Prologue: Reflections

In looking back on this great experience, I'd first like to thank some people that made it possible. Most importantly, Dick Runchey, who selected me for this tournament. Dick has done more to help umpires through his work with the ABUA and internationally with the IBAF than most people will ever fully realize. The process of trying to get the best umpiring for these tournaments, while working within the limits of the truly political international governing body, is extremely difficult. As officials, we often talk of politics. In this instance, Dick is dealing with people who actually think an umpire would cheat for his country if placed on a game involving them. He is dealing with those who think that an umpire on a game might be influenced by the actual politics between that umpire's country and the government of a team on the field. These people don't understand how umpires think, and Dick faces daily challenges in trying to break through these stereotypes. Many thanks, Runch, for all you do.

I would also like to thank Vicki, Hannah and Olivia for allowing me to take such an extended trip away from them. They are always supportive, and I could not have come on such a trip without their blessing. Having them to return home to makes everything worthwhile.

I would also like to thank Rich Fetchiet and Dave Yeast. These two guys have been shaping the face of amateur baseball officiating for years, both in the United States and internationally. Rich and Dave have given me opportunities in college baseball that served as a springboard to this great umpiring experience.

The people of Taiwan and the other umpires on the trip were a joy to work with. The support staff at the hotel, in the dining room, and for the tournament itself were friendly and helpful. The umpires are great people. Despite the language barrier, we WERE able to communicate and truly had a great time working with and getting to know each other. I have made friends that I hope to keep in touch with for years to come.

For those umpires who may have opportunities to work internationally, I am including a checklist of things you might find helpful:

• Take a camera and video camera if you have them. If you have a fancy SLR, don't forget to take a compact camera as well. Take the nice one when you do the tourist thing, and bring the compact one EVERYWHERE you go for snapshots. I only had my nice camera, which was a pain to lug everywhere.
• Keep a journal. It can either be an online blog like this one or a notebook you write in daily. You will want to look back on these memories down the road, and tracking your trip daily will help you do this. (Online blog services like this one, Google, are currently free.)
• Take souvenirs for people you meet. This was one where I missed the boat. Take pins, flags, and other small, inexpensive items you can give out to umpires or anyone from the country with whom you develop a relationship. Take hats, T-shirts or other mementos for people you get extremely close to.
• Travel as light as you can. You need to have room for things you are given or purchase while visiting. Go especially light on shoes and pants. Don't skimp on underwear and shirts, which you go through more quickly. Use the option of a wash-dry-fold service as opposed to taking everything you own.
• Have a plan for maintaining communication with people back home. I could have used my mobile phone while in some parts of Taiwan, but at a cost of $2.00 a minute. Instead, I used this blog, email and video-conferencing to keep in touch regularly with my family and others in the states. If you have a notebook computer, bring it and use it. The video conferencing service I used (TokBox) is currently completely free.

In closing, thanks to those who read some or all of this blog as it was written and were supportive through email while I was away. I wrote it primarily for me and my family, but I'm glad others seemed to enjoy keeping up with what was going on as well. I will leave the blog running indefinitely; feel free to share the address with anyone you think might enjoy reading it or looking at the photos.

And to those umpires who might be approached about taking such a trip: FIND A WAY TO MAKE IT HAPPEN. It is sometimes difficult to get away from work for extended periods, particularly since Runch is currently struggling with the stipend the umpires receive. I guarantee that if you find a way to make it work, you will not be disappointed.

Day 15: The Trip Home

Well, it's Tuesday morning and I'm back at home. Monday was, as expected, a very long day. I didn't think I would be able to get all my stuff back home without paying an extra charge, but I did. I had to rearrange things in my two checked bags to get my equipment bag under the limit. I still had my backpack and the new equipment bag they gave us to deal with as carry-ons. We had some time after going through security in Taipei, so I went through and threw away a bunch of dirty socks, underwear, t-shirts and some old jeans before boarding the plane. Runch and Dits for some reason thought this was hilarious.

The trip didn't seem as challenging as on the way over. I had a good legroom seat, and after our layover in Japan, had nobody sitting next to me. Having Runch and Dits to talk to when one of us got up to stretch our legs helped, too. There also was no uncertainty of what would be facing me at the other end of the trip. I passed the time watching one of the in-flight movies, listening to an audiobook on my Ipod, and watching some TV shows on my notebook computer. I actually slept very little. This was the longest time I'd ever been away from Vicki and the girls since my daughters were born, and I was very much looking forward to seeing them upon my return. The flight back was uneventful and we actually got in an hour earlier than expected in Detroit, where Vic was waiting for me after my journey through Immigration, Baggage Claim and Customs, respectively. As much as I enjoyed my trip, it was great to get back home!

Day 14: Japan vs Netherlands

The last day of the tournament! To fit everything in, the four games started at 9:00 AM. I worked the bronze medal game between Japan and the Netherlands at second base. Our game started at 10:00 AM. Six umpires were used for all the games today, which were played at two stadiums. Nelson (Cuba) was our plate umpire, Neil was at first, Willie was at third, and Oswaldo and Carlos were down the left and right field lines, respectively. it was an entire crew of guys from the Taichung bracket together one last time. Right in the top of the first, I saw a extremely long leather tie that had come un-knotted on the little finger of the pitcher's glove. It looked like something that could be distracting to the hitters, so I asked the pitcher to cut it off or tie it up. The pitcher didn't seem to have a problem with this, but the Netherlands manager was not happy about it. He did not think this was something that needed to be addressed and let me know about it. This type of situation gives me something to evaluate. Is this something that is better left unaddressed until the offensive team complains, or was the way I handled it appropriate? There was little of consequence that happened in the game. Japan won the game going away.

Following the game, we came back to the hotel to start packing for the trip home. The championship game between the USA and Cuba was a 4:30 PM start. Everyone had to be at the stadium for the closing ceremonies in uniform. We boarded the bus at 6:00 PM and got to the game in about the 5th inning. A few of us found a Chili's near the ballpark and went over there until the 8th, watching the game on TV. The United States won the game over Cuba, only the second or third time they've won the tournament in its 37 year history.

The closing ceremonies were fairly elaborate. There were some native dancers in some kind of Indian attire that performed a dance that lasted about 10 minutes. A Taiwanese man and woman served as the two master of ceremonies. We were introduced as a group, as were the individual committee members. Awards were given out to a number of individual performers, and a complete tournament all-star team was named as well. Medals were given out to the top three teams. At the conclusion of the ceremonies, we boarded the bus for the trip back to the hotel. Many of us had a late dinner in the dining room and said good-byes to those not going out for the evening.

From there it was over to the Brass Monkey. Upon arriving, we found that the people from Stadeo TV were throwing a party at the bar to which we were invited. Runch was there, as were quite a few umpires, the Stadeo people, tournament committee people, and other support staff. Our little core group of umpires stayed until they kicked us out at 2:00 AM. There was really no reason to sleep with a 5:00 AM bus call to the airport, so we just hung out in the room and finished packing. It will be an extremely long day on Monday. 8:30 AM flight to Japan, go through security again, then our flight to Detroit at about 1:30 PM. Arrival in Detroit is scheduled for 11:30 AM on Monday. From take-off in Taipei to touchdown at DTW will be about 16 hours. I will write one more journal entry with some closing thoughts on my trip once I've arrived back in Michigan. I will also post the additional photos I took in the last few days. It has been a wonderful trip, but I am very glad to be reunited with my family after being away for over two weeks.

Day 13: Cuba vs Japan

During the day, Corrie, Neil, Fabrizio and I went to see Taipei 101, one of the tallest buildings in the world. In some regards, it does (or did) hold the record. It has all kinds of shopping on the lower floors (very upscale) and actual office space toward the very top. We traveled via the world's fastest elevator up to the the observation deck. This floor was indoors, but windows looked out over all four sides of the city. It was quite a spectacular view. There was an audio tour, in which you moved around the floor, trying to find the points of interest out the windows while they were described on the audio that you listened to via a portable telephone. I thought this might be a good time for me to practice my photography skills. Of course, I left the memory card back at the hotel. We briefly looked for a card in the 101, but were unable to find my type, and I didn't want to hold up the group for long. I did take video of the building from the outside, and from the observation deck. There was a floor where you could go outside, which we did, but the view was not as good due to the protective construction around the outside. We returned to the hotel after doing this sight-seeing.

The Cuba vs Japan game went extremely well. I felt very comfortable throughout. The Cuba pitcher was a big left-handed kid who threw in the 90's. I believe someone said he was only 19 years old. He dominated the Japan hitters most of the time. It didn't hurt that he was occasionally wild. One Japanese hitter took one right in the head and had blood coming out of his ear. Cuba got off to a 3-0 lead. A triple just inside the bag at first brought home Japan's first run. The Cuban pitcher ended up going 8 solid innings. The final score of the game was Cuba 5, Japan 3.

Apparently there was more at stake with this assignment than I was aware of. Because of the fact that there are umpires from all over the world, and because Runch is from the United States, everything he does is under the microscope. The other members of the committee must have initially not wanted me on this game, and must have been very vocal, because Runch appeared quite relieved and happy things went as well as they did. As i said, I felt real comfortable and both catchers worked with me real well. Upon our return to the hotel after the game, we had a short meeting. Runch distributed a baseball for each of us and gave us our assignments for the final day. I will be working the Japan vs Netherlands game. That game will decide third place, and should be a good one. I have been very happy with my assignments throughout the tournament. It feels good to be one of Runch's trusted guys.

Following the meeting, the usual suspects went to the Brass Monkey, which is the local watering hole the Taipei crew found. Natalia, one of the tournament volunteers, came with us. She's doing her graduate work in Spanish at the university in Taichung (just like Johnny, but she's a couple years ahead of him). The majority of the people at the bar were engrossed in the soccer game and appeared to be rooting for Italy. We did not stay out too late, as things are going to start moving fast as we get to the end of the tournament and prepare to head back home. The games start early: 9:00 AM for 7th and 8th place (Chinese Taipei vs Mexico), our game is at 10:00 AM, the Australia vs Korea game is at 1:00 PM (5th and 6th place) and then Cuba and USA are in the championship game at 4:30 PM. For some reason, we have to be at the stadium in uniform for the closing ceremonies. Gotta get to bed.

Day 12: Australia vs Japan

After having very few problems in our bracket of the tournament for the first seven games, I had my first experience with a team from the Taipei bracket today (Australia). They reminded me of why umpires are such a necessary part of baseball to begin with. Baseball players and coaches are, by the very nature of what they do, almost incapable of rational, unbiased reactions. It takes a very disciplined team to manage their emotions through the ups and downs of a baseball game without acting like spoiled children. In this part of the world, the teams seem to have figured out how to do it very well. Japan was very respectful and business-like, as usual. Australia, on the other hand, was not. Our crew today consisted of Fabrizio Chirici from Italy on the plate, myself, Hsieh Liang-Kuei from Taipei at second, and Juan Cuevas from Cuba at third. Right away, in the bottom of the first inning, Fabrizio called an Australian batter out on a check swing with a runner on second base. You'd have thought he'd just killed Crocodile Dundee. The batter, both base coaches, and several players in the dugout came completely unglued. This led to a discussion between the first base coach and I. I'm fairly certain we didn't have a meeting of the minds.

The game was close and fairly well played. I had not seen Fabrizio work the plate before and I thought he did a really nice job. Japan hit a home run to go up 1-0, and added a run late to make it 2-0. In the top of the ninth, I called a balk on the Australian pitcher for breaking his front knee before throwing to first base. While the reaction to this call did not rival that of the check swing, I did hear from the manager, second baseman, pitcher and first baseman. The balk did not end up coming in to play, but Japan did tack on another run. When the first base coach came out for the bottom of the ninth, he showed his true colors again. We have a little more flexibility to "manage" a game here then we do currently in college baseball, so I was able to express myself as to his lack of class without fearing any issues down the road. Japan quickly closed out the game and won 3-0.

Tonight was a pretty quiet night. Dits, Willie, Carlos (Mexico) and I had dinner in the dining room. The food is not as good here as it was at our hotel in Taichung. I got a phone call while in the room later that one of the Taiwan umpires wanted me to meet me in the lobby. Turns out it was one of the umpires from Taichung -- I had given him much of the umpire gear we received for working the tournament a couple of days ago. I primarily did it because I had no room for it in my luggage, and thought he or another umpire in his group could benefit from having it. He was very appreciative, and came by with a golf shirt, a necklace from his wife to Vicki, and some sort of decorative storage device for tea. We had a nice conversation through an interpreter. The local people (umpires, hotel staff, tournament administrators and just the local people) have all been so friendly and kind to us that its been unbelievable.

Around 10:30 PM, assignments were posted for tomorrow. I've got the plate for Cuba vs Japan, which will send one of the two to the championship game. The other winners from today were USA and the Netherlands. I felt very fortunate to get that assignment and am really looking forward to the game. Although it's a 6:00 PM start tomorrow, I had eaten not long before and am running a little short of money, so I decided to stay in. Some of the others went out for a bite and some cocktails. After finishing this update, I'm just going to relax and try and get a good night's sleep. We've been running pretty hard lately and I want to be sharp tomorrow.

Day 11: Travel Day to Taipei

Well, we did hit the night spots one last time in Taichung last night. We started at Frog and hung out with Queenie for awhile, then took a cab to a night club. I was in fear for my life in the taxi. The driver was apparently working on volume and got us there as quickly as possible. Because there were five of us in the cab, I didn't even have enough room to put my seat belt on. The club itself was actually quite fun. I'm too old to frequent these types of places very often, but the company was good and it was a nice change from the pub atmosphere we were used to at Frog. We were encouraged to check this place out by a girl we met the night before, and we quickly found her and some friends. There was a whole group of young Taiwanese singers and dancers. Their dancing in particular was pretty impressive. Some of the songs were ones I vaguely recognized and some were not. It was the full dance club scene with strobe lights and a pounding bass. We danced some with the people who invited us and had a great time. The usual suspects were in attendance: Willie, Corrie, Neil, Fred, Oswaldo and of course, Johnny. After leaving the club we went back to the karaoke bar one last time. I hung on until about four and headed back.

The bus for Taipei was scheduled to leave at 10:30 AM. We were dismayed to learn that we would be sharing rooms in Taipei for the remainder of the tournament, and were a little grouchy on the trip due to learning this fact and also perhaps because some of us were a little hung over and tired from the night before. We were told shortly after our scheduled departure time that we would be delayed because our Korean umpire had just gotten up and would need time to pack. Approximately an hour later, he showed up in a suit, smelling as if he had come directly from the bar to the bus. In addition to this delay, he could not find his room key to turn in to the desk. The keys they used were the old-fashioned variety, and apparently this was a big deal, because I watched as the Korean unpacked his suitcase outside the bus and dug through all of his stuff until he found the key. Upon doing so, he boarded the bus, took Corrie's seat (he had stepped out for coffee) leaned it back and slept for the entire three hour trip to Taipei. We created a strategy on the trip for keeping as many of our tribe alive as possible once we got to Taiwan and "merged" with the other tribe. I warned everyone to keep their ears open, as the umpires from the other bracket were sure to try and make alliances with us. It is our hope to keep as many of the Taichung tribe alive until the end. We have the numbers, and hope to pick off the "Taipei" members one by one once we drop our buffs and merge as one tribe.

We learned the reason for the doubling up once arriving at our new hotel. Runch told us that the final rounds of the tournament were budgeted for sending not only a number of the local umpires home, but for cutting several of the international umpires as well. Runch, to his credit, refused to agree to send the international umpires home, and to stay within the budget we were forced to share accommodations. I'm with Mark, so it's not that big a deal, other than the principle of the move. In any case, we settled in, reacquainted ourselves with the umpires from the other bracket, and had lunch. After lunch, Mark took Corrie and I for a walk to show us a few of the sites downtown. We went into a temple and wandered the streets for a while and I shot some pictures and video. We had a 7:00 PM meeting, at which time the assignments were made for Friday. I'm working the noon game between Australia and Japan and have first base. Mark has the plate on the Chinese Taipei vs Netherlands game. The other teams that made the final rounds are the United States, Cuba, Korea and Mexico. Mexico got in from our bracket as a replacement for Panama, who had to forfeit a couple of wins due to paperwork problems. After the meeting a bunch of us went out to one of the night markets in Taipei, then Dits, Corrie and I got a late dinner at TGI Friday's. It's off to bed now so as to be ready for tomorrow.

Day 10: Spain vs Japan

Today is the last day of the bracket round robin. The top four teams from each of the two brackets advance to Taipei for the remainder of the tournament. Going into today's games, the United States and Chinese Taipei have sewn up the first and second seeds and play tonight for first place in our bracket. Japan is also guaranteed a spot, and Panama, Mexico and Italy are battling it out for the last spot.

Our crew today consisted of Carlos Campechano on the plate (Mexico) and Neil, myself and one of the Taiwan umpires at first, second and third, respectively. Our game was the noon start at Taichung Stadium. We had almost no crowd and the game went very smoothly. Japan got off to a 2-0 lead in the first inning, Spain took a 3-2 lead mid-game, and Japan tied it up in the bottom of the 8th. They scored again in the bottom of the ninth to win the game. No issues or problems, and we were back at the hotel by 3:30 pm.

After updating this blog, I need to start packing for Taipei. We have an off-day tomorrow as the umpires, teams and tournament officials from Taichung head up there for the weekend and the conclusion of the tournament. I'm not looking forward to having to find a place for all this gear. I think I'll have a fire sale in the lobby tomorrow morning and start giving equipment, T-shirts, etc. away in preparation for the flight home. I'll eat dinner in the hotel dining room tonight, and then probably watch the US - Chinese Taipei game on television. I think a bunch of us are going to go back to Frog's one last time, and then may go out to a disco club after that. I'm looking forward to being reunited with Dits, Runch, and Carlos Rey, who I know from my time in Puerto Rico back in the winter of 1991-92. It will also be good to spend some time with the other umpires from Taipei, who I haven't spent any time with since the opening party.