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Congratulations Jeff Stokoe On A Job Well Done!
Congratulations to Jeff Stokoe on fulfilling his dream to umpire at the 2009 Little League World Series! Jeff kept us up-to-date with his BLOG, check it out for great pictures and his adventure. See Below
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One Final Note
September 1, 2009 --
I am home and now limping since I twisted my knee getting out bed! Better that it happened now than last week!
As many of you know I carried Roger Lane's Kentucky State pin with me, attached to cloth from one of my ball bags. That cloth now has dirt from Lamade field pressed into it and I can't wait to finally return the pin to him!
I also carried a small amount of my late brother Max's ashes with me, in a plastic container. I wanted to leave them on the field during the Championship Game on Sunday, but with the Vice-President's men there, I thought that spreading a white powder might not be such a good idea! I did, however, return to the field post game and post celebration, and left his ashes behind home plate. Now the plastic container contains soil from Lamade Field!
My great adventure is complete...now back to work and back to helping to make District 8 Umpires the best there are to be found!
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Series Finale
August 30, 2009 --
FINAL DAY –
Today was bittersweet. While my body reminds me how old I am and that there are not many more innings in these legs for this season; my spirit does not want this experience to end. End it must today.
Little did I know that I would not only umpire in an exciting world championship game but that I would also stand ten feet from the Vice-President of the United States and later shake his hand and speak with him briefly! Regardless of anyone’s politics, it was a thrill to meet the person who holds the second highest office in the nation. I could not have predicted the excitement and joy this day would bring for me. The texts from my umpire colleagues in District 8 complimenting me and congratulating me ranked the same as the excitement on the field – both pre game and during the game! I am honored to be counted among such an organization of fine people! Thank you to them for allowing me to be numbered among them, and I am humbled by the trust they put in me to serve in leadership.
In the quietness of this evening – the family is in bed and some of my World Series colleagues are already on their way home – I feel exhausted physically and somewhat sad emotionally. In just a few days I have bonded with these men and feel as if I have known them for years. Now the time has come for each of us to return to our homes and resume our “normal” lives. After a day of travel and another day off, I return to work and the “normal” routine of late August and early September. I fear that my yard may resemble a wheat field needing harvesting which will only be one of many tasks that I will need to complete upon my return.
For one final time, I want to thank you for your support and for following along this journey! Thank you and see you all soon!
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Very Wet Day
August 29, 2009 --
RAIN!
Today the 3 PM game didn’t start until 7 PM due to four hours of rain delays. As you can see in the picture the rain was torrential! I took two naps and ate two small meals during the time waiting for the game to begin. Some of you may have missed the game on television because it was moved from ABC to ESPN2 due to the delay. Those of you who watched the game saw the home run derby that the West team put on, defeating the Southwest 12 -2 in 3 ½ innings! The field of play was fine, as this is one of the finest grounds crews around, but the area where I stood at first base was pretty wet and muddy, making my “shinny” shoes dulled with the mud from the field. Oh well, what is one to do, but to sit back and enjoy the event!
Mike Legge, Central Region Director and our administrator here in Williamsport admonished us to take the time to soak in this experience because it will pass faster than one would think. He was right, tomorrow is the final day and it seems as if I just arrived here! While I am tired there is a hint of sadness that in about 24 hours this monumental event will come to a close. I am sad that the end is here, but I a, also deeply grateful for the experience and the memories made here.
Yesterday the Walker’s and Snyder arrived here. I continue to be amazed at those are present, either physically or remotely through texts, mails and calls. Each of you has given me the confidence to do well here and to prepare myself for this event. Once again, I thank each of you!
FINAL ASSIGNMENT:
Championship game! Left Field Line – 3 PM, televised on ABC.
I reached my ultimate goal of being on the field for the championship game rather than in the stands. I have some “survivor’s guilt” because I know that there are 10 excellent umpires who will be in those stands watching the six of us. I am however, honored and pleased that I have represented Ohio District 8 well!
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US Finals Assignment
August 28, 2009 --
TODAY IS AN OFF DAY - NO GAMES (Good thing since it is raining today!)
I am assigned to work First Base at the US Finals, tomorrow, Saturday August 29, 2009 at 3 PM. The game will be broadcast on ABC.
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History!
August 27, 2009 --
Where It All Began –
Today before making my way to the ballpark for the 8 PM US Semi-Final game I paid a visit to the Original Little League field on West Fourth Street in Williamsport. It was at this site that Carl Stotz formed a league where all players had a chance to play organized baseball in 1939. The field there is still in use, but it is surrounded by a small museum and gathering of memorabilia. Staffing the museum were men who played on the original 1939 team. The stories they provided while showing the old equipment and uniforms were priceless. I was moved to tears to see and interact with these living legends. It was amazing to see 10 year old children become quiet and take in living history. There was a woman there who has attended every Little League World Series championship since the beginning! Another man was the father of the first girl to be permitted to play baseball – once an all boy’s game. Little League has been ahead of the curve regarding gender issues.
Then came the 11 – 10 West win over Southeast in a 23 hit slugfest! Assigned the right field line one would think that would be a relatively easy assignment. Such wasn’t the case; I have not made so many calls on the right field line, ever! It was a thrill to be involved in such an exciting game!
Following the game, it was time for the entire umpire crew to meet together at a local restaurant to relax with each other and our families prior to learning our Saturday assignments at 9 AM tomorrow morning!
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Applause and a Plaque
August 26, 2009 --
Some Down Time!
Since there are now only two games a day, there has suddenly been a lot of down time. I was in some sort of funk for part of the day and then I realized that I wasn’t on the ball field and I understood why I felt so out of sorts. It was good to sleep in some and lounge around the room and hotel but I wanted to be at the ballpark!
We were recognized tonight as now “alumni” of the World Series and were presented with an awesome plaque prior to the 8 PM game. Once again, it was a thrill to step onto Lamade Stadium and hear the applause and the crowd standing for us. I know these games are for the kids, which makes the recognition of what we do all the more humbling. The crew members that I am working with are not only skilled umpires they are wonderful men and are gracious as are their families!
The game tonight was awesome, lots of good defense and many opportunities for it go either way. The double plays were really exciting! Even though I had only one call down the left field line, a line shot just fair, the action was exciting and I found it easy to keep myself in the game.
SCHEDULE UPDATE: Thursday August 27, 2009 – Right Field Line, 8 PM game on ESPN
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Marathon Games
August 25, 2009 --
Marathon!
Two games today, both of them taking a long time to complete and at my age it isn’t the best thing for the old knees and ankles, but this is the World Series so I endure it! Actually the time here is going by so fast, just like we were warned it would. Pool play is now finished and we move on to the bracket play, moving toward a World Series champion!
During yesterday’s Europe and Canada game, during a pitching change, a base runner from Europe asked me if I umpire here every year. When I told him that this is a once in a lifetime experience for the umpires he smiled and said, “So it’s just like it is for us!” Being here remains a dream come true, and sometimes it feels like a dream.
My plate game last night had some umpiring errors in it, and I know my colleagues back home know what they were! When the Asia-Pacific catcher stood up just before a pitch was delivered and the view of the plate was blocked I had to make some last second adjustments; thankfully the batter swung and made the call easy on me! The pace and style of play between two international teams is so very different than working a game in Ohio! This experience not only affirms the work done to get to this level, but it also teaches new lessons, lessons perhaps only learned in this experience.
SCHEDULE UPDATE: Left Field Line 8 PM Game
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Meaningful support!
August 24, 2009 --
Big Night in Lamade!
Today I was able to work two games, one at 3rd base in Volunteer Stadium and the second one at 2nd base in Lamade Stadium. The Lamade game was special because it was the last game of the day and played at night under the lights! Of course, working 2nd base on that game meant dancing with Dugout in the second inning. Tonight Dugout’s theme was the 70’s! I had a blast!
My brother-in-law and sister-in-law arrived! It is so special having all these special people present for me here. Those who cannot make it are sending me emails and posts on the guest book on the District’s website and each one is appreciated! I am also grateful for the phone calls and text messages! Sarah made it late this evening so the immediate family is here! I am so blessed to have so many people supporting me. Perhaps the picture lets you in on how happy I am!
SCHEDULE UPDATE:
Tomorrow I work the 2 PM game at 3rd base and the 6 PM game at the plate! Both are on ESPN2.
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Happy Birthday to me!
August 23, 2009 --
Pins, Interviews and Friends!
Following each game we work at Volunteer Stadium as we walk back to the dressing room, up the hill, there are children following us asking for umpire pins! Never had groupies before! I have had people following me to my car following a game at home, but it usually wasn’t asking me for a pin! This is an experience that goes far and above anything that I could have imagined it to be! I also noticed that before each game, and before the live camera feed goes on the air, Dugout dances with each team out on the field. It isn’t just a fun experience, but one that struck me as what the game and Little League is all about! These kids are about the play the game of a lifetime and rather than being all tense and nervous, since parents and coaches are yelling at them, they are dancing and enjoying the meaning and intent of the game…lesson noted and I hope passed on to all you.
Barb was interviewed by ESPN radio last night during my 6 PM game! It was quite the thrill for her. When they asked her what was my most enjoyable time on the field, she told them that other than umpiring itself, I enjoyed dancing with Dugout. I guess I know why Dugout has told me that I am her buddy and that I am her “go to guy” for dancing!
Ed Schweickart and Grant Owens were in the stands for my second base appearance. Just prior to the start of the game, as I looked into the stands at them, I had a moment of emotion realizing that a man who was a coach (Ed) who encouraged me and a player (Grant) that had confidence in me were watching me on these fields of dreams! A tear filled my eye, much in the same way that Ed got weepy when he sat in the seats directly behind home plate in Lamade Stadium! I want everyone to know that I am thinking of all of you, in Moraine-West Carrollton and across the district, and grateful for your support and encouragement that has led to this experience.
SCHEDULE UPDATE: I am also scheduled to work 2nd Base at the 8 PM game tonight on ESPN2!
This has been an awesome birthday !
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More games and a lot of people!
August 22, 2009 --
This second day was international in flavor! My first game was Canada versus Mexico and my second game was Middle East and Africa versus Japan. The language differences made plate meetings interesting to say the least! The Canada Mexico game has been the longest game so far this tournament...3 hours! I hope there are no more games this long or longer, my 52 year old knees are beginning to feel their age!
What has impressed me today has been the sheer number of people who are here! The games are drawing in the neighborhood of 7,000 to 10, 000 spectators! Just being on the field with that many people around is awe inspiring! This morning as I was walking to the umpire room, I happened to come upon Doug Perrin who was looking for some information at the information booth; it was really strange to be so far from home and among some many people and walk right past someone I knew. Today Brady and Matt, umpires from District 8 made it here. Ed Schweickart and Grant Owens arrived late last night, we shared a beverage before they returned to their campground they have named "Deliverance", it must remind them of some movie, I suppose!
I am working my way around the diamond, today a Left Field Line and First Base, tomorrow Second Base and the Right Field Line! Off to bed now, I am exhausted!
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Day One In the Books
August 21, 2009 --
Today began with reviewing ground rules in the rain, and the staff being anxious that Opening Ceremonies might be rained out. The ceremony did happen, in the rain! What an awesome experience to be on the field with the best Little League players and umpires in the world for 2009! As I stepped onto Volunteer Stadium field I took with me Roger's Kentucky State pin and a small amount of my brother Max's ashes in a sealed container. Maybe it was good that it was raining, because no one could tell that some of the water on my cheeks were tears.
Spending time in the replay booth was cool, and what made it even better was that we didn't have to review anything!
Then at 5 PM I ran onto the Volunteer Stadium field for my first game! I was assigned to work the plate and the nerves were stretched as tight as ever. Following all the pregame activities and the television preparations it was time to play ball! The quality of play made what I had to do much easier! The kids and coaches are awesome! My colleagues on the field are tremendous and a great bunch of gentlemen! This continues to be such a surreal experience! I know that I am here, but there are moments I have to remind myself that I really am on the field at the Little League World Series and not watching it or dreaming it! Some of you watched the game and the voice messages and texts of support are deeply appreciated! I can't wait to see the video and hear the comments of the ESPN announcers about my ball bag "malfunction". If you don't know what I am talking about, it was a rather humorous moment when my ball bag turned inside out and I couldn't get to go back to normal and made a comment about making a spectacle of myself...forgetting that the microphone was there! What a way to get "personalized" attention as my sister-in-law Kitty put it! I guess if I am going to be remembered for something other than my performance, some humor isn't a bad thing!
Left field line tomorrow morning at 11 AM...no ball bag...should go smooth!
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The Parade
August 20, 2009 --
Never have I been applauded as an umpire in the manner that I was this evening! As the parade wound through the streets of Williamsport people along the route stood and applauded as the umpire float went by thanking us for our time and commitment to the kids! This is truely an awesome and surreal experience! One picture is attached to hopfully capture the event!
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The Schedule is Out!-Please see updates
August 20, 2009 --
Ok, so here is the schedule that I have for pool play:
FRIDAY, AUGUST 21
Game 1 Midatlantic v Northwest - 1 PM - Video Replay Official (ESPN & ESPN360.com)
Game 3 Midwest v Southeast - 5 PM - Home Plate (ESPN & ESPN360.com)
SATURDAY, AUGUST 22
Game 5 Mexico v Canada - 11 AM - Left Field (ESPN & ESPN360.com)
Game 8 Middle East & Africa v Japan - 6 PM - 1 Base (ESPN2 & ESPN360.com)
SUNDAY, AUGUST 23
Game 12 Asia Pacific v Canada - 3 PM - 2 Base (ESPN & ESPN360.com)
Game 13 West v New England - 6 PM - RF (ESPN2 & ESPN360.com)
MONDAY, AUGUST 24
Game 16 Latin America v Japan - 2 PM - 3 Base (ESPN2 & SPN360.com)
There it is! Set your DVR and make sure that I get the call right!
More to come...off for pictures and the parade!
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I am finally here!
August 19, 2009 --
Leaving at 7 AM this morning and driving through rain and construction zones too numerous to count, the dream is becoming reality! Barb, Tyler and I arrived in Williamsport this afternoon in the midst of a rain shower and warm greetings from the hotel staff and my umpiring colleagues. The feelings are nearly overwhelming! Meeting umpires from not just around the nation but the world! Ture to umpire etiquette we traded pins - and they all thought the flipping coin was cool (nice job Shannon and District 8!) - followed by the telling of jokes and umpire experiences (known better as "war stories").
Later in the evening we meet with the Little League international staff and the managers and coaches from around the world. It was awesome. Steven Keener's, President and CEO of Little League Internationl, said that winning the Regional title was the hardest game ever. Each team here is now a World Series team, yes only one will be champion, but all 16 of them remain World Series teams, a significant accomplishment in itself! The same holds true for the umpires here, regardless of what games we work or the positions we are assigned, we are all World Series umpires.
Following the meeting some of us walked to the stadium for our first look at it. It was already dark and the stadium unfolded before us through the dim lights of the empty arena. Then suddenly the stadium lights turned on and the it became quite the spectacle. I must admit there was a tear in my eye and thoughts of all of you who helped me to get to this point. Perhaps the picture I am including with this posting will help express it.
Off to bed, meetings, pictures, picnic and a parade are in the offing for tomorrow.
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Thanks for the send off!
August 16, 2009 --
Last night my family and friends gathered to send me off with a party! It was awesome. I remain so amazed at the support I enjoy from each of them! My cousin's Jim and Donna Fox hosted the event and the cake that she made was completely amazing! Sadly, the pictures I took of the cake and the event didn't turn out...something about a card needing formatted! I would say user error, but Barb was managing the camera, so it has to be the hardware, right?
If anyone reading this was there and has pictures, could you please send me some? I want to have the photos to aid me in recalling this wonderful event years from now...like I will ever forget it. You can email them to me at jstokoe@woh.rr.com.
Well, back to packing! The new shoes are here and fit great, so I won't have to have scratched up shoes for the television cameras...like they look at shoes. I know that my umpiring compadres will be looking, so I had to have new, shiny shoes! Any excuse to buy equipment right?
Well I am scheduled to hit the road this Wednesday at about 7 AM! Those of who know me, know that it will be a significant accomplishment to pull that off!
More to come from Williamsport PA!
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Its getting closer!
August 10, 2009 --
Nine days until I leave for the trip of a lifetime! This past Saturday I visited the Regional Tournament in Indianapolis IN where I was surprised with the honor of throwing out the first pitch of one of the ball games. It wasn't all that much of a pitch...a bouncer to the catcher! I don't catch, and clearly can't throw...so I umpire!
The lists are growing and being checked off to ensure that the family and I do not forget a thing! The pins have arrived and look wonderful. Last week my uniforms arrived and I have to say I will at least look good!
Those who have encouraged me and supported, this is your trip too! I did not get to Williamsport on my own, I had your help, support and encouragement. I will not list names, because I will forget someone; however I do want to mention those who are on my pin. My mother Dorothy Stokoe, my brothers Ron and Max Stokoe, my mother-in-law Margaret Kelley and my former District Administrator Mike Hackett - all of whom have died and now watch from the best seats of all! Also on my pin is my loving and supportive wife Barbara, she gave the support I needed to "step it up a notch"! Then there are all the members of Moraine-West Carrollton Little League - past and present - along with the members of the Ohio District 8 Umpire Association; thanks guys!
Ok, back to checking the lists and polishing the shoes! More to come...
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