Easton American and Cooperstown Dreams Park

Easton American and Cooperstown Dreams Park 

Over the week of August 10th, the 12-year-old all-star team from Easton Youth Baseball, the Easton Americans, traveled to Cooperstown Dreams Park to compete in the week 11 tournament.  The baseball played was slightly different than small diamond little league ball. The game is 50-70, which means 50 feet for the pitcher and 70 feet between bases. They play by Major League rules, so there is leading before the pitch as well as balks.  The game is played like normal big league ball. It serves as a transition between small diamond and big diamond ball. 

Luckily, I had the opportunity to make the trip with the team to Cooperstown. The tournament requires each team to bring a qualified umpire with them. The reason being that there would be an ample amount of umpires there to work the games but also so each umpire doesn't work too much that they can't enjoy the experience.  

We equated the atmosphere of Dreams Park to one of a camp. The team and the coaches stay in one bunkhouse and the umpires in another. Before arriving there I thought the teams would stick to themselves. That was not the case. Between team pin trading and living in close quarters, the players interacted with one another from teams from around the country and developed some great friendships. No team (from what I witnessed) acted as if they were better than their competition or better than the game.

As an umpire I watched some great baseball games and learned a lot from some experienced umpires. Ed O'Dell, an umpire out of Whitman, has taught me a lot and says:

"Respect the game. It's not about US [as umpires but about the players], but we can still have fun with it. Respect your partners, for we are only as good as we have been trained. Respect the families watching their kids have the time of their young lives, they NOT realizing we will be having more fun than they ever will"

The reason I am writing this is not only to reflect on such a great experience but more importantly to thank the Easton American team and their families for bringing me along for the ride.

I want to give a special thanks to Coach Chris Kemp, Coach Mike Spillane, and Coach Shaun Flavin.  

I also want to thank the parents, the siblings, grandparents, and families of the team for their generous hospitality and overwhelming kindness they exhibited to me during this week.  

Most importantly, I want to thank this special group of players, Connor Davidson, Sam DeAguiar,  Jake Erlich, Connor Flavin, Mitch Goulet, Tim Kemp, Reid Latham, Alec McCarthy, Matthew McCormack, Chris Pearsons, Jared Spillane, and Nick Zwelre.  They exceeded any expectations one could have for a group of 12 year old athletes.   They are a skilled, gritty, and hard-nosed team that plays their heart out until the very end, which they exemplified during this tournament.  More importantly this group of kids are some of the nicest, funniest, friendliest bunch one could ask for. They made me feel part of the team. I'm thankful to have had the opportunity to make the trip with them and get to know this group of players. 

This game is about the PLAYERS. The players win and lose games.  Coaches only can lose games and umpires can only botch some calls. This game is about the kids who work hard to be the best they can be. Baseball is a special game for me but I always try and keep in mind it's about the players who compete. 

All in all I just wanted to express how grateful I am that the Easton Americans gave me the opportunity to join in on the experience. This trip is one I'll never forget for the rest of my life. I hope, actually I am certain, the players and coaches feel the same way. 

Congratulations to the Easton American team for making it to the Top 8 teams in the week 11 tournament.  

Thanks to all involved. 

-Nick Calabraro