When you hear the name Rick Havercroft, the first thing you think of is men’s fast pitch. A product of the Michigan umpire program, Havercroft was the guy you wanted on the field during a Championship Game – not only for his knowledge of the rules and his mechanics, but because of the respect he earned from the players and coaches. At the grassroots level, Havercroft umpired countless State tournaments in addition to nine men’s Major, a Women’s Class A and Men’s 40-Over Fast Pitch Championships. His ability to command the game led to an assignment at the 1996 WBSC Men’s World Championship and when USA Softball held the inaugural American Challenge Series in 2007, Havercroft was one of the first to receive the call. When he stepped away from the plate, Havercroft instilled his knowledge and experiences with the next generation of umpires, continuing the standard of excellence he helped contribute to. His efforts both on and off the field have earned him the title of Hall of Famer.
