USA Softball News October Blues Across...

October Blues Across America

Oct. 15, 2019, 11:50 a.m. (ET)

Region 2 | Lynn Brooks, USA Softball of Ohio, is the Umpire-in-Chief (UIC) of the Stark County Ohio Girls Softball Association. Brooks has had a long and distinguished relationship with the association and in addition to being the UIC, he is also a Board Member of the association.During his tenure as UIC, he has almost doubled the number of registered umpires, assigned over 32,000 games and has over 1,750 girls playing 8-Under through 18-Under softball. Lynn states that "It’s all about the guys and the girls,” and his main objective is to provide a positive influence and place for the girls of Ohio/ Stark County to play softball.Over the past 38 years since joining USA Softball when other softball leagues and teams were dwindling, the SCGSA continues to grow and today it is the core foundation of Ohio’s District 10 USA Softball.
Region 2 | Steve Hartman, USA Softball of Ohio, has a very distinguished career that's spanned over 46 years and serves as the UIC for Ohio District 10. During his career, he has worked every level of Junior Olympic (JO) softball at the National level and frequently earns a spot in the Championship Finals.He remains an active umpire, working National, State, District, local and National Invitational Tournaments (NIT) at all age levels. In addition to softball, he has refereed high school football for 28 years and has worked four State Championships during his career. Wayne County Ohio and District 10 consider themselves to be very fortunate to have a person off Steve’s caliber and dedication promoting the game of softball in their area.
Region 2 | Tim Kidder, USA Softball of Ohio, began his career in 1984 playing slow pitch softball and Fumble ball, the game that is played using a 12” raised out-seam softball and five infielders.He began his umpiring career in 1999, wearing the then-"ASA Blue” to stay around the game he loved.  He was elected President of his association in 2013 and under his leadership and commitment, the association has become one of the finest slow pitch organizations in northeast Ohio.  He has also taken the lead on developing umpires for their Amish community and it's many USA Softball youth teams. He has worked major Championships and upper level slow pitch in six different states and is a true teacher of umpiring. Kidder stresses the elements of good umpiring to all his members, which includes mechanics, knowledge of the rules, good communication and game management.Tim is a Gold Medal Awards status, National Indicator Fraternity (NIF) member and an Elite umpire in slow pitch. Kidder will tell you that one of his most memorable highlights was having the opportunity to twice work the USA Patriots (formerly the Wounded Warriors Amputee Softball Team) exhibition games, saying "It was an honor and privilege I will never forget.”
Region 4 | Terrence Cooper, USA Softball of Alabama, is a 15-year umpire from Montgomery, Ala. He is a member of the Capital Cities Umpire Association, working both Slow Pitch and Fast Pitch throughout Alabama. Terrence umpired in seven National Championships.


Region 6 | Art Jones, USA Softball of Michigan, has been umpiring in local leagues for the past 12 years and this year was able to umpire in his first National Championship at the Boy's 18-Under Slow Pitch. Due to an influx of teams, he was added to the Men's Class D Slow Pitch Northern National Championship, where he did a very nice job and ended up umpiring at third base in the Winner's Bracket game. Art is currently with the US Army as a Sargent Major.
Region 6 | Scott Crips, USA Softball of Michigan, who is still playing Slow Pitch, has been umpiring in local leagues for the past 10 years and this year was able to umpire in his first National Championship at the Boy's 18-Under Slow Pitch National in South Bend, Ind.


Region 7 | L to R: Dan Kunz, Eric Stanton and Lon Sorenson, all from USA Softball of Minnesota, were selected to umpire the Men’s Super Slow Pitch and the Men’s Class A Slow Pitch National Championships in Hendersonville, Tenn. in 2019.  They have 66 years of umpiring USA Softball between them and together have worked over 24 USA Softball National Championships. All three still work league ball, invitational tournaments National Championships and do not hesitate to share their knowledge with umpires trying to get where they are in their career.