February 1, 2021

We are saddened to announce the recent passing of Softball New Brunswick Hall of Fame member (2003) and Softball Canada Hall of Fame member (2006), Wayne Brown (Fredericton).

Wayne’s umpiring career began back in 1969 in Fredericton, and ran over several decades: having co chaired his final U18 Men’s Canadian Championship in 2011. His umpiring spanned across Local, Provincial, National, and International levels.

Decorated with many accolades and accomplishments throughout his years as an official, some of Wayne’s highlights include having supervised 21 Canadian Championships, implementing the Level IV segment of the Softball Canada Umpire Certification Program, and having helped create the officials Instructor/Evaluator Clinic during his time as the National Director of Umpires. Wayne was also responsible for the launch of “Blue Convention”, the “Between the Lines” newsletter, the Canadian Indicator Club and the Umpire of the Year Award.

“Wayne Brown was a truly inspirational leader whose vision resulted in the creation of the many of the pillars of the Softball Canada Umpire Program. Always supportive of New Brunswick umpires and softball in New Brunswick, Wayne was a friend to many. His passion and compassion had an impact on numerous umpires. His use of empathy and his ability to turn a negative into a positive enabled him to advise umpires on how they could be the best they could be. We have lost a true gentleman, friend and ambassador for umpiring and the game of softball” said Softball Canada Board Member, Bob Stanton.

A full list of Wayne’s softball accomplishments include:

1969 – Began umpiring
1975 – First of 5 consecutive Canadian Championships as an on-field umpire
1979 – Youngest Canadian umpire to be certified as an International Softball Federation (ISF) Umpire
1986 – Appointed as Deputy Umpire-in-Chief for Softball Canada
1989 – On-field umpire at the ISF World Junior Men’s Championship
1993 – On-field umpire at the Maccabiah Games in Israel
1994 – Appointed as National Director of Umpires for Softball Canada
1994 – Chair of the Women’s Canadian Fast Pitch Championships
1995 – Appointed as the ISF North American Regional Umpire Coordinator
1997 – Deputy Umpire-in-Chief at the ISF World Junior Men’s Championship
1998 – Inducted into the City of Fredericton Wall of Fame
1999 – Deputy Umpire-in-Chief at the Pan American Games (Men’s)
2001/2 – Deputy Umpire-in-Chief at the Pan American Games (Women’s and Men’s)
2002 – Deputy Umpire-in-Chief at the ISF World Women’s Championship
2003 – Inducted into the Softball New Brunswick Hall of Fame
2005 – Inducted into the New Brunswick Sport Hall of Fame
2006 – Inducted into the Softball Canada Hall of Fame
2011 – Co-chair of the U18 Men’s Canadian Championships