Great LL Senior District Championship Game

[semper_fi_72]

Worked the District Senior Championship Game (TOC) last night.

3 Man crew and I was U3.

 

We went 5 innings without scoring a run, even though both teams had gotten at least one runner to 3B.

Each time the F1s pitched themselves out of the jam with Ks and routine ground balls.

 

Top of 6th.

No runners on.

Ball hit to RF.

U1 goes out since it is deep and towards the line.

I come in and pick up BR as he rounds 1B heading for 2B.

He rounds 2B and tries for a Triple.

I get set to make a call as the ball comes in.

It is a very high throw.

3B jumps and makes a great effort to even touch the ball.

As he comes down, the runner, who does not slide, is now chest to chest with the fielder as he is coming down.

As 3B comes down he also starts to tag the runner on his chest.

As the tag is being applied, I am seeing the ball coming out of the top of his glove.

He doesn't have total control of it.

Runners steps on the bag and the ball falls out and settles on the ground on the Foul Side of 3B.

 

I point to the ball with my left hand then start my Safe Mechanic while verbalizing Safe.

 

Two pitches later R3 starts to Steal Home.

F1 completes pitch knowing R3 is going but makes a WP.

That was the only run scored.

 

Both F1s that started the game, completed the game.

Both were only in to 60s on their pitch count I learned after the game.

Was a pitching Duel.

There were only like 5 hits that left the infield the whole game.  Not one of them were hot to the LF side.

Game only took 1 hour 25 minutes.

 

After the game, I was approached by several guys, who are umpires also, as well as the District Administrator, and told that I used great timing on that call at 3B.  A couple saying they think a lot of umpires would probably have made a out call and then either changed it to safe or eaten a bad call.

 

It is really fun when we get to work really good games and even more fun when we know that we nailed a tough call.

Wish I had it on HD, Slow Mo, Instant Replay.....lol.

 

Congrats to both teams on a very hard and well played game.

In my book they both played like Champions even though only one gets the District Banner.

[Mike Prince]

Sounds like a great game to be a part of Lou - and it sounds like you made a good call with perfect mechanics on the play at 3B.

 

Always good to read stories like this!

[JaxRolo]

Good Job Lou!

[Dragon29]

Sounds like a lot of fun!  Great job.