Editor’s Message
SPOILER ALERT! In the 1987 Brian DePalma directed film, The Untouchables, Sean Connery in an Oscar winning role portrays Chicago police officer James Malone. In a riveting, explosive scene Malone is viciously murdered in his home. His boss, Eliot Ness (Kevin Costner) arrives on the scene too late to save Malone but bears witness to Malone’s final words, “What…are you…prepared…to DO?” harkening back to an earlier scene.
Meanwhile, here in the present day, MLB umpire Phil Cuzzi retired earlier this month after working 3,288 MLB games. MLB umpires, their life stories, and their journeys to get to the highest level of the game are so incredibly interesting; every one of their stories could be a film. I won’t issue a spoiler alert on Cuzzi’s story because you’re going to read all about it, click here.
Calendar
Association Meetings
Sunday, April 12
Zoom Meeting @ 7:00 pm
Sunday, May 3
Zoom Meeting @ 7:00 pm
Association Banquet
Saturday, November 21
Presidents Message
One of the advantages of being president is I get to see the inner workings of our association first hand. Let me tell you, I wish you could see the association from my vantage point.
Mechanics
There is no definition of where the “working area” is on a baseball field but is the one place you want to be able to find when working in the two-umpire system.
Rules
It’s been a really fun month of rules quizzes. We hope you enjoy this content as much as we enjoy creating it. We used your feedback to hit some of the most requested topics.
Special Article
On February 24, I participated in a webinar with renowned sportswriter Terry Pluto, as a member of the Cleveland Club of Washington DC.
Special Article
Almost three years ago, association commissioner John Porter contacted me about assisting him with the volume of calls, emails, and texts he was receiving from coaches, administrators, fans (and umpires) about ‘things that happened’ in recent games.
Umpire Profile
Blue Crew Blues
After some 40 years as a stand-out member of NVBUA, Jerry Park is preparing to transition to a new chapter in his life. Blues, it isn’t going to be easy. It’s not just that baseball and umpiring have been such huge parts of his career with all the teaching and training and coaching and umpiring but most of all it’s been FUN!
“My whole career the thing I’ve loved the most is the camaraderie in my umpire world,” rejoices Jerry. NV-MAC President Dave Maher speaks of Jerry, “He’s a part of the DNA of this association. He’s always become a friend to anyone he’s ever worked with.”
Share Your Photos
We are always searching for action photos and videos of our umpires on the field. We can use them in an upcoming issue of BCN or display them at the year-end banquet.