D3 Coed Friday Night Season Opening Games · April 15, 2017

Opening Week Dampened by the Weather.

Opening Week for WNCSSA Slow-pitch Softball was a wet weather mess that included rain, heavy winds, hail, and some snow — not weather one has been used to the past six years in April, but not anything out of the ordinary if you have lived in the area for awhile; nonetheless, the softball mood was dampened.

Games were cancelled at Memorial due to swampy conditions on Monday for Men's C2; Litton was open for Men's B2; I do not know if Condon was open for Men's B1.

Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday games were cancelled at all fields shutting down opening day games for C1 Men's, Women's, D3 Coed, and D1 Coed. These games will be rescheduled.

The forecast said the sun would come out friday and it did. Teams were in anticipation to play as they sent messages and emails asking if there were games on Friday. Games at Memorial were canceled early in the day as it is a swamp; however, I was waiting on word from Steve Loomis — the Commissioner of the League — about Litton. It was around 4:07pm when I got this message from Steve. “Litton is on.”

Butterflies, Nerves, and Smiles, Oh My!

I carry my umpire gear with me — most of the time due to getting called to cover games during the week and if I do not have it, I have a 20 minute drive home, and a 20 minute drive back into town, so I try to keep it with me when I remember, and today was a day that I remembered to bring it. Of course it is my night to umpire, but I was thinking/hoping the games would be cancelled.

My first games of any season — and covering a league and division I do not normally cover — I get nervous as I do not like making mistakes, I want to stay sharp, and fresh to make the correct/best calls I can. And what always happens is after the first hit and I make the call in position those butterflies are gone. Friday was no different even though the teams are D3 (not the bottom, but not the top teams), some are new and some players have been around awhile, I want to do my best no matter what game I am calling.

Confidence (not arrogance), trust yourself, remember your training are things I think about that make me smile as I take the field. Bottom line, I am the only one getting paid; everyone else is there to have fun; it is my job to make them do that in a safe manner. Not like I have better things to do on a Friday night. Or do I?

Let me introduce myself.

First games of the season I introduce myself and find out who the manager is and let them know that “if there are any issues about the game, I only deal with the manager or coach of the night, anyone else needs to back away or they will be tossed out of the game.” It starts out friendly, then I guess it gets serious, but it has to be done — I will not be involved in an eleven person discussion about a play again! Just the two managers, and possibly the players involved.

Anyway, the introductions continued with me explaining that I have a website (THIS ONE) that I have for the divisions that I umpire. Take a picture of the score cards and post them so you know what I submitted.

There are Standings with stats, Schedules, and a weblog that you are reading. I also am willing to have a team page, if they want one with player names and bios, images, plus a company page and a link to their business, if a business is sponsoring the team.

softball.GeraldDavenport.com
A website for D2 and D3 Coed Teams
Schedules • Scores • Standings • Stats • News
If you would like a link to your business,
as well as a team page with images, roster, and info
send an email

Cold! Damp! Fun!

It seems like forever seeing the players since last year — six months to be exact — and we do a little catching up. Matt and Dan from AJA, Lori Kenny, Nick, and many others.

After the introductions I tell the home team to “take the field please!” No scoreboard tonight as it is too wet and we do not want to ruin our score tablet — it has been with us for MANY years.

During the summer, the field is dusty — way too dusty — so I quickly water down the batter's boxes and the pitching area, because the field has dried since it was prepped earlier in the day. It gives the players some footing because when I do not do it, it becomes a hole that players complain about all night. But during the spring and fall seasons, after a good rain, the field is perfect. Soft, sticky, no dust so much easier to call close plays when players slide. Tonight is one of those nights.

Not only was it damp on the ground but the air was cold. The ball was flying, but no one hit it out of the park. Nothing out of the ordinary happened but a few odd plays (the Melon Ballers hit into a triple play, and a double which should not have happened, but it was the first game of the season, and did I mention, it was cold?).

Surprising enough everyone was in good spirits, smiling, enjoying themselves, reminding themselves it was all for fun. This is the reason I love being involved in the local Nevada County Softball, seeing and hearing people having a great time whether they win or lose. There was only one remark (that I overheard) about a close play at first, but the pitcher of the team that the one remark came from (either shortstop or left field) told me it was a good call.

I am glad the games took place, even though it was cold and damp, I had fun, and I know others did as well. So next Friday, or Wednesday, come out to Litton field to watch some great players playing softball, and encourage the new ones and give them kudos for having the courage to be on the field. - See you at the ballpark and remember, Lights On For Safety!