New Umpire Association formed

from Gary Callaghan

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