2009 LL Western Regional Video

Netnorske · 03-17-2013, 09:17 PM

I was stumbling through my files today and found this gem I had nearly forgotten about! I made this clip shortly after returning home from working that tournament. I count those among the best couple weeks of my life, as I not only got to work one of the most prestigious Little League tournaments in the entire country, but I rode my Nomad from Everett to San Bernardino and back with all of my umpire gear loaded onto it.

The ride down, the riding I did while I was there, and the ride home were almost as fun as the tournament itself. You can see from the video that Little League at that level is a HUGE deal. I will treasure that memory for as long as I live! The pic is me on my way down to San Bernardino taken at Crater Lake, OR.

The first song in the video had a special meaning to us umpires. One day before a game at the beginning of the tournament, it was playing over the loudspeaker and somewhat naively the umpires started to sing along in the dugout...apparently loud enough for the crowd to hear us. Over the course of the tournament, it became our daily pre-game routine and we belted it out for all to hear! The crowds loved it...

!

**crazygene49** · 03-17-2013, 10:23 PM

Awesome!

**glwilson** · 03-17-2013, 10:32 PM

That's really cool Kris... Congrats on being a part of it!

Netnorske · 03-18-2013, 01:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glwilson

That's really cool Kris... Congrats on being a part of it!

The odds of getting the chance are like winning the lottery. They only pick 14 LL Umpires each year from 11 western states. There are thousands of umpires from which to choose. On top of that, you have to be recommended to the Region by your District Administrator, and that means you have to devote a lot of time and energy to your training, local league and local District for years on end. It is a HUGE honor to be chosen, so yes, I am not only proud to have been a participant, but humbled to have been so. I can honestly say that Little League Baseball gave more to me than I ever gave to it, but I'd like to think my involvement left a positive mark. In 2010 my eye issue cropped up, and that was the end of the run...but I will always cherish those awesome memories...

!

**glwilson** · 03-18-2013, 08:04 AM

It would kind-of cool to find out someday that one of the kids turns out to be a major-league player of some stature...

Again... pretty cool Kris...

Netnorske · 03-18-2013, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glwilson

It would kind-of cool to find out someday that one of the kids turns out to be a major-league player of some stature...

Again... pretty cool Kris...

The team that won the tournament that year was from Chula Vista, CA. They moved on to Williamsport, PA to the LL World Series and won the whole thing. That team had some seriously talented kids....some real ball-bashers....so I would not be surprised one bit if one or two of them made it to "The Show". I worked several of their games...one at third base. I spent seemingly the entire game just making sure kids touched the base on their way home...they scored something like 25 runs or some ridiculous number like that...it was unreal.

**Eagle Eye** · 03-18-2013, 10:58 PM

Anyone who devotes time & effort towards keeping kids active & involved in minor sports deserves the accolades of their peers. Even if they do it for the love of the game. A tip of the hat to you Kris!

03-17-2013, 09:17 PM	#1
Netnorske Top Contributor Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Everett, Washington Posts: 5,709	2009 LL Western Regional Video I was stumbling through my files today and found this gem I had nearly forgotten about! I made this clip shortly after returning home from working that tournament. I count those among the best couple weeks of my life, as I not only got to work one of the most prestigious Little League tournaments in the entire country, but I rode my Nomad from Everett to San Bernardino and back with all of my umpire gear loaded onto it. The ride down, the riding I did while I was there, and the ride home were almost as fun as the tournament itself. You can see from the video that Little League at that level is a HUGE deal. I will treasure that memory for as long as I live! The pic is me on my way down to San Bernardino taken at Crater Lake, OR. The first song in the video had a special meaning to us umpires. One day before a game at the beginning of the tournament, it was playing over the loudspeaker and somewhat naively the umpires started to sing along in the dugout...apparently loud enough for the crowd to hear us. Over the course of the tournament, it became our daily pre-game routine and we belted it out for all to hear! The crowds loved it...! __________________ *Kris Olsen* VBA #0691 2017 HD Ultra Limited Low 2013 Victory Cross Country Tour 2012 1700 Vulcan Voyager 2008 1600 Vulcan Nomad 1997 Vulcan 800 Classic *"Growing old is mandatory,* *but growing up is optional"* Custer 2009\|Kalispell 2010\|Cortez 2010\|Crescent City 2011\|Kanab 2012\|Canmore 2012\|Estes Park 2013\|Orofino 2014\|Lake Tahoe 2015\|Red Lodge 2016 Login or Register to Remove Ads Last edited by Netnorske; 07-26-2014 at 12:44 PM.
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03-17-2013, 10:23 PM	#2
crazygene49 Join Date: May 2011 Location: Dover, DE Posts: 1,856	Awesome! __________________ Gene Chestnut Dover, DE USAF 1968-1995 VBA#01761 2007 Nomad 1600 Black and Titanium
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03-17-2013, 10:32 PM	#3
glwilson Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: North Central Illinois Posts: 8,575	That's really cool Kris... Congrats on being a part of it! __________________ "During times of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act." "You can have your own opinion, but not your own facts." *Former VBA NCR Assist Regional Leader* Formerly: 2004 1500FI Bronze Nomad: 2009 & 2014 HD Ultra Current Rides: 2017 HD Ultra Limited & 2011 Can Am Spyder RTS-SE Attended: VBA National Rallies 2009, 2011, 2015; VBA/NCR Regional Rally 2010, 12, 14, 16 and several rides throughout with regional members. VBA Member #652 HOG Member #3935417
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03-18-2013, 08:04 AM	#5
glwilson Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: North Central Illinois Posts: 8,575	It would kind-of cool to find out someday that one of the kids turns out to be a major-league player of some stature... Again... pretty cool Kris... __________________ "During times of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act." "You can have your own opinion, but not your own facts." *Former VBA NCR Assist Regional Leader* Formerly: 2004 1500FI Bronze Nomad: 2009 & 2014 HD Ultra Current Rides: 2017 HD Ultra Limited & 2011 Can Am Spyder RTS-SE Attended: VBA National Rallies 2009, 2011, 2015; VBA/NCR Regional Rally 2010, 12, 14, 16 and several rides throughout with regional members. VBA Member #652 HOG Member #3935417 Login or Register to Remove Ads
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03-18-2013, 10:58 PM	#7
Eagle Eye Join Date: May 2012 Location: Southern Alberta Posts: 663	Anyone who devotes time & effort towards keeping kids active & involved in minor sports deserves the accolades of their peers. Even if they do it for the love of the game. A tip of the hat to you Kris! __________________ VBA #02217 06 Nomad Buy the ticket, Take the ride.
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