Biting My Tongue

[mcrowder]

My first tournament as District Director for Softball. Championship game. 5th inning (of 5 - 7/8 year olds). Home team undefeated, down 9-0 after 2 innings has tied it up 10-10 with visitor (1 loss). Visitor scores 2 in the top of the 5th.

Runners on 1st and 2nd, 1 out. Grounder to the pitcher, as pitcher is throwing to third, shortstop is blatantly in the way of R1 going to third, tries at the last second to get out of the way, and moves in the same direction as the runner who tried at the last second to get around her. They crash, BIG.

Umpire (who had called a very good game until this point) rules her out at third. Coaches go BALLISTIC. Fans go ballistic. Tourney director looks at me with an "Oh, No!" look on his face. Coaches manage to not get ejected (partially due to fantastic restraint by my umpire), but umpire stands by his call.

Hardest thing I ever did not saying a word.

Thank goodness the very next batter hits it past the outfielders and rounds the bases to win the game. I would have felt AWFUL if they'd lost the game because of a missed obstruction call.