Greetings NVBUA/MAC Umpires,
…and welcome to the official re-launch of the Blue Crew News! And a special welcome to our rookies and also those recently joining the association who may have umpired elsewhere!
I’d like to begin by thanking Dave Maher, our president, for asking me to serve the association as editor. Dave kicks things off for us nicely with the first of what will be a regular feature, The President’s Message.
Next, I’d like to thank Tim Strutzel and Norm Gordon, the original editors of Blue Crew News. Norm and Tim set a high standard of excellence that we will attempt to echo. Tim is continuing as co-editor and will bring a great deal of experience identifying the premium content to maximize your development.
Our third co-editor “on the crew” Mike Chmar, is already hot out of the gate helping us to engage The Cloud for our creative process. Mike also created our slogan…”Enhancing The Umpire Experience” which succinctly states what it is we’re doing here.
Our content contributors include Greg McEvoy, the association’s rules interpreter. Greg’s first article for you is an exceptional summary of the 2025 NFHS rule changes and points of emphasis (POE’s).
Umpiring is not just The Rules of course. Umpiring is also mechanics. The Blue Crew News is pleased to bring you another outstanding voice, mind and spirit here in the association…our director of training Paul Porto. Paul will thoroughly define the correct mechanics of primarily the 2-man system as well as really digging into the finer points and details of plate work and base work to accelerate your learning curve within The Game. Paul has the full cage training schedule and the rookie class’ “Fundamentals of Umpiring” classroom and field clinic schedule.
Up next, Gary Reals puts his over 30 years of reporting experience right here in DC to work for you and has dusted off his trusty Smith-Corona to bring you regular revealing and humorous profiles of our members. Don’t miss Gary’s profile of Dave Maher in this edition!
As is association tradition, 2024 was closed with our annual banquet. The spirit of fellowship in umpiring was renewed once again and a great time was had by all at P.J. Skidoos in Fairfax! Capping off the afternoon was another tradition renewed, the presentation of the association’s annual awards. Congratulations to all of the 2024 Award Winners!
In closing, thank you for visiting the Blue Crew News. Our current anticipated publication schedule is twice per month and you’ll receive an email notifying you when the latest edition is available. Blue Crew News is always on the lookout for new, relevant content! You may email the editors collectively anytime at [email protected]. (Please note that spelling is indeed slightly different from our title…)
Best Regards,
Robert Fobian
Editor, Blue Crew News
“After the game, I always thought, was more important than the game itself.” – Robert George Uecker 1934 – 2025
Table of Contents
Issue #1 – January 20, 2025
Letters to the editors welcome at [email protected]