Troy's Blog

       Welcome to my 2009 Little League Blog. I was chosen by the Little League East Region, to work the 2009 Regionals (majors) in Bristol. There were 2 tournaments in one in Bristol - the Northeast Region and the Mid-Atlantic Region. 12 Umpires were chosen to work this tournament, I was the only one from Maine.

   Check out my blog that started in the league playoffs and went until the end of my Bristol trip. I posted some game results, of games I worked, through the Districts, the States and the regionals. I  also be added some photos as I went. 

    Check out my photo section as well as this link to the regional web site for many more photos of the events there.

Well it is finally the Mid-Atlantic Final day. I went to the ball park around noon. A bunch of our crew was there to hang out.

While we were sitting at the picnic table, one of the kids who was going to play in the challenger game game came to us to ask if we were really umpires. We said yes, and he seemed in awe. I was getting up to go get him a pin, when I heard him say "we have never had real umpires do our game before". I saw Doc on my way to get the pins, and asked him if we could 'work the game' for the kids. Hal S and I dressed in our own district uniforms and took the field. This was one of the most rewarding things I have ever experienced. We were on the field with these kids and we were experiencing their 'World Series'. We had a great time. We spent 2 hours in the hot sun and smiled the entire time.

The final game was played that night at 8. New York and New Jersey faced off. I worked second base and stayed real busy. Jim H called a great game at the plate. New York came out on top and are heading to Williamsport. Good luck to them, they are a good team and should hold their own.

I leave for home tomorrow.

   Well, let's see. Thursday and Friday were Semi-Final games. Our crews were put back into the New England and Mid-Atlantic crews (there are 6 umpires from each). Needless to say we were going to do the Mid-Atlantic games.

   Thursday our game was New York and Delaware. I had the plate for the game and of course it was another hot day. We played at 2:00. The game went well and New York's lefty had a no-hitter going into the 6th. He was on top of his game and his curve ball was keeping Delaware on their heels. New York came out on top, and will play Monday for the championship - they are going to be very tough to beat.

   Friday our game was at 2:00 and the semi-final had New Jersey and Pennsylvania going at it. I worked left field during the game. The game was low scoring with most of the scoring coming from the long ball (It was this way all week). New Jersey came out on top of the game and will face New York on Monday night at 8.

   During this game I was put to work by DUGOUT and ended up doing jumping jacks, push-ups and even 1-handed push-ups in left field. I did manage to keep up, but glad we only did a few. I will have photos in my album soon.

I have Saturday off and I watched the New England Championship. Great game - Massachusetts won the game with a walk-off grand slam to win the title.

Well today is a day of rest. Some of the umpires went home after their game last night, but a few of the Mid-Atlantic guys are staying through to 'cheer for the blue' tomorrow night when we take the field.

Today I went into town and met up with Ron Leary and we went down to the ball park for a wedding. That's right, a wedding! The official scorer here (he also is a scorer at the WS), is from Williamsport PA. His name is Scott Grover and he married his fiance Tammy at home plate on Breen Field. It was cool to see. Doc Lantiere was the wedding planner, the head of the concession stand (also a justice of the piece) performed the ceremony, the best man was Paul (head photographer) and the 'Maid' of Honor was DUGOUT. It was very cool. After the 10 minute 'service' we all threw sunflower seeds instead of rice.

Tonight we are headed to a local place for the Volunteer Appreciation Dinner. Scott and Tammy will also be having their 'reception' there.

Tomorrow (Monday) I will be heading to the field around noon or so. There is to be a challenger game at 3 on the field. I have never seen one of these and I am looking forward to it. I will have my camera, and pins for the kids in hand. At 8:00 the kids from New York and New Jersey will take the field to play the Mid-Atlantic Championship. I will be working 2nd base with our original crew. I can't say enough good things about the guys I worked with all week. They are all good umpires and great guys.

Sorry no updates lately, but things have been real hectic and I don't get back to the hotel until 10 or later each night. I am usually at the complex by 9 or so in the morning - then the 4 games.

An update on Jake M - he was in the hospital for 2 days. He does have a skull fracture and will need surgery when he gets home. He is doing good - it is amazing what the group of kids and adults did for him down here, even DUGOUT gave special things to him.

On Monday I had 2 games. Our crews were mixed and matched and I worked 2 New England games. The first game was Rhode Island and Vermont. I worked the left field line. The second game was Conncecticut and New Hampshire. This got me in the record books ~ I had the plate and had a groove going. The lightning showed up before the rain, then the rains came. The game started at 8:00 pm, we went into a rain delay around 9 or so. The tarp was pulled and we were rained out for the night. We were to continue on Tuesday morning at 9:30. A long story short, the game time is officially 15:06.

On Tuesday, we finished the game. My next game was at 2:00 and I had second base in the Delaware - Pennsylvania game. The crew chiefs did the 8:00 game with 2 guys from our group doing the lines. It was a slug fest and only went 4 innings. To be honest with you, I don't know who won the games - it really doesn't matter (other than the Maine games).

The Maine kids left today. On their day off (Monday) the yall loaded into their bus and went to visit with Jake in the hospital. It seemed to lift their spirits to see him. They lost their last 3 games by a run or 2. They made us proud, as they were some of the favorites here, both on and off the field. I was proud of them and it was an honor for me to be here to see them play. They were the first team to dance with DUGOUT on the field, when they were bored on the field, one of them did sit-ups and push-ups in right field. They were just a class act and never put their heads down - way to go guys!!

Wednesday was TV day. The first game I had 1st base. Had a bang-bang play and got a phone message from a Bangor coach telliing me I got it right - it was replayed a few times. The shortstop made a great play! The game was on MSG. My second game of the day was at 3rd base. This game was on NESN and got to do a dance in the outfield with DUGOUT.

The playoff assignments came out today. Both of the games will be on MSG. I have the plate at 2:30 on Thursday. The semi final for the Mid-Atlantic region - New York vs Delaware. My second semi is on Friday at 2:30. It is New Jersey vs Pennsylvania. I will be in left field for that game. My prediction for the winners of each division are New York and Massachusetts. Both of these teams are very good.

 More later~