WBSC announces new members of 9-nation global Softball Umpire Committee

Post date: Feb 13, 2017 4:12:27 AM

LAUSANNE (Switzerland) – The WBSC today announced the newest members of the regional softball umpiring committee, including appointments from the Czech Republic, Japan and the United States. The new composition of the nine-member, gender-balanced committee covers the five Olympic continents — Africa, Asia, America, Europe and Oceania.

Ms. Christina Drumm (USA), Ms. Haruhi Goto (Japan), and Mr. Pavel Prachar (Czech Republic) have been appointed to the WBSC Regional Softball Umpire Coordinator Committee.

The global umpire committee members oversee umpire activities and programs in their respective territories, working with the Director of Umpires on training and certification courses, including the web-based UmpSchool. The committee also reviews rule changes and provides rule interpretations, while bringing recommendations to the WBSC Softball Executive Board.

This reinforced global umpiring committee — whose members have been part of a combined 59 softball world championships and have extensive Olympic softball experience — also addresses strategies to bolster growth and training among officials, as the popularity of softball among players and school programmes continues to expand.

WBSC Softball Director of Umpires, Bob Stanton: “As our sport continues to grow throughout the world and particularly in emerging territories that are launching new national championships, it is important that our officiating programmes also expand in order to ensure the integrity and healthy growth of our sport. I am confident that this highly experienced and dedicated expert group will help shape and implement our overall strategy to meet the growing worldwide demands of our sport.”

Christina Drumm received her WBSC certification in 2003 and has umpired in six softball world championships and the WBSC-sanctioned World Cup of Softball. She has also served as an Assistant UIC for WBSC Jr. Women’s and Women’s Softball World Championships. Drumm was named to the USA Softball National Umpiring Staff in 2015.

Haruhi Goto received her WBSC umpire certification in 2002 and has umpired at all levels of the game, including the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece and three softball world championships. As a member of the Japan Softball Association and Softball Confederation of Asia Umpiring Staff, she assists in appointing and training umpires throughout the Asian region.

Pavel Prachar received his WBSC umpire certification in 1992. He has umpired at four world championships and the Africa/Europe Olympic Qualifier for the 1996 Olympic Games. Prachar also served as a then-ISF Vice President for Europe for four years. In October 2016, he was named as the European Softball Federation Director of Umpires co-chair, along with Carolien Stadhouders.

The WBSC-SD Regional Umpire Coordinators Committee:

Director of Umpires – Bob Stanton (Canada)

Regional Umpire Coordinator, Africa – Vincent Maoeng (South Africa)

Regional Umpire Coordinator, Asia – Haruhi Goto (Japan)

Regional Umpire Coordinator, Central America and South America – Santos Vasquez (Puerto Rico)

Regional Umpire Coordinator, Europe – Pavel Prachar (Czech Republic)

Regional Umpire Coordinator, North America – Christina Drumm (United States)

Regional Umpire Coordinator, Oceania – Wayne Saunders (New Zealand)

Special Projects Coordinator – Margo Koskelainen (Australia)

Special Projects Coordinator – Marlies Struyve (Netherlands)