Al Scouten knew it could take several years before he had a shot at umpiring the Little League World Series.

While he won't be at Little League baseball's premier spectacle this summer, Scouten is inching closer with his latest assignment.

Scouten, a Port Leyden native, is one of 12 umpires designated for the Junior League World Series, which begins Sunday in Taylor, Mich. The junior league consists of players between ages 13-15. The title game will be broadcast live at 5 p.m. Aug. 16 on ESPNU.

"It's fun working with kids at that age," said Scouten, who is also the mayor of Port Leyden. "As they get older, they can develop an attitude problem. At this age, they are out there swinging and having a hell of a time."

Scouten's interest in umpiring peaked when his four children began playing Little League baseball. Fifteen years later, he's flown up the regional ranks, and an opportunity to work at the Little League's epicenter isn't out of reach.

Scouten remembered being there in Williamsport, Pa. — home of the Little League World Series — for his official umpire training in 1999. When the organizers of the Umpire Registry told the dreamy-eyed volunteers to walk on the field because it may be the only time they'll touch it, Scouten and others stood their ground.

"We told them that we were going to make it there some day," Scouten said.

Scouten has worked local, state and regional Little League games and tournaments. He umpired regional junior tournaments in Freehold, N.J., and Bristol, Conn., last year. He was also assigned to home plate four times at the Mid-Atlantic Region Little League Tournament — including the championship.

With a number of regional assignments on his résumé, Scouten started applying for World Series games last year. He received a letter of approval in December to work the Junior League World Series.

"I was elated," Scouten said. "It's an honor to be selected for that, and it's a great time. These teams, this time, are from around the world."

If everything goes smoothly, Scouten hopes the next stop is Williamsport. The Umpire Registry allows umpires to work just two World Series. Therefore, Scouten will have the opportunity to work one more series.

At 51 years old, Scouten hopes his body of work gets him back to the mecca for the first time in nearly 10 years.

"My goal is that they'll be happy enough with what I've done that they'll let me go on the field at Williamsport and umpire a couple games on that field," Scouten said. "Will I get out there? I don't know."

The Little League World Series starts Friday and runs through Aug. 24.