Umpire 101 – Part Two

Continuing with our interview with David Brewer the Provincial Umpire in Chief for the 2018 Canada Cup talking his passion – umpiring.

I asked him if he officiates other sports and he mentioned “I work senior men’s ball, ladies leagues as well as help out with the local youth leagues as well.”

He has officiated basketball for “roughly” 50 years, did some football when he lived in the area as well as lacrosse and volleyball as well and going from one sport to another as they mostly use similar philosophies so it’s easy to catch on.”

Officials in general officiate various sports and several overlap so it’s important that one season doesn’t overlap with the other with his highlight being asked to umpire at the 1989 Saskatoon Summer Games which was his first Gold medal plate game.

I asked him on his first thought when told of his assignment and he mentioned “disbelief and who me and you always work hard at a tournament and that finally my hard work had paid off.”

I asked him if any critique that came out of that game and he mentioned “that was quite a while back, but always  remember to communicate with your crew.”

His most ambiguous call he or others deal with surrounds the pitching rule as in the Women’s game it’s straightforward, but the Men’s games its more about keeping the flow of the game going.”

Highlights of his career was “umpiring Trail’s Lauren Bay when she was 12 or 13 playing house ball and come down her to see her in the 2016 World Championship which was a great experience for me personally.”

He mentioned that she knows who he is and they still have a good rapport and she “thanked him for what he did for her and the game during her career.”

He mentions that “it’s great to see the more elite athlete give it back as the kids look up to those individuals like that and it’s great to see the female coaches giving back so the female players have something to aspire to when they finish playing ball.”

Ironically the issue of language isn’t really an issue as most coming in speak english and as an umpire you learn quick that you don’t give the scorekeeper the players name but rather give them the number, so you don’t want to mess up on the names as it’s embarrassing.”

On the topic of advice for young up and coming umpires he shares ‘go to clinics and get into minor games and don’t go out and buy all the equipment cause it’s expensive, so starting in minor ball has advanced some to International ball.”

He mentions as do I, you’re never too old and with the changes of the clinics they have changed considerably as it used to be you got a rule book and you  read through it, but now it’s more intense with teaching fundamentals changing, so you have to stay on top of your game.”

The day of the overhead slides have advanced given the new technology and so has the ability to make the call and not be “ The Show, but rather The Umpire.”

I thanked David for his time as during the interview he took about 5 or 6 calls from various individuals.

If you are interested in becoming an umpire sent him an email to provincialuic@softball.bc.ca