Dealing with Disappointment

This blog has been my release valve this tournament. There has been great moments and there have been moments of crying this week - from a completely unexpected source. I'm glad I've had this to talk.

Now I'm probably going to make myself too vulnerable here. I'm ok with it.

The assignments came out for tomorrow. The first game is the Southern California vs. Northern California for the California State Championship. The second game is Washington vs. Alaska. I have the plate for Washington vs. Alaska.

I get another plate, which is exciting, but this means that I will not get one of the semi's or the finals plate. Upon seeing the assignment, I was disappointed. I wanted a semi or the final. It was hard work getting here. Tons of games. Tons of time away from my family. Tons of study. And... I'm on Washington/Alaska. It'll be a good game but the dream isn't fulfilled.

I knew this was a horrible attitude to have. It is not the attitude I expect myself to have. I couldn't feign excitement so I went to look for a broom. Why a broom?

In 2 weeks, I will be out here as a Little League volunteer sweeping trash in the stadium. I swept two sections of the stands tonight. It was a good amount of trash. Why? Tonight I was sweeping trash. Tomorrow, I'll be umpiring a quarterfinal game at the Western Region Little League Softball Tournament. These girls have played hard to get here and deserve an umpire who will give as much as they do, if not more.

Next week, this tournament will be done and the boy's tournament will be right around the corner. I will be out here sweeping trash again. Why? Because I'm a Little League volunteer. I could be sitting at home watching TV or helping clean up out here. Sure, 6 am is awfully early in the morning but it is worth it it because I am with my friends and with people who are pushing to a common goal - to teach boys and girls respect, character, courage, and loyalty.

So I swept trash. It was pretty hard as I didn't have a push broom but only a house broom. There were no blowers, no gloves, no one else to help. I did sweep up 2 sections. I swept trash because I needed reminding that there is no small job not needed in Little League. Whether it is trash, or announcing, or umpiring, I am part of the family here in San Bernardino. Am I going to walk out with my music playing as two teams fight for a spot in Alpenrose? Not this year. There is no shame because the other umpires here worked as hard as I did and studied as hard, worked as many games and spent as many hours away from home to prepare for this tournament. I don't have a monopoly in hard work.

I will run out of that tunnel with my head held high because tomorrow, my little part of making this one of the best places to be in late July and early August will be behind the plate making sure that no one gets an unfair advantage contrary to the Little League Rulebook. 

This is the cherry on top. I'm doing a quarterfinal game in San Bernardino at the end of July. This is the dream come true.

Day 7 recap tomorrow. I know my walkup music for tomorrow's game already and it's not a repeat of the Imperial March from my first plate. You'll see.

Schedule:

Wednesday: 7:30 pm - Washington vs. Alaska - Plate

For my love, Trina Escarzaga.