HOME RUN SPORTS
FAST PITCH & SLO-PITCH UMPIRES OF THE YEAR
Do you know an umpire who:
|
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
- The umpire shall be a Canadian citizen / landed immigrant.
- The umpire shall be fully certified (at any softball level) to qualify.
- The umpire shall have served in a volunteer officiating position(s) for a minimum of 4 years.
- The umpire shall have contributed to umpire development as an instructor, evaluator, mentor, or program developer.
- 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 |
2025 HOME RUN SPORTS UMPIRES OF THE YEAR
FAST PITCH
Laura MacMillan - (British Columbia) exemplifies the spirit of softball through her multifaceted contributions as an umpire, coach, player, and leader. However, her true impact shines through her work as an official where she leads with integrity, composure, and respect.
On the field, Laura is known for her calm authority and unwavering fairness. She applies the rules with precision and impartiality, even in high-pressure moments, earning respect from athletes, coaches, and fellow officials alike. Her 2025 assignments include prestigious events such as the 2025 Canada Cup, the Canadian University Championships, and the WBSC U18 Women’s World Cup Final in Oklahoma City, where she was selected to call balls and strikes in the championship game—a testament to her elite skill and composure.
Off the field, Laura is a driving force behind umpire development in British Columbia. As Education Officer with the PODC, she has revolutionized training by creating Level 1 clinic videos that helped certify 395 new officials in 2025. Her dynamic youth umpire clinics—delivered at Blue Convention in Calgary—combine technology and live scenarios to engage and inspire the next generation.
Laura’s leadership is grounded in respect and collaboration. She listens attentively to coaches, responds with patience, and fosters a game environment built on mutual understanding. Among fellow officials, she promotes teamwork, offers constructive feedback, and models open communication. Her mentorship helps newer umpires build confidence and uphold the values of integrity and professionalism.
Through her tireless dedication to her craft and the officiating program, Laura MacMillan continues to shape the future of softball in BC and beyond, ensuring that the umpire program thrives and that the game is played with fairness, respect, and heart.
SLO-PITCH
Jeff Butler - (Wolfville, NS) is a highly respected Level 5 WBSC-certified umpire in Slo-Pitch and Level 4 in Fast Pitch. Since earning his Level 5 in 2017, he has consistently officiated at that level across local, provincial, and national championships. His experience includes representing Canada at the European Exchange in Bulgaria and being selected for the prestigious Border Battle.
A dedicated ambassador for the sport, Jeff frequently traveled to Ontario and Alberta to work high-level games and collaborate with top officials. He brought this experience back to Nova Scotia, enriching not only his ability but in addition the local umpire community. Widely seen as the go-to person for Slo-Pitch in the province, he is trusted by coaches, players, and fellow officials alike.
Professional, calm, and deeply knowledgeable, Jeff embodies the qualities of an elite umpire. He communicates clearly; exercises sound judgment and maintains a strong command of the rules and mechanics in both Slo-Pitch and Fast Pitch. He plays a key role in recruiting, mentoring, and developing new umpires, many of whom credit him with their progress.
As Deputy Umpire-in-Chief of Slo-Pitch for Nova Scotia, Jeff has led numerous clinics and has been instrumental in training and evaluating officials. He served as UIC and assignor for the inaugural Atlantic Cup series and supervised the provincial championships. In 2025, he was selected by Softball Canada for his first national supervision assignment at the Slo-Pitch Canadians in Surrey.
PREVIOUS RECIPIENTS
2025 - Fast Pitch: Laura MacMillan (British Columbia) and Slo-Pitch: Jeff Butler (Nova Scotia)
2024 - Fast Pitch: Darryl Helmer (Alberta) and Slo-Pitch: Carla MacKenzie (Nova Scotia)
2023 - Fast Pitch: Kearney O’Keefe (Newfoundland & Labrador) and Slo-Pitch: Mark Gough (Alberta)
2022 - Fast Pitch: Ron “Soupy” Campbell (New Brunswick) and Slo-Pitch: Patrick Chiquette (Quebec)
2021 - Fast Pitch: Audrey Desmarteaux-Houle (Ontario) and Slo-Pitch: Dave Jones (Ontario)
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)
