United Travel Umpires Names Derek Whitfield National Director of Logistics

Mahwah, NJ – March 30, 2020 – United Travel Umpires (UTU) has named Derek “Whit” Whitfield National Director of Logistics, effective immediately. Based in Indianapolis initially, Whitfield will tackle multiple roles at UTU, including managing day-to-day logistics at Grand Park. Whitfield, working closely with Chief Executive Officer, Alex Skandalis and National Director of Operations, Rob Silverthorn, tournament directors, and the umpire staff, will serve as the third member of the UTU Management Team.

“I saw the leadership value and management qualities Derek brings to an assigning organization last summer in Indianapolis”, stated Alex Skandalis.

Skandalis continued, “In a new venture, I always want to surround myself with people who work, think and act as I do. Working with Derek and Rob [Silverthorn], I am now surrounded by two men who understand what “getting the job done” and “putting out fires” in a businesslike, calm and fair manner truly means in an assigning operation of this magnitude. After some back and forth over the course of the past four months, I am truly glad we were able to hammer out an agreement to bring Derek on-board with UTU. I believe his previous experience at Grand Park and LakePoint, combined with his prior relationships with many umpires and tournament staff will serve all of us well.”

A return to working with Bullpen Tournaments and Prep Baseball Report is one Whitfield is looking forward to. “Returning to work at two of the nation’s premier baseball complexes in Grand Park and LakePoint is very special to me. These tournaments give umpires, young and old, a place to hone their skills throughout the summer, working some of the top amateur baseball in the country. Summer 2020 will be a very exciting one for Bullpen Tournaments, Prep Baseball Report and UTU and I am thrilled to be a part of it.”

What They’re Saying About Derek Whitfield

“We are thrilled to have Whit back on-site at Grand Park in 2020. Derek is a high integrity individual who fits in very well with our work culture, we look forward to continued success with him in 2020.” – Michael Tucker, Vice-President, Bullpen Tournaments

“I am very excited for Derek. A great choice. The thing I love about Derek is that he possesses two strong qualities -empathy and problem-solving. He will use those qualities in combination and be a valuable asset to UTU.” – Scott Taylor, Division II National Coordinator of Umpires, National Collegiate Athletic Association

About Derek Whitfield

Born in Biloxi, MS, Derek Whitfield is a graduate of Loyola University (New Orleans), where he also played baseball. Derek has been an umpire for six years with stops at every level of NCAA, NAIA and NJCAA baseball, the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball and the American Association.

About United Travel Umpires

Founded in 2019, United Travel Umpires, the sister Company to United Collegiate Umpires, supervises a national staff of umpires, supporting all aspects of youth baseball events by creating a positive and constructive officiating experience for tournament organizers, participants, fans, and umpires alike.

Contact: Alex Skandalis | 908-432-4543 | [email protected]