Presidents Message

Fellow Officials,

I hope you are enjoying your summer and that you are staying well hydrated. As for the Blue Crew News, we are down to once a month until next year.

Regarding our night out this Thursday, please remember the following. There is a double-header scheduled for 4:00PM and 6:30PM and it’s a turf playing surface. I will be there at 4PM and I encourage you to come whenever you like and stay until the end of the second game if you wish.

For spectators’ comfort, there are fans that spray mist in the main seating area. Parking is on you. There is a $5 charge to park at Capitol One Park; please do NOT park in the row of spots closest to Rte. 123 unless you are officiating the game. There is a QR code you can get at the park to facilitate payment for parking.

If you are coming just for a short time, there is two-hour free parking at the Wegmans across the street. When you get there, just tell the ticket takers that you are with NVBUA/MAC and they will let you in free. Beer is on the house; again just let them know you are with NVBUA/MAC. Depending on how many people show up, we’ll either be in the stands behind home plate or on the patio in the outfield.

You may have seen that high school rule changes for 2026 include a limit on the number of player-to-player conferences allowed. This should speed the game up; no more first baseman or catcher going to the mound over and over again. The training committee will have much more to say about this rule change before next season. You may also have noticed that in 2027, a double first base will be introduced into high school baseball. Slowly but surely, we’re getting there. I personally see both these changes as very positive.

Finally, remember that six of the eight board positions are up for election in October. We also have three members of the Standards Committee whose term is up every year. Josh Cooper, Justin Singer and Andrew Peltola should be reaching out soon, if they haven’t already to find candidates who can take some of these tasks.

That’s it for me. Have a great summer.

Dave Maher