n the grabber I wrote: "Sounds pretty routine, doesn’t it?" Routine, my butt! This trip by the home team manager was anything but routine. Why? Great question. Keep reading, it’s coming.
Don’t suck
On this night, we were working the deciding game of the NSSBL (our top league) semi-finals between Dartmouth and Truro. On the dish that night was "Jim," a guy new to this situation. Yes, he had worked a National Championship and umpired in this league during the season. But tonight was his first time behind the plate in a deciding game. Of course, he was nervous.
My advice? Simple. Don’t suck! Through the first seven innings he did just that. Avoided being awful, I mean. He had a big zone, the batters were swinging, and nobody was complaining.
That was about to change.
It’s not the what, it’s the why
Entering the top of the eighth, Dartmouth had a comfortable lead. Up by six runs, they now had their ace on the mound, who had come into the game in relief. It looked as if Dartmouth would be on cruise control and advance to the final. First batter, two pitches, one out. Yup, cruising along.
The next batter takes two close pitches for balls. The Dartmouth bench is moaning a little but not too bad. Then the third pitch is down the middle, but the catcher drops the ball. "Ball three!" says Jim.
Continued...
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