OBA Announces Gavin Chester as Inaugural Dean Oberle Memorial Umpire Scholarship Recipient

The Ontario Baseball Association (OBA) is proud to announce Gavin Chester as the recipient of the 2026 Inaugural Dean Oberle Memorial Umpire Scholarship.

Established in memory of the late Dean Oberle, the scholarship celebrates Dean's lifelong passion for baseball and his outstanding contributions to officiating. Throughout his career, Dean exemplified integrity, humility, mentorship, and an unwavering commitment to developing the next generation of officials.

The Dean Oberle Memorial Umpire Scholarship recognizes an umpire who demonstrates:

• A genuine love for the sport of baseball
• A commitment to continuous learning, both independently and alongside fellow officials
• A passion for mentorship and helping others grow
• A strong sense of teamwork, collaboration, and community
• A consistently positive attitude and uplifting presence

Gavin Chester embodies each of these qualities through his dedication to officiating, his eagerness to continue learning, and the professionalism he brings to every game. His commitment to supporting fellow umpires and contributing positively to the baseball community reflects the values that Dean Oberle championed throughout his life.

This fall, Gavin will begin his first year at Queen's University, where he will pursue a Bachelor of Commerce at the prestigious Smith School of Business.

The Ontario Baseball Association extends its congratulations to Gavin and wishes him continued success both on the field and in the classroom as he begins this exciting new chapter.