Friday, August 16, 2013

Is This Heaven?

There's not a lot I can say.

I kept thinking this was going to be my big game.  My moment.  The dream of a lifetime.  In other words, all about meeeeee.

Au contraire.  The day belonged to someone else.  I was completely upstaged by a 13-year-old kid.  Ok, he's 6'4" and 168 lbs., but still a kid.

But back to me.

I stood on the top step of the dugout, smiling as I looked around the stadium and just took it all in.  Not the butterflies I was expecting, frankly.  Just excited!

Suddenly . . . and seemingly out of nowhere . . . I was overcome by emotion.  My eyes filled with tears.  I fought to keep them from spilling over and running down my face on national television.

Geez.  Such a girl.

Thankfully, I pulled it all together, walked out and waved to the 14,000 fans (weren't they there to see me?), gave Dugout the required high-five, and we were off to the races!  But if you're reading this post, expecting a play-by-play, you're going to be disappointed.  It's a blur.

Focus, Cynthia, focus.  I was trying to keep a few points in my head. 

Timing is so important for umpires.  With all that adreneline rushing through my system, I could have tased somebody with my index finger.  The danger with timing that is too fast is that you'll make a call before your mind has a chance to reflect on what you actually saw. You don't want to anticipate what the pitch is going to do or where it's going to land.  Wait for it, wait for it, wait for it.  Then call what you saw.

The Little League strike zone is more generous than the major leagues. We want the kids to swing the bat.  I try to be agressive in the slot so I can see when the pitch hits the corner.  It's my favorite pitch (thanks to many years watching Tom Glavine and Greg Maddux do their magic), and I firmly believe if the pitcher nails that spot, he should be aptly rewarded.  

Follow the ball with my eyes, all the way into the mitt. Wide stance.  Balance.  Oh, yeah, trying to maintain that balance was fun.  The grounds crew does an incredible job.  Wasn't the field beautiful?  But that brick dust at home plate is tricky.  A couple of times I felt my feet sliding in opposite directions and was afraid I was going to do a split.

This is significant because I can't do a split.

I've never been on a field with such talent, and I didn't want either team to lose. Both pitchers were superb, and holy cow, they could bring it.  What fun.

They were painting the corners.  Toying with each batter.  And often - - just for fun - - a fast ball that seemed to hit the mitt yesterday.

And while the collective world will be talking about Grant Holman today (as well it should), I'm here to tell you Chad Lorkowski is no slouch, my friends.  Perhaps you've only seen the headlines about the no-hitter. 

Well, please note Chad Lorkowski threw a ONE-hitter.

We (the batter and I) never knew what was coming . . . or where it was coming from.  Just as we started getting our rhythm down, here came that submarine thing out of nowhere.  His fast ball was - - what's the word I'm look for? - - frightening.

Did you see the play by California's second baseman, Micha Pietila-Wiggs?  The kid who looks like a member of the Pop Group Hanson?  When that WebGem unfolded, I said "Wow."  Out loud.  For the record, umpires are not supposed to say "Wow."

Let me mention the unsung heroes of the game, Patrick Archer (California) and Ryan Duffy (Michigan).  Both of these kids caught a great game, keeping their talented-but-still-young pitchers focused and savagely on point.

In the end, I was so fortunate to have had the best seat in the house for what is likely going to be the best game of the series.

So, I have to ask.  Is this heaven?

6 comments:

  1. Great game by both teams and the Umpire Crew!

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  2. Not only was the game the best of the series but you had the best plate of the series thus far. Great job in a huge pressure situation.

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  3. Maybe I'm in the minority on this but I've got no problem with a "Wow" after a play like that, especially under those circumstances. Excellent job behind the plate.

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  4. I'm with Eric, there are just times when a "Wow" slips out. If that was your only one, kudos to you!

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  5. Absolutely fantastic reading your account of this experience. I understand the overwhelming emotional feelings that hit. In a big time arena you showed up big time and invisible like a good umpire should. Great job calling the game and blogging the experience. Thanks.

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