog for updated information.  Given that the first five days of the tournament have at least four games scheduled, I speculate that most of the sixteen umpires will work at least one game a day and perhaps two on some of those days.  Just thinking of that possibility makes me both excited and a bit anxious.

To prepare for those television close ups, I'm getting my hair cut today at Fritz's Barber Shop in Rochester, PA - my hometown.  I go back once a month to have Allen Fritz cut my hair, then I drop in on the parents to have a free lunch and to catch up on the family gossip.  Allen has cut my hair since I was a young boy and has done an exceptional job, not counting those three or four times he nicked my jugular.  But who's counting?  It's all blood under the bridge.  If I tell him that his work will be on national television maybe I'll get the hair cut for free!  Then again, probably not.

The Excitement is Building

I have been doing my best to keep everything associated with the Little League World Series (LLWS) in perspective, much like I do during the Christmas season.  I tend not to get too excited by impending events, like the Christmas holidays, until three to four days before they arrive.  Well, over the last couple of days the excitement about going to Williamsport next week has grown dramatically.

The excitement was spurred by a number of things.  First, my LLWS pins arrived last Friday.  They are awesome, in my opinion.  The company, PinSource, did a great job.  My son, who designed the pin, was pleased as well - which is hard to do being the perfectionist he is.  Second, again last Friday, I was informed that a local television station wanted to do a "post-LLWS" interview.  I can already hear the question - "What was going through your mind when you blew that call?"  Moreover, I  have a self-critical answer, but I can't print it here in this family-friendly blog.  Third, over the weekend I received a wonderful email from an old friend and umpire colleague, Ken Garrison.  Ken was among the group of outstanding umpires I trained under in District 14, Texas.  In 2005, while I umpiring at the Central Regional tournament, Ken was working the Southwest Regional tournament in Texas.  A couple of years ago, Ken was rewarded for his talented efforts by umpiring in the LLWS.  His email contained his best wishes as well as some wise advice.  With humor and humility, Ken also noted that he made history at the LLWS.  Go ahead, take a guess as to what it is!  Fourth, all my friends at work and elsewhere have been constant sources of encouragement, support, and questions - again, mostly "what games ...." and "when do you go to ....."  Today was no different.  There were tons of questions to answer and well wishes to accept.  Obviously, my friends and co-workers are proud of me.  If I flounder at the LLWS, I wonder if they will be talking to me or shunning me after I return?  Fifth, while I was away this weekend relaxing on a golf mini-vacation with my Dad and Uncle, I missed a phone call from a local radio station wanting to interview me on their live sports show.  Since we did not connect at that time, the radio host suggested via his message that we find a time later this week.  I returned his call today leaving a message noting my availability.  Perhaps that will still happen before I leave for the LLWS.  Then today, the completely unexpected did happen - I received a call from ESPN.  The researcher said he just wanted to check on some background information about me.  He noted that he was in the process of calling all the LLWS umpires to do the same, so I wasn't a special case.  Nonetheless, how often do you get a call from ESPN?  Finally, over the past week there have been countless emails from the other LLWS umpires with whom I will be working in the next few weeks.  We are all sharing thoughts and experiences as well as a good deal of self-effacing humor.  I can't wait to meet these guys.

Collectively, considering all the above, it suddenly hit me today.  There is no fine lettered disclaimer on my LLWS invitation noting that the letter is a cruel joke.  This is the real deal.  I'm going to be an up ire at the LLWS.  In seven days, Karen and I will be driving to Williamsport for me to take part in something I seriously thought would never happen.  Now I am really nervous - yet very excited.

Grandpap's Little Girl - Mia Isabella Cooper (in utero)

However, I think there is something, or actually the arrival of someone, that will be more exciting than the LLWS - hard as that is to believe.  Last night, my son, Chet III, and his lovely bride, Gina, dropped by and delivered a picture of Mia Isabella Cooper, our granddaughter to be, who is due to arrive in early November.  Perhaps I'll start my Christmas shopping immediately after returning from the LLWS. Wonder if Mia is a lefty or righty? Shucks, I better play it safe and get both types of mitts!  And a ball, a bat, a mask, a Pirates cap .....

"Cousin" Tony's Blog

"Cousin" Tony Cooper

I just received an email from Tony Cooper, one of my umpire colleagues who will be sharing the field with me in Williamsport. All of LLWS umpires have been bonding via the Internet, mostly through sharing 'war stories', asking questions, and just good old fashioned ribbing each other. Tony and I believe that we are distant cousins - probably because we are definitely the two most handsome among the umpire group. Judge for yourself.  We both exude those "George Clooney" features.  Obviously, vanity is a shared value between us.

Anyway, for most of the same reasons I began this blog, Tony has developed one also. A darn good one to boot! Great minds do think alike, don't they? Good looks, smarts, same last name - can't be a coincidence. We must be related!

Therefore, I urge all of you skimming this blog to stop by Cousin Tony's as well. It can be found at the following URL:

coopswilliamsportadventure.blogspot.com

Tell him "Aunt Bessie's" boy sent you.

World Series Uniform

Yesterday, I received a package containing my World Series uniform provided by Little League.  A photo of the two different shirts, light blue and black, as well as the black jacket, is shown.  I also received two sets of pants - one for the base and the other for the plate.  Finally, to my surprise, two black undershirts were included.  All of this wonderful stuff was provided by Honigs Whistle Stop.  I typically get most of my umpire equipment, shirts, pants, etc. from this vendor, so I am confident in the quality.  I'm sure that I will cut a handsome figure in these!  Thanks, Little League!

The official 2012  Little League World Series umpire uniform

Never before have I had any of a number on my umpire shirts.  As you can see, my number for the World Series will be 21.  Why 21?  For my favorite baseball player, and arguably the best right fielder of all time - Roberto Clemente,  of course!

Dodged a Bullet, Sort of .....

Last night, I was assigned to work a NABF 18U game at Cene Park.  I arrived to find out that it was the championship game of the tournament and I was given the opportunity to work the plate on a 3-man crew.  The first batter of the game, in the middle of his at bat, asks for time.  I came up to call and signal time out, pointing to the batter.  For some unexplained reason, the batter took a step out of the box and one or two steps back, then proceeded to take a full swing.  The bat struck the right side of my wrist.  I don't remember my exact words - they may or may not have been family friendly.  However, the pain was excruciating.  As I looked down at my wrist, it had already swollen to nearly twice its size.  I was sure it was broken until I realized that I could move my fingers and flex my wrist in every direction.  Nonetheless, after some ice and the profuse apologies by the batter, I decided to carry on for the time being - with my hand obviously well behind my back.  It turns out that the batter was the starting pitcher for the other team.  No wonder the profuse apologies!!!

With the ache now traveling up my entire arm, I made it through the first batter.  The second batter came up and around the third pitch, the catcher called for an outside curve ball.  The pitcher had other ideas and fired a fast ball over the inside part of the plate.  The catcher didn't move as the ball whizzed past him and struck me in the dangling throat guard and then my collar bone area.  The throat guard was ripped off by the force of the pitch as the crowd groaned quite audibly.  Somehow I survive this batter, too.  The third batter, with me now in pain in two places, carelessly uses his back swing to throw a massive gob of dirt into the face of the catcher and me.  After a minute of wiping off my face and clearing my eyes of dirt, my partner on third base loudly asks, for all in the park to hear, if I have my cup on.  The crowd roars with laughter.  I'm still in pain.

Finally, the half inning ends and I call my partners in for a chat.  I tell them I'm fairly concerned about my wrist and both encourage me to get to the hospital.  One of them trots off to change for the plate.  My other partner and I finish out the first inning with no further incidents.  In the locker room, I take off my gear as a fellow ump, who just happened to be watching the game, helped pack my bag and carry it the car.  I call my wife and meet her at the emergency room.  Fortunately, the ER is not too busy and I get in to see a doctor within 10 minutes.  I get an x-ray and wait about an hour before the doctor comes back with the diagnosis.  To my relief, it is just a deep bruise that needs to be wrapped and iced for a few days.  I need to take an anti-inflammatory medicine as well as not move my wrist around a lot for a few days (yep, I am indeed using my hand/wrist to type this missive - so much for being a good patient!).  The doctor also says no umpiring for the rest of the week.  That's ok with me - the summer season ends this coming weekend.  Hence, I'm retired until August 16th, but ever so grateful that I still have the chance to become un-retired.

Hamilton - There and Back

Entering Hamilton, Ohio (photo by Karen Cooper)

As I previously noted, Karen and I traveled last Friday to Hamilton, Ohio so that I could umpire a few games in the state Majors Little League Baseball tournament.  Actually, we drove to Mason, Ohio first and stayed at the Hyatt Place - about 30 minutes away from Hamilton.  Why? Because I had enough Gold Passport points to get a free room for two nights.  I was too cheap to pay for a hotel closer to the fields.  Besides, we like that particular Hyatt Place.  We've stayed there several times while in the Cincinnati area.  The only problem we experienced during this stay was the literal hordes of people in the hotel who acted like barbarians when it came to the free breakfast.  You had only to take one look in the eyes of the Hyatt staff and you could sense their anxious desperation.  They had no control over the multitude of soccer/baseball moms, blow hard dads, and their mutant spawn terrorizing the other "regular" hotel patrons.  My inner thoughts were constantly being jarred by the cacophony of shrill young voices, moms shouting across the lobby, and dads bragging how well Junior did in yesterday's game.  What little food that was left consisted of drippings on the floor, splattered milk, torn remnants of bread, and that strange mixture of yogurt, cereal, and battered fruit laying in a bowl next to the toaster.  Worse of all - NO COFFEE!!!  The thermal containers were completely void of the elixir of life.  Damn animals!!!  Obviously, we were desperate ourselves.  Therefore, we narrowly avoided being trampled or worse and escaped the lobby to have coffee and scones like civilized people at the Starbucks down the street.

On Friday evening, we managed to find our way to Walt's Barbeque on Main Street in Hamilton.  We arrived early to have dinner before that evening's coaches meeting to be held in the restaurant.  I must say we were very pleased.  Literally, within two minutes of ordering, our food was delivered hot and tasty to our table.  I had delicious brisket - nearly as good as I have had back in our adopted hometown of Austin, Texas and its immediately environs.  Overall, an awesome meal and genuinely great service.

We finished our dinner early and headed over to Hobby Lobby for Karen to shop for trinkets.  We soon returned to Walt's and met up with Roger Fox, the District Administrator of Ohio District 9 [Facebook].  Others began to arrive including Shannon Walker, the District Administrator of Ohio District 8, and her husband Steve - himself a most excellent umpire and on his way to the Junior League Baseball World Series this August.  Joining us, too, was Jeff Stokoe - Little League World Series umpire in 2009.  Collectively, we had a wonderful conversation and sharing of information.  Both Jeff and Steve were particularly helpful with advice for my visit to Williamsport.  Unfortunately, I would not have the opportunity to work with these gents since neither would be available for the state games this weekend. Nonetheless, their advice and support were so truly appreciated.  To round out the evening, not only did I meet new folks, but Walt's provided spicy chicken wings to snack on.  Yummm!!!!!  Most definitely, I love Walt's!!!

Entrance to West Side Little League,
Hamilton, Ohio. (photo by Karen Cooper)

Saturday morning, after dodging the breakfast riot and slurping down some Starbucks, Karen and I made our way to West Side Little League in Hamilton.  While watching the opening ceremonies, my old umpire friend, Jay McNeely, came by to welcome me.  I had not known that he was going to be at the tournament.  Jay is on his way to the Central Regional next month.  It was great to see him and renew our friendship.  Jay, Bruce Cline, and Stu Hartenstein, all umpires in Ohio District 8, had joined me several years ago at the Field of Dreams in Boardman, Ohio, to umpire the Junior and Little League Baseball State Tournaments.  They still haven't forgiven me for the 500+ pitch Junior game - and I don't blame them!  Jay, Bruce, and Stu all crashed at our house that week.  To say we had a blast would be a woeful understatement.  And here was Jay, and with me knowing that Stu would be arriving soon, it was beginning to look like another wonderfully awesome weekend of umpiring, telling whoppers, and generally heckling the heck out of one another - you know, typical male bonding behavior.

Eventually, Stu arrived and soon began the razzing.  Stu had the plate in a Central Regional championship a couple of years ago.  He is truly a great umpire, though he does have his idiosyncrasies  that, of course, we all felt obliged to note!  Many, but not all, of the remarks focused on Stu's teenage-like appearance, his predilection for perfection, and his obsession with fashion in men's clothing, particularly shoes.  There were other things noted as well, but this blog is meant to be family-friendly.  I'll save those things for my memoirs.  Naturally, Stu gave as good, if not better, than he received.  I have a few emotional welts from his caustic, yet irreverently funny comments about my chiseled good looks, manhood (or lack thereof), and my svelte build.  And then there were the stories.  Some were about me, some about Jay, some about others, but many more about Stu.  My all time favorite Stu story is when he, serving as "ball boy" in the 2005 Central Regional, came onto the field between innings not only to deliver new balls to me, but also a popsicle.  That's a story for another posting.

Sunday's first game umpires (L-R): Jay, Lee, myself, Dan, Stu,
and Bruce (photo by Karen Cooper) 

Over the weekend,  I met some new umpire friends - Dan, Steve. Lee, Brady, and Tyler.  Tyler is Jeff Stokoe's son.  Bruce Cline joined us on Sunday having just returned from umpiring in the Central Region Senior Baseball Tournament.  Soon, Jay, Dan, and I joined up to umpire two games that day.  On Sunday, Jay, Lee, and I worked the first game, and the second was officiated by Brady, Lee, and myself.  I had a plate on both days, which were as hot and humid as I remember during my umpire days in League City, Texas.  Collectively, we worked very well as a team, and any mistakes we made in mechanics or coverages were only noted by us - and perhaps Roger watching from the score booth.  I don't recall any significant umpire errors being made, save one possible glitch that was readily resolved.  My plate games, at least in my thinking, were relatively solid.  Yes, I missed a couple of pitches, but who doesn't?  Overall, the managers/coaches were well behaved, though a couple of players did become slightly emotional at times - but nothing that was over the top or unexpected.  The parents treated the umpires very well, I thought.  At least, I didn't pick up on any surly remarks.  My spy in the stands, Karen, reported mostly gracious comments and only the occasional "ooh" or "ahh".  The only pointed remarks I heard occurred while I was holding down first base in my last game.  It seems that some of the dads standing along the fence in a miserable one-side game were loudly voicing their dissatisfaction with the manager's capabilities.  If I heard it, I know the manager and coaches did too - which was the point, obviously.  My only regret - I didn't get to work with Stu or Bruce.

Though my time there was brief, I thoroughly enjoyed myself.  Roger Fox and his folks in Hamilton did an outstanding job.  They took excellent care of Karen and me.  Their generosity and hospitality were genuine and limitless.  Of particular note was Saturday night's tournament dinner.  (The main meal was donated by Walt's with homemade desserts from the Hamilton parents.  I'll say it again - I love Walt's Barbeque!)  On the long drive home Sunday night, Karen and I constantly remarked to one another what a truly wonderful time we had in Hamilton.  We were able to fully relax, forget about our responsibilities at home, and enjoy each other's company - something that is far too uncommon these days.  Too bad I had to return to work on Monday morning.  Even better, upon turning into our driveway at home, the garbage had already been placed at the curb for Monday morning's pick-up.  Wow!  Our daughter took out the garbage!  (She said she really missed us, but being Dad, I suspect a yet to-be-revealed hidden agenda!).  

To date, that weekend in Hamilton was the best I had all summer.  If this was the state tournament, I can't imagine the fun that awaits in Williamsport.  Again, hat's off to Roger Fox and the Hamilton folks, and to my good buddies in blue - Stu, Jay, Bruce, Dan, Lee, Tyler, Jeff, Steve, and Brady.

World Series Pin

Late yesterday afternoon, I was able to finalize the details of my World Series pin.  This is the first public viewing of the design, albeit without the original artist's approval.  That artist is my son, Chet III.  He has an eye for details and possesses artistic talent that eludes everyone else in the family. With just some general ideas from me, he came up with this marvelous pin design.  I could not be more pleased.  I think Chet did an incredibly awesome job.  Of course, the company from which I ordered the pins, PinSource, touched up some of the art a tad bit - under Chet's keen instructions and constructive criticism.  He wanted some other changes, but if we kept going back and forth I feared not getting the final product before my travels to Williamsport.  However, the company assured me of a three week delivery deadline.  We'll see .....

Hamilton or Bust

Tomorrow, I'll be on my way to work a few games at the state Majors Little
League Baseball tournament being held in Hamilton, Ohio (District 9). I
tried to form a District 2 four-person crew, but none of my regulars could
make the trip. However, I hope to get to work with Stu Hartenstein. He's
truly a fine young man, a most outstanding umpire, and a very wonderful
person. Wonder if my daughter would be interested? Hmmmm......

Also along for a mini-vacation of sorts is my darling spouse, Karen. We're
looking forward to sleeping in an air-conditioned room for a couple of
nights. Our home doesn't have any and the heat wave of the last two weeks
has been nearly insufferable. Next week, it will be 31 years of marital
bliss with this awesome woman. Anymore, I can't remember a day without her,
but I'm sure there are a few involving me that she'd like to forget!

Something's Happening Here .....

Over the past two weeks, news of my impending stint at the Little League World Series (LLWS) is spreading rapidly and rampantly.  Much of this is due to "word of mouth" by family, friends, work colleagues, and fellow umpires. Moreover, a big part of the "hoopla" can be attributed to Gary Williams, the District Administrator for Ohio District 2 Little League.  He has been my major supporter in this journey.  Somehow he has this idea that he is also my agent and in for a 25% cut of the profits!  He doesn't seem to understand that "volunteer umpire" involves no exchange of funds whatsoever.

Then there is my loving wife, Karen.  She has been my very best friend throughout all of this and understandably proud.  I sure hope she is enjoying the journey as well.  She certainly seems to be.  We're looking forward to our Williamsport trip and spending some time together after a long, busy summer.  However, Karen's Facebook postings are embarrassing!  Lately, she's posted a gazillion pictures of me, mainly while I am umpiring.  This is another way word is spreading given that Karen seemingly knows everyone in the Western Hemisphere, .... well, at least in the greater Youngstown area.

"Behind the scene" of the WFMJ interview by
Jennifer Baligush and her photographer, Paul.

In April of this year, Gary somehow managed to get a local TV station, WKBN, to interview me prior to a high school game.  There's a link to that story below.  Last week, Gary again managed to another local TV station (WFMJ), as well as the local newspaper, the Vindicator, to interview me prior to the 12 year-old district championship game that I was umpiring.  The latter two stories have yet to appear, but I am told they will soon.  I will post links to these stories as they become available.  Moreover, the folks in the athletic department at Youngstown State University (YSU) put out an announcement on their web page this morning.  A link to that story is also provided below.  I really do appreciate Gary's efforts in "spreading the word" as well as the enthusiasm of the YSU athletic department.  [Why would the YSU sports folks take notice, you ask?  For those of you that don't know, I serve as YSU's Faculty Athletics Representative to the NCAA.  Besides, it's the offseason - they need a story, obviously, any story!]

Then, yesterday, while umpiring the dish in a Connie Mack tournament game, unknown to me the coach of the Ohio Yankees (a team from outside the Youngstown area) told his team that I was on my way to the LLWS.  The subject had come up in our pre-game meeting.  Yet, I was surprised, and humbled, that each of his players offered me their congratulations as they came to bat.  I was touched by this gesture - but not enough to alter the strike zone!!!

The attention I am getting for being selected to LLWS umpire crew is something I'm not use to having showered upon me.  Keeping this all in perspective is a challenge.  I keep reminding myself that baseball is just a game and the real stars of Little League baseball are the kids.  The parents, coaches, and especially the umpires, are to stay clear of drawing attention to themselves as much as possible.  In this regard, my mind keeps wandering back to when I was young.  My parents had friends who thought every little thing that they accomplished, acquired, or experienced was "better than sliced bread."  Their entire self-esteem was wrapped up in making their lives worthy of excessive glory and gloating.  Of course, a bit of self-esteem is necessary not only in everyone's daily life, but without it an umpire would be subject to being eviscerated by coaches and players.  The trick is to be confident, not arrogant.  Hence, ever since realizing that my parent's friends represented the epitome of egregious self importance, I vowed never to be that way.  I do my best everyday to accept success humbly and to lose graciously.  I intend to keep this pledge, particularly with the whirlwind of well wishes and interviews all about me.  I leave it to others to judge how well I am keeping this vow.  For now, I need to keep remembering that no matter how much attention that is thrown my way, I will still have to pay $2.10 to get a large cup of coffee at Starbucks.  Fame is indeed fleeting; infamy is forever.

Gary, my "agent",  just texted me.  He says more interviews are on the way.   Sigh ............

In the Beginning ........

I clearly remember how my first game as an umpire became reality.  It was a warm, dry day in League City, Texas.  My wife and I were sitting in the stands at the baseball field located on the grounds of the local elementary school.  It was a bit of a rough field consisting of a  dusty, worn grass infield, rusting outfield chain-linked fence, bare patches both in the outfield and coaching boxes, and the dry, splintering, gray-painted wood bleachers along the first base side.  Ah, those bleachers!  I can still recall feeling the pinch of splinters through my shorts as my thoughts turned to imagining the hellacious infections that might eventually reside in my derriere.

It was in the bleachers that I decided to escape to the diamond.  The reason wasn't my splinter-traumatized buttocks.  Rather, it was the constant cacophony from other parents sitting near my wife and I.  To me, the chatter itself mind numbing.  The topics of conversation typically consisted of self-serving agendas, malicious gossip, or generally senseless utterances.  For instance, I didn't want to answer hypothetical questions from the burly macho dad on how the coach should move his players around, with the gist of the matter being that his son ought to be the team's shortstop.  I didn't want to weigh in on local politics (especially knowing my generally liberal views would not sit well among a crowd that favored carrying rifles on gun racks in their "pick-em-up trucks" while legally driving with open containers of Lone Star beer).  I could care less about the upcoming debutante ball of the third baseman's older sister and that her strapless, chiffon gown cost $750, but her Gucci shoes were a bargain at $175.  I was wholly uninterested in the fact that the concession stand receipts didn't match the money in the cash box.  I thought the dollar hot dogs sucked anyway.  And I certainly didn't want to know which team mom was holding extra practice sessions with the Minor league all-star coach.  Now, I do admit being mildly interested in knowing which middle school teacher wore inappropriately low buttoned blouses and excessively short skirts.  After all, as a father, it was my responsibility to ensure that my son's vivid imagination didn't run rampant.  In short, however, being surrounded by stereo babbling was driving me crazy.  All I really wanted to do was watch a baseball game in relative peaceful silence - a game involving my son.

Of course, like many local leagues, there was a single umpire assigned to my son's game to work the plate.  The opposing coaches had to recruit someone from the stands to work the field.  The timing this day could not have been more perfect.  Just as I was about to utter the word "moron" in response to being asked what I thought of the new governor of Texas (hint: his daddy liked people to read his lips), the coach of my son's team approached the bleachers loudly requesting "We need an umpire from the stands.  Any volunteers?"  It took all of a millisecond for my hand to go up and several more before my splinter-spiked tush elevated from my bleacher seat.  In less than a minute, I was standing next to the "real" umpire getting basic instructions.  I was soon positioned behind first base as the game began.  It didn't take long for me to realize not only was this a great place to get away from the Bleacher of Babel, but being on the field was THE best seat in the house.  It's that last part that stuck with me all these years.  That, and the fun I experienced being an integral part of that first game - a sense of ultimate enjoyment that continues to this day.

I don't remember much, if anything, about the calls I made during my first foray into umpiring.  I know that I looked like the typical "dad on the field" umpire.  We umpires have seen many of them over the years.  They're clearly recognizable.  Like them, I'm sure I looked awful with regard to positioning in that first game.  Certainly, I must have used my thumb to signal out and I likely signaled safe by stooping so low as to almost sweep the ground with my flaying arms.  Yet, that day, a very good thing did happen to this "umpire dad" - I was bitten by the umpire bug.  For the last 17 years, the bug has raged like a fever spreading throughout me.  The bug transformed me into a competent official as well as a better person.  Well, ..... at least the latter, ... I think so, .... better ask my wife.  Nonetheless, little did I or anyone else realize that the short journey from the bleachers to the field that day in the Spring of 1995 would be the beginning of a grand odyssey - one that would be greatly impacted by countless people and experiences both on and off the ball field.

Why this blog?

I've been pondering for some time how to communicate with the numerous folks who have approached me with countless questions and tremendous well wishes - all because they heard that I am soon to be umpiring in the 2012 version of the Little League World Series.  They have been enthusiastic in their support, even those who don't know me well.  The compliments and encouragement I have received have been all positive - except for the one curmudgeonly individual at my church who repeatedly makes it a point to tell me that I'm too fat to umpire baseball!  This status of being a so-called umpire 'rock star' (mockingly anointed as such by my fellow officials) actually is very humbling, especially when the young players look at you and ask "Are you really a World Series umpire?"  For example, after last night's Ohio District 2 Majors championship game, which I umpired behind the plate, I was about to enter the dressing room when a pair of starry-eyed young boys sheepishly approached me to ask if the 'World Series umpire' had a game ball to give them.  How could I say no?  I just happened to have two left in my ball bag which they joyously received, then ran off shouting with glee.  Seriously, isn't that what Little League is all about?  Humbling, ... truly humbling.

Norman Rockwell's classic
painting: "Three Umpires"

Among the various interactions I have had with folks recently, they typically ask me a common series of questions - "How many games will you umpire?", "Do you know which games you'll umpire?", "How did you get selected for the World Series?"  My answers have been standard for all three - I have absolutely no clue, particularly regarding the latter question.  And I guess that's one of the reasons for this blog: to answer these questions, and others, for all my supporters (and detractors, particularly the church curmudgeon).  More so, I hope sharing my odyssey to Williamsport will not only provide answers to the numerous questions that folks raise, but also help promote the ideals symbolized by America's pastime.  Given the current cultural and political climate in our country, we need baseball more than ever to remind us that while competition is generally a good thing, sportsmanship (i.e., civility, tolerance, compromise, and compassion) is a vital hallmark of our society.  Finally, I want to record my experiences while I still remember them, particularly the details of my umpiring journey from the dusty ball fields in League City, Texas to the mecca of all of youth baseball, the Lamade and Volunteer stadia in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.  I have come to realize that as I get older, my memory rivals that of the old Commodore 64 computer!  And like that old classic, there are probably no memory upgrades for my eroding mental faculties.  Hence, I gotta get busy putting stuff down in writing.  But, as the title of this blog suggests, I believe there is more than just memories to record and questions to answer.  I would like to continue this discussion beyond my two weeks at Williamsport this coming August.  I'm sure my odyssey won't end once I step off the ball fields of Lamade and Volunteer.  I truly hope there will be many years more to enjoy the umpire experience, make memories, provide answers, share advice, and positively impact a new generation.  I hope you'll come along for the journey.  In fact, there's a seat for you on the "Williamsport and Beyond Express" - right beside the church curmudgeon.  I hope you are skinny!

Yes, I will admit, this blog is a bit of an "ego thing" as well.  I'm sure, however, that my friends, colleagues, fellow umpires, the church curmudgeon, my family, and especially my long-suffering, umpire-widowed wife will use every tool at their disposal to keep me as humble as possible.  And if all else fails to do so, someone should break out the secret weapon - send along a couple of wide-eyed, giggling young ball players to chat with me.  Assuredly, they will not only deflate my ego, but moreover melt my heart.

Please, stay tuned................