In the early 1990s father and son duo Ken Griffey Sr. and Ken Griffey Jr. became the first father and son to play on the same MLB team at the same time.

And on Sept. 14, 1990 the two hit back-to-back home runs, creating what I'm sure was a very special moment for the Griffey family.The two played 51 games together before Griffey Sr. retired in 1991.What the Griffey's did on a professional level is undoubtedly a once in a lifetime achievement, but there is another local father-son duo who have created a pretty special moment as well.Veteran umpire Dan Rossino, who has been a PIAA official since 1993, and his son Anthony Rossino recently teamed up to call a PIAA high school softball game together. For the elder Rossino it was a moment he'll never forget."My son has been umpiring games since he's 12," said Dan Rossino. "We've done a lot of youth games together throughout the Lehigh Valley and it was only a matter of time before he got his first shot at a varsity game. To be able to umpire with him for his first varsity game is one of the most unforgettable and proudest moments you can have as a parent."Anthony Rossino was a standout athlete at Lehighton just a short time ago in soccer, basketball, and baseball, so there's no doubt he knows a thing or two about sports.However, anytime you do something at a higher level for the first time it's common for nerves to set in, but Rossino had a little help to calm his nerves for his first ever varsity game. His father was right by his side."Having my dad out there made my first varsity game a lot easier," said Anthony Rossino. "Umpires do make mistakes and obviously that's what I was worried about, but I knew that if I did my dad could tell me exactly what I did wrong and how to fix it. I wasn't as nervous as I thought I was going to be because of that and the game went pretty smooth."Dan Rossino has been running an umpire clinic for the last 18 years, meaning Anthony was two years old when he was first introduced to umpiring. It's a bond that the two have been able to share together ever since."I always loved to play sports and I used to always go and watch my dad umpire when I was younger," said Anthony Rossino. "So, when I became old enough I started to do it. It was something I really enjoyed, especially because it's a lot less stress than playing. I have no allegiance to any team and I just get to call a fair game."A question that some people may ask is how do the two separate the father-son relationship during the course of a game? It can't be easy for Dan Rossino to not want to protect his son if a coach gets on him for a questionable call or if he makes a mistake. But Rossino explained the transition is actually pretty easy."He's still my son obviously, but that's my partner out there," said Rossino. "I've had good working relationships with all the umpires I've worked with over the years and with Anthony it won't be any different. I'll have his back and he'll have mine just like any other partnership I've had and I'll treat him with the same respect as any other umpire."Dan Rossino and his son Anthony will never reach the stardom of Ken Griffey Sr. and Ken Griffey Jr. They won't sign autographs after games and fans won't scream their name.However, that moment when Anthony trotted out to the infield and his father got to watch from behind home plate was as special to the Rossino family as any moment throughout the history of sports.**********DISTRICT BOUND ... The Times News area had a strong showing this spring. Eleven area teams have qualified for district playoffs. Marian's baseball team is assured a top seed in their class while other area schools could also gain top seeds based on league championships.The two reaching the postseason include:BASEBALLA - Marian (17-2)AAA - Tamaqua (13-7), Northwestern (14-6), Palmerton (10-10)AAAA - Pleasant Valley (10-10)SOFTBALLA - Marian (14-6)AA - Tamaqua (16-4), Palmerton (14-6), Northern Lehigh (13-7)AAA - Northwestern (11-9)AAA - Pleasant Valley (14-6)**********COLONIAL LEAGUE PLAYOFF UPDATEBASEBALLThird-seeded Northwestern (12-5, 6-4 CL) defeated Bangor on Saturday in the wildcard round, 9-3. The Tigers will take on Salisbury on Tuesday in the semifinals. The Falcons most recently defeated Northwestern last Monday in regular season action, 8-4. The winner will take on the victor of the Palisades-Saucon Valley match up in the Colonial League championship on Thursday, May 14.SOFTBALLPalmerton (13-4, 7-3 CL) was the third-seed in the Colonial League softball playoffs. The Lady Bombers clashed with sixth-seeded Catasauqua on Saturday morning at Pates Park in the wildcard round. Unfortunately for Palmerton, it came up just short to Catasauqua, 4-3. The Lady Bombers still have softball left, as they qualified for the District 11 AAA playoffs.SCHUYLKILL LEAGUE PLAYOFF UPDATEBASEBALLThe Schuylkill League baseball playoffs will begin on Tuesday, May 12. Marian will be taking on Pottsville at 7 p.m. at Pine Grove's Stump Stadium in one of the semifinal games. The other semifinal contest pits Blue Mountain against Schuylkill Haven.SOFTBALLThe Schuylkill League softball bracket will kick off today with two TN area schools in action at Blue Mountain High School. Tamaqua meets Tri-Valley at 3 p.m. and Marian battles Pottsville at 5 p.m.EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA CONFERENCE PLAYOFF UPDATESOFTBALLPleasant Valley recieved the No. 3 seed in the eight-team playoff format and will host a quarterfinal game against sixth-seeded Northampton. The two teams met on April 9 with the Konkrete Kids winning a 7-1 decision.