My second plate was the Consolation Game between a very talented Great Lakes team and the kids from the Czech Republic. Who knew I'd have the best seat in the house for another historic game at the Little League World Series?
As I've mentioned before, the LLWS is truly a WORLD Series. Teams are grouped into regions and work through the double-elimination tournament toward the Saturday Semi-Finals - - also known as the U.S. and International Championships. Then these top two teams play for the Little League Championship on Sunday.
I began the day with great anticipation. Still excited about my plate assignment, but not as nervous as I was for my first one.
Australia and the Czech Republic were making their first appearances at the LLWS this year, and I'd already had the chance to be on the field with the Aussies. Now, I'd see the Czechs in their final game of 2013 as well as a second look at what was a very fine Great Lakes team.
An early morning text from back home helped me hone in on my focus. Mike Galiano (LLWS 2009) has been helping whip me into shape during the spring season at Southside Little League. And I've got lots of those whip marks. He reminded me "Wide stance and aggressive in the slot."
These directions - - for those who are not umpires - - reminded me to get into the best position to see the whole plate and to be able to watch the ball all the way into the glove. As simple as it sounds, it takes complete focus amid a boatload of distractions.
At the plate, you are the one who accesses whether the ball (or any PART of the ball) passed through the strike zone (or any PART of the strike zone). Was it high? Was it too low? Did it catch the outside corner at the knees, also known as the Money Pitch?
But there's so much more.
You decide if the catcher interfered with the batter's swing . . . or if the batter interfered with the catcher's throw. You make the determination if the batter checked his swing in time, although we frequently ask our partner for help, even if only as a courtesy to the batter. Did the catcher drop the 3rd strike? It's easy to get blocked out since you are set up behind the catcher. Is the pitcher delivering legal pitches? Is he quick pitching?
Did a pitched ball get caught in the catcher's or umpire's equipment? I've never had that happen in 17 years. Until yesterday. BOTH things. With no runners on base, it didn't matter, but it certainly made things even more interesting.
That's just what you're doing when the pitch is thrown.
You also have responsibility for fair/foul decisions on anything up to, but not including, 1st or 3rd bases. You make the call on pop-ups and line drives to the infield. You access when the ball is trapped under the pad behind home plate and award bases according to the rulebook. Or if a player trying to make a catch traps the ball up against the fence or pad. On a hit ball in front of the plate, did the batter-runner stay in the running lane on the way to first or did he interfere with the catcher's throw? Did the 1st baseman pull his foot? Did the batter-runner get tagged before he reached 1st? Did he get obstructed on the way?
And, of course, you make the call on any plays at home.
See? That's why focus is so important. Thanks, Mike!
I felt much more comfortable and balanced in this game than I did in my earlier plate. I'm sure the adrenaline was a factor in the no-hitter. My fellow umpires have all said they felt more relaxed in their second plate game.
Both teams played well and without any real controversy. One of my calls (more accurately, one of my no-calls) was reviewed but upheld.
I called a high strike that didn't sit well with the Czech coach. In my judgment, as we umpires like to say, the bottom of the ball caught the top of the zone. Sound picky? Yes, indeed. It's not a game of inches, it's a game of quarter inches. Besides, the batter was exaggerating his crouch, and I wasn't falling for that.
Which brings me to "the microphone."
Ray, the ESPN sound tech,
"mics me up" before the game.
We worry about the Video Review, but secondly, we worry about the microphone. Lord, please don't let me blurt out anything offensive, inappropriate, or incriminating.
ESPN is great -- they don't use the audio for anything other than information, and everything is delayed and used with a great deal of professional discretion. For example, if there's something confusing going on after a play, they might listen in so their announcers can have insight to share with the TV audience. Nothing for us umpires to fear, really.
But as the Czech coach motioned to me, I was mindful that whatever was about to transpire might eventually be heard by folks around the world and the guys up there in the Space Station. And even though we have plenty of translators here for each team, let me tell you he spoke English just fine.
And he thought the pitch was high.
Even if he didn't speak English, I think the gestures he made, moving his hand back and forth across his chest, were understood internationally.
Arguing balls and strikes? Oh, that's a no-no. And I politely reminded him of such, hopefully with dignity, grace, and my best good ole southern smile.
Bless his heart.
As I've said before, at this level of Little League, there is great disparity in the size of the players. Some haven't had their first growth spurt yet. One of my favorite players to watch has been #1 for Chinese Tai-Pei,Teng-Yu Wang. He is only 4'5" and 70 lbs., but when he is on the field, he has the look of a bulldog. He is disciplined and his mind is totally on the game. You'll hear more about that in a post I do later.
And while some players haven't had their first growth spurt, some seem to have had more than their share. Look at this great shot of Great Lakes star Chad Lorkowski at the plate and compare his size to the catcher and umpire (me). It almost looks as if he has been digitally inserted into the picture.
The pitcher was overcome with emotion, and we umpires could see him shaking. He took his place on the mound, brought his hands together, paused . . . then stepped back and left the mound. He walked in a little circle, then stepped back up and brought his hands together to make the pitch. His arms were still shaking.
Once more, same drill. Stepped off, walked in little circle, back to the mound. Still shaking.
At that point, I noticed what I thought looked like - - and may possibly have been, I'm almost SURE of it -- some sort of dirt on the plate. TIME!!
Slowly, I walked over with my plate brush and gave that sucker a good cleaning. It was a plate you could have eaten off of, as they say.
He pulled himself together and let it fly. BALL! Darn.
Next pitch was the one. It was over, and the stands went crazy. The Czech team had made history. Our crew walked off the field together, and there were no dry eyes among us.
Truly a Little League World Series moment. International Love.
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