Dec. 5, 2007
14-Year-Old COPABE Pan Am Championships - Puerto Rico
I would like to take this opportunity to thank Dick Runchey, ABUA chairman, for giving me the opportunity to umpire in Puerto Rico during the 2007 COPABE Championships; Paul Seiler, CEO and Executive Director of USA Baseball for allowing the ABUA to be a platform for training and development for their baseball umpiring needs; and Nick Zibelli, for helping all amateur umpires on the East Coast become the best they can be through training camps, on- field evaluations, working college baseball and the Cape Cod League.
Day One: Thursday, November 22: Waking up at 3:30 a.m. Thanksgiving Day for my trip to Puerto Rico was not a problem. Since I do most of the cooking around the house, I had prepared most of the ‘fixins’ for my family to enjoy in my absence. This was the first time that I can remember that we were not all together for the holiday.
The first leg of the trip, Boston to Orlando, started at 7:30 a.m. I met up with the USA’s national team in Orlando, FL, and then flew to San Juan, PR. I knew that the warm weather in the tropics would be a refreshing change from the cold weather soon to arrive in New England.
Let’s start with COPABE. This is the Confederation of Pan-American Baseball. This organization facilitates all baseball qualifying rounds and championship tournaments throughout the tropics. Argentina, Brazil, Guatemala, Chile, Peru, Colombia, Venezuela, Aruba, Mexico, Cuba, Nicaragua, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Panama and the USA comprise this commission. The age groups are similar to ours, whereas 13-14, 15-16, 17-18 and the collegiate national teams all compete. Sites for these games are determined at COPABE’s December meetings in Panama City, Panama, every year. The 2008 World Games will be in Juno, Puerto Rico.
The flight to San Juan, PR, was as smooth as silk. We picked up our bags and boarded a motor coach for the ride to Salinas, a small town about 60 miles directly south of San Juan, on the southern coast of Puerto Rico. We stayed at Camp Santiago, a military installation built by the Estades Unidos in the early 1960s, now a training facility for the Puerto Rican National Guard. The camp, maintained by the government’s Department of Recreation, is used by several different sporting teams who participate in a variety of national competitions, along with the usual weekend National Guard duties.
We arrived at camp around 8 p.m. just as the other teams were rolling in and then escorted to our living quarters; it reminded me of my first day at Paris Island. We dropped off our luggage and went over to the mess hall where we ate – buffet style – authentic Spanish cuisine. Yellow rice and red beans accompanied all meals, even breakfast.
Day 2: Friday, November 23. At 8 a.m., all 12 umpires attended a tournament overview meeting where we were instructed on how to deal with the ‘political’ differences of the game in Latin America; special rules; field boundaries; and protocol. It seems that the outcome of these games has a direct reflection on their national political posture and prestige. A new 12-passenger van was provided for our transportation to and from the stadium.
To think that ‘baseball is baseball’ around the world is a misconception. Winning and losing takes on a different meaning in the tropics. Pool-play games were to start at 10 a.m., 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Saturday. Assignments were given out Friday evening and we all were surprised that four umpires – arbitros – the Spanish word for umpires, would be on the field. Tropical sun during the mid-day prohibited any games between noon and 3 p.m.
Day Three: Saturday, November 24. Pool-play started today. My first assignment was at 10 a.m. I was at first base as Puerto Rico faced Guatemala. This was my first opportunity to witness the upbeat fans at their very best. Pan Americans enjoy baseball with a fiery passion. They bring everything they need for a ballgame – BBQ chicken w/ rice, empanadillas con carne (fried meat pies), pizza and, of course, the All-American favorite corn dogs with Russian dressing. Beer and soft drinks are readily available. Just ask anyone in the stands for a beer and they will share the contents of their coolers. By the way, this game went well for Puerto Rico with no incidents to report.
Day Four: Sunday, November 25. My second assignment was third base for the USA vs. Puerto Rico contest. USA won the game in seven innings. Still no incidents to report; however, my first games of the tournament did not involve the Venezuelan team.
I must give you some background on this topic. As we all know, the President of Venezuela has had his disagreements with our President. The anticipation and fan anxiety of these two teams meeting on the field was more of a psychic battle than a game of skill. Venezuela won the first game over Puerto Rico in decisive fashion, 11-0 in five innings. The game went smoothly for three innings, and then sparks started to fly, first from the fans, then the coaches. I learned, very quickly from my partners, the meaning of certain slurs used by the fans and coaches. The crew I worked with did a great job of backing me up when language became an issue. Not being able to speak or understand Spanish did not matter; baseball language is universal. I had to use the term ‘silencio’ only once to the Puerto Rican coach, who, by the way, was Tony Valentin of the New York Mets. The Venezuelan coach had to have my warnings translated. He was as ‘coy as a fox,’ as the saying goes.
Day Five: Monday, November 26. For the 6 p.m. game between Aruba and Puerto Rico, I have the plate. This is the first time these teams have met in pool play. I noticed that expanding the strike zone a bit made for a better, faster game. Up until then, the strike zone was very small and games were lasting 2 ½-3 hours. This was getting very hot out there on the field. I remembered that however talented these players were, they were only 14-years-old and it’s a ‘strike zone,’ not a ‘ball zone.’
On to the final four games. Puerto Rico and Venezuela played for second place; the winner had to play the undefeated USA team. This match up had all the makings of an epic battle. Assignments were issued and I had the plate. Edwin Ortiz, a 2005 graduate of the Wendelstedt School, had first base. Kareh Valentin, another pro school graduate, had third and the umpire from Brazil, Jorge Irie, had second. All went well until the coach from Puerto Rico got into a clash with the Venezuelan coach. The sparks turned into a full-fledged aerial display, with umpires trying to restrain both coaches; multiple ejections followed. After all the commotion settled down, the game continued with Venezuela emerging victorious.
The final game between the USA was then determined. It would be USA vs. Venezuela at 3 p.m. Sunday. ‘Get your tickets early’ was the slogan of the day. The entire game summery is on this link.
http://www.beisboldoblea.com/noticias/2007/20071130c.cfm.
http://mlb.mlb.com/usa_baseball/article.jsp?story=14u_recap_120307.
Again, I would like to express my sincerest gratitude for this opportunity. Hopefully my efforts will open the door for other ABUA umpires to fill the needs of the COPABE tournaments. I have posted pictures on the gallery link.
Yours in baseball,
Doug Ricciardi
