By Rina Rast, Kindersley Social, November 4, 2016
David Burke was recently awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by Baseball Saskatchewan.
Burke started his career as an umpire roughly 30 years ago. He began by taking the clinic here in Kindersley, starting off as a regular umpire. He is currently still umpiring and is acting as course conductor. Prodded forward by his friends and fellow umpires, he has umpired all levels of ball, including minor and provincial ball, all over Saskatchewan and Western Canada. He also achieved level four certification and acted as a national level umpire, taking part in a few national games. He has sat on the Umpire Directorship Board of Directors for 28 years.
Burke says that the #1 highlight of his years as an umpire was taking part in the National Midget Championships in Kindersley in July of this year. Second only to that experience was participating in a 19-inning game in Kindersley 3 years ago. Burke says the game started at 3:00 pm and he didn’t get off the diamond until 9:00 pm.
Burke enjoys meeting new people and forging lifelong friendships with other people involved in the trade. “The friendships you make are fantastic,” he says.
The award ceremony took place on October 23, in Regina. Saskatchewan Baseball provided a luncheon and handed out awards to all of the winners. Burke says he was especially happy to have his wife at his side at the event, stating that there isn’t a way in the world that he could have been able to accomplish what he has in umpiring, the Kindersley Fire Department, and the Legion, without the support from his wife and family.
Burke says that his motivation is to help the community, and he doesn’t work for the gratification, but he appreciates the acknowledgement. “To be recognized by your peers is awesome.”
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