COEUR d'ALENE - It all started with a simple dinner with District 1 Little League Administrator Tami Delgado and West Regional Director Jim Gertsenglager in Post Falls in February.

Now, after 30-plus years of waiting - Hilary Chick has received her call to the Junior Softball World Series.

"Jim was in town doing a clinic," Chick said. "We were out to dinner, and by that time, if you haven't heard anything by then, you don't get selected. There we were sitting at dinner, and Jim was the one that recommended me, but he didn't say anything at dinner."

Two days later...

"I called Tami and said you guys were really good at keeping secrets," Chick said. "Neither of them said anything at dinner, but I received my letter two days later. Just the anticipation of waiting for that letter - it's the hardest part. When I talked to Tami, she said she didn't know anything about it either."

Chick will represent Idaho District 1 in the Junior Softball World Series starting today in Kirkland, Wash.

"I've been applying and working with Little League for 20 years," Chick said. "It's something you've got to fill out ever year, and this year, I finally got selected. Generally, you've got to be doing Little League for at least 10 years before they'll even consider you, but it's an excellent honor and privilege to be selected. The emotions are swinging both ways. It's went from 'I'm going to do this, to, oh my god, I'm really going to do this.'"

"Nobody I have met is more deserving of this honor than Hilary," Delgado said. "I knew she would be very excited...and she was. She called me as soon as she got her letter. Hilary is invaluable to me and Idaho District 1 Little League softball. She holds annual clinics to train new softball umpires, works with coaches and the girls to help them learn the rules and proper sportsmanship as well."

Chick started umpiring ASA (Amateur Softball Association) softball in Coeur d'Alene, as well as the recreational leagues, slowpitch, fastpitch, high school and college.

"I've pretty much done the alphabet soup of softball and the sport," Chick said. "I'm pretty passionate about it, but it's so much fun."

She retired from ASA tournaments in 2007 and then from high school games in 2012. She is still the District I Umpire in Chief.

"Little League is my last stop," Chick said. "But the kids are so much fun, and that's where it all starts. I retired from ASA in 2007 because I never got to see my family. I was doing tournaments every weekend or traveling somewhere. Softball starts in February with meetings, high school in March and goes to April/May and then the summer leagues take over. Then you've got fall ball and you're pretty much gone until the end of October. It's been a great ride. I've enjoyed the game and all the people I've met."

"She has worked tirelessly at keeping Little League softball alive in north Idaho," Delgado said. "She has retired from ASA and high school, but continues to volunteer countless hours to Little League anytime, anywhere she is needed."

Two teams from District 1 - the Post Falls Juniors and Lewiston 11-12 (San Bernardino) have advanced to regionals. Post Falls will compete Aug. 1-8 in Tucson, Ariz., and can advance to the World Series by winning their regional. Lewiston went 0-4 in pool play in their tournament.

"These are great fun for the kids," Chick said. "It's their day in the sunshine - it really is."

Chick added that the appreciation she gets from the players keeps her coming back.

"Girls just love it when they see an umpire show up in full uniform," Chick said. "They think, wow, we've got a real umpire instead of a dad at the last minute out of the stands. If and when I show up to do a game, I'm in a clean uniform, polished shoes and a crisp hat. There's a decorum that when I'm off the field, I'm as easy-going as anyone else. But on the field, I'm not going to stand for any of the craziness on the field, and the girls appreciate that. They've got just as much joy in the game as I do - and that's the most important part."

She'll meet with Torben Begines, who umpired at the Little League World Series last year, before leaving for Kirkland to discuss what to expect at the tournament.

"I'm not really sure, but Torben and I are going to get together for a visit and discuss it," Chick said. "At this point, we've had three umpires from District 1 that have gone on to do a World Series - and I'm the third. That says something for the Idaho program and that we're doing something right. I've had (former District 1 administrator) Will Neal tell me to just do what got you there. One of the things I'll tell the kids to do is breathe, and it's something I'm telling myself because I'll be more relaxed. This is really quite a statement for north Idaho officials. We've got a great group of core officials and great volunteer spirit, and that's what Little League is about. None of us get paid for this and we do it for the love of the game."

When Chick first started in north Idaho, there was two softball teams. Now, there's over 12 leagues.

"It was always something that's been on my bucket list," Chick said. "And now, I get to check something off the list before I'm feeble and can't walk anymore. That's a great opportunity."

As Little League is a volunteer organization, Chick is paying for the trip herself.

"I had a friend of mine type a letter that I can give out to solicit donations," Chick said. "But I'm not good at raising money for myself. Folks have been receptive to this because they know that I've been doing this a long time and they know, that if I'm smiling, so is everyone else, and that the game is going well and we're all having a good time. If I'm not smiling, it means we've had some difficulties."

Chick said she'll continue umpiring at the Little League level for as long as she can.

"As long as the knees don't give out and my brain still works, I'll do it as long as I can," Chick said. "As long as it's still fun to me, I'll keep doing it. When it no longer gets to be fun, then I'll think about it and decide. It's still great fun and that's all I'm looking forward to (in Kirkland). That and just having a good game."