The Mitch Ball Memorial Tournament is an event held to honour the memory of Mitch Ball, an umpire who was loved by all. Through his many years of umpiring excellence, Mitch received the Lethbridge Sport Council Achievement Award for officiating excellence in 2016.

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Mitch Ball of Coaldale, beloved husband of Jana Ball, passed away at the Chinook Regional Hospital on Saturday, May 1, 2021 at the age of 47 years.

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"Mitch had a passion for the sport of baseball. He played it as a youth and then his passion turned later to umpiring. During the spring and summer months you would find him at the ball diamond, often behind the plate. This giant teddy bear could command the field and he earned the respect of so many people both on and off the diamond. The players loved it when they showed up and found out Mitch Ball was calling the game. He umpired seven Baseball Canada Championships and served as a supervisor at another three. In 2002 he was given the prestigious opportunity to umpire at the 56th Annual Little League World Series in Williamsport, PA being selected to work the Championship game. Mitch represented Canada at the 2008 International Baseball Federation World Junior Championship in Edmonton in addition to the 2009 IBAF World Cup in Europe. He also umpired at the 2015 Pan Am Games in Toronto and the Tournament 12 in 2016. In 2016, Mitch received the Lethbridge Sport Council Achievement Award for officiating excellence."