Michael "Whitey" Fonak

Elected : USSSA New York Hall Of Fame in 2004
Inducted : April 2005, Syracuse, NY.

Michael 'Whitey' Fonak umpired Baseball (he called it Hardball), Fastpitch and Slopitch Softball for sixty-seven years in the Syracuse and Central New York area. He started his career Umpiring when there were no Umpire Associations in Central New York.

During his career, 'Whitey' was a member of many different Umpiring Associations. These included ASA, The YMCA Softball Umpires Association and USSSA with The Central New York Softball Association. He umpired all the major and minor Recreation Leagues and all the major Tournaments in Central New York.

Prior to his retirement from Carrier Corporation, he served as the Softball Director for Carrier's Recreation Center. 'Whitey' served on the Executive Board of The Central New York Softball Umpires Association for many years. In addition, he also served on many committees of the Association.

In the late 1950's and early 1960's, he worked with Luke LaPorta to bring Little League Baseball to the Central New York area. He helped start the Salem Hyde Little League in the Northeast area of Syracuse, NY.

As the sport of softball grew in the Syracuse area, he grew with it. 'Whitey' loved the game and gave it his all. Players and managers respected him for his approach to the game, hustle and what he gave to the game. He was still umpiring and hustling the summer before he passed away in January 1994 at the young age of 83.