Kevin's Ramblings…

Today at the 12u Cal Ripken World Series we had two games, the International Championship and the US Championship.

I was umpiring in the International Championship game that featured Korea vs Japan. It remained scoreless until the 3rd when Japan opened the scoring. They held the Koreans to no runs and won the game easily. I have watched a lot of baseball over the years and this Japanese team has some of the best defence I’ve ever seen.

In the US Championship, Virginia faced Mid-Atlantic in one of the most exciting games I’ve witnessed. Mid-Atlantic held a 4-3 lead after the first until the top of the 6th when Virginia went ahead 5-4. In the bottom, the leadoff hitter struck out. The second hitter nearly tied the game with a shot to center field, but the ball stayed in the park and the center fielder threw a perfect ball to second base to retire the runner attempting to stretch it to a double. It was, likely, one of the best throws of the tournament. The 3rd out was obtained from an easy ground out sending the Virginia team to the World Championship tomorrow.

They’ll have their hands full against a Japanese team that likely hasn’t committed an error in the tournament. I’m sure it will be an exciting game.

Today wraps up my umpiring at this, my first, World Series. I didn’t expect to be assigned to the Championship as other umpires have been here before. Watching from the media center will be a much better view anyway.

I worked with some of the best umpires I’ve ever had the honour to work with. We’ve gotten to know each other pretty well over the last week. We’ve bugged the hell out of each other and I hope, we’ve made some friends that we’ll have for some time.

As of now, I’ve retired from umpiring. I’m definitely taking 2019 off and, if I’m not bored and don’t miss it too much, that’ll be it. To work with such a great group at such an excellent tournament, I can’t imagine a better way to go.

As readers know, I’m in Branson Missouri umpiring the 12u Cal Ripken World Series which is wrapping up in the next two days.

The guys that I’m umpiring with are a great group of umpires, likely the best I’ve worked with.

Anyway, something odd came up today. Two of the other umpires, I’ll call them Indiana and California One, join me in the lunchroom at the hotel every morning at 630. Indiana goes to Dunkin’ Donuts to get a couple of coffees.

California One orders a coffee in a large cup, but, the odd thing is that he only wants it half full because he doesn’t want a lid. I find this a bit weird, apparently z the drive thru person does as well.

The really odd thing is that he’s charged for a large coffee, instead of say a medium. I’d logically figure that you’re paying for the content, the coffee and not for the cup.

Anyway, he claims he does this because he doesn’t like lids and if the cup is full, it would slosh around.

What do you think? Is this odd behavior?

Today was the first day of the playoffs for the Cal Ripken World Series. Four games were scheduled and my game at 1230 went ahead without any issues and was a damn good ball game. After that, the skies opened up dumping massive amounts of rain on us and an amazing light and thunder show. We lost the middle two games but got the 8pm game in.

We’ll make up the missed games tomorrow morning and get in the regularly scheduled games to get back on schedule.

I have 2 games tomorrow, 3pm and 530pm, on the bases for both.

The International Championship is Friday, I believe and I think I’m scheduled for it. I’d like to watch one of Team Canada’s games if I can, they are in the Iron Bracket and I am hopeful that they’ll do well.

The World Championship is Saturday. As this is my first World Series, I don’t expect to be scheduled for it, so it’ll be nice to just watch.

I’m looking forward to flying back to Calgary on Sunday afternoon and getting back into a normal routine.

Today is my birthday. I typically keep birthdays pretty low key. Really, it’s just another day of the year but different than the other 364 since we don’t add one to our age. So, today I’m 47.

I guess I’ve just started my late 40’s. I’m ok with that though, we all get older. It’s a privilege that many, unfortunately, don’t get to experience.

As readers know, I’m in Branson Missouri umpiring this week. Having a great time, it’s a good way to spend ones birthday.

The playoff round starts today, I don’t know what my assignments are for the playoffs as yet. I’m hopeful that it won’t be overly hot and humid today anyway.

I fly out Sunday afternoon. I’m looking forward to seeing my dogs and sleeping in my own bed. I’m also, actually, looking forward to getting back to work, it’ll be relaxing when compared to the last couple of weeks.

Here’s to the late 40’s !!!

The last day of the round robin for the Cal Ripken World Series is about to wrap up. New Zealand is defeating Australia, I don’t see a comback in the works.

I umpired two games today. The Japan vs Korea game was excellent, ending in a 2-0 final in Japan’s favour. Canada played Dominican Republic and held it to a tie until the top of the 6th inning before giving up 2 runs and eventually falling in a 5-3 decision. It was a well played game, the difference was a couple of home runs for the Dominicans. Canada finishes 0-3 for the tournament.

The playoff bracket starts tomorrow. We don’t have our assignments as yet. We’ve been told that the four international umpires will cover the International Championship game so that’ll be cool.

I’m looking forward to the coming days and heading home on Sunday afternoon.

Almost time to crash for the evening, tomorrow is another day. Oh, tomorrow is my birthday as well, so, happy birthday to me 😎

The round robin portion of the Cal Ripken World Series wraps up today. I have 2 games today, 1230 and 530. The 1230 game will determine one of the international pool winners, it’s Korea vs Japan. That should be a great game. There won’t be a lot of chatting with players, that’s for sure.

The afternoon game features Canada vs the Dominican Republic. I am hoping that Canada will produce some offence and get themselves going. Oddly, I’m on the plate for the Canada game again. The UIC is ok with it though. I do feel some pressure however… I can’t give any impression that I am biased at all, either for or against. I’m not, of course, but I sort of feel as if some of the Canadian players/coaches and perhaps parents think they’ll get some sort of break. Well, it’s not going to happen. I don’t care who I’m umpiring, I call the game as I see the game.

The playoff round starts tomorrow. We are using a 4-man system for all of the playoff games. The plate umpire will be selected by the taskforce committee, based on performance. I likely won’t get any plate assignments, I don’t think. I generally likely have too low of a strike zone, although everyone always says I’m consistent so who knows. I’ll find out today or tomorrow. I’m not concerned either way, I guess it’s tough changing a strike zone you’ve had for years and years.

Things wrap up Saturday evening with the Championship game. I’ll be watching for sure, perhaps umpiring, it’s a 6-man system for that game.

We head home late Sunday afternoon. I’ll be driving back to Springfield with the Alberta Commissioner for Babe Ruth and we are then traveling back to Calgary with the team. It’ll be a quieter ride back to Springfield as opposed to the bus…

Looking forward to the next few days of ball.

Today is day three of the Cal Ripken World Series in Branson Missouri. The weather has been very hot, but not humid, I was expecting it to be very humid. The day time temperatures have been in the mid 30’s celcius, that’s the upper 90’s for my fellow American umpires, quite hot enough, that’s for sure.

Yesterday was my busy day, I had three games. One at 3B, the second at 1B and the last last behind the plate with Team Canada. I’m enjoying myself, it’s great working with a good group if umpires from all over the place. Most of the group are from the US. We have 2 from Arkansas, 2 from California, 1 from Texas (my roomie), another from Indiana and the UIC (umpire in chief) is from New Jersey. I thought I was going to be the only international umpire, bit I’m not. There is an umpire from the Dominican Republic, another from New Zealand and one from Australia. All in all, a great crew and it’s nice to see us all working together.

My game with Team Canada was a good game, as I mentioned, I was behind the plate. They were playing Team South Korea. It ended in 5 innings with Canada being mercied 11-1. It’s a bit tough umpiring a foreign team when the players and coaches don’t speak English, but we managed. I watched a recording of the game and I think I did a pretty good job.

Today, I have 2 more games, one base and one plate, same as tomorrow. The playoff round starts Wednesday, I don’t know where my assignments will be as yet.

The tournament wraps up on Saturday with the Championship at 7pm. We fly out Sunday afternoon and I’ll get back to Calgary around 930pm Sunday evening. I’m looking forward to getting home, but there’s lots of action here first.

So, for now, I guess we’ll play ball !!!

The last few days have been relaxing, for the most part. Yesterday was the opening ceremonies for the Cal Ripken World Series. They were held at Dolly’s Stampede. The show was pretty good, the food was amazing and there was a lot of it. No utensils, we had soup, cheese buns, a whole chicken (it was a small chicken, but still, a whole one), roasted potato, piece of pork, corn on the cob and an apple turnover for dessert. They kept refilling our drinks though the show as well. I think everyone was stuffed.

Last evening was the home run contest. Some of those kids were belting some nice shots.

Today, the tournament starts. My first game is at 1230, two American teams and I’m on the plate. I’m then on the last game of the day, the 8pm showcase game with a 4-man crew, I’ll be at 3rd. All of the games are streaming live and some are being puckpicke and broadcasted cus TV. Some of us will have mics connected and the commentators will be able to chat with is, what fun. The streaming is available via:

http://major70worldseries.org

The umpires are a good group from all over the place. My roommate is from Texas. There is an umpire from Australia and one from New Zealand as well as one from Puerto Rico. We were each given two sets of shirts, one black and one sky blue, mine have the Canadian flag sewed on the back, under the collar. It’s an honour to wear the Canadian flag and represent Canada.

The next week is going to be very long days. We get to the park at 830 and we are there until the end of the day at 1030pm. Other than that, I think sleep will be on the agenda. Meals are available at the park, same as what the coaches and players are getting. WeWe  have beds in the umpires room so we can catch naps between games and we also have laundry facilities. It’ll be a fun and crazy busy week.

Only a few hours before we head out, so, for now, I guess let’s Play Ball !!!

As I write this, I’m watching Team Canada play Team Australia in an exhibition game at the Cal Ripken World Series in Branson Missouri.

As those who read this blog regularly know, I’m umpiring in the tournament. We flew down from Calgary yesterday, arrived before dinner.

I’m staying with another umpire, he’s from the US, I’m the only international umpire who’s here.

Anyway, I’m not umpiring this game, I’m just watching the action as there was nothing going on today, we don’t start things until tomorrow. My first game is Saturday afternoon.

It’s hot here, hotter than Alberta typically gets and it’s humid. It feels similar to the weather in Southern Ontario. I’ll get used to it, probably easier than the players from Alberta.

It’s going to be a good week, I’m sure. Check back for updates.

Moving day was yesterday. The day started very early, around 330am or so. I got the last of the packing done and ready to go and made breakfast, bacon, eggs and left over potatoes and peppers as my home fries. I left to pick up the uHaul at 630.

Arrived to get the uHaul right at 7, when they opened. There was no delay, no one else was in line. Picked up the truck and headed home to load.

Loading was slower than I expected but went without a hitch. Off for the 2.5 hour drive to Sentinel.

Unloading went well, and was faster than I expected. The dogs were exploring, but generally kept out from under foot.

The new sectional that I bought would not fit through the patio doors, they were not standard size. We got the couch in yesterday though so all is well.

I got most of the kitchen setup but none of my clothes put away. The house was a disaster… The dogs were tired from the trip, so were we.

Yesterday, I had Tough Country Communications come out to install internet, they didn’t have a good signal, there was a hill in the way. I may be able to use them in the near future, they might be able to put equipment on the roof of one of their clients across the lake from me and I could get a signal from there. For now, I have a Rogers Internet Hub, LTE speeds, so it will work for my needs.

We left for the airport at 1030 last night, via my old place in Bowness. I had a few more things to do and items to collect. I also had to have a shower, no propane in the new place, yet, so not hot water. That’s being resolved today. We arrived at the airport around 3am, 3 hours ahead of my flight.

Security and customs was a breeze, although the lines were long and slow moving. I bought a $5 bag of Nibs, great breakfast item.

So, as I write this, I’m 38000 feet above Wyoming, or so, heading to Houston, Texas, my first trip to Texas. We’ll have a 3+ hour layover and then off to Branson, Missouri.

The World Series starts Saturday, I don’t have an agenda for what’s on tap tonight through Friday night, so no idea what’s going on…

Anyway, regular updates to come hopefully. Should be an enjoyable week.