The happy couple heads for home after exchanging vows.

For self-described baseball fanatic and longtime umpire Tad Cockerill, the two most important words in the English language — “play ball” — were momentarily outdone Wednesday evening by “I do.”

Just before the game, on the pitcher’s mound at Vince Genna Stadium in Bend, Tad, 46, married his sweetheart of 22 years, 44-year-old Diana Warrington.

Under a nearly cloudless sky, the couple said their vows and exchanged rings after a little clowning, when the best man tossed Tad a baseball-shaped box with a pink plastic trinket inside.

A crowd of roughly 75 guests, standing in the infield, and dozens of spectators in the stands broke into applause as the bride and groom kissed.

Eight Bend Elks players formed an arch with their bats for the newlyweds to pass under on their way off the field.

“I’m overwhelmed right now,” Diana said.

“I’m just glad all my friends are here,” Tad said. “This is awesome.”

Tad said the players, coaches and umpires at the ballpark have always been a second family. He has served as an umpire for the Bend Elks since they formed eight seasons ago, as well as working at park and recreation and school games.

“To get married at the ballfield is bringing all my family together,” he said.

Not to mention a golden opportunity to watch a live game during the reception, over cake and champagne. The wedding party retired to a covered tent near left field Wednesday evening to watch the Elks host the Kelowna Falcons.

Tad said he had considered also serving as the umpire on his wedding day, but Diana overruled him.

Tad’s daughter from a previous marriage, Sydney Beard, 22, and three girls the couple raised together, Jessica Schiewek-Cockerill, 22, Ariel Cockerill, 16, and Kacey Cockerill, 12, served as bridesmaids. Diana’s mother was the matron of honor, and her father escorted her to the altar.

The pastor and four of the groomsmen, who are umpires, wore their uniforms.

Diana wore an off-white dress with a tracery of silver beads, and Tad wore a matching polo shirt and gray slacks.

The Bend couple plan to spend three days at the Oregon Coast for their honeymoon.

She’s a good sport

Diana said before the wedding that her fiance’s obsession with baseball has never bothered her.

She said that while she’s not into the sport, she likes seeing how much he enjoys it. Their youngest, Kacey, plays fast-pitch softball with a traveling team, and Ariel works at Genna Stadium.

While umpiring requires some late nights, Diana said it’s a comfort knowing Tad is at the ballfield instead of a bar.

“People were all, ‘Are you sure that’s what he’s doing?’ and I said, ‘Yeah,’ ” she said, smiling.

“My girlfriend was baseball,” Tad joked.

Besides, he said, he puts up with her pets — two dogs, two cats and a parrot. At one time, she also kept a water dragon, a large lizard somewhat like an iguana.

The two met when both were working at a wood mill in Bend. Tad now installs car interiors for his day job, and Diana works at the deli at Ray’s Food Place.

Tad said something drew him to Diana the instant he saw her.

“I never believed in love at first sight, because love is built, but I had to go ask her out,” he said. “I couldn’t not ask her out.”

Diana said his patience and persistence won her over, even though she said she tends to be indecisive.

“If it was up to him, we’d (have been) married a long time, long ago,” she said.

After a six-year engagement, the time finally seemed right for both of them.

Tad said the ups and downs they have weathered during 22 years have prepared them for a lifelong commitment in a way that nothing else could have.

“I don’t think, mentally, we were ready to be married years ago,” he said.

He added that he loves her more now than he ever has.

Diana said she was reminded of his love just a few weeks ago, when he took a trip to Philadelphia. While he was there, he watched the Yankees, Phillies and Orioles play.

“Out of the blue, he sends me a text massage: ‘I love you more than baseball,’ ” she said.

Diana, who had never married, said she wanted something more than a Vegas-style wedding but nothing too extravagant.

When she jokingly suggested getting married on the field, Jim Richardson, owner and general manager of the Elks, took the idea and ran with it, she said.

Although there’s been a marriage proposal at the stadium before, the wedding was a first.

Tad said the unconventional setting, which the pastor called a “cathedral of baseball,” suited him just right.

“For me, it’s quite a gift,” he said. “Because now, I can say I got married on the mound.”