Championship Game

Florida v Georgia, with the Georgia team from Warner Robins, before a packed house on ESPN - who could ask for more?

Prior to the game, we met 4 members of last year's Umpiring crew.  I thought that it was pretty neat they attended the game.  I hope our crew stays in touch.

Our Umpire crew arrived at the stadium at 5 PM for an 8 PM game time start.  The traffic coming into the stadium at game time is why.  I took a look at the stands and the "hill" 2 hours before game time and there were a lot of people there.  But, when I took the field for the game, it had changed even more, with very little standing room.  The stands were packed.  The guys were kidding me because I broke out new base shoes for this game.  I felt I didn't need to save them for any other reason.  So, I'm holding the Florida team in the dugout before they take the field and someone in the crowd yells, "Hey blue, don't get dirt on your shoes."  At least someone noticed.

Dan Collins had the plate, with Guy Vilt at 3B, Jim Lenas at 2B, Buddy Peyton on the LF foul line, Rick Eanes on the RF foul line and myself at 1B.  What a crew.

Again, a 6 man crew with no rotations, pretty simple.  About the only variances are when someone on a foul line vacates for some reason.  The fair/foul call can revolve back to the home plate Umpire on balls to the outfield in certain situations.  I know because it almost happened in my plate game for the semi-final.  It would have caught me by surprise.

The game was well played.  What happened to the home runs?  Seems the pitch count caught up with both teams. 

The plays at 1B were closer than I would have liked.  The one that really wasn't close, but caused concern was the one questioned by the Georgia manager whether or not the 1B pulled his foot.  He came to me and he was really funny by what he said.  Remember the Umpires and all the teams stayed at the same hotel, so by this time we had met and talked to them all.  His first words were, "Blue, I know I'm going to put you in a tough situation, but I've got to ask."  I hoped his smile and mine were captured on TV.  I explained that I had secure possession and contact with the bag.  He accepted my explanation and returned to the dugout.  From what I've learned, I got the call correct.

I had thought the score would have been more like 12-8 instead of 2-0 through most of the game.  When the double to RF scored the tying runs, the noise was deafening, more than when the final out of the game was made in my opinion.

The game and the ESPN directions of things on the field went more smoothly. 

Once the game was over, it was over, too, for our Umpire crew.  It was time to clean out our lockers, pack all of our gear that had been left in our Umpire room at the stadium for the duration of the Tournament and say our goodbyes and......leave.  It was on the 7 mile trip back to the hotel that it finally hit me, IT was over.  I'll have more to say with a final word when I arrive back at home.

Pictures, too, I hope.