Friday Watering Hole
March 21, 2025 – Red Rocks Cafe & Tequila Bar, Centreville, VA
Observe some of MAC/NVBUA’s finest in their natural element and state. Prior to COVID, these kinds of post-game gatherings were common occurrences. It was great to get back to this revelry and brotherhood. Dave Maher put out the call, so let’s take a look at who showed up: Adam Segal, Yang “Dr. Strike Zone” Xie, Rick Swink, Bob “Karaoke King” Nasser, Dave “El Presidente” Maher, Matt “The Flying Dutchman” Van Parys, Anthony “Metal” Mayer who perhaps was on his way to a KISS concert after pre-gaming at Red Rocks and finally Tom DeFranco. We’re trying to have these every Friday night so, please try and make it out.
Norm Gordon’s Photo Vault
2021 Congressional Baseball Game Crew
Amongst the more unique game assignments an umpire in MAC/NVBUA can receive is a slot on the crew for the annual Congressional Baseball Game. Rep. John Tener (PA) organized the first Congressional Game in 1909 and the game has been a Washington tradition nearly every year since. Tener played professionally with the New England League minor league team from Haverhill, MA in 1885 before being called up that same year to the Baltimore Orioles of the then American Association. He later played for the Chicago White Stockings of the National League from 1888 – 1889 before finishing up with the Pittsburgh Burghers of the Player’s League in 1890. He served Pennsylvania in the US House of Representatives from 1909 – 1911 before serving as Pennsylvania’s 25th Governor from 1911 – 1915.
2023 Congressional Baseball Game Crew
Drew Peltola
Bob Nasser
Eric Lautenschlager
Jim Spencer
Justin Singer
Paul Porto
Steve Gramsch
Vin Vena
Zamagni and Tyler
Photo Captions
Drew Peltola – If you’re ever looking for a professional, crisp out mechanic for that banger close play, you don’t need to look any further than Drew here.
Bob Nasser – Now if you’re looking for service with a smile on your out calls, you can go with Bob’s technique here when he is between enjoying karaoke hits!
Eric Lautenschlager – Peltola grabs it a bit over the top, Nasser with a smile but, let’s not leave out Eric’s very fine upper cutting out signal!
Jim Spencer – You wanna’ know where that one was, Coach? It was about a half a ball from your ejection…Jim is here to chew bubblegum and rock his light blue shirt. And he’s all out of bubble gum.
Justin Singer – And now…back to more elite mechanics. Justin Singer grabs the phone book and gives it a rip. Ma Bell’s tome never had a chance.
Paul Porto – Paul displays total credibility on whatever he is about to rule on simply with his positioning (he is right NEXT TO the foul line but, fully in foul territory), his body positioning (even with sunglasses on we can tell he is fully focused on the play and knees were bent in the umpire set position just before the photo was taken).
Steve Gramsch – “The Professor” using the no longer taught scissors position. A more elegant setup from a more civilized age. The Scissors had some appeal and had a moment there back in the day but has now been surpassed by the more superior slot positioning which is now being taught as a slightly modified slot or slot 2.0.
Vin Vena – More mechanics…He may have his mask on and be photographed from three-quarters behind but, there is no mistaking that strike call…it’s no other than multiple Iron Man Award winner, Vin Vena! I’m not saying Vinny works a lot of baseball games but, it’s important to remember to leave him a voicemail during the season as he is likely on the field. Don’t worry, he will get back to you!
Zamagni and Tyler – Remember umpires, when the plate meeting breaks and it’s time to get the game going, you cannot forget to dap up your partner. Here Bill Zamagni gets ready to work another plate while giving a potato to his partner on the bases, Jay Tyler.
And here, one of the best in our association to ever do it, Norm Gordon ‘wedges’ up this play perfectly. To learn and improve on this critical technique, please sign up for a MAC/NVBUA camp!
Table of Contents
Issue #6 – March 31, 2025