Day 4 - The Ball Was FLYING; The Tournament is Still up for Grabs

On Friday, I moved to Woodfield Park with its 300' fence, and the ball started flying. We had 2 homers in the first 3 days - we had 6 in one game (plus 2 ground rule doubles). Then in the last game we had another 2 or 3. We also encountered our first potential protest (although there had been one in another game the night before). Here's what happened.

Bases loaded and the batter hits a slow roller past the mound toward the 2nd baseman. The Pitcher tries for the ball and misses. The ball and the runner from first arrive at the 2nd baseman at the same time, and the 2nd baseman is interfered with as he tries to make the play. Kevin quickly calls interference and calls the runner out. Of course, it is the 3rd out, so the teams leave the field - as the offensive manager comes running out to protest the call. His contention - since the ball passed the first fielder (the pitcher), there can be no interference. After conferring with the team, and then talking to the TD, it is finally ruled (much to the frustration of the coach) that the call stands - there was interference - there is no rule that says there can't be interference just because the ball passes a fielder. Good call Kevin!

Other than that play, we had 3 decent games - with just a few blown rotation or mechanic issues from the crew. The 8 of us met with our evaluators after the last game. We went over some of the common issues that had come up - discussed different situations - but mostly talked about how much we had progressed as umpires in the past 4 days. I guess doing 12 games in 4 days gives you an opportunity to experience many of the situations that might take a whole season to come up. We talked about how much we had learned and how much we had started critiquing ourselves - before the evaluators ever opened their mouths - in many cases, we're doing that during the games...and trying not to kick ourselves too much for blown assignments.

We got our assignments for Saturday - they have mixed us up a bit. Of the 6 games on Saturday, 5 of them have some potential for affecting the teams that will go onto the semifinals and championship round.

Right now No Cal is in the driver's seat in Pool 1 - they beat Hawaii today 7-2. Arizona is the only undefeated team in Pool 2. Both teams have tough games tomorrow - No Cal plays So Cal (who is trying to get the 2nd seed), and Arizona plays Alaska which is trying to hold on to the 2nd seed. Other teams still in the hunt include Hawaii and Nevada in Pool 1, and Washington and the host team (Laguna Niguel) in Pool 2.

After all the games are completed, we'll find out who is scheduled as crew for the semis and the finals. We all would love to get the choice assignments, but I think I speak for all of us when I say that we are just honored to be here and will be thrilled with whatever assignments come our way for the championship rounds.