The "Don't ever pack up the bats 'till it's over" Story

It was an ordinary day. We were in a holiday baseball tournament. My friend Wayne and I were coaching the "White Sox" midget-midget team. This is an 11-12 year old team that our sons Tad and Chad play on. We were in the championship game, the second game of the day we had played. The games are 6 innings long, plenty long for kids that age. I had used my best pitcher earlier in the day to make sure we would be in the evening game, but we had a talented team and I knew Phil L. would pitch a great game. We were playing Columbia which was a team from the western part of Lancaster County along the Susquehanna River. They have great pride in all their sports teams and brought a large crowd with them. The game was close for the first few innings, with the lead going back and forth. We were batting in the bottom of the 5th and built a comfortable lead. The section of Lancaster where the game was being played was a small park in a high crime area and we were told to keep an eye on our equipment. After we built the lead in the bottom of the 5th, and my team was taking the field for the top of the 6th and final inning, I had my bat boy help me put the bats away so we could celebrate without concern for the equipment. Well, you NEVER, EVER put the bats away before the game is over. I KNOW THAT, but I did it anyway. Shouldn't have. They tied the game and forced us to bat in the bottom of the inning. We had the winning run on second base with 2 outs and our best hitter Jeff M. at bat. I am coaching at 3rd base. Jeff M. lined a hit to left and the runner on second base, Chad W. sped toward 3rd base and was watching ME to see if I wanted him to try and score. I was frantically waving my arms to send him home. He rounded the bag then BAMM! HE RAN INTO THE UMPIRE! How can that be. Well it be. The umpire was standing in foul territory near me on the third base side watching the game and not paying attention. Easy out since the 3rd baseman got the ball and tug him out while he was getting up. I protested and protested, but to no avail. I still believe to this day the umpire had no right to be standing where he was. He cost us the Championship Trophies because we lost in the 11th inning. Really was my fault though, because we packed up the bats before the game was over. You NEVER, EVER do that!! No excuses LDub! It was an extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.