Behind the Plate : 2009 : August : 13

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Behind the Plate

August 13, 2009

Iowa and Missouri To Battle For Midwest Title

Posted by Tom McGorty Aug 13, 2009

In the first game today, the Iowa state champions from Urbandale defeated the N/S Dakota state champion, Harney Little League 3-2. Iowa's left fielder Spencer Sturges helped with the win with a two run shot over the left field fence in the second inning.

Iowa's lead held until the top of the fifth inning when South Dakota's Dmiitri Bledso tied the game with his own two run shot over center field fence. The game remained tied until the bottom of the sixth when Jake Grau hit a long single into center field and Trae Cropp scored from second.

In the second game, Daniel Boone National Little League from Missouri defeated the Nebraska team from Blair Little League also by a score of 3-2.

Nebraska game into the game undefeated and Missouri was 2-2 but that didn't bother Missouri who came out hitting and scored 2 runs in the bottom of the first inning. Missouri was led by winning pitcher Connor Brumfield who went 2 for 3,

As one of the team hosts for Nebraska it was a sad ending to a great run. The kids were great and a lot of fun to be around.

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Throwing Out The First Pitch

Posted by Tom McGorty Aug 13, 2009

I've written about my time in the announcers booth and operating the scoreboard both of which have been a wonderful experience for me. So when I was then asked to throw out the first pitch for one of the games, well what can I say... that was about the most exciting things to happen to me since umpiring here back in 1998.

I wish I could tell you that I threw a perfect strike but I would be stretching the truth... a lot! Before I threw the ball, I even yelled out "I'm an umpire... not a pitcher". I of course proved the point by throwing the ball !http://www.eteamz.com/llbcentral/images/FirstPitch.jpg|height=285|style=padding:10px;|align=left|width=190|src=http://www.eteamz.com/llbcentral/images/FirstPitch.jpg!short as it hit the ground in front of the plate before being scooped up by the catcher from Kentucky.

Being here in at the Central Region tournament representing Active and then being allowed to be a team host, announce games and run the scoreboard has been an absolute thrill for me. Active sent me here to try and provide a behind the scene prospective and to blog and Twitter about the games. As we begin to move into the semifinal games, I hope I've succeeded at least a little.

Representing Active as I threw out that first pitch was a very proud moment for me. As with all the baseballs I've collected from big games I've umpired in, I had the team in the "booth" autograph it for me. It will now take its honored place in my collection.

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