Umpire Retires At 80

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29753, 21 February 1962, Page 13

Umpire Retires At 80

A N 80-year-old softball ' * umpire. Mr H. C. Ford, of New Brighton, intends to hang up his whistle and mask as from next Saturday, and retire to the sideline. After 24 years in his capacity as an umpire and softball official, Mr Ford considers that umpiring is now a little beyond him, and he would like to retire before any physical disadvantages begin to sway his judgment. A former president of the New Zealand Softball Association, Mr Ford has not played softball himself, but the knowledge he has acquired over the years would do credit to many present day players. His main interest now is looking after the younger players, but he says that his services will still be available, although not in the capacity of umpire. He has held official positions both in local softball associations, and the New Zealand Umpires’ Federation, and over the years he has filled adintinistraitiive positions at national tournaments. Before joining the men’s umpires’ association, Mr Ford

was a consdentious worker for women’s softball, both at the national and local levels. Mr Ford has given two cups for softball competition. One is for the annual junior women’s match between Canterbury and Otago, and the other for women’s contests between Canterbury and the West Coast. Bom in Wiltshire, England, Mr Ford came to New Zealand in 1910. He had learned to play hockey in India in 1905. and played for one year in New Zealand before becoming an umpire in that sport. Switching over to soccer, he has recently been controlling schoolboys' matches on Saturday mornings. and High School and College games on Wednesdays.

Typical of Mr Ford's attitude in helping junior sporting activities, was his gift to a boys’ orphanage in Papanui, of a set of softball bases.