COEUR d'ALENE - Just when Torben Begines thought his window to umpire at the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Penn., had closed - it was reopened.

Begines had been applying to work at the event since 2002, when he umpired the West Regional tournament in San Bernardino, Calif.

"I've been trying and applying for 10 years," Begines said. "I knew my timetable between applying was around 10 years and it was getting closer."

This year's Little League World Series is scheduled from Aug. 16-26.

Begines was beginning to lose hope that this year was it.

"Someone had told me the letters went out in December, so I'd given up on it," Begines said.

Last Monday, his acceptance letter arrived.

"It was quite a surprise," Begines said. "My head has been spinning, It's really overwhelming. I busted into tears after reading it. To get this, it's almost indescribable."

Begines was nominated by Will Neal, the District I Little League Administrator.

"He's worked very hard and is at the peak of his skills as an umpire," Neal said. "He's worked at a high level of umpiring and has done all he has needed to do to be nominated."

He began his umpiring career 19 years ago watching his son Ty's games.

"I just kept trying to get better," Begines said. "I got into this because I didn't want to embarrass my son. I kept focused on getting to this point of getting to the World Series. I really can't think of anything I wanted more."

Ty passed away in 2006.

"Before each game, I blow a kiss to the sky and write his name in the dirt so he knows he's right there with me," Begines said. "I really just don't want to embarrass him with anything I do."

His daughter, Tiffany, won two state titles in softball, which Torben also umpired before leaving to focus on baseball.

"I was one of those loud fans," Begines said. "I used to yell at games and then decided to get into (umpiring). I knew I was good enough to be successful. I just kept working harder and harder."

Begines attended an academy for umpiring in California in 2000 and was an instructor for the Northwest Region in 2006.

"There's nothing like the Little League family," Begines said. "Of course, they're a little younger, but it's not that bad."

In addition, Begines also umpires games at the high school and American Legion level, and also takes trips to San Bernardino for clinics and to watch the regional tournaments.

"I still go down there every year," Begines said. "After doing this for so long, I've developed some relationships and friendships that will last a lifetime."

"His experience and level of commitment to his craft are amazing," Neal said. "He excels at all of those. His commitment to the Little League program, training the umpires, doing games when he has a chance has been great."

Begines volunteers for Little League games and will also do instruction in Renton (Wash.) and Boise in the coming months.

"My wife (Kathy) has been the biggest supportive person," Begines said. "She's the most supportive women in the world."

Since Little League is all-volunteer, Begines will also have to pay his way back to Williamsport, and pay all expenses there.

"Without family support, this wouldn't be possible," Begines said. "They come to the games, sit back and relax and listen to the games."

Once arriving in Williamsport, Begines will umpire at each position during the first four days. After the first four games, umpires are determined by rating to their respective posts.

"I've had some friends that have gone (to Williamsport) and the Junior World Series," Begines said. "They told me if I ever get a chance, 'you've gotta come here, bro.'"

His only regret is not having his son along with him.

"He'd be ecstatic," Begines said. "I know he'd want to go with me. That would have been the dream. I'll have him there in spirit - I'll always carry his spirit with me."

In a commemorative pin made for the World Series, Begines has a photo of him umpiring. The batter is a replica of Ty at 12 years old.

Begines will be the first umpire from Idaho to umpire at the Little League World Series.

"It's a tremendous honor," Begines said. "I will spend the summer working on my timing before I go. I'll probably have Brian (Rounds) and Frank (Garcia) watch me so I can be at my best."

From more than 100 applicants, only two from the western states are selected for Williamsport. Throughout the nation, only 16 of 1,000 are selected.

"I thought it was God's will," Begines said. "If it was meant to be - it will happen."

"Between 12 states, to only have two go, it makes it that much more special," Neal said. "This is a the big show and the most difficult one to get to."

For Begines, the calls haven't stopped since receiving word he'd been selected.

"It's been a whirlwind," Begines said. "I've gotten overwhelmed with the people that I deserve it. We're thankful for the outcome."

When he's not on the baseball diamond, Begines works at Cobra Beck, Inc., a roofing company based out of Spokane.

"They've been so supportive," Begines said. "Once I got my letter, I called my boss and told him I needed 10 days off. He said, 'You got your letter, didn't you?' and said he's looking forward to watching."

When Begines was selected to umpire in San Bernardino in 2000 - he wasn't able to take any vacation to attend.

"They said they could lay me off for two weeks instead," Begines said. "In 2006, they just told me to go. I couldn't ask for a better place to work."

Through the 19 years, Begines hasn't had any issues with upset parents during a game.

"We can see up to 200-300 pitches a game," Begines said. "We know when we've missed a call. Most people see games with their heart, but we're trained to see with our eyes. There's nothing wrong with supporting your kids."

"I'm just really focused between the lines," Begines said. "People probably think I'm mean, but I've been around so long that I don't get much guff anymore. It's easy to throw a coach out during a game - but the real challenge is to keep them in."

Between umpiring Little League, high school and American Legion - he's happy right with the younger kids.

"Little League is a great organization," Begines said. "You can run into people that don't fit the mold. But one bad apple doesn't make a program. We're all there for the kids."

"I think he'll be a great ambassador for Idaho," Neal said. "People will know what North Idaho is about just by being around him. I'm really excited to have him in Williamsport."