Loved and respected on and off the field, Jim Craig has played a significant role on numerous lives through the sport of softball. Craig began his renowned career first as an umpire in 1978, which was highlighted with working as the Umpire-In-Chief (UIC) for 61 national championships and five international championships while serving as the committee chairman of the UIC Clinic from 2007-21. Known for not only his contribution on the field, but off the field as well, Craig contributed to the reformat of National Umpire Schools in 2018, which proved to be a huge success for the USA Softball Umpire Program. His accomplishments have earned him various awards over the years, including the Merle. O Butler Award of Excellence and Region 2 Award of Excellence while also being inducted into three Hall of Fames – Metro Buffalo ASA Hall of Fame (2003), Western New York Softball Hall of Fame (2011) and USA Softball of New York Hall of Fame (2021). His influence, dedication and ambitious nature was not only felt locally, but nationally and internationally.
“I am extremely privileged and humbled to be selected for induction into the USA Softball Hall of Fame. Over the 40 years I have been a part of ASA, now USA Softball, I have met many people who have helped me get to this point and I hope to be able to recognize and thank them at the Induction Ceremony in October. Being a part of USA Softball has given me many opportunities including traveling over this great country and abroad to be able to do what I truly love. Through the USA Softball Umpire Program I have been able to work with umpires in an effort to help guide them along their journey in achieving their umpiring goals. Thanks to the commitment to umpire training by USA Softball, many of those goals have been achieved. It is a great honor to be a part of USA Softball and now the USA Softball Hall of Fame.”