Southern Miss McGee Serves as Umpire in Prestigious Softball Event
Mon, 07/09/2012 - 01:41pm | By: Van Arnold
Chris McGee, associate director of facilities at recreational sports at The University of Southern Mississippi, recently enjoyed one of the most acclaimed opportunities a softball umpire can experience.
McGee joined four other umpires from North America to officiate Border Battle IV, a men's slow pitch event held June 30 at the Amateur Softball Association of America Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City, Okla.
“Because this sport is not in the Olympics, to be invited to work this game is the highest honor that a slow-pitch umpire can receive,” said McGee. “The fact that only four Americans and one Canadian are selected just adds to the honor of being selected.”
McGee and his crew also worked the Slow Pitch Showdown on June 27, pitting the USA Softball Men's Slow Pitch Team against the USA Softball Men's Futures Slow Pitch Team.
“Being selected as one of the five umpires for the Border Battle and one of thirteen tapped world-wide to umpire in the World Cup of Softball is very prestigious and the ultimate experience for a sports official. Southern Miss takes great pride when one of its own is singled out as one of the elites,” said Sid Gonsoulin, associate vice-president of Student Affairs and director of Recreational Sports.
Border Battle IV was held in conjunction with the women's fast pitch World Cup of Softball VII, also held at the Hall of Fame facility.