Softball formally inducts two into Hall of Fame

Two individuals – Neville Lawrance and Bob Stanton – were formally inducted into the International Softball Hall of Fame Class of 2015, after being elected in during the gathering of member softball federations in October 2015.

Neville Lawrance was officially inducted in the Umpire category by WBSC Softball Division 1st Vice President, Darryl Clout. Fellow Hall of Famers – John and Alan McAuliffe – also took part in the ceremony.

(L-R: John McAuliffe, Neville Lawrance, Darryl Clout, and Alan McAuliffe)

Lawrance began his umpiring career in 1984 and attained his international umpire certification in 1997. From there, he umpired in numerous ISF sanctioned events and multi-sport games internationally, including the South East Asian Games and the South Pacific Games.

He umpired in one world championship qualifier (2009), one world championship (1998), two Olympic qualifiers (2003 and 2007), and one Olympics (2004).

A seven-time McAuliffe award winner, Lawrance was inducted into the Softball Australia Hall of Fame in 2014.

WBSC Softball Division President, Dale McMann, inducted Bob Stanton in the Administrator category during Softball Canada’s quadrennial Blue Convention.

(L-R: Dale McMann and Bob Stanton)

Stanton began his involvement in softball as a team manager in 1976 before becoming an umpire in 1983, followed by his international umpire certification in 1994.

In 2001, he was named North American UIC and then Deputy Director of Umpires in 2006 for the ISF. His first international assignments as UIC came at the Pan American Qualifier in 2006 and Pan American Games in 2007.

In 2008, he was appointed Director of Umpires. He has served as UIC at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, many multi-sport Games, and all softball world championships since 2008 – a role he still holds at the time of his induction.

Under his open and respectful leadership style, Stanton has overseen numerous umpire clinics and certification seminars globally and has modernized and streamlined the umpire program overall.

In 2011, he was inducted into the Softball Canada Hall of Fame.

In order to be nominated as an umpire, each individual must have officiated in or have been involved with umpiring internationally for at least ten (10) years, made notable contribution towards the development of umpiring in their nation and/or region, officiated or been involved in least two (2) World Championships or Olympic Games and must have officiated or been involved in at least three (3) Regional Games, Qualifiers or WBSC Softball Division competitions.

An administrator requires that they have served with distinction for at least ten (10) years in building, promoting, developing or serving the sport of Softball internationally in an exemplary manner. They must have served at least eight (8) years in the International and/or Regional Federation.

The International Softball Hall of Fame currently has 211 members from 34 countries and territories.