Metropolitan Baseball Umpires Association Proudly Serving the Best Interest of Baseball Since 1920

History of the MBUA

It was not uncommon for a game to be held up while balls were retrieved after being fouled off from the diamond on the North Ellipse, over the iron fence and onto the White House grounds. That started in 1920, the same year that seven men, Shorty Hughes, Dick Woodward, Fritz Jeskie, Tommy Crooks, Bernie Doyle, Joe Handiboe and Billy Handiboe met to organize what was to be the parent group of today's Metropolitan Baseball Umpires Association. The original name adopted for the group was the District Umpires association. Also, it was popularly called the D. C. Umpires Association. Shorty Hughes was elected its first President.

As time passed, the association grew and, in 1947, it split, to be re-merged in 1951. That merged group became the Metropolitan Baseball Umpires Association of Washington, DC. The roster that year bore the name MBUA, of the District of Columbia. In 1957, the title changed to be that which it is today, the MBUA.

From March through early November each year, a metamorphosis takes place wherein clerks, lawyers, bankers, salesmen, police officers, firefighters, teachers, servicemen, programmers and other professional people in various and sundry occupations all become 'Umpires'. The MBUA umpires games from Little League and Boys + Girls Club through High School, College and Adult baseball. Off the field, the association conducts a school from January through mid-March yearly for both veteran and neophyte umpires, as well as providing free umpiring clinics year-round for any group or organization upon request.

The MBUA is, rightly, proud of its history. From our beginnings with seven umpires and one hundred games umpired within the relative confines of the District of Columbia in 1920, we have grown into an association with a top membership of about 150, who umpire approximately 5,000 games each season. Our umpiring services now extend to cover an area of approximately 100 miles from the Ellipse and the White House. For nearly 80 years, the MBUA 'men (and women) in blue' have faithfully upheld the tradition of integrity and dedication while rendering the highest quality of service in the best interest of Baseball, its people and its fans.

It is in keeping with this tradition, in the sprit of those seven original members and as an attestation of sustained interest and service to the MBUA and its members that such men as Carl Burch, Jack Hoffman, William McClay, William McAndrew, Joseph Fontana, Nicholas Muratore, Charles Hudson, Tom Carroll, Terry Horan, Mike Nobile and Mike Mastrangelo have carried the torch of Shorty Hughes as President of the MBUA during the past 45 years. May they and their successors continue to be leaders for this association in 'Serving the Best Interest of Baseball'.

Last Updated: Monday, January 9, 2006 10:57 AM