Keith Pender – Retirement From Officiating

On Friday, October 02, 2020 Keith Pender (St. John’s) formally announced his retirement from the position of Umpire-in-Chief (UIC) for Softball Newfoundland Labrador, effective Friday, October 16. He also advised a change of status from criteria Level V Working Official to Vr (Retired Level V).

Keith has been a registered Umpire with Softball NL and Softball Canada for 30-Years (1991-2020), was assigned to the Canadian Fastpitch Championships on 11 occasions (1999, 2002-2009, 2011-2012), served in various Administrative Roles – President Metro Umpires Association, Scheduler, Treasurer – over an 18-Year period (2002-2003, 2005-2013, 2015-2020) and served as Softball NL Umpire-in-Chief for 9-Years (2005-2010, 2017-2020).

Keith thanked the Softball NL Board of Directors for the appointment as Umpire-in-Chief, the ‘Blue Team’ (Past & Present) that he had the pleasure of working with over the years, the Newfoundland Labrador Umpires Association Official Development Committee Members, Softball NL Executive Director Dave Feener and the Official Development Committee Members (Past & Present) of Softball Canada.

Keith received his Level V Designation in 2005, was named Softball NL Umpire of the Year on two occasions (1999 & 2002) and was named Softball Canada Umpire of the Year in 2011.

There is no denying that Keith has a passion for the game of softball and his contributions on and off the field will have a lasting effect on the game for years to come.

At this time, Softball NL President Gary Corbett, on behalf of Softball NL Executive Director Dave Feener, Softball NL Board of Directors and the entire Softball NL Membership, would like to take this opportunity to extend Best Wishes to Keith Pender as he retires from the Newfoundland Labrador Umpires Association, and in particular the role as Softball NL Umpire-in-Chief.

Softball NL would also like to take this opportunity to say THANK-You Keith for your 30-Years of service to our great game and let you know that your COMMITMENT, DEDICATION and PASSION for our great game was definitely APPRECIATED and will certainly be MISSED.

Now that your umpiring career has come to a close, hopefully you can look back at your contributions to the game and involvement with the game with great fondness.

Enjoy your additional free time with your family (wife Mary Lynn, sons Keegan and Kurt) and Softball NL wishes you All-the-Best in your Future Endeavors!

Congratulations Keith!

Yours in Softball,

Gary Corbett
Softball NL President