UMPIRE AWARDS
Every year, Baseball Alberta and the Umpire Committee honors umpires within Baseball Alberta who have contributed in a positive way to making the game of baseball in Alberta great. These are the specific awards for umpires who have all contributed their time and effort to baseball. These awards are presented annually at the Baseball Alberta Annual Awards Banquet as well as the Level 4/5 Super Clinic Banquet.
UMPIRE HALL OF FAME
Presented annually to an individual(s) who fulfills the following criteria; has demonstrated loyalty and dedication to the umpiring program in Alberta; has assisted in the development and education of fellow umpires; has demonstrated leadership in his/her umpiring community; has provided encouragement, support and opportunity thereby fostering growth in fellow umpires and in the Baseball Alberta Umpire Program.
2024 UMPIRE HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE
Jon Oko
UMPIRE HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES
2024
Recipient: Jon Oko (Edmonton)
2023
Recipient: Stephane Dupont
2022
Recipient: Don Buskas (Edmonton)
2021
Recipient: Mitch Ball (Lethbridge)
2019
Recipient: Jeff Donnelly (St. Albert)
2018
Recipient: Corrie Davis (Sherwood Park)
2017
Recipient: John Byrne
2016
Recipient: John Bresler (St. Albert)
2015
Recipient: Chris Chelmick (Edmonton)
2014
Recipient: Roy Mills (Vegreville)
2013
Recipient: Gwen Young (Lethbridge)
2012
Recipient: N/A
2011
Recipient: Bryce Paton (Calgary)
2010
Recipient: N/A
2009
Recipient: N/A
2008
Recipient: Dennis Dancey (Pine Lake)
2007
Recipient: Ted Derpack (Spruce Grove)
2006
Recipient: Frank Hornby (Calgary)
2005
Recipient: Albert Durbano (Drumheller)
2004
Recipient: Jim Edwards (Peace River)
2003
Recipients: Al Johnson (Red Deer) & Thomas Langlois (Calgary)
2002
Recipients: Maurice Laplante, Vic Hogan & Perri Gavin
2001
Recipients: Barry Pozzo & Bryan Keith
2000
Recipients: Herman McMann, Ed Shaw & John Kelly
1999
Recipients: Orest Tarkowski & Nick Bochansky
1998
Recipients: Murray Service, Dan Brown, Paul Riopel & Dennis Pipella
MURRAY SERVICE UMPIRE OF THE YEAR
This award is based on the ability and commitment of Alberta umpires that are entering the National program.
Must be Nationally Certified (ie - Level, 3, Level, 4 or Level 5).
Must be capable of umpiring all levels of baseball within the province.
Must have shown a willingness to improve their skills, thereby giving the teams and organizations a top quality official for their events.
Must have contributed to the umpire programs through any of the following: mentorship, instructing, assigning games, provincial representation regionally and/or nationally, or in assisting the Umpires Committee with programs that will benefit the umpires in Alberta.
2024 MURRAY SERVICE UMPIRE OF THE YEAR
Devon Dedekopp
PAST MURRAY SERVICE UMPIRES OF THE YEAR
2024
Recipient: Devon Redekopp (Edmonton)
2023
Recipient: Matt Beaudry (Sherwood Park)
2022
Recipient: Graham Grieder (Spruce Grove)
2021
Recipient: Marcus Erlandson (Fort McMurray)
2019
Recipient: Brad Johnston (Airdrie)
2018
Recipient: Rick Burns (Sherwood Park)
2017
Recipient: Tyler Bourne (Sherwood Park)
2016
Recipient: Darren Dekinder (Sherwood Park)
2015
Recipient: Brandon Strocki (Stony Plain)
2014
Recipient: Jeff Chipley (Sylvan Lake)
2013
Recipient: Brian Lees (Edmonton)
2012
Recipient: Mitch Ball (Pincher Creek)
2011
Recipient: Stephen DeLude (Calgary)
2010
Recipient: Gerald White (Grande Prairie)
2009
Recipient: Dave Bisanti (Calgary)
2008
Recipient: Jeff Donnelly (St. Albert)
2007
Recipient: Bryce Paton (Calgary)
2006
Recipient: Matt Payne (Edmonton)
2005
Recipient: Brock Mulligan (Bon Accord)
2004
Recipient: Josh Clark (Cochrane)
2003
Recipient: Trevor Durie (Edmonton)
2002
Recipient: Jon Oko (Edmonton)
2001
Recipient: Don Buskas (Wetaskiwin)
2000
Recipients: David Salmon (Edmonton) & Pat Vincent (Slave Lake)
1999
Recipient: Chris Chelmick (Edmonton)
1998
Recipient: Noel Stock (Lacombe)
1997
Recipient: Jim Edwards (Peace River)
1996
Recipient: Maurice LaPlante (Edmonton)
1995
Recipient: Corrie Davis (Edmonton)
1994
Recipient: Perri Garvin (St. Albert)
1993
Recipient: Al Johnson (Red Deer)
1992
Recipient: Ted Derpack (Spruce Grove)
1991
Recipient: Dan Brown (Edmonton)
1990
Recipient: Orest Tarkowski (Edmonton)
1989
Recipient: John Potter (St. Albert)
1988
Recipient: Calvin Mah (Edmonton)
JUNIOR UMPIRE OF THE YEAR
Presented annually to a promising young umpire whose age does not exceed 25 years, who has attained a minimum NUCP Level 2 certification, has displayed dedication, a willingness to learn and improve their skills as a baseball official throughout the course of the year.
2024 JUNIOR UMPIRE OF THE YEAR
Will Arndt
PAST JUNIOR UMPIRES OF THE YEAR
2024
Recipient: Will Arndt (Edmonton)
2023
Recipient: Levi Wagner (Lacombe)
2022
Recipient: Ty Hoglund (Camrose)
2021
Recipient: Clayton Wandler (Red Deer)
2019
Recipient: Brett Bilida (Edmonton)
2018
Recipient: Ethan Maze (Spruce Grove)
2017
Recipient: Michael Ozga (Red Deer)
2016
Recipient: Paul Moroz (Edmonton)
2015
Recipient: Graham Grieder (Spruce Grove)
2014
Recipient: Andrew Kozial (Sherwood Park)
2013
Recipient: Steven Ridley (Edmonton)
2012
Recipient: Terran Gimpel (Calgary)
2011
Recipient: Robert Feaster (Calgary)
2010
Recipient: Devon Redekopp (St. Albert)
2009
Recipient: Brandon Strocki (Stony Plain)
2008
Recipient: Tyler Bourne (Sherwood Park)
2007
Recipient: James Walter (Beaumont)
2006
Recipient: Jeff Chipley (Sylvan Lake)
2005
Recipient: Siobhan Doherty (Millet)
2004
Recipient: Shane Hoetmer (Westlock)
2003
Recipient: Ryan McEachern (Camrose)
STEVE BLUETT HERO AWARD
Presented annually to an umpire who, through both word and action, demonstrates some or all of the characteristics of our dear friend, Steve Bluett: courage and tenacity in the face of adversity, an ability to motivate and inspire, a commitment to self-improvement, resiliency, grace and generosity.
PAST STEVE BLUETT HERO AWARD RECIPIENTS
2022
Recipient: Declan Lord (Sherwood Park)
2021
Recipient: John Bresler (St. Albert)
2020
Recipient: Rick Burns (Sherwood Park)
2019
Recipient: Don Buskus (Wetaskawin)
2018
Recipient: Kris Hartley (Calgary)
DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD
Presented annually to an umpire who has demonstrated a lengthy (minimum 20 years), dedicated, loyal, and respected service as an active umpire in Alberta.
PAST DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD RECIPIENTS
2022
Recipient: Rolf Swanberg (Calgary)
2021
Recipient: Gavin McConnell (Spruce Grove)
2020
Recipient: Dale Elder (Calgary)
2019
Recipient: Wally Footz (Edmonton)
2018
Recipient: Harvey Norstrom (Edmonton)
UMPIRE LEADERSHIP AWARD
Every successful program has people who have a vision for progress and the leadership skills to turn vision into reality. Such people are the backbone of any organization and truly lead us forward.
Over the years, there have been a number of people in our organization that have put in the consistent effort, often unrecognized, that keeps our programs running smoothly and efficiently. They often also continuously strive to improve upon existing programs and in addition to creating new programs.
With that in mind, this award will be presented to an umpire that has provided outstanding leadership to the Baseball Alberta umpire community. This award celebrates the accomplishments of the recipient and acknowledges the commitment that they have made to improve our umpiring programs through the years.
PAST UMPIRE LEADERSHIP AWARD RECIPIENTS
2022
Recipient: Jeff Donnelly (St. Albert)
2021
Recipient: Jon Oko (Edmonton)