Florida District 21: Mike's World Series Blog
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Baseball Tonight
Tuesday, June 30
As some of you know I was selected to Umpire the 2009 Little League Baseball World Series in Williamsport PA. The tournament is scheduled from August 21-30
I plan to make a daily entry every day during the tournament including the trip there and back so please check back......Mike
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| This guys was everywhere we went |
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| We're not in Florida anymore !!! | |
Well after a stop in Columbus Georgia to visit Andrea's grandparents we have arrived in Williamsport Pa, There is a meeting tonight at the Little League Museum ......I am looking forward to meeting all the other umpires. As soon as any schedule is passed out I will update check back later ..........Mike
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Well I met all the umpires from the differnet Regions including the other Southeast Region representives John Mashburn TN.and George Brooks WV (of course I already knew them) and also the International umpires.
We had a meeting of all umpires, managers and coaches and representives of Little League Baseball & Softball. Jen Colvin (Southeast Region director) Demiko Ervin (My Amigo and ex Asst Southeast Region Director) Demiko is now Director of Little League Urban Initiative. Along with all the other important Little League adminstration Steve Keener, and Pat Wilson.
At our meeting everyone introducted themselves. the meeting covered behavior (remember all games are on TV ) and alot of important media points ......the umpires will all be meeting this morning at the Little International Headquarter, later today there will be group photo and this evening is the parade through Williamsport..... MIKE
Well here is the schedule for Friday
Game 1 Midatlantic vs Northwest 1pm ESPN
George Brooks has the plate
I have 2nd Base
Game 2 Asis pacific vs Europe 3 pm ESPN2
John Mashburn 3rd base
Game 4 New England vs Southwest 8 pm ESPN
I have the plate
George Brooks at 1st
John Mashburn RF line
Ok tonight was the parade through Williamsport ...It is unbelievable how many people come out to line the streets
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Ok here is the schedule through Game 16 for myself, George and John .......Mike
Southeast Umpires Game Schedule
Saturday - August 21
Game 6 1:00 pm ESPN Caribbean VS. Latin America
George Brooks 3rd Base Mike Galiano RF Line
Game 8 6:00 pm. ESPN2 & 360.com MEA VS. Japan
John Mashburn Home Plate
Game 9 8:00 pm. ESPN2 & 360.com Great Lakes VS. West
George Brooks 2nd Base Mike Galiano 3rd Base
Sunday – August 22
Game 11 2:00 pm. ABC Great Lakes VS. Southwest
John Mashburn LF Line
Game 12 3:00 pm ESPN Asia Pacific VS. Canada Mike Galiano 1st BaseGeorge Brooks LF Line
Game 13 6:00 pm ESPN2 West VS. New England
John Mashburn 2nd BaseGame 14 8:00 pm. ESPN2 Caribbean VS. Japan
Mike Galiano LF Line
Monday – August 23
Game 15 12:00 pm ESPN2 Europe VS. Mexico
George Brooks RF Line
Game 16 2:00 pm ESPN2 Latin America VS. Japan
John Mashburn 1st Base
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| Lexi and Tony The Tiger |
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Today was unbelievable we started out in the morning with a walk of both stadiums with the managers of all teams. Lamade Stadium is a bit smaller field wise, less foul area then Volunteer all the ground rules were talked about with both stadiums. After the stadium walk we had some time to look around I walked with George Brooks and Jen Colvin as she gave a tour of Volunteer Stadium to her sister and brother-in-law who were visiting Williamsport for the first time. Jim Rice was here and Jen's Brother-in-law like Jen a huge Boston Red Sox fan. (Oh well I still love Jen and her Brother-in-law was nice a nice guy too) Of course because all of the TV coverage there is equipment everywhere a lot of monitors and cables and cameras pointed in angles. One computer had the weather forecast on it unfortunately it didn't look good.
Next on the schedule was the opening ceremonies all the teams and umpires were in uniform and paraded in to Volunteer Stadium all teams and umpires were given medallions to commemorate their participation in the tournament. Even though it rained throughout the ceremonies it was still great and there were allot of people in the seats.
When the ceremonies ended we headed to the locker room to get ready for Game 1, in Volunteer Stadium, George Brooks had the plate I had 2nd base. Unfortunately the rain had other plans just before the introduction of players the grounds crew ran on and put on the tarp. This gave my son Michael time to dance with Dugout oh yes there were cameras and of course if anyone knows Michael he was having a great time. The delay I think was about 45 minutes. Finally the rain slowed and the tarp was removed and the ground crew did a great job getting the field ready to play. George did a great job up holding the Southeast Region tradition, Now my understanding is that if you are the 2nd base umpire you can probably expect a visit during the game from Dugout (Little Leagues mascot) well I guess that because of the weather I escaped his attention and got through the game without a visit. Mid Atlantic Defeated Northwest
I had a chance to walk around the area to watch some pin trading sat with Andrea, Michael and Lexi for awhile and watched a game. Also ran in to and old friend who I umpired with back in 1996 Dave Meisner from NJ he was here for the day it was great seeing and talking with him for awhile. Before I knew it I need to go get ready for my next game.
I hope somebody set the DVR because I don’t remember most of it. Well that’s not true, I do remember that Jen came by the umpire locker room to visit and check if I was ready, as she did Dugout also walked by, here is where I got in trouble all I know is there was some pointing by Jen at me and Dugout nodding yes. Ok so we head to Lamade Stadium wow the place was packed. They did all the introductions, with the TV there is some time between the introductions and the actual start of the game well Dugout was out there dancing with the teams and everyone was having a great time. Unfortunately he spotted me (thanks Jen), well the dance was short but I did it and I am sure the ESPN cameras didn’t catch it. It is obvious Michael didn’t get his dancing ability from me. I also remember a few called third strikes two plays at the plate (one out one safe)…… I HAD A GREAT TIME!!!!!!!!! Southwest defeated New England Thanks everybody who called sent a text or emailed after the game I appreciate it………Mike
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Saturday, August 22
It's Saturday evening todays games are over ...I worked the right field line ...boy was that fun 1 ball came my way and it was a base hit ......George Brooks worked 3rd it was a real quiet game .....John Mashburn worked the Plate tonight I didn't get to see much of the game beacause I was getting ready for the 8 PM game looked as though John was having a real good game ...George Brooks and I had the 8 PM West VS Great Lakes, West won easily I think they hit about 10 HR's all I did all night was watch West runners touch 3rd base while they ran by....unfortunately My camera broke so pictures from here on will be more diffcult but I am trying ....Mike
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Sunday, August 23
Casey saves the day !!!!!!
It's Sunday Marshall Casey and his wife Cheryl arrived last night after some long flight delays and he has a camera so the photos will go on .....George Brooks and I worked the Asia-Pacific VS Canada game, I had 1st George had LF line George had a close Fair/Foul call on a possible Homerun he got it right of course .....I had nothing at 1st a few plays nothing close
The night game was Japan VS Caribbean ..I had LF line Carribbean won in the bottom of the 6th inning ...It broke the Japan's kids hearts ... Everyone said it was a great game .....I was in Left field for almost 3 hours that wasn't great but ...It was exciting .......
Tomorrow George has RF Line at 12 PM on ESPN2
John MasHburn has 1st Base at 2 Pm on ESPN2
George has the plate I have 1st base and John has RF line at 6 PM on ESPN2
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Days are going by fast ....Worked the video relay booth today
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I worked 1 game today George Brooks had the plate I had 1st base and John Mashburn was in right field.
Tomorrow's schedule
I am working 2nd base at 4 PM and 3rd base at 8 PM
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| John Mashburn |
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| Demiko and Marshall |
Tuesday's games are done...the Semi-Fimals are set
Wednesday 4PM Japan VS Mexico 8PM Mid Atlantic VS Southwest
I have the plate at 8 PM
George has RF at 4 PM
John Mashburn has 1st base at 8 PM
Hey it's Wednesday night tonight I had the Semi Final game between Southwest and Mid Atlantic. Southwest won 4-1, it was a great defensive game for Southwest the 2nd baseman had a great night....John Mashburn did great job at 1st base ...the whole crew did an excellent job!!!!!!
Tomorrow I am off and there are no games on Friday........I will update with new schedule as soon as I have it ....Mike
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Lexi and Dugout
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Andrea and Lexi
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Cheryl and Lexi
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Thursday, August 27
Roseann and Ryan Terrell arrived last night also Brian Redmond got to Williamsport ......Rodney should be getting here this morning.
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Yesterday Asia Pacific defeated Carribbean in the International semi-final
In the late game in a back and forth game West beat Southeast
Today is an off day !!!!
Going to the Little League Museum and to visit the Amish
Tomorrow at 12:00pm Asia Pacific VS Mexico
John Mashburn is at 2nd base ...I have Left Field Line
3:00pm West VS Southwest
Rodney Jamison arrived Yesterday great to have all these people visiting
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It's Saturday We attended the Challanger game played in Volunteer stadium
Andrea,Lexi,Ryan and Rodney took time to slide down the famous "Hill" at Lamade Stadium(pictures to follow)
In the International final after 2 rain delay's Asia Pacific beat Mexico
After the game ended there was a large downpour delaying the start of the United States Final (4 hours delay)
In the United States final West defeated Southwest
The final is set
West (Chula Vista CA) VS Asia Pacific (Taiwan)
We recieved our Umpire assignments after the games today
I was given the Plate in the Championship game ....George Brooks got 3rd base
John Mashburn will do the right field line in the Consolation game
Southwest VS Mexico
The other highlight of the day is Bernie Williams played the National Anthem and I got his autograph
Thanks for all the text messeges and voicemails .....Mike
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Sunday, August 30
Championship Day
Four Hours before gametime
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Sunday, August 30
Today Vice President Joe Biden Hockey player Chris Drury were enshrined into the Peter J. McGovern Little League Museum Hall of Excellence on Sunday at the Little League Baseball World Series
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32,400 Little League Fans
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The Game
West VS Asia Pacific
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WEST 6 Asia Pacific 3
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Sunday, August 30
Sunday, August 30
Well the week is over ......Thank you again for all the nice text messeges emails and
voicemails I will try to get back to everyone when I get back home .........I had a Great time ...A once in a lifetime ........MIKE
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