Eastern Ontario baseball league could strike out amid umpire shortage
CTV
As baseball leagues get underway across Ontario, many are struggling to find umpires. Hundreds of umpires are needed, and even large tournaments are calling in replacements from out of province.
As baseball leagues get underway across Ontario, many are struggling to find umpires.
Hundreds of umpires are needed, and even large tournaments are calling in replacements from out of province.
As day turns to night in the village of Lyn, west of Brockville, two teams in the North Leeds Men's Fastball League prepare for their game.
However, a shortage of umpires in the region could end up postponing some games, or even cancelling them all together.
"Not just in our sport, refereeing is no different," said Gerard McKenna, Zone 10 Deputy Umpire in Chief. "Volleyball, basketball, every sport seems to be lacking the officials, for sure."
According to McKenna, pre-pandemic, Softball Ontario had 1,200 registered umpires across the province. This year, there are just under 600.
Other provinces, including Manitoba, are also experiencing the same problem.
