Umpires are people, too
Source: South Williamsport, Pa.
Date: Saturday, August 28, 2010 ET
Before you get upset about the strike that wasn’t called or the ball that
wasn’t that outside, think about Peyton and Nolan Knoebel.
Peyton, 4, and Nolan, 9, of Charlestown, Ind., weren’t here all day Saturday to
see Chinese Taipei, Japan, Hawaii or Texas. They weren’t here for the home runs,
the diving catches, Dugout or the Chicken Dance between innings. They, along
with mother Susan, were here for something completely different.
The Knoebel brothers were here to watch arguably the most unpopular person among
the nearly 29,000 in attendance in South Williamsport – someone who sure gets a
lot of grief just to be a volunteer – and to hold up a very desperate sounding
sign.
“Please don’t kill the umpire… He’s our DADDY!”
Pasted behind home plate seven or eight rows up the Howard J. Lamade Stadium
stands, Peyton and Nolan – dressed just like their dad – watch and wait,
tirelessly flailing their two-foot by three-foot sign.
“We made it at Sears,” said Peyton. (“Staples,” Susan quickly corrected.)
All three were here to support father Jeffrey as he called the balls and strikes
for Hawaii’s 10-0 mercy-rule win over Texas in the U.S. Championship Game, an
appointment that’s a testament to his skill in its own right.
Umpires during the final weekend of play are chosen based on their performances
throughout the first eight days of the tournament, making Jeffrey Knoebel one of
the Series’ best umps in 2010.
But how do his toughest critics think he’s doing?
“Good,” the boys said meekly, smiling.
So please, next time you feel the urge to yell, scream, spit or cover home plate
with dirt, think about Peyton and Nolan and remember, umpires are people, too.
Family connection
One of the perks the Waipahu, Hawaii, players received after winning the United
States championship at the Little League Baseball World Series was getting their
pictures taken with ESPN analyst Bobby Valentine.
The opportunity had a little more meaning to first baseman Ty DeSa than the rest
of his teammates. Richard DeSa, Ty’s grandfather, played for the Chiba Lotte
Marines, the same team Valentine managed in 1995 and 2004-09.
Richard DeSa didn’t play for Valentine, but Ty’s father Rich, said he was
excited to show him the picture.
“I’m sure he’ll be really proud,” Rich said.
Though Valentine called the connection “remote,” he said he likes to see
baseball lovers like the DeSa family.
Valentine has had high praise for Ty throughout the tournament. Ty is batting
.333 with two home runs in the World Series.
“I love watching young Ty play,” Valentine said. “He has a very good swing and
has saved about eight runs in the field.”
Parent’s perspective
Rich DeSa is expecting a close World Series Championship Game between Japan and
Hawaii. Both teams are fundamentally sound and have relied on pitching to reach
this stage of the tournament.
“They’re sort of like us as a team,” DeSa said. “They don’t make many mistakes.”
Japan has committed only two errors in the World Series, while Hawaii has just
three.
But the difference could come down to pitching, where Japan should hold an
advantage. Sunday will be the fifth consecutive day Hawaii has played, while
Japan had three days off before defeating Chinese Taipei 3-2 in the
International finals Saturday.
Rain and the change to a double elimination tournament this year are the reasons
for Hawaii’s schedule. DeSa said he hopes Little League reviews the format after
the tournament, but acknowledged the West champions put themselves in a tough
spot by falling into the losers’ bracket last weekend.
“It’s a tough format,” DeSa said. “Hopefully it doesn’t come into effect
tomorrow.”
Return visit
Some members of last year’s Little League Baseball World Series champions form
Chula Vista, Calif., returned to Williamsport this weekend, including Luke
Ramirez and Kiko Garcia.
California defeated Chinese Taipei 6-3 in the championship game last year.
Garcia was the winning pitcher in the championship game, throwing 3 2/3
scoreless innings of relief and going 2-for-4 at the plate.
The teammates arrived Friday and were taking the action in Saturday. Garcia said
they wanted to see the World Series like their parents saw it last year.
The players have watched the games on TV as well. Garcia noted how emotional the
games seemed.
“I was surprised how competitive they can get,” he said. “It was fun watching
the games.”
Garcia has watched this year’s West Region champions from Waipahu, Hawaii. He
was impressed by Hawaii, which defeated Pearland, Texas, 10-0 to reach Sunday’s
championship game.
“They have a pretty good chance to win,” Garcia said. “It was hard to beat
Georgia twice.”
Return, part II
Donny White and some of his teammates from the 1954 Hampton, Va., team that
played in the Little League Baseball World Series participated in the pregame
ceremonies before the US finals.
White, who is now athletic director at Virginia Military Institute, threw out
the ceremonial first pitch. White was a three-time All-Southern Conference
shortstop at VMI and was also a football co-captain.
He also served in the Vietnam War, where he was decorated with the Bronze Star,
Purple Heart and Air Medal with four oak clusters.
Howdy!
The Pearland, Texas, fans have been loud and proud the entire week, but they had
some extra help for Saturday’s United States Championship Game.
Friendswood, Texas, participated in the Little League Challenger game Saturday
morning at Volunteer Stadium against Cherry Hill, New Jersey. Friendswood
neighbors Pearland just south of Houston (both are suburbs). Though the two
teams didn’t plan to join each other in South Williamsport, Friendswood was
happy to be at Lamade Stadium to cheer on their friends from the Lone Star
State.
Each year, the Challenger game features two different Little Leagues from around
the country. For more on the Challenger program, read Sunday’s “Off the Beaten
Path” feature.
Home, sweet home
In Sunday’s World Series championship game, Hawaii won the coin flip and chose
to be the home team against Japan. In the consolation game, Texas will host
Chinese Taipei.