Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Charlie Atterbury
To the Membership of the NBUA:
I am interested in running for the NBUA Board of Directors as it would allow me to continue to serve the NBUA off the field. I have been an umpire on the field for the past nine years and age is now slowing my body down and hindering my desire to continue umpiring 100 games or more a year. I am finding it more and more difficult to umpire double headers on both Saturdays and Sundays, especially when the temperatures are in the 80+’s.
Over the past four years, I have been actively working with NBUA Board personnel in a variety of areas:
- Evaluations Committee - Assisting Chairpersons (first Gary Coy and now John Philbeck) in their efforts to improve the entire process of Umpire Evaluations by promoting:
- realistic benchmarks for lower level umpire evaluations,
- a structured approach with the use of a more detailed evaluation form that would provide greater consistency in the evaluation process,
- evaluations whose primary emphasis is on following the mechanics that are taught during the yearly NBUA training, and
- performing more evaluations by those who are the evaluators.
- Mentor Program – Assisted Chairperson Brian Gooch in overhauling the NBUA Mentor/Mentee program over the past three years. This year, we had the most successful Mentor/Mentee program ever and the goal is to continue this effort in the years ahead, making the program even better.
- 2007 NBUA Distinguished Service Award – Awarded for my service to the NBUA as well as for working with the youth leagues (CYO and Sandy Koufax) as a liaison to these leagues. My primary goal was to help the players and coaches learn about what umpires are looking for during a game in a effort to get the players to learn the rules, play smarter and avoid confrontations with the umpires.
I would like to note that my background as a Flight Instructor over the past 40+ years has taught me how to relate abstract and complex issues to those who were learning something new. I believe that this skill would make me a good asset to the Training Department as I have found that I relate well to the first year and lower level umpires while explaining and teaching the fundamentals and mechanics of umpiring. I would very much like to have the opportunity to assist with the Training Department of first year and lower level umpires during the annual NBUA training program.
I fully understand the time commitment necessary for being a NBUA Board Member and I am willing to do whatever it takes to fulfill the responsibilities of being a NBUA Board member.
I come before you to ask for the opportunity to serve the NBUA not only as an umpire, but as someone who is dedicated to helping improve this great organization. I believe my efforts as noted above validate my desire to improve the NBUA and I would appreciate the opportunity to continue with the programs that I have been a part over the past four years as well as serve the NBUA in whatever capacities would best benefit the organization.
Respectfully,
Charlie Atterbury