News

• Everyone is talking about the strike zone, including Major League umpires.  Watch and listen here.  What do you think?
• Hillsborough Little League has league rules for 2010
• The annual NCUA Umpires Dinner was held at Caesar's Italian Restaurant on January 25, 2010, recognizing NCUA friends, Lifetime members, and 2009 Award winners.  Congatulations to Ben Legere, 50 year ASA Member.  See pictures by Eric Sun.

                      Softball Dick Code Umpire of the Year:  Henry Jung
                      Softball Rookie of the Year: Denny Lam
                      Baseball Phil "Goose" Gosland Umpire of the Year: Harvey Maxey
                      Tony Patch Jr. Baseball Rookie of the Year: Billy Cunha.  
  
  NCUA has a history of Award winners.  The NCUA has its roots in the San Francisco Umpires' Association from the 1930's.

• Baseball classroom training sessions were held at the Pacific Rod and Gun Club, 520 John Muir Drive, San Francisco on Lake Merced at the Trap House which is the last building on the left after entering the gate. 

              Session 1- Professionalism- Wednesday January 20, or Thursday January 21
              Session 2- NFHS Rules / Arbiter Training - Wednesday January 27, or Thursday January 28
              Session 3 - Baseball Rule Interpretation / Test Night- Wednesday February 3 or Thursday February 4
              Session 4 - NFHS Baseball Mechanics - Wednesday February 10, or Thursday February 11
              Session 5- Pursuing Victory with Honor - Wednesday February 17, or Thursday February 18

• Officers and Executive Board members were elected at the General Meeting on Wednesday, December 9, 2009.  Effective January 1, 2010, newly elected Officers include:  Chuck Louie, President; Donald Simon, Vice President of Baseball; Anna Louie, Vice President of Softball; and Alex Andrus, Secretary (appointed to the remaining term).  Isac Gutfreund and Alex Alexander were elected as Executive Board members.
• The 19th annual ASA San Francisco Softball Umpire School was held on February 27-28, 2010 at the Park Station Community Room.  Contact Chuck Louie at (415) 566-6282 and download more info and a Registration Form  
• 2010 Umpire Registration fees are due by February 1st, 2010.  Baseball only $60.  ASA softball only $50.  Both baseball and softball $75.  Late Registrations should include additional $25.  Make checks payable to NCUA and mail to: NCUA, c/o Henry Jung, 1222 - 34th Ave., SF, CA, 94122
• A large group of applicants attended an Umpire Information meeting on Wednesday, October 21, 2009 at the South San Francisco Municipal building, 33 Arroyo, South San Francisco, 94080, near El Camino Real and about 0.7 miles south of the South SF BART station.  The meeting was intended for those interested in umpiring baseball games for the 2010 season as an NCUA umpire.  We will be in touch with those that attended and those who were unable to attend and remain interested in the 2010 season.  Thanks to Isac Gutfreund, Harvey Maxey, and Jim Elder for participating.  Please let Alex Andrus or Don Simon know if you have questions.
• NCUA provided umpires for the JCC Maccabi games August 2-7, 2009.  Thanks to Rich Cerny for organizing and assigning the games.  See our umpires making the calls
• The San Francisco Youth Baseball League Championship games were held in May, 2009.  Check out the NCUA umpire crews.
• The San Francisco AAA High School Championship baseball game was held at AT&T Park on May 13th, 2009 between Galileo and Washington High schools.  The Four Man NCUA umpire crew Mark Buscheck, Ken Chase, Nils Nilsson, and Harvey Maxey did a great job!
• The San Francisco AAA High School Championship girls softball game was held at Lang Field on May 12th, 2009 between Washington and Lowell High schools. 
• The Bruce-Mahoney game was played on March 31, 2009 between St. Ignatius and Sacred Heart Cathedral High Schools at AT&T Park in front of about 3500 fans.  The NCUA umpire crew consisted of Tony Patch, Don Simon, and Alex Andrus.
• Review the Three-Man and Four-Man Mechanics baseball training materials.  Thanks to Rich Cerny and Don Simon for preparing these great new training materials.  Let them know what you think.
  
• Our friend Ben Legere passed away Wednesday, March 10, 2010 after umpiring a youth baseball game.  Ben was a softball and baseball umpire and basketball official for more than 50 years.  Ben was an NCUA Lifetime member and former Vice President of baseball.  He personally mentored many of our members and touched the lives of thousands of San Francisco kids and their parents.  Ben was admired and respected for his total commitment to local youth sports and will be greatly missed.
• Long-time NCUA President, Tony Patch, died on June 27, 2009 while umpiring summer baseball.  Tony will be remembered for his dedicated commitment to Bay Area youth sports and will be missed by his fellow NCUA members, coaches, players, many friends, and his loving family.  

Executive Board
Officers
    President                                Chuck Louie
     Secretary                                Alex Andrus
     Softball Vice President             Anna Louie
     Baseball Vice President            Don Simon
     Treasurer                                Henry Jung                                    
Board Members
   Alex Alexander
    Rich Cerny
    Dave Gallerani
    Isac Gutfreund
    Tony Hoover