The Gauteng Province Baseball Council’s umpire commissioner, Frank Bell, said they would manage all the National Baseball Championships (NBC) games fairly at Boksburg Stadium to ensure the matches are played in the spirit of the game.
According to Bell, also a member of the South African Baseball Union (SABU) Umpires Commission, there will be about 25 umpires – 15 from Gauteng and 10 from the Western Cape – in charge of the matches during the tournament.
“Our role and intentions are to manage all the games fairly so that we have proper, competitive baseball played in the spirit of the game,” he said.
The NBC begins on April 1 and will conclude on April 11.
The junior’s and men’s U18 teams will take to the field first on the Boksburg Cardinals’ diamonds until April 4. The women’s U18 will play their round-robin matches on April 5.
The men’s and women’s seniors and U23 teams will play from April 7 to 10, with the finals the next day.
“We have a crew of important people who give a lot of time and effort to the game. Without them, the games can’t happen.
“Umpires are a critical factor in baseball. These are guys who officiate weekly and give their time freely. They come regardless of the conditions and umpire the games from the junior to the senior leagues,” Bell reflected.
Bell explained the umpires are ready for the NBC, adding that for the junior matches, there would be a single umpire and two for the seniors because of the intensity, speed and length of the field in their games.
The seven diamonds the matches will be played on are lush and ready for action on Saturday.
“The Cardinals have ensured the venue is ready for the thousands of fans expected to attend. The club has spared no expense in creating a truly unforgettable experience for everyone who comes through the gates.
“In addition to the high-quality baseball action on display across seven diamonds, the venue will offer plenty of entertainment for the whole family. There will be live music performances, a dedicated children’s area, food vendors serving delicious treats, and a beer garden for those who want to enjoy a cold one while watching the action,” SABU said in a statement.
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