Ottawa, Ont. - Softball Canada is pleased to announce that Jeff Whipple (Fredericton, N.B.) has been reappointed as Softball Canada’s National Director of Umpires (NDU) for a new two-year term that will run through the 2023 season. As per the policy that requires the selection process to automatically be open after an NDU has served three terms, the position was open to other applications and Jeff was selected and approved by the Board of Directors following the interview process.
Whipple took over the NDU position from Brian Van Os in 2013.
Under Whipple’s direction, the Officiating Development Committee (ODC) has focused its energy on improving educational opportunities for umpires through the development of formal and informal virtual learning programming, reviewing and refreshing the National Officials Certification Program, a focus on diversity and inclusion, and a myriad of other ongoing initiatives, most recently around retention and recruitment.
“It is an honour to continue to be a part of this world-class program” stated Whipple. “Our success is a collective one. We have been blessed with strong and active leadership on the ODC in the past few years, all of whom provide progressive vision, take ownership within the program, and offer countless hours of work to make ideas become reality.”
Whipple started umpiring in 1986. After officiating at four Canadian Championships, he received his Level V and WBSC certification in 1997, and subsequently officiated at two WBSC World Championships (Junior Women, Taipei, 1999; and Women, Saskatoon, 2002). He has served as Umpire-in-Chief (UIC) or Deputy Umpire-in-Chief (DUIC) at eight Canadian Championships.
Internationally, he served on the umpire and rules commissions at the 2013 WBSC Congress in Cartagena, Colombia, was Assistant Umpire-in-Chief at the 2014 WBSC Junior Men’s World Championships in Whitehorse, Yukon and the 2015 WBSC Men’s World Championships in Saskatoon.
Jeff joined Softball Canada’s Officiating Development Committee as a National Deputy Umpire-in-Chief in 2008, and chaired Softball Canada’s Umpire Program Review Committee in 2011-2012. Jeff has been an excellent contributor to Softball Canada, providing valuable input to improving the umpiring program.
“For years, Jeff’s passion and experience has helped enable umpires from across Canada the opportunity to grow Softball Canada’s strong reputation as a leader in umpire development both at the national and international levels” stated Scott Neiles, President of Softball Canada. “We are very pleased to have him continue with his excellent work for another term.”
