Broke my NCAA cherry tonight

[wadeintothem]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

This is where our instincts keep us from thinking. As umpires, we almost always move to a position to look right down the line to the base or foul pole, whichever is the case.

Thats actually what I was told.. essentially "you know you can get screened on that, so get somewhere where you can see".

Just an error I made..

In my defense.. and not an excuse, just fact - that was my 11th game of the weekend, 10 of the 18G, I had just worked a plate and base of 18G immediately before that game and had 45 mins to get my head straight for what felt like the biggest game of my career so far.

To be honest, It was all I could do to focus on what I was doing.. every single pitch I refocussed myself and looked at everything around the field to keep my head straight... because the butterflys never went away.

Here I have Diane Neinemeyer (Sic whatever) on one side and Pete Turner on the other.. and it was a lot surreal for me.. My 1st NCAA game and its those two? and I'm on the plate? Jeez. And the pitchers could bring it too, obviously. The leads offs for cal are lightening fast...

I'm pretty proud of the way I didnt just fall to pieces , I stayed in the game, called a good consistent zone (1 obvious bad call on a pitch).. and cal's crowd is pretty damn vocal so they woulda let me know....

I wish I could run into someone who took pics though. i would love to have that.

I remember at the end of the game, one of the BU's are retrieving their water bottles, and I'm waiting.. and I told her "look they are 50 cents, leave em, get me outta here.. jeez". I mean come on, lets get the F off the field, I'll buy you a case of water bottles.