| build a web site| fundraising| community| collect fees online| blogz |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
Umpires Dream Comes True !!!
Hi Folks: Here are a couple of pictures that were taken of me during the 2008 Western Regional Little League Baseball Tournament in San Bernardino , CA. These were during the Southern California and Nevada Game just after Opening Ceremonies. It was a warm evening and the stands were full; approximately 10,000 in attendance. I will be summarizing my wonderful experience in the near future, but until then ; Thank You All for helping me get there and let's gear up for a great 2009 season. Anyone interested in umpiring this season can reach me at 251 - 3574 or send me an e-mail at litleag7@msn.com. Bye for now: Max E. Cannon Jr. ( Umpire - In - Chief for Mount Sentinel Little League ) Sunday, July 27
Meet: Max Cannon: Max Worth Millions to local Little League Baseball / Softball
It's been almost three decades since Max Cannon Jr. joined his second family in Missoula.
That family - the Mount Sentinel Little League program - has given him great joy. In turn, the bachelor has given back as a volunteer coach, umpire, committee member and field maintenance manager. Recently Mount Sentinel Little League saluted Cannon by nominating him for a prestigious role. He will serve as a volunteer umpire for the Little League Western Regional tournament on Aug. 1-10 , 2008 in San Bernardino, Calif. How significant is the event? Consider that title games on the final two days of the tournament will be televised by the ESPN network. Cannon 48, sat down with the Missoulian this past week to talk about his lifelong love affair with Missoula Little League and his once-in-a-lifetime opportunity in California. Q. How did you become so immersed in Little League? A. I jumped in because I love the game. I also saw that there really are never enough volunteers. I wanted to get involved in all aspects of the game: Coaching, concessions, equipment managing and umpiring. I wanted to know as much as I could about the program. I try to be good at a lot of different things. I'm kind of like the dinosaur in the league because I've been around for 29 years. People come to me and I like being able to help them out. Sometimes it's a little overwhelming, but I do whatever I can do to help. I've never married or had children, but I regard every child I've come across as my own in the program, hopefully treating all of them the same. Q. What made you get into umpiring? A. My father (Max Sr.) told me a story once and I believe it. My father was a minor league umpire during his military career and had the fortune of umpiring an exhibition game between the New York Yankees and a Japanese team over in Okinawa. The neatest part, and the part I'm not so sure is true but it's a great story, is that he called Mickey Mantle out on a called third strike. Mick looked back at him and said ‘Nice call,' ran back to the dugout and that was the highlight of my father's career; great story !! Beyond that, I just knew about the need for umpires. I thought I might understand more about the rules portion of the game. I love being on the field and behind home plate because it's the best seat in the house. I've learned more from umpiring than I ever would have learned by just coaching. Umpiring made me a better coach. Q. What are keys to being a good, well-respected umpire? A. It's not just a control factor, but it's also dressing properly, not being arrogant and allowing yourself to enjoy it. You have to put up with the side chatter. I hear it. I usually don't listen to it. I chuckle at a lot of it. What you can't do is ridicule them back. Just accept it and then have control of the game and keep it moving. Positioning is also very important. Then , stand up for your call. There are going to be times when you know you've blown it. I know I miss a ball or strike once in a while. You live with it and move on. Q. What's the best part about umpiring Little League? A. Seeing a smile on the childrens' faces. It's hard when you call a third strike on a boy or girl and they're a little upset. But they get over it quickly. What's really neat is when a child makes a good play and they are just smiling and really proud of themselves. Q. What's the hardest part? A. God bless the parents. They're there for their kids. But probably the side chatter is the worst part. It really doesn't bother me, but it bothers their children. I'll see Bobby or Susan kind of hang their head because mom or dad is embarrassing them from outside the fence. Q. Getting a chance to umpire a regional tournament in California, tell us what it means to you? A. It means a lot. I've never really done anything in Little League for myself. You set personal goals. In 2006, I finally went to the umpire's school in San Bernardino and that qualified me for a chance to do a Western Regional at some point. I'm fortunate it only took two years to get appointed. Many people have helped me get there. You only get to umpire the Western Regional Tournament one time. This is my shot and I'm looking forward to it immensely. Every player I've ever coached and every parent and coach I've met along the way is going to be with me in my heart because they've helped me get there. Q. What is your opinion of the local Little Leagues? A. Missoula Little League is strong. The 12-and-under is very strong. We have seven leagues in the surrounding area and we're competitive amongst ourselves. The biggest thing that needs to happen is more communication. We all need to know each other better. Mount Sentinel has been very successful. Sometimes success breeds contempt. Lightning round Favorite active baseball player? Albert Pujols Favorite team? The Little League team I'm coaching at the time. Favorite ballpark food? Churros and fry bread in San Bernardino. Favorite ballpark song? Centerfield by John Fogerty. Thursday, January 3 Max E. Cannon Jr. Selected To Umpire 2008 Western Regional Little League Baseball Tournament Local Little League Umpire , Max E. Cannon Jr. , has been selected as a Volunteer Umpire for the 2008 Little League Baseball Western Regional Tournament. The Tournament will run from August 1 - 10 , 2008. Max was recommended to umpire at this level by the Montana District 2 Administrator , Renny Malach. Max was then selected and approved by Regional Staff Members including Bill Carter , Western Region Umpire - In - Chief and Jim Gerstenslager , Western Regional Director. "This is a great opportunity to recognize Max in a special way for the many years he has volunteered for the Little League program and the District," Renny Malach said. The Tournament is held in San Bernardino, California and comprises 11 states. The 12 teams, ( California is divided into Northern and Southern California ), are divided into 2 Divisions ; Northwest and West. The eventual winners of these 2 Divisions go on to the Little League World Series in Williamsport , Pennsylvania.
Hi Folks: Thursday, September 18 E-rules Umpire Resources Rulebooks & Manuals and Video Rule Explanations. Wednesday, September 17 "Fairball" - Little League Baseball & Softball Umpire Newsletter |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
Mount Sentinel Little League View Our Guestbook | Sign Our Guestbook 1 visitors have signed our guestbook. |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
