Cobourg, ON - - With heavy hearts and sadness STEVE BEDARD passes
With heavy hearts and sadness, I would like to inform every one of the passing of Steve Bedard. Steve passed away while at home this week. Leaving behind two beautiful daughters Julie and Jolene.
Steve grew up playing baseball and softball among other sports. However being a catcher his knees couldn’t take the pain any more so he got into umpiring fastball. This allowed him to stay involved in a game he loved so much.
His passion for this sport extends to all faucets of fastball. Steve started by umpiring in the Belleville area in the 80’s. As the years passed Steve became heavily involved with Softball Canada and Softball Ontario program. Not only as a working umpire but also mentor, and teacher of the craft of officiating. While always sharing his love and passion of this wonderful sport and everything it has to offer.
Steve was a level 4 Softball Canada umpire, certified Instructor/Evaluator for Softball Canada. Steve was often cited as being in competition with Doug Cundall. To see who could write the most umpire evaluations year over year. Steve had umpired around Canada and in the Florida in the spring, with fellow umpires.
Steve hosted a many fastball tournaments in the Zone 9 area; most notably the Jim Bradford event was very dear to his heart. And another event called the Spring Thing that used to be held in Baltimore. If Steve wasn’t running the tournament he would help in any way to make the event stronger by getting good teams, Or by supervising the umpires and picking the crew of officials.
Steve always wanted the best environment for the ball players. By that it started with having the best crew of officials he could get for an event. In his words “the best officials always made for a top notch event.â€Â And a top notch event meant that good teams would come. Steve never really had a hard time getting tournament to run and run smoothly.Â
One of Steve’s proud moments was in Cobourg, hosting and running what was called ISF now called the WSBC umpire certification clinic. Steve loved nothing more than to ALWAYS go to bat for officials. His passion to see umpires, grow into great officials and move up through the program was something he lived almost every summer for. I have never seen someone give up so much family time for a sport then Steve.
Another very proud moment was being asked by longtime friend Bruce Bierman to supervise at the ISC World tournament in Kitchener. Steve then hosted or supervised ISC events in Eastern Ontario. Steve greatest passion in softball was Men’s Elite fastball. He loved it all, the players, officials and everyone around the ball park. I have heard a many great stories of years gone by, and all the great players Steve has umpired or worked for.
Love him or hate him, he was always pushing for the very best in everyone. In most cases putting others ahead of himself. He demanded nothing short of perfection. Accepted no excuses, only that more training and time was needed. He would only give a little once in a blue moon and everything had to be earned. Nothing was free.
Steve stopped as a working official about 4-5 years ago, but still could be found at a ball park on weekends, watching, supervising, or coaching the Force team. Just about anything he could do to get to a ball park. This past year he started fishing a little more and did some additional camping. While getting to watch more Blue Jay games which he loved to do.
Steve you have done some many great things for so many people, including myself. No amount of words can say thank you for everything you have done for all of us. You will be sadly missed around the ball park. Knowing you, you’re already in Heaven starting to reorganize the blue crew.   Be strong, continue to watch over us. Till we meet again good friend. I would like to end this letter the way you always ended your letters to us.
“Have a care†Steve
Chris Lamer
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