Little League Central Region Tournament begins today in Indianapolis
Not many people from International Falls can say they’ve been on ESPN.
Local umpire Josh Koenig, who also teaches at Falls High School and is the Rainy River Community College baseball coach, might have that opportunity Aug. 15, but he first has to impress in this week’s Little League Central Region Tournament in Indianapolis.
The tournament begins today, and Koenig will have a chance to work in 4-man and 6-man crews for two different region tournaments — the Midwest and Great Lakes. The winner of each tournament advances to the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pa., which runs Aug. 21-30.
The championship game of each region will air Aug. 15 on ESPN. The Midwest Region final is at 11 a.m. and the Great Lakes Region final is at 6 p.m.
“Umpiring-wise, I’ve been umpiring the past 16 years on and off at the Little League, high school, VFW, Legion and amateur ball level,” Koenig said over the phone on his way to Indianapolis.
Koenig earned the opportunity to umpire at the region tournament level when Bob Olson, the Minnesota District 4 coordinator, witnessed Koenig umpire and told him to apply for the next level. Koenig was one of 12 umpires selected from the central region.
Koenig expects to umpire “2-3 games a day” in Indianapolis.
“Obviously the ultimate goal — other than the volunteer service — is to do a good job in the games and have the opportunity to work on that final day,” he added.
“It will be a fun experience and at the same time I’m honored to have the opportunity and am humbled that someone would think highly enough to nominate me and get selected through the process.”
