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HOME RUN SPORTS
FAST PITCH & SLO-PITCH UMPIRES OF THE YEAR

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Do you know an umpire who:
  • respects everyone who is involved with the game and demonstrates good   sportsmanship?
  • is involved with officials program development in your area?
  • is a positive umpiring role model?
  • tries to become a better umpire through education and training?
  • contributes to local umpire programs through instructing or   evaluating?
  • shares their expertise with the softball community?

If you answered YES to these questions,
then this person is a candidate for the
Softball Canada / Home Run Sports Umpire of the Year

Individuals or groups in your province/territory have the chance to submit their nomination for the "Umpire of the Year" Awards, which will be awarded to one Fast Pitch and one Slo-Pitch Umpire.

Don't miss the opportunity to have your umpires, and their achievements, recognized across Canada.

The "Umpire of the Year" recipients will be honoured at the Softball Canada Congress.

Nominations for National Umpires of the Year will be submitted by set deadline date to the Softball Canada Manager of Officiating.

A pre-determined committee consisting of the National Director of Umpiring, Board Liaison and the Softball Canada Manager of Officiating will select the National Umpire of the Year.

Upon selection, and prior to final approval by the Board, the recipients' provincial or territorial association (President, Executive Director or other designated senior staff member) shall be consulted to confirm the selected recipient is a member in good standing and to confirm P/T support for the selection.

The name of the individuals selected as National Umpires of the Year will then be submitted to the Softball Canada Board of Directors for final approval.

The "Umpires of the Year" nomination form is below, so have people or groups get their application into Softball Canada now!

NOMINATION CRITERIA

  1. The umpire shall be a Canadian citizen / landed immigrant.
  2. The umpire shall be fully certified (at any softball level) to qualify.
  3. The umpire shall have served in a volunteer officiating position(s) for a minimum of 4 years.
  4. The umpire shall have contributed to umpire development as an instructor, evaluator, mentor, or program developer.
  5. The umpire shall have a high level of officiating ability.

Nominations should be on the designated form and include:

    • Umpire’s name, address, and phone number(s)
    • Name, address, and phone number(s) of nominating individual or group
    • Record of nominee’s umpiring experience
    • Record of umpiring achievements
    • Umpire’s role in developing and improving the officiating aspect of the sport
    • Personal highlights in the current year
The deadline for "Umpire of the Year" nominations is:
  September 1

Nomination Form

*Please save the file, fill it out and email to Donna Ozarko (dozarko@softball.ca)

2021 HOME RUN SPORTS UMPIRES OF THE YEAR

FAST PITCH

Audrey Desmarteux-Houle (Ottawa, Ont.) is a Level IV certified official who has represented Softball Quebec with professionalism, both on and off the diamond. Besides her on-field accomplishments, Audrey is highly active in leadership at all levels of the program. From her lead role as Chair of Blue Convention 2019 and being Deputy Umpire-in-Chief for Softball Quebec, continuing to lead and develop web-based education initiatives in her province - including an on-line Level I clinic in French using the Moodle platform – to being a lead mentor for many young umpires and a leading voice in the national Women in Umpiring group, Audrey has made significant contributions at all levels of the program.

SLO-PITCH

Dave Jones (Grimsby, Ont.) is a Level V and WBSC certified official who has represented Softball Ontario and Softball Canada at the highest levels of the sport. Besides his on-field accomplishments, Dave is highly active in leadership at all levels of the program. From leading introductory level NOCP clinics in his local area and mentoring new umpires to leading the Super Series Umpire Committee and being active in national initiatives, Dave is always willing to give of his time and expertise to support umpires.

PREVIOUS RECIPIENTS

2020 - No awards (COVID-19 pandemic)
2019 - Fast Pitch: Frankie Billingsley (Alberta) and Slo-Pitch: Steve Camus (Ontario)
2018 - Peter Kluszczynski (Ontario)
2017 - Clinton Harvey (Nova Scotia)
2016 - Aaron Poulin (British Columbia)
2015 - Terry Richter (Alberta)
2014 - Sandra Allan (New Brunswick)
2013 - Brent Chadwick (Saskatchewan)
2012 - Joyce Bellini (Quebec)
2011 - Keith Pender (Newfoundland & Labrador)
2010 - Moose Gibson (Saskatchewan)
2009 - Dick Coleman (Ontario)
2008 - Geneviève Gaudreau (Quebec)
2007 - Jack Van Bynen (Ontario)
2006 - Denis Bélanger (Quebec)
2005 - Bob Constantin (Alberta)
2004 - Chris Lee (British Columbia)
2003 - Don Bracey (Ontario)
2002 - Wayne Shipley (Nova Scotia)
2001 - Serge Laflamme (Quebec)
2000 - Keith Hazel (British Columbia)
1999 - Al Shenduk (Alberta)
1998 - Bob Stanton (New Brunswick)

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