Game at Angels Stadium!

[grayhawk]

Worked a HS Varsity regular season game yesterday at Angels Stadium and all I can say is, what a thrill!  I got this game purely by luck of the draw.  It was assigned to me 2 months ago as just another game that was scheduled to be played at the home school's field.  Last week, I got the Arbiter notice that the game site had changed to Angels Stadium.  To say the least, I was excited.  I was originally on the bases for this game, but my partner was happy to switch because he already had done 3 plates for the visitors and had the opportunity to work a couple of games at Petco park a few years ago.

 

We were told that we would not have access to dressing rooms, and we would have to dress at our cars, in the dugout, or in a bathroom.  When we arrived, I went into the stadium to let the coaches know we were there, and someone that worked for the Angels greeted me and said that they had a dressing room set up for us, so I went back to let my partner know and we were escorted to a room below and behind home plate that had couches, a bathroom with a shower and water cooler.  Got dressed and 15 mins before game time walked the short flight of stairs to the gate that enters the field directly behind the plate.  They did full introductions and National Anthem.  Had the plate meeting and it's time to play ball.  It was cool that they had the scoreboards working and music between innings.

 

The players did not disappoint!  First pitch was hit down the right field line.  My partner goes out and I take the BR towards second as F9 makes a sliding catch about 5 feet in foul territory.  Lots of great defensive plays, great pitching and a few scattered hits including a one hopper over the short wall in left field.  Both pitchers went the distance in a 1-0 duel with the only run scoring on a flare to left field with R2 in the top of the 5th.

 

Here is the amazing part.  There were 2000 fans in attendance!  This was the third HS game they had at Angels Stadium this season and the largest previous crowd was about 600.  We had a beach ball on the field, lots of great cheering and a few boos for me when I punched out a player on a pitch right at the top of the zone.  My partner had a couple of bangers, but we didn't miss any rotations and I felt great about my zone all day - probably my best of the season.  I have to say that I felt the pressure of 2000 fans behind me and I reminded myself to focus and concentrate all through the game.

 

All in all, it was my best experience as an umpire, and one I will always cherish.  I am so thankful for the opportunity and feel so lucky considering it was only 6 years ago that I was first pulled out of the bleachers to umpire my son's 9U fall ball game and here I was in Angels Stadium in front of 2000 fans.  Here is the link to the photo gallery on the site:

 

http://umpire-empire.com/index.php/gallery/album/97-angels-stadium/

 

[conbo61]

Sounds like a awesome experience all around. Congratulations.

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[th3]

WOW!

[BigUmpire]

I am jealous. Any challenges for IR?

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[grayhawk]

I am jealous. Any challenges for IR?

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Actually, the 3B coach for the visitors joked about it after a banger at first when he was on his way back to the 1B dugout. I told him I called NY before the game and they told me there wouldn't be IR for our game.

[JHSump]

That's great!  I liked the pictures too.

[maven]

Can't see the photos in tapatalk, but it sounds like a blast. Cool that the kids played well.

[umpstu]

Worked a HS Varsity regular season game yesterday at Angels Stadium and all I can say is, what a thrill!  I got this game purely by luck of the draw.  It was assigned to me 2 months ago as just another game that was scheduled to be played at the home school's field.  Last week, I got the Arbiter notice that the game site had changed to Angels Stadium.  To say the least, I was excited.  I was originally on the bases for this game, but my partner was happy to switch because he already had done 3 plates for the visitors and had the opportunity to work a couple of games at Petco park a few years ago.

 

We were told that we would not have access to dressing rooms, and we would have to dress at our cars, in the dugout, or in a bathroom.  When we arrived, I went into the stadium to let the coaches know we were there, and someone that worked for the Angels greeted me and said that they had a dressing room set up for us, so I went back to let my partner know and we were escorted to a room below and behind home plate that had couches, a bathroom with a shower and water cooler.  Got dressed and 15 mins before game time walked the short flight of stairs to the gate that enters the field directly behind the plate.  They did full introductions and National Anthem.  Had the plate meeting and it's time to play ball.  It was cool that they had the scoreboards working and music between innings.

 

The players did not disappoint!  First pitch was hit down the right field line.  My partner goes out and I take the BR towards second as F9 makes a sliding catch about 5 feet in foul territory.  Lots of great defensive plays, great pitching and a few scattered hits including a one hopper over the short wall in left field.  Both pitchers went the distance in a 1-0 duel with the only run scoring on a flare to left field with R2 in the top of the 5th.

 

Here is the amazing part.  There were 2000 fans in attendance!  This was the third HS game they had at Angels Stadium this season and the largest previous crowd was about 600.  We had a beach ball on the field, lots of great cheering and a few boos for me when I punched out a player on a pitch right at the top of the zone.  My partner had a couple of bangers, but we didn't miss any rotations and I felt great about my zone all day - probably my best of the season.  I have to say that I felt the pressure of 2000 fans behind me and I reminded myself to focus and concentrate all through the game.

 

All in all, it was my best experience as an umpire, and one I will always cherish.  I am so thankful for the opportunity and feel so lucky considering it was only 6 years ago that I was first pulled out of the bleachers to umpire my son's 9U fall ball game and here I was in Angels Stadium in front of 2000 fans.  Here is the link to the photo gallery on the site:

 

http://umpire-empire.com/index.php/gallery/album/97-angels-stadium/

That place is pretty mammoth in size when nobodies in the seats, huh? I've umpired there and it is really cool. Plus, it sounds like a ball from the movie, "The Natural", when a foul ball bounces around in the stands. Glad you enjoyed that.

[blue23ll]

I've done a few games in larger venue's, and to me it makes the field itself look larger. But it is great fun particularly when the crowd is into the game and its a good game!

[JaxRolo]

Nice!!!

[KLAH316]

Even though that's an "Older" stadium, it's a great place. Last year, I had the opportunity to have a private tour through it in the off season for work.

It was a blast!!!

 

Congratulations!!!

[Majordave]

@grayhawk

Great to hear about your experience. I've been lucky enough to work at Kaufman Stadium where the KC Royals play and your story took me back to that experience. Dressing rooms. Winding our way down to them, to the field, Royals' Dugout, etc.

Great to read what you shared with us. Thanks for sharing. Congrats.

[Thunderheads]

Always a thrill to get to do a game like that!  Fantastic Steve!!

[GreyhoundAggie]

Awesome man. Always good to feel like you stepped up to the big leagues, and see how umpires get treated in the show.

 

You'll remember it forever.

[law_reb]

Glad you got to experience this.  Will always be a great memory.

[WormFSU35]

That's Awesome!

[grayhawk]

Got an email from the AD today with some pics from their photographer.