A Mighty Blue
Meet Renee Williams, a softball umpire from Grand Island
I knew I could ask her anything about the sport and she would help me.
When someone has done something for 40 years, one hopes this is the common refrain about a veteran from someone trying to rise up the ranks.
There is no question that Renee Williams, a Grand Island native, has “the gift of time” as a softball umpire. She started in 1984 in a recreational t-ball league to earn spending money.
But Renee can add clout to her many years of service to the game.
An abundance of clout.
She has umpired 24 NSAA state softball tournaments–and 17 championship games.
She has worked in 3 NCAA Division II Softball World Series, four NAIA Softball Championship Tournaments, and one championship at the NJCAA level.
She has been an assignor, an evaluator, and is a popular clinician.
And there’s so much more. Glancing through Renee Williams’ resume can make one’s head spin. To say she is an accomplished softball umpire is an understatement. One could argue she is the most decorated female official in Nebraska’s history. But her grand achievements had a humble beginning.
“I started when I was a senior in high school. They needed some help in the town rec leagues and they asked softball players to help out with the younger kids. It became my summer job during college. I didn’t take it too seriously–it was just for fun.”
Williams played softball at Nebraska Wesleyan. After graduation, she coached a travel softball team for two years, but when the team folded, she decided to start umpiring again to stay involved with the game.
“I started again with the local (ASA) stuff. My parents told me to continue to register and something will come along.”
Renee purchased some of her original gear at her local Walmart.
“Cost is a factor that keeps umpires from starting. You need a pair of plate shoes, pants, a shirt, shin guards, a chest protector, a mask, ball bags, an indicator, and a brush. When I got started I went to Walmart and bought what they had. It helped me save some money”
In 1993, nine years after those initial rec-level summer games, Renee started officiating college softball. In 1995, two years after softball became an NSAA-sanctioned sport for girls in Nebraska, she registered as a high school official. She was chosen to umpire at the Nebraska Softball State Tournament that same year. Two years later she worked her first state championship game.
“The game was scoreless for several innings. The student sections from both schools were having fun, chanting back and forth so it was deafening and you couldn’t hear a thing. Both sides would erupt when a play was made or runs were scored. I was very nervous until I had to make my first call, then everything was fine after that. I was very hyped up after the game and it was hard to wind down later.”
This exciting experience was only the beginning of Renee’s championship game selections at the club, high school, and college levels.
In 1999, after working three ASA (now USA Softball) National Championships, she was inducted into the USA Softball Umpire National Indicator Fraternity. The program honors umpires who umpired in three [USA Softball] nationals. It is a select group, considering that there are nearly 50,000 umpires nationwide. This recognition led to her success at the college level, where she worked games at all levels including NCAA Division I.
“I am most proud of the Division II National Championship I worked in Salem, VA in 2009. I was behind the plate in my very first NCAA National Championship. I was very nervous as all eyes were on me. Everybody strives to work the plate in the Championship game. Thankfully there was no controversy and I felt very comfortable and calm–just doing my job. When I got back to the locker room, it was fun to see all the text messages from fellow blues across the country with all kinds of congratulatory messages.”
Not all of Renee’s great moments made it onto her resume.
“One of the most fun games I’ve worked was with The King and His Court. The team, which fielded only one pitcher, catcher, first baseman, and shortstop, was known for performing tricks that entertained the audience. That was just pure fun!”
Renee encourages anyone who wants to rise in the ranks of umpiring to ask a lot of questions.
“Talk to another umpire who has been there, to get an idea of how things work. It is not easy and not all roses like a lot of people think. Be prepared to work and have highs and lows. There is a lot of mental work that has to be done along with studying. You have to be sharp and on top of your game at all times.”
This advice comes from a wealth of experience, but two of Renee’s biggest fans get some credit as well.
“My parents always encouraged me to get registered, attend camp, learn as much as I could, and stay on top of the rules. They thought umpiring was good for me to learn more about the game, be more disciplined, and would help me be a better person. Umpiring definitely makes you a better person.”
Renee’s colleague, who commented at the beginning of this piece, agrees.
“I’ve always known her as a strong woman who does a damn great job for our sport!”
Are you interested in becoming a softball umpire? Click HERE for contact information to help you get started!
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Wow. Incredible career.