Having said that, I do truly believe that the most important time of the Little League season is the regular season which happens at the local league level. Little League (That's a lot of L's) is about giving a chance to the kid who gets picked last on the playground team to be part of a team and experience playing in uniform, to develop friendships and gain experiences which will help develop character. The All Star experience is a cherry on top. The kids you see on ESPN are not really who Little League is targeted to - it's my kids who won't make an All Star team at this point but love being part of something bigger than themselves. I like being part of something bigger than myself too.
The biggest reason I love the All Star season is because I get to work with my friends more in that month than I do the rest of the year. Over 10 years in umpiring and I have developed some great friendships. I thought I would share some pictures instead of gushing over them on the eve of reporting to the Western Region Major Softball tournament. I'll let pictures speak for themselves (with some captions underneath.)
2013 State Major Softball Game, Colton, CA
George, Andy, I believe that's John Rodino, and myself. Dave sat out to give us a shot at this game.
2016 10/11 Baseball, North Rialto
Me and my first UIC, the man who got me into the game, Joey Broxmeyer. Thank you Joey and thank you Craigslist.
2013 Intermediate Western Region Umpire Crew. This was a fantastic group of umpires. Not a weak link in the bunch.
2015, Citrus Little League. I believe this was a Big League state game.
Me, David Burt, and Randy Robbins. Randy is the father of another one of my very first mentors, Danny. Randy is an incredible umpire who I have learned so much from.
2015, Junior District.
Scott Rubel, Me, David Burt, Dick Langois. Scott and Dick are great guys and great umpires. Scott is still on his way up while Dick is at the end of his line but he keeps on like a trooper. Many people complain about Dick but Ilearned to love him working so many games in the 2013 Intermediate tournament heading towards Irvine. I really do love games I work with the senior statesman.
2015, Western Region Visitation, Alta Loma Little League
Mark Blue. Mark is a dad umpire who caught the bug. He has a great attitude and always wants to learn more. His son, Devin, is one of the best catchers I've ever worked behind.
2012 Junior Sub-Division Semi-Finals
Me, Dave Dahlby, David Burt, Steve Bailey. This was the year Steve went to Berdoo for Major Baseball. I was so green still but Dave Burt kept bringing me along and helped me improve. David Dahlby was such a pleasure to watch behind the plate. I loved it when he brought out the plate coat. A class gentleman.
2017 Major Softball State Tournament, Hesperia, California
Ernie Hinojosa, David Burt, Me, John Rodino. This was after game 2. John had game 1. I get to work the next tournament with Ernie so it was fun working with him that night. John is one of my favorite umpires to watch because he's always in position, always so smooth, and always right.
2017 Major State Softball Championship (There was an if game after.)
Me, Ernie, Scott Moseley
All three of us are working San Bernardino this week so it was a great time to work on our rotations, our communication, and get to know each other. It should be a good week.
2017 District 28 - Tom Ebel, Me, Kirby
My new district. I am amazed at how many really good umpires District 28 has. I'm glad I get to work with these guys in the coming years (a lot more than I did this year. Sorry Shannan.)
2017 Intermediate State Tournament
Scott, Dave, George Rodriguez, Me. It was fun going back to District 55 to an Intermediate game 4 years later. George had so many great suggestions to make my game looks sharper. One game can make a difference.
They say you're not supposed to have a favorite kid. Maybe not but I have a favorite umpire crew. David Burt, Eddie Gutierrez, Steve Bailey, and myself. I don't know if you could find 4 guys who are so different politically that are such great friends and compliment each other so well on a ball field. We were supposed to have one game together this All Star Tournament but some umpires couldn't make their game so we had to split to two crews. Dave is my mentor, my friend, my UIC, and someone I love to just hang out with and talk. Eddie is young, energetic, passionate, intelligent, and fun to watch. Steve Bailey is my bud. I would do anything for him. I sat through 115 degree weather right behind home plate watching one of his plate games in 2012 because I had to be there. As we start to drift away in our umpire duties because of other commitments, distance, and scheduling, I don't know if I'll ever find another group of men I would call my favorite crew. If the picture in light blue is our last game together, I will be sad but know that the smiles in that picture are not plastered on for a picture but true uproarious laughter because we enjoy each other.
Rebecca (base umpire), Zoe (Batter), Ali (R1), Me (Plate)
I hope to be able to pass on my passion for this silly game to my kids because I have learned a lot from it that I hope they will learn too. This is my favorite umpire picture ever.
My bags are packed. I'm ready to go. The next step in this incredible journey of umpiring begins tomorrow with a new group of gentlemen who will enter my memories as umpire friends. I hope I can sleep tonight.
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