Dan Rossino had his crew assembled and ready to take the field.

And on most nights in late May, that’s exactly what Rossino, Mark Onushco, Terry Miller, Gary Heydt, Jake Mooney and Josh Mooney would be doing.

But Rossino and his counterparts walked on to Christman Field with no players in sight.

The sports shutdown caused by the coronavirus pandemic has affected countless individuals, and the members of the Blue Mountain Umpires Association are no different.

“Normally when we’re going, we’re starting at the end of March in season, and we could go right into August. And if you do fall ball, that can take you into September or October,” said Onushco. “So it’s a good seven, eight month season that you can make it.

“Going without it at all, it’s definitely the longest I’ve ever gone without calling balls and strikes and being on the field, for sure.”

That new normal has extended off the diamond, as well.

“I’ve spent 30 years teaching in Jim Thorpe, 32 overall with two years being in Philadelphia,” said Rossino, the association’s umpire in chief. “And not being around the students; not having their daily interactions; not going into school and hearing the kids tell me about their Little League games, and me sharing my experiences of my Little League games from the night before, it’s really nuts.

“Not having anything to do at night, (you’re) stir crazy. We’re just not used to doing this. This is routine.”

Only it isn’t.

Miller, who has been umpiring 31 years - 19 for Rossino - started because it was something he enjoyed. But he knows he’s not the only one who misses being on the field.

“I just feel bad for all the kids at all levels that are missing out on the whole year,” he said. “We always have another year to umpire. But these kids are missing out on their season, and that’s really sad. That really hurts me.

“That means a lot when you’re a kid, the memories that you make.”

Heydt started umpiring when he was 13 years old and would have been celebrating his 41st year on the diamond this season.

“I’m missing the camaraderie with the kids,” said Heydt. “The ability to make new friends with parents, coaches and things like that.

“Fortunately for me, I do referee basketball, so the layoff as an official isn’t quite as long as some of the others. But for baseball, this is the longest layoff of my career as an umpire.”

Onushco started umpiring shortly after he graduated from high school, something he’s done ever since.

“Just bringing communities together and all the camaraderie of the communities that come together for games, we’re missing that kind of stuff,” he said. “The kids, the families, the parents, all coming together.

“It’s just sad for the kids that love the game of baseball that are missing that.”

Those bonds created playing Little League run deep. The ties extend to families who also get to spend time together working the games.

Josh Mooney, a senior at Palmerton, would have been entering his fourth year with Rossino as an umpire. It was an experience he was hoping to share with his dad, Jake.

“He’s taught me everything I know,” said Josh. “I was looking forward to meeting more people around the area and help the kids grow.”

Jake has passed on his knowledge of the game to all of his sons, something that has strengthened their relationships.

“One of the biggest things for me, personally, is to not be with my children,” said Jake. “My sons, Josh, Jared and Jeremy all started umpiring, and I enjoy that opportunity to spend two hours with them, getting to see baseball, and helping these kids out.”

In recent years, Rossino has also gotten his son involved as an umpire, a line of work that is truly a labor of love.

“I try to give back; I advocate for the umpires,” he said. “I’m trying to get new people all the time with professional development clinics and things of that nature.

“It’s just really frustrating not to be able to be there with these young boys and girls.”

While the Little League season would be in its stretch run, Rossino pointed out that it’s not the only organization in a holding pattern.

“And keep in mind, we’re not just talking boys here,” he said. “We’re talking girls’ softball, which has been just as affected (by this); we’re talking boys and girls spring soccer; we’re talking boys and girls lacrosse.

“There’s a lot of youth sitting at home right now that are used to being out at this time of year, into the summer months. And honestly, next week, a lot of these seasons would be ending with tournaments starting. So we’ve basically gone through a whole Little League season.”

While the future remains uncertain for what will happen this summer and beyond, Heydt would give almost anything to be back on the field.

“I would rather be doing it right now, even if someone had to bicker over a ball and strike, I’d rather hear that right now than not be doing this at all,” he said.

Many of his colleagues would probably see it the same way.