Opening Cermonies - and so much more

Saturday, the tournament started to feel real for me.  The umpires met in the afternoon to go over several items:
1. Ground Rules
2. Game management
3. Opening Ceremonies
4. and....game assignments - at least for the first 2 days

We heard from the Chief Umpire - George Glick (who by the way has been doing this job since the tournament started in 1981!) - how he wants the games to run.  I'm not going to go into all the details, but suffice it to say that George has a certain way he wants us positioned at each base.  Some of the positioning is standard for 4-man crews, but we are doing 6-man crews, and there are some subtleties that we will need to follow.  It took a while, but I think we are all on the same page...we'll find out tomorrow.

We then talked about Opening Ceremonies, and our role (more below).  After going over the details, we received our new uniforms, and then our game assignments.  I have 3 games on Sunday, starting at 11:00 am EDT (and continuing every 3 hours).  My schedule for Sunday i:
11:00 - Left Field
2:00 - 2nd base
5:00 - off
8:00 - 3rd base

Monday is not quite as hectic:
1:00 - Right Field
4:00 - off
7:00 - Alternate

After all the meetings, we got into our uniforms for Opening Ceremonies and had some time to take in the feel of the stadium and even got some pictures.

Here's me at home plate:

Same shot - without me in the way

 
And then, the other direction - looking in from center field.  The Umpire room is on the second floor - towards first base

Finally, it was time for Opening Ceremonies.  The umpires were lined up outside the field, and as our name was called, we went to a flag stand lining the infield - one for each of the 11 Regions in the tournament.  When my name was called, I got pretty emotional as I ran onto the field.  I have been dreaming of, and working twards this moment for 24 years.  There were plenty of times when I wasn't sure I would make it - and to finally be in the World Series is very significant.  I know this is a once in a lifetime moment for me, and I am enjoying it immensely.

After we were in place, the players were introduced - and walked around the field - like the parade of nations at the Olympics.  Each team stood by an umpire, and the anthem of each country was played as they came in.  For the US regions - an appropriate song from their state was played.

Below is the field with the teams lined up after everyone was in.

After the parade of teams, we had the national anthem, the Little League pledge, the ceremonial first pitch and a great fireworks show...and the night was over.

I'm sure the players and coaches will remember this night for a long time - I know I will.  Tomorrow, the games begin -