11/12 LL

[mstaylor]

I got a call from my brother yesterday asking me to do a plate at his LL last night. This is the LL that we both played for and where I started umpiring 36 yrs ago. During the course of the game I notice on the scoreboard that the field was named for a guy that helped start the league, David Delany. I played on the last Delany Eskimo team as a 9 yr old. During the off season Green Giant bought his company and we changed to GG.

We had an excellent game, 4/1, 1:20 game. The first time I had to cover third I broke late so I was really hustling to get down there. I forgot how short 60ft bases were I actually overran the base stopping. The second time I actually had a play which turned out to be a banger with the runner sliding under the tag. I come up with a big,"Safe! He's under the tag, Safe!" All the defensive manager said was to his F5 about he had told him before he needed to get the glove down. After the game I went by the minor field to watch the end of my boss' game. Both managers complimented me on that call. They said rarely does that call get called correctly. The ironic part was in TOP of the first I had a kid try to score and was going to be out by a mile. He tried to gear down but they hit chest to chest. I didn't toss him, didn't feel it rose to that level, but my thought was again? Last Monday an ejection in a MS game, this Monday a LL game. I told the OM that he needs to get down, try to avoid or give up. The DM did come out and ask my criteria and explained I was on it, but I felt his gearing down was enough to avoid a big hit. He said thanks and went to the dugout.

It was an interesting night, a good game, worked with my brother in a league both played in and I started umping in.

[carolinablue]

If I get asked to do a small diamond game I always hope it's majors. They are usually pretty good games and a lot of fun.