Up at 6:00 am to do laundry. Shout out to Candlewood Suites for the free laundry facilities. You just need to buy the soap.
Forgot to mention yesterday dinner was provided by the snack shack. The carne asada soft tacos are definitely worth a try. Or two.
The post game debrief this morning took 1 1/2 hours. Lots to work on.
We arrived at the field 2 hours early, as prescribed by the UIC, and went over our game plan for the evening. Then the rains came, and were were on hold until our scheduled 5:00 starting time. Thanks to the quickly moving storm, we started on time. I had the plate for Arizona vs Washington, and the game was rather uneventful. Arizona bested Washington 14-3 in six innings.
The second game was the marquee game of the evening, pitting the Nogales host team against Hawaii. I had third base in the rotation for this one.
The 7:30 game was preceded by a spectacular Star Spangled Banner flanked by one heck of a distant lightning show. Now I know how Francis Scott Key felt when he wrote the Anthem.
Hawaii got off to quick start ending the first up 1-0. Then the call came to clear the field as lightning had struck within the minimum 10 mile radius. Back to the umpire room to wait out the alert.
We resumed at 9:00 and Hawaii continued to slowly accumulate runs over the the course of the game. These kids are fast, and traveling all that way, came prepared to win. Offensively and Defensively, this team is crisp and very well disciplined.
I had been practicing a punchout a good part of the day (one of our homework assignments by Steve). And finally I had my opportunity to unleash my new mechanic when the Nogales catcher overthrew 2nd on a steal attempt, and the runner turned and headed towards me at third. I slid into position, waited for the ball, runner, and fielder to come together, observed the play, and 'whacked' the kid out. We live for these types of plays! And right after I did, the 2nd base umpire declares "TIME! That's obstruction. Runner is safe!" as the shortstop had obstructed the runner on his way to third. The nerve of some people! Good call, Allen. I know I nailed it, if only for a moment.
Hawaii eventually won 8-4.
Tomorrow I've got the 5:00 game at 2nd base with Nevada vs Arizona, and the 7:30 game at first with Northern Cal vs Alaska (Norcal lost to Socal 5-4 today on the other field).