As part of Baseball Canada’s year in review, we are counting down the Top 12 Stories of 2012. Many great stories have occurred over the course of the year and today we take a look at #10.
A group in baseball that never gets as much credit as they deserve are the folks wearing blue – the umpires. Baseball Canada is extremely fortunate to have so many great umpires across the country and some of our finest were on display in 2012 as no fewer than 8 umpires officiated at various international events.
“We’re very proud of the umpires who represented Canada in 2012 and we look forward to providing more of our umpires with the opportunity to work at the international level,” said Baseball Canada’s National Supervisor of Umpires Corrie Davis. “The various international events in 2012 provided some of our top umpires with the opportunity to showcase their skills at the highest levels.”
At the 5th IBAF Women’s World Cup in Edmonton, Baseball Canada had six umpires participate in the event which featured the top eight women’s baseball playing countries in the world. The event showcased the finest women’s baseball players in the world and provided some world-class competition.
Todd Dorothy, Kimberly Bueckert, Elise Lallement, Kelly Hunter, Lisa Turbitt and Steve Boutang were Canadian umpires who worked the event where Canada took home the bronze medal.
Turbitt (First Base) and Dorothy (Third Base) were given the honour of working the gold medal game where Japan prevailed over the United States.
At the IBAF 18U World Championships in Seoul, Korea Alberta’s Jon Oko made the trip to Asia to work his first international event.
The highlight of Oko’s tournament was a semi-final assignment at first base where the United States defeated Japan to book their ticket to the gold medal game. The United States later prevailed over Canada in the gold medal game.
In November, Oko received the Dick Willis Award given to Baseball Canada’s Umpire of the Year for his many years of dedication and service.
In Jupiter, Florida in September, Toronto’s Trevor Grieve was on hand to work a World Baseball Classic Qualifying round.
Out of six tournament games, Grieve worked four including the home plate assignment between South Africa and France, and was given first base duties for the championship game won by Spain over Israel in extra innings.
“International baseball creates a whole new set of challenges for Canadian umpires,” added Davis. “The performance of our umpires at these events confirms that the Canadian umpire development program positions our officials well to succeed in these challenges.”
Top 12 Stories of 2012
12. Les Smeyers becomes 20,000th coach
11. Baseball Canada adopts Challenger Baseball
10. Eight umpires at International Events
9. To be revealed Dec.3
