NEWS RELEASE  

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:     Stephanie Sutton
                      (416) 426-7150
                      ssutton@softballontario.ca

DATE:            August 4, 2011

SOFTBALL ONTARIO APPOINTS CO-CHAIRS FOR THE 2013 SOFTBALL CANADA BLUE CONVENTION

NORTH YORK, ONTARIO-  Softball Ontario is pleased to announce Cristine Fader of Milton, ON and Mitch Zuk of Erin, ON as the Co-Chairs for the 2013 Softball Canada Blue Convention.  The Blue Convention attracts Umpires from across the globe and is an ideal educational opportunity for Umpires of all ages and capabilities to gather and learn and discuss how to improve their skills and umpiring.

Here is a brief bio on each of the 2013 Blue Convention Co-Chairs:

Cristine Fader- first registered with Softball Ontario in 1991 in both Fast Pitch and Slo-Pitch and never dreamed that her officiating career would have lasted this long or that she would be give this incredible opportunity to give back to
the Umpires Program through her strength in leadership and her passion for the great game of softball.  Tina’s professional career provides her the edge in efficient management of local and provincial tournaments, evaluating “fellow blue” and the driving performance from being a part of a team.  Tina is a Softball Canada Level 4 Umpire and is also representing Softball Ontario at the 2011 Softball Canada Senior Women’s Canadians Championships.   When she was informed that she had been accepted as the Co-Chair for the 2013 Blue Convention her initiation response was: 

“I am extremely excited about the return of the Blue Convention to Ontario where our officiating program continues to strengthen in numbers and passion.  The adventure for this amazing committee is just beginning and I look forward
 to reaching out to many of our officials across the province to help set the groundwork in creating an informative, entertaining and unrivaled convention for the blue nation.”

Mitch Zuk- first Fast Pitch game was at the age of 16 in the City of Toronto and can remember that 10 years later the game of Slo-Pitch was introduced.  Mitch is currently a Level 5 ISF Fast Pitch and his personal goal is to acquire a Level 5 status in Slo-Pitch.  He was a participant of the inaugural 1997 Blue Convention in Toronto, ON and 2003 in Kitchener-Waterloo, ON and then became a presenter at the 2005 Calgary and 2010 Regina Blue Conventions. It was just a natural progression for Mitch to take on the role of Co-Chair for the 2013 Blue Convention.    Mitch draws from his softball experience of three (3) Canadian Championships, one world championships, numerous international games and acquiring International Softball Federation accreditation and being an Umpire-in-Chief at several Provincial and National Championships.  Mitch also believes that one can never stop learning as he is a Principal of a large elementary school.  He is a true educator of the game and of life.    Mitch provided this quote after receiving news of his appointment:

“I am thrilled that Softball Canada's Blue Convention will be returning to Ontario in the Spring of 2013. It's an honour to be co-chairing this marquee event for our umpiring community. Cristine and I will now begin the pleasant task of harnessing the exceptional talents and skills of the Ontario umpires and Softball Ontario personnel to ensure that the 2013 Blue Convention carries on the tradition of excellence set by previous provinces. There is lots of work to be done; however, the tasks that lie ahead will be undertaken in a manner that engages all carded umpires.  Watch for regular communiqués regarding the committee’s progress.”

The 2013 Blue Convention Co-Chairs will be making a call for applications for the Organizing Committee.  Please be sure to visit the Softball Ontario website for more details at www.softballontario.ca .  With the Blue Convention coming to Ontario once again, there will be more details about this upcoming exciting Umpire opportunity, please stay tune.