OKLAHOMA CITY – USA Softball, a volunteer-driven, not-for-profit organization announced today that Ernie Yarbrough (Canton, Georgia) has been appointed as Commissioner for USA Softball of Georgia.
“I am humbled and greatly appreciative to be appointed by the National Office as the USA Softball of Georgia Commissioner,” said Yarbrough. “The loss of Al Dattolo (long-time Georgia Commissioner) came as a shock to the softball world in Georgia. I will attempt to fill those big shoes that Al left by his passing. Softball has been an important part of my life for more than 50 years. I have been blessed to play, coach, and administrate this terrific game. Like all of our members state, we have some big challenges ahead of us, but the enthusiasm for softball in our state will provide opportunities to meet all the challenges we face to ensure future growth.”
Serving as the Junior Olympic (JO) Commissioner for USA Softball of Georgia since 2015, Yarbrough begins the Commissioner role with a plethora of knowledge in all facets of the sport including administration, coaching and officiating. The behind-the-scenes work as an administrator is paired with over 50 years of on-field experience as both a player and a coach – notably serving as an assistant coach for the USA Softball Junior Women’s National Team (JWNT) in 2019 where he helped guide the squad to gold at the Pan American Championship in Colombia. A member of the Georgia Softball Hall of Fame, Yarbrough boasts many accomplishments throughout his lifetime, including Naismith High School Basketball Official of the Year in Georgia (1995), the AAASP Aspire Award (2022), an NFHS Citation (2023) and the Georgia Athletic Coaches Association Sam Burke Award (2023).
Outside of his involvement within USA Softball local associations, Yarbrough currently works as the Assistant Executive Director and Coordinator of Officiating for the Georgia High School Association (GHSA). Prior to his time with GHSA, Yarbrough served in the U.S. Navy and went on to spend 13 years with the NFL working in player development as well as 16 years as a coach in both collegiate and high school levels.