Special Tribute Edition,May2021 | | Message from the National Umpire Coordinator
Hello:
Earlier this week we found out that our one of our fellow Umpires Mitch Ball passed away. While being one of Canadas most accomplished and well respected umpires. Mitch was also a friend and mentor to many across Canada and this loss is felt across the country and the officiating community.
Today, we highlight a few of his accomplishments and thank a great Man for his service and contributions both to both LittleLeague and Baseball across Canada.
You will be missed,
Brad Johnston
National Umpire Coordinator | | | 
| | Mitch started umpiring as a Junior Umpire in Lethbridge, Alberta. In 2002 he worked the Little League World Series and was behind the plate for the American Championship Game between Massachusetts and Kentucky.
Since that time, Mitch has continued to volunteer his time for Little League Baseball and numerous other baseball organizations in Canada such as Baseball Canada, Canadian College Baseball Conference, & Western Canadian Baseball League.
His love and talent for the game as an official and his genuine nature and treatment of all made him a well respected official amongst his colleagues.
On the field, he would go on to work 7 Baseball Canada Championships and3 international events, most notably the Pan-Am games in Toronto in 2015. Additionally, he supervised at 3 Baseball Canada Championships.
Mitch was an avid fisherman, family man and the friendliest man alive. Universally admired for his kindness, patience, easy-going charm and humour. He is survived by his wife Jana and their 6 children. Mitch was 47 years old.
A GoFundMe fundrasier to assist his family has been set up to honour his legacy and assist his family. | | | 
| | A Special Statement from Little League International
All of us at Little League International in Williamsport, Pennsylvania and the Little League World Series are extremely saddened by Mitch’s passing, He was first and foremost a husband and father, and we extend our deepest sympathies to his family and many friends. It’s a real gut punch to lose someone so young to this hideous pandemic, especially someone who has given so much to the Little League program.
A Memoriam for Mitch Ball can be found here.
Little League International, President & CEO, Steve Keener | |
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| | Mitch Ball 2002 Little League World Series Umpire
One of his most treasured assignments was being selected for the 2002 Little League World Series, where he worked behind the plate in the American Championship Game of Massachusetts vs Kentucky.
“The highlight of my career most definitely has to be the 2002 Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. What a wonderful experience. You cannot fully grasp what it’s like at that event until you take it in yourself. Whether it’s as a fan, a parent, a player or coach, or as an umpire. It’s unbelievable. If you ever get the chance to go and take part in that tournament, don’t hesitate. Just do it! You will not regret it" | | | 
| | A Special Honor for Mitch Ball
Little League District #1 and our member leagues have had the privilege of seeing Mitch Ball first hand through the years. I recall back in the late 1990’s when another accomplished umpire-in-chief for our District, the late Brent Derricott worked tirelessly mentoring umpires throughout our District. One of his special relationships was with a then up-and-coming Mitch Ball. I know how excited he spoke of this umpire and the work he did to become a better umpire. Mitch attended clinics and worked on his skills relentlessly and continued to elevate his game to new challenges and assignments. He was chosen to many Divisional tournaments and then in 2002, he was assigned to the Little League Canadian Championships and I had the opportunity to recommend him for the honor of being Canada’s selection to officiate at the Little League World Series in Williamsport, PA. Naturally, as expected he did us very proud, and earned the assignment on the plate for the USA Championship Game. Often, an assignment to Williamsport comes in the mid to twilight of a person’s career, but in Mitch’s case, it was just the beginning.
Mitch was someone you could always count on. I cannot recall any project or umpire event that he wasn’t enthusiastic about contributing to. He became our top umpire resource and a friend and mentor to a new generation of young umpires who looked up to him like a player does to his favorite superstar. Mitch was never someone who boasted about his ability or his knowledge, he just used it to make everyone around him better. He strived to mentor others and worked with current LLC Umpire in chief Brad Johnston and LLA Umpire in chief Wayne Kurtz to serve beyond our District. He also was active beyond the Little League program. As far as Mitch was concerned, it didn’t matter what program you were representing (Baseball Canada, Little League, American Legion, Babe Ruth, Baseball Alberta, Western Canadian Baseball League, Canadian College Baseball), umpiring was umpiring. This philosophy served him well, and more importantly, served all of the programs well for over 25 years.
The City of Lethbridge made a great assignment as well when they gave Mitch the Recreation Coordinator role for the baseball facilities we are so proud of in our City. He was passionate to work with us to make them the best they could be and would be willing to assist in any way possible to keep them operating and maintained to the highest standard possible. I never tired of the visits Mitch would make to Spitz Stadium to see how things were or what he could do to help out. Besides, it gave us chances to catch up on all the latest baseball news as well.
As you call tell, we have a huge hole to fill and it certainly will not be easy. We hope that new umpires and maybe some retired umpires will step back onto the field and honor Mitch by taking up this important part of the game of baseball. We know that would be something he would appreciate.
If you really think about it, I am really not sure with all the assignments he took on in baseball plus the strong commitment he had to his family, how this strong, kind, gentle giant of a man had any time left to take up his hobby as a fisherman as well! Rest easy Mitch, but not for too long. We are sure Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Mickey Mantle, Ted Williams, Tony Fernandez, and many others will be playing games on a magnificent field in paradise and will need your exceptional umpiring talents sooner than later.
Gone far too soon, but never forgotten, we say goodbye for now to a really all around great baseball guy!
Little League Canada, International Field Director, Kevin Kvame | | |
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| | A Special Tribute Article on Mitch Ball
Mitch and I first met in 2002 in Lethbridge at the Little League Canadian Championships. He was very welcoming to me with it being my first tournament as Umpire in Chief for Little League Canada. Mitch was very honored and humbled to be selected to represent Canada at the Little League World Series. It was here that he set a very high standard for us in being selected to work the Plate in the very prestigious US Championship Game.
He was very supportive of myself and gave great advice when I was selected to Umpire the 2006 Little League World Series. Without his advice I would not have represented as well as I did for Canada.
As Mitch became more involved in higher level baseball, he never forgot his roots and did not hesitate to help with mentoring, supervising or Umpiring within the Little League Program whenever he was called upon. There are hundreds of Umpires still involved in the Little League Umpiring Program because of his influence. In addition, the impact on all these young people in everyday life will be his legacy.
I was so excited when Mitch called me in the Spring of 2020 and asked me to be a part of the crew for the CCBC Championships in Lethbridge in May of 2020. Unfortunately, due to the pandemic the event was cancelled. This would be the last opportunity I would have to be on the same field with Mitch.
We will never be able to replace Mitch, he was a special person who had a positive impact on everyone he was in contact with. He taught all of us to enjoy life and whatever you do in life to do it well! There will never be another like Mitch Ball he leaves a legacy well beyond his years on this earth. A life cut short but one that was lived to the fullest.
Rest Easy my friend, you are now Safe at Home!!
Little League Canada, Umpire Committee Member, Troy Carmont | | |