Who forgets to set their alarm for a day like this? Fortunately, my body clock kicked in and I woke up at 4:40 am, technically "oversleeping" a mere 40 minutes. Kinda sick, don't you think?
So, here we go. My biggest enemy will be butterflies. In my opinion, 1st base is the most difficult position - - it's where most of the action occurs and for the umpire, there's no place to hide. Everything you do (or don't do) is there for the whole world to see. And today, the whole world is watching.
Butterflies make you react too quickly. You're apt to make a call based on what you THINK is going to happen, versus what actually happened. Former MLB umpire Jim Evans always says, "Anticipate the play, but not the result."
That's why we umpires always say PAUSE - READ - REACT.
Our crew will have big adjustments to make today. These are truly the best-of-the-best. Talented athletes, some the size of adults, playing on a small, 60-foot field. During their regular seasons, they were all pitchers and shortstops, the cream of the crop. They will get to balls and make plays we umpires were not expecting. The right fielder will come up throwing to get the batter-runner out at first. They will be lightning on the basepath. EVERY play will be a banger.
In short, we'll need to be alert, focused, and ready for anything. And I must remember, the replay is not the enemy. It's the 7th member of my crew.
My hope is that we have a good game whose outcome is determined by good play (and not errors), that none of the kids gets hurt, and that everyone enjoys this remarkable experience.
Oh, yeah. And that those little butterflies stay home.
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