The Ladysmith Minor Softball Association was gearing up for another season of fun recreational ball until they realized that getting umpires to officiate the numerous games was going to be a problem. For the past few years, the Association has found that it’s been more and more difficult to get existing as well as new recruits to come out to ump the games. Glenn Popenko, umpire in chief, realized that not only getting hassled at times, during the games, the umpires had to take a course through Softball B.C. that was costing each $110 per year. This was becoming an obstacle to many and Popenko felt that it was an undue burden and because of that, it was going to limit the number of games the players would be able to have each season and possibly limit the number of kids that would be able to sign up to learn and play the game.

When Popenko approached the local Kinsmen club to see if they would be able to help cover the cost of some of the courses, he was caught off guard, by the generosity of the local Kinsmen when they voted to cover the cost of the course for up to 15 umpires. On February 15th the club presented the Softball Association with a donation check of $1,500.00.

For the 2022 season, the Association is planning a full season of ball, but at the present time, they only have three umpires, of which two are also ball players. The umpires are paid $30 per game as well as supplied with most of the gear they need to look after their job in the game.

For anyone interested in being an umpire or even just to get more information they can contact Glenn Popenko at 250-734-1780.