Day 6: Spain vs Chinese Taipei

Early game today: Spain vs Chinese Taipei. The crowd wasn't nearly as big as the one last night, but they made up for their smaller size with enthusiasm. Although Spain outhit CT by double, they never seemed to seriously be in the game. Today was my first chance to work with Japanese umpire Tamiharu Kumazawa, who had the plate. I was joined on the bases by my English speaking friends Corrie (Canada) and Neil (Australia). Having a crew that actually could communicate definitely helped. We were on the same page all day and had no problems. The only issues in the game were a couple of descrepancies with the count, which we were able to get corrected. We spent our time before the game razzing Neil about Australian Rules Football and those great referees with their white coats -- remember the early days of ESPN? He, of course, likes to get on me about how everyone in the United States thinks the world revolves around them. I couldn't figure out what his point was on that one; sounds a little like p**nis envy to me.

I noticed something interesting on the way back from the game. There are scantily clad young women set up in these little trailer-like booths with glass sides. They are one right after the other on one stretch of road outside of the city. I could only guess at what they were selling inside those little shops. Then, when you get by that section, there is a very small man-made lake with all kinds of people fishing around the outside. Once you get back downtown, it is very different. Crowded and busy, you go from an area with all kinds of upscale shops to one with little side streets, ramshackle buildings and eccentric little businesses. On thing is for certain, though. You are never more than a block or two from a 7-Eleven, no matter where you go. They have some sort of fascination with Hello Kitty in this part of the world in general, and at the 7-Eleven in particular. I will have to do some research on this matter.

I came back after the game, had dinner, and settled in to watch a little bit of Dits' plate job between Cuba and Korea on TV. I had thought about staying to watch the USA vs Japan game at the same site where I just worked, but staying around another 2 1/2 hours just for the game to start seemed just a little long for me. I tried to call that one up on the internet, but for some reason it said I couldn't watch it from my location. I didn't know they had blackout restrictions even over here! Dits looked solid, as usual. Anyway, I have the early game tomorrow at third base -- Chinese Taipei, this time against Mexico. I've been downloading my favorite TV shows from the internet, since all they have here on the tube is the ball games and HBO (at least, that's all they have that I can understand). So, I think I'll watch the latest from "The Office" and "Friday Night Lights" and then hit the rack.