PONY Nationals - North Carolina
 

My first of hopefully many more Nationals (I know it isn't like an ASA National, but still I'm proud of what we lived through - heat and all). I made many good friends, learned so much, and had an incredible time. This all made me a better umpire.

Was anyone else there? I worked mainly the 14U, but did one day of the 12U.

Can't wait for next year, or next time when I can call games again with some of those umpires, who were some of the best I've ever worked with.

Was there a guy from NY named Steve there? White shaggy hair....kinda looks like Captain Kangaroo?

He's one of local guys who does a lot of PONY Nationals....

Steve Dw-ki? In the Goshen area? Maybe a firefighter?

Dworetsky* - used to be an EMS

He is in both our ASA/PONY and school associations...

Hes a good ump - but stubborn..won't go to our State School so he can work state hs tournaments. Why? Because he has problems with a guy with the initials of Jay Miner, who is the NYS inteperter.



*pronounced Dor-ets-ky...

Steve was not there as far as I know. Brad was there as well as Vinnie and they were both great. There were a few upstate guys there. All great umpires. Brad was my UIC on my first day. He wanted to know if I had gone to a state school and when I said no, he said I should go for the fun of it.

Oh yeah, its a blast. All the instructors are top flight - including Ed Whipple, who is a top level SEC official, and comes up for the school.

Worked with him in OKC a few years back. Stubborn? There is someone from OC who is stubborn? :rolleyes:

Ask him how he feels about facial hair on an umpire and tell him I said hello.

I worked one day with Kenny! It was early in the tourney, my second day there. He is an outstanding umpire! He worked the finals of the 18U I think. I did the 14U quarterfinals on third base and the semifinals at the plate and was gone on Friday - the day of the 16 and 18 finals.

If you see Kenny, tell him Jeremy said hello.

I was so lucky to have great UIC's as well. Cindi Arnold, Tom, Gus, Rich, Brad and Larry Despain. I picked up some of the finer points of umpiring and it will make me that much better - to all I worked with and who worked with me, I thank you.

I stopped by on Friday night for a little while. Saw KJUmp and had a few beers with him (he sprung for the beers and my burger - thanks again, KJ!). Wanted to meet up with others, but since I was out of state from last Friday morning until Wednesday night and had to call games on Thursday night, my availability was severely limited. There were some other umpires I was hoping to meet up with, but couldn't. To them, I sincerely apologize. I'll buy the first round next year.

Except LIBlueASA. I didn't find out he was here until after the fact. Not that we're friends on Facebook, or anything. ;)

Just kidding, buddy...

Next year, if you come to the PONY Nationals, let me know. I live 5 minutes from Brooks, and if you need anything, feel free to ask. I heard laundry at the hotels was an issue for a couple of guys, and I have a big *** front-loading washer and dryer.