Howard Chapman (1940 – 2015)

The Baseball BC family is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Howard Chapman.

Howard Chapman is in many respects the face of baseball umpiring in British Columbia, a long time umpire in British Columbia and former National Umpire Supervisor with Baseball Canada.  With more than 40 years in umpiring, and more than 30 years leading the vocation in British Columbia, his achievements are remarkable.

After his professional umpiring career concluded in the 1970’s, Mr. Chapman became the first Provincial Umpire Supervisor in BC and held the position for 35 years (1974-2009).

From his base in BC, he has been a major force and presence in Canadian baseball umpiring. 

Mr. Chapman was a mainstay for years at Baseball Canada National Championship events working and supervising countless tournaments across the country. He was also no stranger to international baseball working eight events and in 1986 was named IBAF Umpire of the Year.

Howard has championed umpire development, and strongly advocated for quality umpiring that is recognized and promoted by all baseball organizations.  He has been a forceful voice on behalf of the sport, of officiating generally, and with a fierce loyalty, on behalf of “his” umpires.

A Baseball BC Roll of Honour member, Howard was a great inspiration to many of our younger officials and has left a lasting impact on our sport in both BC and Canada.

He will missed by the entire baseball community.

Memorial arrangements are being worked on and will be added here once they are finalized.

RIP Howard.