Softball BC Umpires

On Sunday July 5th at the Canada Cup International Softball Championship, Arne Austring had his final game on the diamond with his daughter Claire as his partner on the Plate. After the game, the teams and our Umpire community honoured Arne's commitment to the game with a small ceremony and Arne leaving his hat at 2nd Base.

If you don't know about the symbolism of an Umpire leaving their hat at Second Base...

At the end of an umpire's final game, placing their hat on second base before walking off the diamond is a quiet and meaningful tradition. Second base sits at the heart of the field, symbolizing the centre of the game that the umpire has dedicated themselves to protecting with fairness, integrity, and respect. By leaving their hat behind, the umpire signifies that their duty is complete and that they are passing the game on to the next generation of officials. Walking away without looking back represents a career fulfilled, knowing they gave the game their best and that the sport will continue because of those who follow.

Congratulations and Thank You Arne for everything you have done for Softball BC and our Umpires!

Thank you to all our Umpires from near and far that came and worked games at the Canada Cup over the past 9 days! It was a loooong week, but we got it done and did and amazing job.

Here’s the Showcase Gold (17A) and Futures Gold (19A) championship crews:

17A Makenna Stone (Plate), Brittany Lorteau (1B), Roy Ferraro (3B)

19A Paige Cross (Plate), Megan Parsons (1B), Makenzie Legge (3B)

In Loving Memory of Bob Henning: A Mentor, A Leader, A Friend

December 8, 1950 – June 22, 2026

With profound sadness, we announce the passing of Bob Henning, who left us on June 22, 2026, after a valiant and courageous battle with cancer. His strength, grace, and faith remained with him until his final moments.

Bob stood as a towering figure in the world of softball officiating, not only for his extraordinary technical mastery but also for the generosity, integrity, and mentorship that defined his decades-long career. Widely regarded as one of the finest softball umpires in the world, Bob’s influence reached across provinces, nations, and continents. His presence elevated every field he stepped onto.

What truly set Bob apart was his devotion to developing officials. He poured his heart into teaching, guiding, and inspiring the next generation, shaping careers and communities with patience, humour, and unmatched passion. His legacy lives on in the countless umpires who carry forward his lessons, his standards, and his love for the game.
Our deepest and most heartfelt condolences are extended to his beloved wife, Maricel and their two children, Vjoy & Martyman, who were the centre of Bob’s world. May they find comfort in the extraordinary legacy he leaves behind and in the countless lives he touched with warmth, wisdom, and unwavering dedication.

A service honouring Bob’s life and legacy will be held on July 4, 2026, at 1:00 PM at Harvest Baptist Church, located at 22594 Old Yale Road in Langley, BC, where family, friends, colleagues, and members of the officiating community are warmly invited to gather in remembrance.

-Scott McLaren

We have two umpires coming in from our of Province for the Canada Cup this year that need a place to stay for the duration of the event. Preferably close to Softball City.

Please DM us if you have a space that an out of town Umpire can stay at and enjoy the Canada Cup experience.

Four weeks away. FOUR WEEKS! Until the Canada Cup International Softball Championship. Have you sent in your Umpire application yet? If not, do it now.

Basic qualifications to Umpire at the Canada Cup:

1) Proficient in the 2 Umpire system.

2) Softball Canada/WBSC affiliated Country certified Umpire.

3) Capable of working minimum U17B Softball.

If you are these and/or much more....we want you! Click the link below.

2026 Canada Cup Umpire Application Youth Selects July 3-6th. Youth Gold July 6 - 12th. A request for availability will come closer to the event around early to mid-June. Thank you for applying!

Promoting for our colleagues at the Canadian Native Fastball Championship: You’re invited to officiate at the 2026 Canadian Native Fastball Nationals! If you are interested in joining the Umpire crew for this fun event, see the details below.

We are abut 6 weeks away from the Canada Cup! Have you sent in your application to Umpire? There is a new and super easy way to register, click on the Google link below and send it in today.

2026 Canada Cup Umpire Application Youth Selects July 3-6th. Youth Gold July 6 - 12th. A request for availability will come closer to the event around early to mid-June. Thank you for applying!

Amazing work by this early time slot group of Umpires for the tournament at Noel Booth in Langley this weekend. This impressive group of young umpires did a fantastic job Officiating and they all enjoyed their time together with lots of bonding and laughs!

Straight from Softball Canada. Call those illegal pitches. There is no “grace period” during the season. If you have questions, please reach out to your local UIC.