Many kids who play baseball dream of making it to the Little League World Series.

So do umpires.Mark Onushco is one step closer to realizing that dream. He was the only candidate selected from the state of Pennsylvania to umpire in the LL World Series Regional Tournament recently completed in Bristol, Connecticut.In Bristol, Onushco was one of 12 umpires from the Mid-Atlantic and the New England regions chosen from a long list of applicants. His resume is impressive, having umpired baseball games at every level from Little League to college. He has umpired many big time games during his 22-year career, including District 18 Little League championships, and last year's PIAA state title game between North Penn and Wyoming Valley West.Born and raised in Tamaqua, Onushco grew up liking football and basketball more than baseball. He was a star on the gridiron for the Blue Raiders in the early nineties, setting several pass catching records, including making nine receptions in one game. He also graduated with the most career kickoff and punt returns for touchdowns in Tamaqua history."I never intended to become a baseball umpire," he said "until one day when I was 19 years old and I went to watch a Little League game in town. The umpire didn't show up so I volunteered to call the game."He borrowed a mask, shin guards, and chest protector from the storage bin at the field."I really enjoyed the experience. They asked me to do more games and it went on from there." He got his own equipment and in 1998 he passed the umpiring test to become officially certified.Onushco's rise through the profession has come because he has obviously proven himself to be among the best in the business.But even the best aren't perfect.One mistake Onushco made in a district final game between Pen Argyl and Notre Dame-Green Pond at Coca-Cola Park a few years back that still bothers him today."The play involved a little known rule called "Last Time By," he explained.Pen Argyl had a runner on second with one out and the batter hit a deep fly ball to right center field. The runner took off and was rounding third base when the ball was caught in the air. By rule, the runner has to get back to second by retouching third base. He cut across the infield and did not touch third."Onushco said this was where the play got both interesting and confusing. The Pen Argyl coach was telling his runner he had to touch third base so the player, who was now on second base then ran to third. Meanwhile, the ND shortstop, who had taken the relay, overthrew the third baseman so the runner then touched third and proceeded to score."My call was that the runner was out because he did not retouch third on his way back to second. After the game, an umpiring supervisor informed me it was an incorrect call because according to rule, since the runner was safe on his" last time by" third base during the throwing error, his run should have counted. Pen Argyl lost the game by one run."Although most of the coaches as well as the umpires were unaware of the "Last Time By" rule and the supervisor said the wrong call was acceptable, Onushco was so upset after the game, he considered never umpiring again.For him, it turned out to be the best decision he never made.At Bristol, he umpired 10 games and two of his close calls were reviewed by video instant replay.He got them both right. He received several compliments from coaches and parents during and after the tournament.Onushco, who once turned down an offer to become a professional umpire for personal reasons, a decision he does regret, loves the interaction he has with the kids who play the games."I talk to the players during games," Onushco said. "I like to help them understand the game and the rules better so they have better chances to succeed."His goal to umpire games at the Little League finals in Williamsport will require another application and another selection process.Mark Onushco already holds quite a resume. He will most likely be chosen to call more championship games in the future.Not surprisingly, his love of umpiring has moved up baseball on his list of favorite sports.For now, it's an easy call. Baseball is definitely safe at first on that list.