Greetings and salutations true, blue believers,
Before we get to the buffet, I want to take a moment and talk about the state of technology that is of great interest to you, the developing, emerging umpire. PitchTrak, Eagle Eye, TrackMan and several other platforms have been put to use by MLB umpires and a variety of umpire schools and camps around the globe. For several years now, right here at MAC/NVBUA, the association leadership has made available laser based technology as a means of allowing our umpires and guest umpires an opportunity to really learn what the strike zone looks like and what the baseball looks like in and around the boundaries of the strike zone. This is how the best, modern umpires and their judgement of the strike zone are tuned and assessed.
Now what if I told you…you could get real time pitch tracking work right in your living room? All you need is a MetaQuest VR headset (the newest one is a version 3, you can save and buy a version 2), the WIN reality app and an internet connection and you can sharpen your adjudication of the strike zone anywhere you like. You can dial up different speeds, different pitches and different locations all with the touch of a button. And of course, the app gives you reports on your accuracy. Here’s the link to the WIN Reality channel on YouTube if you’re curious about it: https://www.youtube.com/@WINReality/videos DISCLAIMER: The previous was an unpaid endorsement.
Congratulations again to Dave Maher on his re-election to President of the association! This has been a great year of progress for the association and I know Dave’s ambitions will continue into 2026 and hopefully beyond. Well, we don’t want to keep our President Re-Elect waiting so, please head off to read this month’s Presidential address located here.
The association’s rules interpreter, Bob Nasser, checks in this month with a piece on obstruction. Obstruction has been covered previously here at BCN. This month, Bob’s going to talk with us about obstruction plays at the plate. Any play at the plate of course, is a big play, whether there’s obstruction or not. Either a run is going on the board or an out is being made. There’s a lot to consider, always. Here’s Bob’s piece to help you get these calls correct.
If you were alive in the 1970’s, 80’s or early 90’s, you might remember the concept on network television of “very special” episodes. This was an industry advertising term that was used to denote an upcoming episode of a TV show dealing with a difficult, sensitive or controversial social issue. Well, in this issue of the Blue Crew News, we have a “very special” profile by none other than our intrepid umpire of the people, Gary Reals. Gary has been bringing it all year long here at BCN so, if you haven’t read his previous profiles, please do so. This month, it is my pleasure to introduce Gary’s October piece on Commissioner John Porter. My brothers and sisters, if you are out there wondering why do we do this umpiring thing? What does it all mean? What is John Porter all about? Well, Porter’s profile will absolutely fill you up with pride and center all of your chakras! Do not miss this excellent profile right here.
Our final feature in this edition is a short photo gallery featuring Andrew Mack and David Roche Rodriguez on a beautiful summer night for baseball at Patriot Park here in Fairfax, VA. Looking good, brothers! Check them out!
In closing, as always, please keep the cards, letters and photos coming! Our staff is available anytime at: [email protected]!
Excelsior,
Robert Fobian
Editor, Blue Crew News