Little League
May 4, 2021
Little League® International mourns the passing of Mitch Ball, a longtime Little League Canada umpire, who officiated games in the 2002 Little League Baseball® World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. He was 47.
Mr. Ball, a resident of Coaldale, Alberta, Canada, began his volunteer service to Little League as a junior umpire in Lethbridge, Alberta. Years later, he proudly represented Little League Canada at Howard J. Lamade Stadium, as the plate umpire for the 2002 Little League Baseball® World Series United States Championship Game. Throughout his life, he supported Little League umpires as a mentor and educator.
“All of us at Little League International in Williamsport, and the Little League World Series are extremely saddened by Mitch’s passing,” said Stephen D. Keener, Little League President and CEO. “He was first and foremost a husband and father, and we extend our deepest sympathies to his family and many friends. It’s a real
LETHBRIDGE, ALTA. Ask anyone who was lucky enough to know what Mitch Ball was all about, and you ll get the same answer over and over again. Mitch will be remembered for his big heart, his sense of humour and his ability to bring positivity into a room. He just was such a positive person, said his wife of 25 years Jana Ball. Jana and Mitch have eight kids, including two foster children. He died in hospital Saturday morning, after spending two weeks on a ventilator due to COVID-19. It s difficult to describe Ball s impact on the sports community in southern Alberta.