Update: Cook is officiating the Aug. 27 12:30 p.m. International championship between Panama and South Korea. Tune in to ESPN to watch.
Update: Cook's officiating schedule for Sat., Aug. 20 is 12 noon (third base) and 6 p.m. (left field.) The Little League World Series is televised on ESPN. On Sunday, Cook will umpire home plate at 11 a.m. He will be behind home plate again Monday, Aug. 22 for the 1 p.m. game.
Original post:
Bridgeport residents who watched Thursday's 3 p.m. Little League World Series game between Rhode Island and New York may have caught a familiar face.
Mike Cook, member of the Bridgeport High School graduating class of 1979 and former Indian football player, was one of the umpires. Cook will be officiating throughout the series played in Williamsport, Pa. and televised on ESPN.
Thursday, Cook was located on first base. He will also be working two games today – at 4 p.m. and 8 p.m., likely at second base or outfield.
Cook received the official letter this past February that he had been chosen to serve as an official at the Little League World Series. He was quite excited, his wife Lisa said. It’s something he’s been working toward for several years.
“You only get asked to go one time and he always said he wanted to do it by the time he was 50. He’s almost 56,” she said. “You have to put in for it every year you want to be considered.”
Cook has applied for the past several years with Little League District Donna Haynes submitting Cook’s name also.
Applicants have to have worked a sufficient amount of stepping stone tournaments – those leading to the Little League World Series – to be considered. Cook has served as an official at regional and junior league tournaments in Georgia, Florida and Michigan.
He is one of 16 officials working the series. As is tradition, each provided a gift for all 16 officials; something that can be utilized throughout the week.
“Mike got everyone the red flags they throw. He had them embroidered at Reep’s Graphics with everyone’s names and numbers on them,” she said.
Cook wears No. 52, which was his high school football number, Lisa said.
He has been in Williamsport since Tuesday. Wednesday evening, he attended a parade and picnic to launch the series. Guest speaker at the picnic was Johnny Bench, former catcher for the Cincinnati Reds and member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
Cook will, no doubt, have plenty of stories to tell when he returns to Bridgeport, Lisa said. Included is the story behind the 2016 Little League World Series ring, which he is already sporting.
Tune into Connect-Bridgeport to see what other games Cook will be umpiring. Throughout the series, umpires will be watched and evaluated and some will be chosen for the final game which will be played Aug. 28.
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