Region 2 |

Jerry Norris and Ariana Bowles Norris, USA Softball of Ohio umpires, at the 2020 USA Softball 18-Under GOLD National Championship. Jerry and Ariana met at an OHSAA Softball Umpire Mechanics Clinic in Lucasville, Ohio in March of 2015, reconnected at a National Umpire School in Cincinnati that May and were married in October 2019. Jerry is a WBSC umpire while Ariana is a new Elite umpire. Although they like to work with other umpires, they especially enjoy working together on the field where there is always special communication and the opportunity to constantly nit-pick at each other in post-game.

Region 6 |

Dan Smith is an eight-year veteran umpire from USA Softball of Michigan. He always seems to be at the ballpark either assisting in field preparation or umpiring games. Dan has umpired in many Slow Pitch State Finals in addition to his first National Championship in 2019. Dan and his wife Debbie are big supports of the USA Softball of Michigan umpire program, often providing donations to help the newer umpires purchase uniforms. Additionally, Dan has been instrumental in securing locations for umpire training camps. USA Softball of Michigan is proud to have Dan!

Region 6 |

Joe Amate is a long-time umpire for USA Softball of Michigan. He recently achieved Elite status in the game of Slow Pitch but has also umpired many Junior Olympic Fast Pitch games in State Finals. Joe is very proud of reaching this level and says it is an honor for him and his family. He looks forward to teaching others in helping them reach the Elite level as well.

Region 8 |

Donyell Jelks, USA Softball of Wisconsin umpire, has been a USA Softball umpire for three years.  Here he is seen working a 10-under game in Wausau, Wisconsin.

Region 8 |

Maddie Lindemann from USA Softball of Wisconsin has been a USA Softball umpire for three years.  She is from Watertown, Wisconsin and is playing softball collegiately at Wisconsin Lutheran.

Region 8 |

Jason Smith from USA Softball of Minnesota has umpired games from 8-under machine pitch to the highest levels of Men’s Fast Pitch, Girls’ Fast Pitch and college softball.  He has been an ASA/USA Softball umpire since 2000. Jason also assigns games for college softball and USA Softball. He works with local communities to recruit, train and retain officials by pairing younger officials with veteran officials. His organization, Minnesota Elite Umpires, also works to engage local community coaches by providing round table question and answer sessions.