Umpires have always been very important to the game of fastball. Without the dedication of these men, fastball leagues and annual tournaments would not have existed. Umpires would attend clinics, put on by SoftballSask to become qualified and learn of any rule changes.
In most cases, umpires were retired fastball players whose body did not allow them to continue playing the game; so, to stay active in the game of fastball, they would turn to umpiring. Umpires sometimes drove many hours and dedicated much time to be involved in the game. Umpires, in one week, may call five or six games.
Some of the most notable umpires in the border area were Peter Vandanmeel of Langenburg, Ron Koch of Langenburg, Ed Soloski of Langenburg, Ed Stroeder of Esterhazy, Peter Stroeder of Esterhazy, George Hicke of Waldron, Lloyd Stoll of Neudorf, Orville Karius of Melville, Brian Waldbauer of Melville, Vern Schick of Duff and John Vanderhulst of Esterhazy.
Umpires wore very little protection in the early years so their bodies were very bruised up; however, better protection was worn in the later years. These men had to stay cool as they would sometimes have to put up with some very irate coaches and players. Sometimes an ejection was their only way to get across to these angry men.
Umpires always had the ruling of the game and came out on top of the argument; they always had the final say.
John “Big John” Vanderhulst
John started umpiring in approximately 1990 when his kids first started in ball. He first started umpiring for the Atwater Steeler games with Lloyd Stoll. Soon after he started, he realized that there was a shortage of umpires in Minor Ball and decided to get involved in organizing umpire clinics for all levels. He not only attended them himself but also encouraged the youth in the area to attend. John even helped them understand where they needed to be. He continued to do this right up until the day he died on June 24, 2019.
He was rewarded with his dedication to being Umpire in Chief for Zone 4 in 2015 and continued to do this too until his passing in June 2019.
He worked Westerns each year for about 5 or 6 years. He also worked Provincials for Squirts through Midgets for both mens and ladies softball.
Brian Waldbauer
Brian’s umpiring began in 1985. Brian loved fastball, so in order for him to stay in the game, he began umpiring; this was the best decision he had ever made in his life! Umpiring took Brian all over Canada. He umpired four Nationals held in Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan and Grande Prairie, Alberta. Brian worked many tournaments, provincial championships and Western Canadians including: Carnduff, Saskatchewan (twice); Yorkton, Saskatchewan; Winnipeg, Manitoba; Weyburn, Saskatchewan; Regina, Saskatchewan; Moose Jaw Saskatchewan and Estevan, Saskatchewan. Brian’s umpiring career ended in 2010 due to a bad hip and back.
Brian’s last tournament was Western Canadians in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan at the master’s for the men’s and women’s; it was there that he received the Canadian Indicator Club Gold Medallion; his is the best award you can receive as an umpire.
Orville Karius
Orville retired from the Melville Comets and began to umpire. He was one of the most colorful umpires. For the most part of his umpiring career, he only used the mask for protection, and one could hear the thump of the ball as it would hit his chest. After a few bumps and bruises he reluctantly used the chest protector. Many players remember his long “steeeeeeeerike!” call. Orville didn’t take any guff from players and coaches, and provided fair and clear umpiring for the leagues. Orville and his colleagues enjoyed discussing each game after it was over. Orville also umpired girls provincial softball. Orville Karius passed away in 2006.