December 2006

My Fellow Umpires,

When we finished our season in the Fall it marked the end of our sixteenth year as The American Federation Of Umpires. For those of you who started with me in those early years it is very satisfying to see the progress we have made as we end 2006.The integration of Gateway Umpires at the beginning of the year enabled us to add to our business plan. Many of you regularly worked with our Gateway brothers and the results were terrific. Frankly, one could not say it better than the words of Roger Frontera who said it was a marriage made in heaven. He was right. Everyone has benefited from the relationship and it has set the stage for even better results in 2007.

We increased our client base in 2006 which resulted in an increase in total assignments of 8.50%. I will share more of the statistics with you on January 2, 2007.

This message, however, really is about you and the role you play in our umpire group. I want to acknowledge and to personally thank you for the professional work that you do, not only on the field, but off the field as well.You, are our name. You, are our reputation. I don't have to tell anyone in our organization just how much hard work has been expended by all of us to cultivate and enhance that reputation over the years in the Metro New York region. We ask you to take on many varied assignments throughout the season. You always carry out your responsibilities, apply your knowledge and bring a level of professionalism to those games that is absolutely first rate.Words do not adequately capture how grateful I am to each of you.

Our Board Of Directors, Anthony Angotta, John Faust, Roger Frontera, George Hayden, John LaBarbera, Kevin MacPherson, Steve Rothschild, Steve Shaffer and Fred Solazzi bring years of life experience and umpiring expertise. These men define and set the course for AFU and the depth of their collective contribution will never be accurately measured. I saved Dave Mekelburg for last because of the immense contribution he makes to our organization. In his role as Chief Assignor, Rules Interpreter and Dean of our Rookie School succeeding Steve Shaffer, each of you are in frequent contact with him during the course of our long season. The communication that you share with him barely touches the surface since most the things he does behind the scenes for our association go completely unnoticed. That is the way it should be in any well run operation. He deserves a huge thank you from all of us. He makes our umpire lives orderly and relatively uneventful. Thank Dave for that!!

Your Board of Directors join me in wishing you a Merry Christmas, a Happy Chanukah, and a Happy Kwanza. If I have forgotten your holiday please do not become offended,- it was not done to hurt anyone's sensibilities.

Each year I share a personal thought with each of you and this year could not be more appropriate Enjoy the holiday season with your wife, your kids or that special person in your life. Hug them, love them and let them know just what a special gift they are in your life. Give of yourself freely, be of service to others because it is the least you can do when you have so much to be thankful for. We all know this was a difficult year personally for some members of our umpiring family, so hold them in your heart as they would do for you. See you on Tuesday January 2nd, 2007!

With warmest personal regards,
Bob Fontaine
Umpire-in-Chief

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If you are interested in joining the American Federation of Umpires please contact
Dave Mekelburg AFU#9 at: info@americanfederationofumpires.com