FHumpires.com
Pan Am Indoor Cup - Day 7: The Finals
August 15 2010
When you travel to tournaments as an umpire you want to do as many games as you can, do a good job and have fun (on and off the pitch). There are always challenges, and if you’ve been reading my posts from Venezuela you will be aware of them.
The first thing I would like to say about this trip was the umpiring crew was amazing. Everybody not only got along but got along famously. As much as we are all looking forward to getting home, sleeping in our own beds, eating food we’re used to and more importantly seeing our loved ones, there is not one person here that I am aware of that isn’t going to miss the camaraderie that was developed here.
The Final Appointments
When the appointments for the final day are handed out it is like making the playoffs; all appointments are coveted. That is because you want to umpire the best players in the biggest games. When the appointments are announced there are always congratulations to those who’ve been selected. It is an honour to do the games and we take pride in earning them. I was fortunate to be selected for the bronze medal game between Trinidad & Tobago and Argentina. My partner Gus and I were not eligible for the gold medal game because both our countries were in it, so this was the highest we could get. I did have one coach come up to me on the last day and say he was sorry that Canada won because he knew it meant I wouldn’t do the final. It was high praise to say the least, and I was grateful.
I have known Gus for 11 years now; he was my roommate at the very first tournament I went to internationally (Jamaica, 1999). We became best of friends from the start and whenever we are appointed to the same tournament we always room together. We have not, however, umpired together for many years, so the prospect of working together on this very important game was pleasing.
The Challenge of a Bronze Medal Game
With nothing but world ranking points to be won by either team there was always the possibility that the game would be a wash. Thankfully both came out for pride, and we were all treated to a contested 3-2 Argentina victory. The game remained close and was never really decided until the final horn blew.
What was really cool was the way Gus and I umpired the match. I wouldn’t say perfect but very close to it. We were so attuned to one another that when we did blow our whistles at the same time they were indiscernible; same volume, tone and length. We communicated with visual cues and knew what the other was thinking as well as saying. That made the game easier both for ourselves and for the players and spectators. I wish I could figure out a way for all my games to feel that good.
And that is what it comes down to when you umpire, especially at top levels. Umpiring should feel good as well as look good. It is moments like the ones in today’s match that I do what I do. When there is stress over travel, the food is upsetting your stomach and the tournament runs into hiccups, games like this are what make it all worth while.
Now I am getting ready to watch the final between Canada and the US. My job done, I will find a small corner of the grandstand and cheer for my country. I will also be cheering for my colleagues (Gary from South Africa and Greg from Belgium) and I know they will do a bang-up job.
Comments
- Alejandro Schon
05:51am, 08/23/2010
Hi, I am Alejandro Schon, former Int. umpire Grade 1 fron Paraguay, and I agree with you..I umpire a few matches with Gus and I realy liked umpire with him. He is an excellent partner inside de pitch.Outside off course..!!!!!
