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Region 2 I Steve Gordon, an umpire with USA Softball of Ohio, was inducted into the Greater Cincinnati Softball Hall of Fame on January 26, 2019. Steve started umpiring in 1985 and rose through the local ranks quickly due to his determination to excel and hard work. He attended every local training program possible, including four National Umpire Schools and two Advanced Camps. He became an Elite Umpire, and along the way worked six Men’s Class A, three Men’s Supers, three Armed Forces National Championships. He even called at the 2018 Canadian National Championship in Lethbridge, Alberta. After 34 years, Steve is Mr. Modesty. Talking about the Hall of Fame he said, "It’s hard for me to do this – all I did was umpire, immerse myself in every game, hustle and give it my best." |
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Region 4 I Tyler Daffron is a 15-year veteran with USA Softball of Alabama. Starting his umpire career at age 15, Tyler has achieved quite the umpiring resume before reaching the age of 30. Tyler has attended two National Umpire Schools, a Fast Pitch Advanced Camp and has worked in four National Championships. While working a busy USA Softball schedule in the summer and fall, Tyler also works games in Alabama High School, Alabama Community College Conference and in Divisions I,II and III for the NCAA in the spring. |
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Region 8 I Kevin Klug, an umpire with USA Softball of South Dakota, has been a USA Softball umpire for over 30 years. He has worked fast pitch and slow pitch for men, women, junior olympic (JO) and the co-ed divisions. Kevin has attended several state umpire clinics, has worked a National Championship, several state tournaments and several Special Olympic events. At the local level, he has been the Umpire-inChief and President of the umpire’s association. |
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Region 8 I Dawn Schumack, an umpire with USA Softball of South Dakota, has been a USA Softball umpire for over 35 years. Staying an umpire for the love of the game, she is an accomplished Junior Olympic (JO) fast pitch umpire and has seven National Championships under her belt. She also umpires JO and adult slow pitch. A long-time administrator in the local women’s slow pitch league, Dawn also continues to play.
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Region 8 I Laurie Dinneen, an umpire with USA Softball of Minnesota, has been a USA Softball umpire for 17 years. An Elite umpire in fast pitch, Laurie has worked the 18-Under GOLD National Championship twice and a total of nine additional National Championships. She has also served as an Umpire-in-Chief at a National Championship. Laurie is dedicated to teaching the game and bringing in young umpires. Retired from a career in corrections, Laurie has started an Umpire Academy for USA Softball umpires in the Northern Region. With the help of other top umpires, she has already trained dozens of umpires in the past few years. |
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Region 9 I Michael Leavitt, an umpire with USA Softball of Utah, seen here locked down in a good set position during a game. A leader both on and off the field, in his spare time he monitors the USA Softball Region 9 Umpires Blog. |
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Region 9 I Kyle Leeds, an umpire with USA Softball of Montana, tracking a fly ball. He is a strong supporter of softball throughout the state and is involved in his community through the Elks Club. |
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Region 10 I Doug Vick is an umpire with USA Softball of Southern California. Two of Doug's favorite pastimes would be spending time with his daughter and umpiring softball games. Sometimes he is fortunate enough to umpire games with his daughter. |
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Region 10 I Terry Husky, a 27-year veteran umpire with USA Softball of Northern California, has been selected to work his second USA Softball National Championship in 2019. Off the field, Terry helps run the Tournament for Tots, a benefit softball event designed to raise toys and funds for the First Responders Christmas Toy Programs. Since its start in 1991, this tournament has donated over $500,000 worth of toys to under privileged children. |
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Region 10 I (L to R): Gina Fernandez, the Junior Olympic (JO) Umpire-in-Chief for USA Softball of Hawaii, and Hal Morgan with USA Softball of Nevada. |
April Blues Across America
April 12, 2019, 12 a.m. (ET)
