The players and coaches on the town's all-star team aren't the only participants representing Bedford at the Little League Baseball regional tournaments in Bristol, Conn., this week.

After the all-stars advanced to today's New England Regional final with a 2-0 victory over Wellesley (Mass.) South Thursday afternoon — its third victory in five games at the A. Bartlett Giamatti complex — fellow Bedford resident Mike Robinson umpired his 12th game there in seven days, working first base for Fairfield (Conn.) American's 4-1 triumph over South Burlington, Vt.

“It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and I'm enjoying every moment,” Robinson, a 19-year umpiring veteran, said.

He credited umpiring friends Kevin West and Jack Caron, veterans of the Bristol regionals, with preparing him for the experience.

“They told me to be in shape because I was going to work a lot of games. Let me tell you, they were right.”

Through Tuesday, all 10 of the games Robinson worked were in the Mid-Atlantic Regional, which also is taking place in Bristol. On Wednesday, he got his first New England Regional assignment, for a game pitting Wellesley South against Fairfield American, the same team Bedford will face tonight in the regional final televised live on ESPN.

Wednesday's game aired live on NESN, and while Robinson worked first base, he had someone back home recording the broadcast for him.

“That will definitely be a keepsake,” he said.

Another keepsake: the shirt he received as standard issue for umpires working the regionals.

“It's a great-looking black shirt with (my) name on the back, but it's not the type of color you want to be wearing during the daytime when the temperatures are hovering over 90 with humidity,” he laughed.

The heat, humidity and sweat haven't diminished Robinson's enthusiasm.

“There have been some long days — one when I worked three games and came back to the hotel room dead tired,” he said. “But I wouldn't give this up for the world. I fell in love with umpiring ever since my two sons (Matt, now 26, and Joe, 24) were playing tee ball.”

Robinson said he didn't actively seek to umpire in the regional tournament, but he leaped at the chance once provided the opportunity. He credited Mike Gelinas, president of Bedford Little League, with nominating him and Don Kirkland, commissioner of the state's Little League District I, with providing a strong letter of recommendation to regional officials.

“Sure enough, I got a letter in the mail last February saying I was to report to Bristol on Aug. 2,” Robinson said. “I'd been counting down the days ever since. It's truly a great honor, and I owe a great deal of gratitude to people like Mike, Don and Merle Laramie, who actually gave me my first chance to umpire at Bedford.”

Robinson's invitation to Bristol, obviously, came months before the Bedford All-Stars earned their regional tourney berth.

“There was no chance I was going to be assigned to do a Bedford game (in Bristol),” he said. “Certainly I understand why. I've had a chance to watch some Bedford games from afar, and I'd be lying if I didn't say I was rooting for them.”

A 1974 graduate of Manchester Memorial High. Robinson attended the school with Greg Joseph, manager of the 1993 Bedford team that made it all the way to the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pa.

“You come to Bristol and people still talk about that '93 team, which made it all the way to the United States championship game,” Robinson said. “The town of Bedford is well-known in Bristol.”

Umpiring Little League is on a volunteer basis, and for 19 years Robinson has had to made some sacrifices.

“Your reward is basically a hot dog and a soda after each game,” he said. “There's no doubt I couldn't have done this for 19 years without the support of my wife (Mary Beth), daughter (Caroline) and two sons. When I first started, my wife was a Little League mom on the sidelines. She and my daughter made the trip to Bristol to watch me this week, and that's made this experience extra special for me.”