We're in the Semifinals.
5:30 laundry (surprised?) followed by breakfast. We're heading to the field around 8:30 for our 10:00 and 12:30 six man games. Won't get the crew assignments until 9:00.
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I got the first base assignment for the10:00 game, Hawaii vs Arizona. These Hawaiian kids are a pleasure to watch, as they easily dispatched Arizona 11-1 in 5 innings. With a 6 man crew, and no rotations, I didn't have much excitement at first base, though I had a snap throw from the catcher to almost catch the runner at first, and I really got a chance to step into the safe mechanic. Good fun.
For the second game, SoCal vs Nogales, the inside and outside umpires from the first game were flipped so I got to do the right field line for 4 innings of the game. It's my first time on the outfield lines and turns out to be a pretty good location from which to watch the game. As expected, SoCal was able to control Nogales and came out on top 8-0.
Tomorrow, it's an all Arizona consolation game (Arizona vs Nogales) at 2:30 pm and Hawaii vs SoCal at 5:00 pm. Most of us saw this coming several days ago.
Every umpire's dream is the plate assignment for the Championship game. And tomorrow that dream comes true for Will Rasannen from Washington district 4. Will was the odds-on favorite in my crew this week. This is a well deserved assignment for Will. Congratulations.
But my plate work isn't done yet. I was lucky enough to get selected for the consolation plate played before the championship game, and I'm really looking forward to these two Arizona based teams playing for home state bragging rights. That also means I'll get an outfield line position for the championship game. Whatever I can do to help out, Will.
I also understand our good friend Mark Teagle from district got the plate for the Junior league softball championship this past week. Way to represent, Mark!
