Softball Umpire Recommendations get the Nod

[Al's Fastball News]

Tuesday, December 19, 2006 
Softball Umpire Recommendations get the Nod

 

 

TORONTO, ON – December 19, 2006 – In an emergency meeting of
Softball Ontario, the Board of Directors last Sunday approved
all the recommendations of its Umpire Task Force.   Following
extensive consultations with leagues, teams, and umpires, the
Task Force identified a number of issues that needed to be resolved
prior to the start of the 2007 softball season.  As a result
of those discussions, and their determination to develop solutions
prior to the 2007 season, the following steps will be taken in
the new year:

The Fast Pitch Provincial Umpire-in-Chief (FP PUIC) will have
a seat on the Softball Ontario Board with full voting power 
A Zone Umpire-in-Chief (ZUIC) will be a member of the three-person
committee that would select any future Provincial Umpires-in-Chief

A representative of the Softball Ontario umpires will be appointed
as the financial administrator for all umpire-related finances

The Softball Ontario discipline policy will be reviewed and updated
to improve its efficiency and effectiveness 
The interim executive of the new Ontario Softball Umpires Association
will continue with the development of a new association, and
work towards taking over the leadership of the Fast Pitch Umpires’
program for the 2008 season 
Softball Ontario will accept applications from the former Fast
Pitch Provincial Umpire-in-Chief and Fast Pitch Umpire Committee
members, to be considered for re-appointment into their former
leadership roles on the Fast Pitch Umpire Committee 
 

 

“This is a major stride in a positive direction for all umpires
in Ontario,” explained Greg Pipher, former Provincial Umpire-in-Chief
for Softball Ontario.  “It will allow a smooth transition from
2007 into the 2008 season and it also marks the beginning of
the new Ontario Softball Umpires Association (OSUA).  The Member
Associations, the umpires, and all softball players in the province
will be positively impacted by the implementation of the Task
Force’s recommendations.  This is a great day for softball in
Ontario!”

 

Following the announcement of all the recommendations being accepted,
Greg Pipher officially submitted his application for reinstatement
as Provincial Umpire-in-Chief.  “I want to sincerely thank Bruce
Bierman, Pat Sparling, and Stephanie Sutton for their hard work
in identifying issues and recommending solutions that are acceptable
to all.  The Ontario Amateur Softball Association, the Provincial
Women’s Softball Association and the Ontario Rural Softball Association
are to be commended for their flexibility in accommodating the
needs of the fast pitch umpires in this province.”  He went on
to say, “It’s my goal to get this program prepared for the 2007
season and to make the changes as soon as possible.  We need
to help with the administration of the Umpires program in Ontario,
and get ready for the coming season. In saying that, I am recommending
that all immediately past ZUICs and FPUC members apply for their
former positions, so that we can get down to business as soon
as possible.”

 

While Pipher is actively seeking re-appointment to the Softball
Ontario FPUC, he is also a member of the interim executive for
the newly formed Ontario Softball Umpires Association. Pipher
explained that he and his other executive members are working
towards the implementation of a not-for-profit umpires association
that would take over the leadership of the Fast Pitch Umpires
Program for Fall 2007.” 

 

The Ontario Softball Umpires’ Association, with the motto “Umpires
working for umpires”, is the beginning of new opportunities and
benefits for Ontario softball umpires, and a fresh, new approach
to the delivery of umpiring services in Ontario.  

 

“The OSUA is being formed in response to one of the many insightful
recommendations made by the task force.  Fast pitch umpires actively
demonstrated their concern about the future of softball umpiring
in the province, the future of the relationship between Softball
Ontario and its umpires, and the very future of the game itself,”
explained Pipher.  

 

“We agree with the task force recommendation for an association
of umpires working for umpires,” he said.  “The OSUA will work
in close partnership with Softball Ontario to service the Member
Associations’ officiating needs.  Our priority will be on the
development and support of umpires, through the delivery of training
clinics, enhanced member benefits and services, on-field evaluations
and the selection of qualified individuals to officiate at provincial
and national events.”

 

Ontario softball umpires can be proud of their history, and their
role in supporting the game of softball in communities across
the province over the past 75 years.  They have consistently
provided some of the most renowned umpires in the nation, particularly
for national and international softball tournaments.  And now
another milestone has been reached in the development of a provincial
association that will be devoted entirely to the interests of
umpires and the clients they serve.  

 

It will not only strengthen connections and communications among
umpires, but it will also provide an opportunity to negotiate
additional services and benefits to its members.   

 

“The OSUA will be a single window of access for umpires, leagues,
teams and provincial associations that need information, services
or support from the softball umpiring community,” Mr. Pipher
went on to say.  “We realize that with a dedicated organization,
we may be able to encourage new umpires to get involved if we
look at ways to custom tailor their registration fees to meet
their needs.  Perhaps those who just want to umpire at a local
level will have a different fee than those who take advantage
of other services such as our umpire development program, or
opportunities to go to provincial or national tournaments.”

 

The development of the Ontario Softball Umpires Association is
now underway and is being led by an interim executive made up
of:  Greg Pipher, Doug Webster, Jim Herbert, Ed Otterman, Rob
Phillips, Joel Balberman, Tim Whitelaw, Chuck Bokor, Kirk Corkery,
Terry Burr, and Ian Turnbull.  

 

Membership in the OSUA will be strictly voluntary.  All umpires
are encouraged to register with Softball Ontario for the coming
2007 season in order to get insurance, and to remain eligible
for opportunities that require affiliation with Softball Canada.
 The current Softball Ontario FPUC will work with other members
of the interim executive of the OSUA to ensure a smooth transition
from a Softball Ontario run program to the newly formed OSUA
organization.  

 

What does all this mean for the Ontario softball umpiring community?
 It will be business as usual when the girls, boys, men, and
women hit the diamonds in late April 2007.  All umpires should
register with Softball Ontario in early 2007.  Stay tuned for
more information on the new Ontario Softball Umpires Association.
 And be ready to go back to work when the white stuff melts and
the bats begin to sing.

 

For more information, please contact:

Greg Pipher

lesandgreg(at)rogers.com 

905 837 2211 

 

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