Umpire looking to take next big step
DAWIE Sutton got involved in umpiring as a parent and next week he will be officiating at the Challenge Cup international men’s softball tournament in Auckland.
It is a long way from the Tball games he started out on 12 years ago, but the 45yearold is looking forward to the challenge.
‘‘My youngest son was playing Tball and my wife got talking to some of the parents and said, ‘Oh my husband used to play softball and was a representative and blah, blah,’’ Sutton said.
So that was how it started. Loose lips and all, but not that Sutton minds. He was happy to get involved again.
He played softball growing up in Ashburton and represented MidCanterbury. But his career took him away from the sport. He worked in Central Otago and eventually ended up in Auckland.
The family moved south to Dunedin in 2006. Sutton is a qualified teacher and chef and is now working towards gaining his international softball umpiring qualification.
The Challenge Cup assignment is a critical step towards achieving that goal.
‘‘Someone recommends you and then it goes to the panel and so forth and you more or less get invited to go to the series,’’ Sutton said.
He is a level six umpire which is classed as a senior umpire.
He hopes to impress at the tournament and early next year there is a umpiring clinic he plans to attend which will help him progress towards gaining international status.
He is more excited than nervous about officiating in the Challenge Cup.
‘‘There will be the top three teams in the world there to start with,’’ he said.
Sutton will not be alone out on the diamond. He will be part of a ‘‘four or five’’ strong team.
The prime position, believe it or not, is to stand behind the catcher and watch the game through a protective mask.
‘‘Everyone wants that position. I don’t mind running bases as well.’’
And yes, the mask comes in handy. Sutton has been hit — plenty.
New Zealand, Japan, Australia, Argentina, the Czech Republic and Samoa will contest the series, which gets under way on Wednesday.