Women Umpires: A Growing Community with Real Momentum
There’s a lot happening right now for women and girls in umpiring—and the momentum continues to build.
At this year’s Royal York camp, 50 girls and women took part, a strong reflection of how much interest and participation has grown in recent years.
One of the most impactful initiatives has been the mentoring group created through a partnership between Ontario and Nova Scotia. Now entering its sixth year, this group meets monthly on Sunday evenings and has become a consistent space to talk through rules, share experiences, and support one another. The group spans a wide range of ages—from 11 to 70—and has included participants from at least nine provinces, along with a few from the United States.
What started as a virtual connection point has grown into something much more. Many of the women who first met on these calls have since connected in person at events across the country, including last summer’s Canada Summer Games—where Women’s Baseball was included for the first time.
That event marked a significant milestone, with four Ontario umpires—Tosha Hains, Elise Lallement, Corrina Serda, and Lisa Turbitt—representing the province. Moments like that are no longer outliers; they’re becoming part of a larger pattern of progress.
The mentoring group has also created opportunities to hear directly from leaders in the game. This past December, Jen Pawol joined a session, sharing her experience after becoming the first woman to umpire at the Major League level.
Closer to home, this summer continues that momentum. The Ontario Summer Games in Kitchener will feature a girls’ baseball division with an all-women umpire crew. The Ontario Mega Girls (OMG) Tournament at Royal York will do the same across multiple age divisions later in June.
All of this is available for those who want to be part of it. Whether it’s joining a call, working an event, or just staying connected, the opportunities are there and continuing to grow.