Announcement
January 30, 2007
Dear Members:
Hopefully this letter finds you all well and in the thick of getting ready
for the coming season. It seems just yesterday that we were at the Regional
Headquarters crowning a new West and Northwest Regional Champion. But I
guess as I get older time seems to go that much faster.
I wanted to take an opportunity to bring you up to speed on some exciting
new developments related to the Alumni Association. First, welcome to all
our new members. We thank you for your participation as we, as an
Association, seek to continue our efforts to make the opportunities better
for Western Regional Umpires and students and the experience at the Western
Region facility the best one can imagine.
We have recently completed our two-weeklong sessions and again they were
great successes. Each student had an opportunity to utilize and appreciate
the improvements that this Association has provided during our short
existence. Batting cages, video equipment, and lockers were in full use as
120 students ventured from all over the country to participate in what
remains the best umpire training Little League has to offer.
As your President I take each opportunity at the schools and the weekend
clinics to address the students and impress upon them the importance of
continuing to improve aspects of the experience for them and fellow umpires
through donations to the Alumni Association.
In December we held a revamped UIC Clinic, which was attended by 40 students,
and we were able to collect donations of approximately $600. The recently
completed two weeklong schools collected donations totaling approximately
$5,100 in cash donations and products. These students requested that the
funds be earmarked for certain improvements. The second weeklong school
donated four new cameras and wireless microphones to be used in the cages.
They also donated funds to establish a DSL line and wireless access for
students to use during their stay at the schools and for umpires to use
during the tournament. In this day and age where the need to balance work
and play is so vital, this access will be invaluable while umpires and
students are able to participate in the clinics and the tournaments while
also keeping a close eye on the real job they have left behind for one or
two weeks.
I also took the opportunity to promote the Cy Livoti Junior School
Scholarship where again we will provide, at least, 10 full scholarships to
Junior Umpire School participants.
I am both thrilled and honored at the participation of the students from all
the clinics and the way each class has grasped the understanding of what we
as an Association preach when we say; "BY Umpires-For Umpires."
On another front I have been in contact with the local Elks Lodge in San
Bernardino to see if we can utilize their facility for our Alumni Breakfast
as well as our Annual Meeting. Luckily we have outgrown our room at the
Western Region Headquarters for our breakfast. We need more space and the
Elk's can provide us not only the additional space but breakfast and service
at the same price as that which we are now paying at the Region. Again we
thank NV2 and CA31 for sponsoring the Alumni Breakfast. I was also concerned
with the fact that during the tournament the room we were using must be
shared by a host of different entities (i.e. ESPN) and as such does not
afford us the time we need to properly hold our Annual Meeting. With
elections to be held at the next meeting in 2007 I felt it important to find
a location where we would not be rushed and where we could properly conduct
our business. I believe the Elk's Lodge affords us the best of both worlds
and I am currently working with them to solidify our relationship with them.
Please stay tuned for additional information.
Finally, I am in the process of establishing a Committee to further develop
a plan and compile additional information to determine if, as discussed in
our last meeting, opening up membership to all Western Region umpires to the
Alumni Association is a viable option. I am hoping that the Committee will
be able to report out at the Annual Meeting.
It has been an unbelievable two years as we watched this Association grow
from a dream of a few to a viable entity that has now made improvements and
additions to the Western Region and to the umpires at the Region and the
students who benefit to the tune of approximately $25,000. Our balance
sheet continues to be strong and we continue to impress upon non-members to
get on board and become a part of something that is both prideful and
tangible.
Please keep you eye on the website and your emails as additional information
about upcoming events take shape. I look forward to another fantastic Little
League season and to seeing each and everyone of you in August.
Yours Truly,
Mark Bernstein
President-WRLLUAA
