PLANT CITY, FL (USA) — The International Softball Federation’s Director of Umpires, Bob Stanton, has appointed sixteen umpires from twelve countries to officiate in the 10th ISF Junior Men’s (Under-19) Softball World Championship in Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada later this year.
Officials will be represented from Argentina, Australia, Botswana, Canada, Czech Republic, Germany, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, United States, and Venezuela, covering Africa, Asia, Europe, Oceania, and North- and South America.
ISF President Dale McMann applauded the global representation of the group of umpires who will officiate the youth softball world championship in Whitehorse.
“The international representation of skilled umpires highlights the current growth trend that softball is experiencing,” said McMann. “Our global footprint is continuing to deepen and expand, not only in terms of athlete participation, but also in terms of the growing number of skilled softball officials who must oversee and regulate the competitions.”
McMann also expressed his satisfaction with the success of continual seminars that are focused on the athletes’ supporting cast, such as coaches, umpires, and scorekeepers.
“We are seeing the positive results of the National Federations organising more and more seminars geared toward umpires, scorers, and other officials, in addition to those organised under the ISF,” McMann said.
The Pepsi Softball Centre, which previously hosted the 2008 Junior Men’s and the 2012 Women’s softball world championships, will serve as the centerpiece of the youth 10th Junior Men’s (Under-19) Softball World Championship.
The U-19 event was last hosted in 2012 in Paraná, Argentina, and host Argentina became the first South American country in history to win an ISF world championship, defeating Japan in the gold medal final. Australia earned the bronze.
10th Junior Men’s Softball World Championship Umpires
Walter Diaz (Argentina)
Jason Carter (Australia)
Abel Metaboge (Botswana)
Terry Richter (Canada)
Daryl Helmer (Canada)
Scott Maclaren (Canada)
Valdimir Liss (Czech Republic)
Thomas Lohnert (Germany)
Motoichi Ueda (Japan)
Norberto Beltran (Mexico)
Bob Gieskins (Netherlands)
Gavin Shepherd (New Zealand)
Casey Waite (USA)
David Hardage (USA)
Larry Tait (USA)
Manuel Tovar (Venezuela)
