State Championship

So last night was the State Championship game for the Southern California Major Softball tournament. The winner's bracket team was South El Monte and the loser's bracket was Westchester Del Mar. Having seen both teams on Tuesday, I thought Westchester was the better team and would probably force an if game.
So first 2 innings went real quick. 3rd inning South El Monte dropped 5 in the top of the inning. Westchester returned with 1 in the bottom. No score in the 4th. Top of the 5th, S.E.M. scores one more, making it 6-1. It looks at this point that they are going to pull off the not-upset and make sure an "If" game is not necessary. Bottom of the 5th, W.D.M. gets the bases loaded with no outs. Batter hits a ball to the second baseman who looks home for the force but doesn't do it, instead throwing to first to a first baseman who is not looking. Ball passes her, 3 runs score. Long story short, W.D.M. scores 6 in the bottom of the 5th, making it 7-6. Top of the 6th and S.E.M. goes down 1-2-3, meaning that there is an If game tonight for the whole ball of wax.
There were a couple of really close plays at the plate. Both could have been called obstruction which I probably missed but on the first, the runner hooked a leg around to the plate before the catcher tagged the tucked left leg. Safe at home. Parents start going crazy. This was in the 3rd inning.
In the bottom of 5, ball comes in from 1st, runner slides, catcher blocks plate completely, I rotate to look at the foot and the runner shuffles it after the tag to touch home. Out call at home. Of course, the call is against the same team that was on the defense on the first play. Coach comes out to talk. I tell him what I have. Not pacified but knowing he isn't going to get me to go talk to my partners because neither of them have any angle on a call I have 4 feet away with a shift, he huffs away.
So when W.D.M. wins, they are ecstatic that they forced an If game, especially coming back from 6-1. As umpires, you always go out the winning side because winning pacifies a lot of complaining. To hear good game from these parents who were yelling, screaming, and nigh cursing earlier in the game really rubs wrong. Empty platitudes.
I had one of the dads of Idaho post a picture on Facebook from 4 years ago when they were about to go to the Intermediate Regional, saying it was the start of the best week of their life. I replied that it was one of mine too and I was glad to share it with them. He turns around and says that I'm the best umpire ever. 4 years later and I made a positive influence on some kids from Idaho. That is a great memory. That is the type of memory I hope I make again next week in San Bernardino. Umpires, coaches, and players are not adversaries. We are all on the same team to get the best game out there and to teach players the tenants of Little League, Character, Courage, and Loyalty. I can do that by calling a good game but by also being a good guy, giving it my all, and doing it with a humble attitude.
The best game I ever worked behind the plate mechanically was Arizona/Hawaii at that regional. The best game I ever umpired behind the plate because the teams were such good sportsmen was the Hawaii/Idaho game. That Idaho team is my favorite team I ever worked with because they were a team of all heart, even when they were outclassed from the mound and the batting boxes. They stayed positive, never quit, and were so grateful just to be part of the whole experience. That's who I work to be every game. I'm glad I ran into them to remind myself that it is possible to live my core values even in the face of insurmountable odds.
Last night was my last game until next Friday. I don't know which games I will be working yet, but I'll let you know when I do. The schedule was released yesterday though and we will be having games at 9 am, 5 pm, and 7:30 pm on Friday, Saturday, Monday, and Tuesday. Wednesday and Thursday are 5:00 pm and 7:30 pm. Friday, the championship, is at 6:00 pm. Since 3 states pulled out this week, they had to totally revamp the schedule and quite intelligently got rid of the 11 am and 2 pm games. Having the Alaska girls playing in 110 degree heat last year was ludicrous. This is a boon for me too as I won't have any 110 degree games behind the plate. Unfortunately, with 3 teams pulling out, we will have 17 games and 9 umpires, meaning one guy will only have 1 plate. If it is me, I will be ok with that because I got to be in San Bernardino umpiring with another chance to have one of the best weeks of my life. (I hope to make a good enough impression to get one of the semi or final plate though. Umpire dream.)
Next 5 days is family time though. I haven't had enough of that the last month and I'm so looking forward to it. Already turned down 3 request for this weekend. Being in a softball frame of mind is important going into next week.  I can't wait :)