RED DEER – The 2018 softball season is almost upon us, and hundreds of teams are getting ready to take to the diamonds across the province, and umpires play a key role in ensuring that each game is played fairly.

The Red Deer Softball Umpires Association (RDSUA) recruits, trains and assigns umpires for fastball games across central Alberta, in an area that includes Wetaskiwin, Camrose, Rocky Mountain House, Coronation, Olds and all points in between. RDSUA umpires work games in age divisions from U10 to U23, and adult male and female fastball.

Umpiring is a great part-time summer job for students of almost any age, or a great way for former players and adults to stay involved with the sport. In 2017, the RDSUA had 80 members, ranging from rookie 13-year olds to veterans in their seventies. There were also several family combinations of parents officiating with their children – a great way to bond, get some exercise and have fun together.

The RDSUA is seeking new umpires for the 2018 season. Umpires complete an annual clinic that includes classroom and gym mechanics sessions. During the season, senior members of the RDSUA work as mentors with new umpires during games to which they are assigned.

The RDSUA is hosting two clinics this year. Pre-registration is required:

• Red Deer: Saturday and Sunday, April 14 and 15, at the Red Deer Curling Club (Pidherney Centre), 9 am start, 8:30 am registration
• Castor: Sunday, May 6, at Gus Wetter School, 9 am start, 8:30 am registration

To register for either clinic, please contact any of the following RDSUA members:
• Brad Lyon, President, [email protected]
• Pat O’Callaghan, Mentoring/Website, [email protected]
• Chris Harper, Recruitment, [email protected]

There is a registration fee, which covers the cost of the clinic, lunch, insurance, and Softball Canada fees. Some minor associations will reimburse youth umpires for the cost of registration, if they work a specified number of games during the season.

For more information on umpiring or upcoming clinics, check the RDSUA website at rdsua.ca, or go to the Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/groups/RDSUA/ .