Sometime during the bottom of the ninth inning — a frame that started with the Phils trailing 7-1 — McCarthy got a text from his wife, a frequent occurence on nights like this.

Allentown’s 12-year-old all-star team — with young Tommy McCarthy as one of its top players — was making a comeback from, amazingly, a 7-1 deficit.

The elder McCarthy let his wife know the Phillies were doing the same.

After the Fightin’s tied the game at 7-7 and went into the top of the 10th, McCarthy got the news that Allentown’s Brandon Smith hit a walk-off homer to give his son’s team a 9-8 win and new life in the District 12 tournament.

“I got a good feeling when I saw the text that Brandon hit that homer,” Tom said. “He’s a great kid and I know that was a terrific experience for him.”

Shortly therafter, Ryan Howard matched the feat for the Phils, and McCarthy’s call was all over the national sports highlights.

Such is a normal, average day in the life for the McCarthy baseball family.

McCarthy’s busy schedule as the voice of the Phils makes it tough for him to catch his two sons’ games this time of year, including Tommy’s games and his older son Patrick’s with the Western Monmouth 15-year-old Babe Ruth all-stars.

Yesterday’s morning start gave Tom a chance to watch some of Patrick’s game before the rain came and caused a delay. It became fortuitous, though, as the delay allowed the whole family to get together at the ballpark.

Eventually, it was back to work for Dad, as the Phils had another tilt with the Reds last night.

“The biggest thing is just getting to spend some time with them,” Tom said. “I don’t get a lot of time with my family during baseball season, and more than anything I am just grateful to be with them as much as I can.”

Patrick said he’s getting used to his dad being tied up with the Phillies in the summertime, but he knows he’s making the effort to see him as much as possible.

“I definitely got into baseball because of him, and I’ve grown to like it even more,” Patrick said about his dad’s deep connection to the game.

As for Tommy, the Friday night miracle win meant new life for him personally as well.

Tommy took a line drive in the leg during Allentown’s loss to West Windsor earlier in the tournament, and he had to sit out the Friday walk-off game per doctor’s orders.

Dad got a text on that one, too, and was understandably concerned.

“I am just glad it hit him where he’s got some meat and not on the knee,” Tom said. “That was a tough one to read, but my wife assured me that Tommy was OK.”

With Allentown facing elimination again yesterday morning, Tommy toughed it out, taking the mound and trying to help his team knock off defending champ Nottingham.

His injuries proved too much to overcome in such a short time, though, and Allentown fell, ending its Jim Davis Cup hopes.

But Tommy’s love for baseball is not likely to be deterred by the end of his Little League career, and his dad has a lot to do with that.

“My dad has had a huge influence on my baseball career. He’s helped me with everything and taught me everything I know,” Tommy said after yesterday’s game. “He’s one of the biggest reasons I keep playing baseball. He can keep me focused and after the games, we talk about what happened and what I can do better or what I did well. He’s kind of why I love baseball so much, I guess.”

Tommy played in the District 12 tournament as an 11-year-old as well. He had a strong run this year, starting with a performance in the opener that included an opposite field grand slam and a two-hitter on the mound against Sunnybrae. He chipped in another strong pitching day against HTRBA and was consistent at the plate throughout.

Tom has made plenty of time to be involved with his childrens’ sporting pursuits. In addition to sharing a love of baseball, Tom has coached his boys in youth basketball in the winter.

Through all the unending whirlwind sports seasons, the family has hung together.

“My sisters and the rest of my family are always here at the games, supporting me. And my brother, he also plays baseball so we’re always around the game,” Tommy said. “Someone’s always playing and the whole family is usually out there cheering them on. It’s nice to have everyone out there yelling for you even if you’re not winning. My family is really supportive.”

Even if he doesn’t get to see all the games, Tom is overjoyed that his kids are loving the game as baseball as much as he does.

“This is a special time for these kids, and I am just glad they have a chance to enjoy it,” Tom said.

For Tommy, it looks like baseball will be in his life for time to come.

“I’ve pretty much been around the game my whole life,” Tommy said. “I want to make it far in baseball, play in high school and stuff. I just want to be successful in anything I do, but I’m pretty focused on baseball.”