First Under Lights

[BuckeyeMike]

In Utah, almost no games are played under lights.  This school/field recently got lights donated and i was assigned Varsity plate for this innugural game.  National Anthem, 6 (SIX?!! lol) honorary pitchers, and then starting line-ups.  Plate meeting: standard stuff, but then the "no buckets, coaches, or players outside the dugout fence during play".   (Obviously ODB is an exception)

HT HC: Really?  Nobody's enforced that all year. 

VT HC: No SH*#. 

Me: Well I'm not nobody. 

HT HC: Well i applaud you. We'll try to keep our guys in.

Me: Well thanks.  *Jokingly*, I've warned you...so if somebody gets hit, it's not on me.  (we all chuckle)

 

Announcer says record crowd but never gave the number.  (They're not charging for tix like football, but from what i could tell, there were at least 100 people there, which is INSANE for a regular Tuesday night HS baseball game)  The limited seating behind the backstop was PACKED.

 

I'll be honest, I'm a little nervous @ the start.  Biggest crowd I've ever called in front of, but i just go about my business.  Nothing different than Sophmores at Podunk, USA.  *I had to tell myself this a couple times*  lol

 

OUSTANDING game.  Very close throughout.

 

Highlights:

-My first ever CI/CO.  Didn't see it, but I could hear it and knew immediately.  Proper award.

-Missed some pitches, but almost all of us do. Need to work on this aspect.  When asked (on the rare occasion once or twice by the catcher) admitted that i missed it.

-IFF - twice

-Appeal of runner leaving early from 3rd on a fly ball to right.  (That's tough as PU)  But i am absolutely positive i saw him tag.

-My poor BU had some real bangers at 1st and one at 3rd; for what it's worth, i thought he got them all right.

 

Overall, the atmosphere was ***ELECTRIC***

75 fans (HT crowd) cheering on a called 3rd strike is empowering.  25 fans (VT) BOOING makes you think.  LMAO.

What a great night!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[BigUmpire]

This is why we do this.

If you don't love baseball you will not be a great umpire.

Wish I had been there.

 

Great Job!

[JaxRolo]

Great Job! Congrats!

[Thunderheads]

sounds like a great time!!

[cyclonehokiece]

Anytime you get that "playoff" atmosphere your adrenaline just kicks in.

[MT_Blue]

around here there is only one school that plays under the lights, and sadly while i haven't had their varsity under them, i have had their JV (they play the Varsity game first just in case of weather problems), ive come to my own conclusion that being under the lights in general is an amazing experience. Congrats though! as some one posted earlier this is in fact why we do it! 

[maineump]

Nice job! Under the lights with a big crowd can be fun.

We have quite a few fields with lights - not all lighted fields are created equal.

Did you find it any different following the ball?

[BuckeyeMike]

Did you find it any different following the ball?

 

Maybe ever so slightly.  I believe (without trying to make excuses) that this is what led to me missing a few pitches i really shouldn't have. 

[maninblack69]

Sounds like you did a great job overall. Would have been great to be there!

[Dannytheman]

I do love a field lit by lights and a full house of fans.  Sounds like you had a great night and great game!!  Congrats!!

[tjwoelfel13]

Sounds like a game I would've loved to be on. I wish I could have been there.

[Rulekeep]

Sadly, as long as I'm here, I'll never play under lights, because the adult league and high school, when they hold night games, don't really need lights. Curse Alaska. I'll take your word for it.

[JaxRolo]

Sounds like a game I would've loved to be on. I wish I could have been there.

I least you picked a thread from this year!

[tjwoelfel13]

See I'm learning.

[Pete Peterson Sr]

 

Sounds like a game I would've loved to be on. I wish I could have been there.

I least you picked a thread from this year!

 

 

Instead of moderator, they should make you "Dead Thread Revival Czar".....