Hello, Mr. Replay!

If you read my previous post, I believe this is what the literary types call "foreboding."

Yesterday morning was the first chance I had had to actually be in the stadium area.  Wow.  First of all, I had to go through security - - and I don't mean just show my official credential to the nice volunteer at the gate.  I mean going through a full-blown metal detector!  Oh, yeah, while carrying an umpire's uniform that I thought strongly implied I'm one of the good guys.

Like I said, Little League takes the safety of the kids very, very seriously.

There are two adjacent stadiums, Lamade and Volunteer, and the area between them serves as a giant community concourse.  It's like being at a super-charged, sports-themed carnival.  Every sort of food you can imagine.  Cotton Candy, Funnel Cake, Roast Beef Sandwiches, Hot Dogs, Pretzels, Smoothies. 

Souveniers aplenty -- there's even a designated area for pin trading, and there are some rabid collectors.  I've even picked up a fan who is there to greet me when I come off the field.  And by "fan," I mean "stalker."  If anything happens to me, please look for Barry.

ESPN has set up the stage for the broadcast of Sports Center, so everyone gathers there when the show goes live.  It's especially exciting at night when everything is lit up and the kids are all hamming it up for the camera.

But, back to the game . . .

The stadium was full of fans, and given it was Panama and Puerto Rico, there was great Latin  enthusiasm!!  Can you say, "Loud?"  As mentioned in my earlier post, those butterflies were a real concern.  The atmosphere was so electric, I could feel the adrenaline coursing through every cell in my body.  I had to jump up and down a few times like a pogo stick, just to calm down.  Ok, more than a few times.  And it only worked a little bit. 

Plus, I couldn't stop grinning.  I am having so much fun, it's just an explosion of sensory experiences I can't describe.  I really hope I'm not being picked up by the cameras, because as officials, there's a certain dignity expected, and yet  I look like I have a coat hanger stuck in my mouth.

I took my place at first base and waited.  Here came the runner, here came the throw.  He's out!  Not a tough one.  Whew!  That's all I needed, I felt like a door opened and my 17 years of experience had kicked in.

And then - -  I am not making this up - - a butterfly flitted in front of me, from the field into the stands, and I laughed out loud.  You have to love the symbolism.  The butterfly was free.  And now, so was I.

The Panama team got an early lead.  I had a pretty close play at first and a ruling on a checked swing.  The crowd signaled its agreement or disagreement, depending on their designated seating area.

Language can be an issue.  Each team has translators in the dugout, but the base coaches do not necessarily speak English.  This can become a problem if the plate umpire is trying to give them a warning or remind them of their use of a time-out.

Then came the play all of the umpires had talked about, the moment we dreaded:  the video review.  Bases loaded and the ball was hit to the infield.  He went home to get the runner, then the catcher fired to first for the double-play attempt.  I anticipated the throw, had begun hustling into position, and was ready.  SAFE!

Hmmm.  Or maybe not.  We typically watch the runner's foot, listen for the pop of the ball in the glove, then look to the hand to make sure the fielder has control.  It was a very close play, and with this kind of stadium noise, it's very difficult to hear anything.  I knew immediately this would be a review play, and it was.

As it turned out, I was incorrect and the correct ruling was made.  Ouch.  Thank goodness the Little League officials had spent a great deal of time with us, explaining the replay was our friend.  Still, being on the first game, having the first call that was reviewed, and of course, being the only female officiating at the Little League World Series . . . it made it tough. 

The Panama coaches were very sweet and kept apologizing to me for questioning my call.  The translator explained to them that I didn't take it personally and in the end, we really want it to be the right call. 

None of us wants to be the reason a team missed their chance at the championship, so I'm ok with that.