Tournament Comes to an End
The 5th World University Baseball Championship has come to an end. The Gold Medal game saw Cuba beat the USA 4-3 in 10 innings. I was fortunate enough to be the first base umpire for the game. It was 0-0 after seven, 1-1 after eight. In the bottom of the ninth inning, Cuba loaded the bases with 0 outs. A ground ball back to the pitch was turned into a double play by the USA for two outs. The next batter flied out to center field and we were headed to extra innings.
In extra innings, the team batting gets to put runners on first and second base. Then they start batting. The Americans scored two runs in the top of the 10th. I thought Cuba would have a tough time scoring. But, following one out, a Cuban player hit a three-run homerun and the championship was won. For me, I had about five close calls at first base – none of them easy. The game was very intense as well as exciting. Both teams had very good pitchers who threw the ball in the mid 90 miles per hour range. The American pitcher went seven innings, while the Cuban pitcher went nine innings.
We have one more day in Tokyo – Sunday. A few local umpires have offered to take anyone interested on a tour of Tokyo. We are planning to go for about 5 to 6 hours, stopping at about half a dozen landmark places. This is just another example of the hospitality shown by our Japanese hosts. At the ballparks we are given a meal, delivered to the umpire’s dressing room. Bottles of water are always available. And, when we go to a restaurant for a meal we are not allowed to pay. It is almost an insult if we insist on paying. Their hospitality is second to none.
I almost hate to say it this way but I have never had this much fun, or been treated with this much hospitality, at any of the national championships I have umpired at. That is not to say we have not been treated well in Canada. What it says is that these people go out of their way to ensure that we feel as comfortable as possible that sometimes I pinch myself thinking I cannot believe how fortunate I am to be here. There are so many good umpires across Canada who could have been selected for this event. They would be so deserving to be here, yet I am the one here. There are so many good memories that will definitely last a lifetime.
One of other thing of note from today’s final game. Saduhara Oh (not sure of the spelling) – Japan’s equivalent to Hank Aaron – was on hand tonight for the opening pitch ceremony prior to the final game. I asked if we could have a picture taken with him and he agreed. We have a photo with the six-man final game umpire crew. I also got a close up picture taken with just him and I. This is quite a treat.
Thank you to everyone who has taken time to read my posts. I hope you have been able to follow along as I went on the most incredible baseball trip of my life to date. I also thank you for your comments. It means a lot to know that people are reading my posts.
See you at home, work or on the field soon.
Elemer
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Awesome posts Elemer. Enjoy your remaining time there, see you soon.
I am glad you had a good time in Japan Elemer. You deserve to be there. I am sure you represented Canada and Regina very well. I look forward to your return and all the stories you did not put on the blog.
Congrats on the Gold Medal assignment.
Rob