All, Temperatures have moderated for the balance of the tournament – no more triple digits in the forecast so we are golden. In fact, temps are not supposed to get above 86 until Saturday with most temps around 79-84 during game times. NO rain in the forecast, just clear weather and light winds. I don’t think I could have ordered better baseball weather…if it were possible for me to order weather 😊 We are struggling with umpires. Darrin and crew from D4 came over for games but had to leave unfortunately. They were VERY good and VERY helpful on our busy opening. We do appreciate Kim for sending over an umpire from her District – thanks! D5 only had one ump they have been able to send. We have only been able to get 2 per game for most games and the field umps have been light in experience … but we are making progress. D13 sent two umps for a couple days as well, but those guys just finished their run at Juniors state and had things they had to get back to. Rick and Randy were awesome. Doing 4 games a day is tough with just a couple seasoned umpires. I had a thought while driving back and forth between Spokane and Othello (1 hour and 57 minutes – if you stretch the speed limit a bit – like go 95mph on the back roads)… and that was this; besides the traveling gypsy umpires that are the backbone of most state tournaments, why not make it a requirement that if you send a team to state you also send 2 umpires for 2 days as a REQUIREMENT for each state bound team? Might make leagues work on umpire development too… or is that too much of a burden? Now that I have done 4 tournaments (2 district and 2 state) almost back to back, I am mightily convinced I need to do a better job at umpire development in my leagues. You can have all the pomp and circumstance of a state tournament, but without good and plenty umpiring, it kind of is … well … lacking … (in my humble opinion… and I am talking about my own performance not anyone else’s). Maybe I was just spoiled from the abundance of good umpires we had at Junior State… One of the perks of holding the tournament in Othello is the concession stand. It’s central to all fields (that cloverleaf design for 4 fields) – and a restaurant called “Tacos Mi Casa” is doing the cooking. They are making some killer “street” tacos, burritos, and more. I don’t think I’ve seen a better concession stand anywhere. Fans are getting REAL nachos here baby… they are doing an incredible job and the place smells wonderful during games. The umps are getting fed reeeaaalllll good. 😊 Street tacos are the favorites but they have a big menu. Their breakfast burritos are hand made at the concession stand while you wait. Wow. Just wow. Mmmmmmm I think I am gaining weight… and haven’t had a single hot dog. anyway – on to the scores.
From Monday’s games:
Larch Mountain 9 West Seattle 2 Richland 4 Asotin County 1 West Plains 6 Cascades 3 BLS 5 Salmon Creek 1 All were very good games and played well … usually the games – if they did get into “high scoring” happened only in a late inning… most were very close all the way. Today was a loser out day with those finishing getting pins and a big round of applause from the good sized crowds. The city of Othello is just rocking their part of the tournament. The fields are near perfect every minute of every game and the place looks great. Hopefully now that the weather is moderating some of you can come visit. There are rooms now at the Quality Inn in Othello and the LL rate is $110 per night I think. Just tell them you are with the LL Tournament. Regards JP DA WA5/13