Merle Butler passed away (Sunday Jan 6)
January 9, 2008
Vancouver, BC
I am sad to advise that early today, Sunday January 6, 2008, Merle Butler, Director of Umpires, International Softball Federation passed away of an apparent heart attack
Mr. Butler was a true friend to the umpires and programs of Softball Canada and Softball BC. We thank him for his many contributions and we will miss him
Softball BC, it's umpire leadership, its working and retired umpires and the many whose live's were touched by Merle extend our condelences to Mr. Butler's family and the softball fraternity for their loss today.
.... Michael
Michael Track, Provincial Umpire in Chief
Softball BC
ph 604-271-3096
A short profile of Merle Butler, RIP
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Merle Butler
Elected to the ISF Hall of Fame in 1993, he became a registered umpire in 1961. From 1981-1991, Mr. Butler was assigned as Umpire-In-Chief (UIC) for events ranging from ISF Men’s and Women’s World Championships, to Pan-Am Games, to Junior Boys and Junior Girls World Championships. He would go on to serve as UIC at the 1996 and 2000 Olympics. Mr. Butler was appointed ISF Rules Interpreter in 1981, and has numerous umpire clinics to his credit both in the U.S. and internationally. The first full-time ASA National Director of Umpires, he was inducted into their Hall of Fame in 1991.
Director of Umpires |
