Started off the day with 6:00 laundry, followed by some review work and breakfast at 8:00.
The post game debrief went about two hours. We're meeting Steve over at the complex around 2:00 to do some on field situations and footwork. This has been a great (and humbling) learning experience.
Weather forecast for today is 89 degrees at 5:00 game time with 30% humidity, 35% chance of rain.
Steve Christman took us out to the field at 2:00 to work on some advanced mechanics. Pictures are included below.
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The first game got off without a hitch. Arizona took and early commanding lead scoring 19 runs before the game was suspended in the second inning for lightning. With Nevada's 3 runs tallied, this game looks to be a landslide. The lightning suspension was followed heavy rains and the games were officially suspended around 7:30. We're scheduled to pick up tomorrow at 10:00 am and play the one continuation game and the second scheduled game in the morning/noon time, and get back on track with the regularly scheduled games at 5:00 pm.
The currency amongst umpires here in Nogalas is Beer. One buys into this system by committing, let's say, transgressions during a game. The plate umpire flinching at balls thrown or fouled towards his head -- that'll cost him a pitcher of beer. Stadium calls(obvious foul balls that end up in the stands, or calling a runner safe when no play is being made) will cost another. And so on. I've been fortunate to date (knock on wood) to be spared buy in to this system. But with four games tomorrow, and one behind the plate, it's an even money bet I'll be laying down the greenbacks tomorrow night. Fortunately, the local watering hole is right next to the hotel. Safety first.
The comradery here is something special. The advanced mechanics Steve is teaching us are literally game changing. The support from fellow blue on missed rotations and breakdowns in plays is amazing. We are truly working as one team, with one goal in mind: making the right call. The D12 umpires back home will be blown away with the 4 man U2 mechanic I'm bringing home -- they won't believe it until they've tried it.
