Softball
AOA Awards Banquet
Sunday, May 18th, 2025
10 am – 2 pm
Courtyard Banquets
3S200 State Route 59
Warrenville, IL 60555
All you can eat brunch buffet – $15.00
Hall of Fame Induction for all Divisions
Moscardini Award
Abe Glick Award
Please RSVP by May 12th, 2025
All divisions are included! Drinks are included!
2025 Softball Division
No 2025 Clinic. Please find another clinic on the IHSA website to attend.
Instead of a clinic, we will be having discussion sessions on March 12, April 14, and May 12 at Dino’s Italian Pizza Restaurant at 7004 W. Higgins, Chicago, IL 60656 starting at 7:30pm. Free pizza for AOA Softball members. Once you sign up for membership, you will receive session reminders on your email.
Cost this year is $20. First-year umpires are free to join and eligible for the Frank Moscardini Award for Softball.

2024 Softball Division

Questions? Contact Diane Bryniarski at burnegerte [at] aol [dot] com
IHSA Certified Softball Clinic
Interested in Umpiring Softball? Good News! The IHSA has approved 15- and 16-year-olds to get a Provisional License with the state. No fee for you to apply. One must attend a certified clinic like the one below. The deadline for applying for spring sports is April 15.
February 26, 2023
1:00 – 5:00 PM
Resurrection College Prep HS
7500 W. Talcott Ave.
Clinicians will cover topics such as Professionalism, Game Mechanics, Conflict Resolution, Rule Changes and Management. You will walk away feeling more confident about applying your skills to officiating the game of softball.
Softball Clinic Dates 2022
AOA Softball Division
Wednesdays: 1/26, 2/2, 2/9, 2/16. 2/23
7:00 – 8:30 PM
Location: ONLINE CLINIC
Clinic: Level 2
Contact: John Cournane
Phone: (773) 556-5047
Email: j [dot] bc [at] hotmail [dot] com
Cost: Free to Members which includes a Season Ending Banquet / $35 for Non-Members
MUST attend 3 out of 5 meetings to receive IHSA Clinic Credit.
AOA Members Assigned to 2021 IHSA Softball Playoffs
Regional
- Don Christ
- John Cournane
- Jim Galbavy
- Mark Ginski
- Al Grember
- Dan Krueger
- Tim Loughnane
- Mike Narranjo
- Javier Saez
- *Chris Schaefer (Hononary)
- Scot Sutherland
- Sal Vasta
Sectional
- Don Christ
- John Cournane
- Jim Galbavy
- Dan Krueger
- Tim Loughnane
- Mike Narranjo
- Javier Saez
- *Chris Schaefer (Honorary)
- Scot Sutherland
Super-Sectional
- Mark Ginski
- Tim Loughnane
- Mike Narranjo
State Finals
- Mark Ginski
- Tim Loughnane
- Dan Krueger (Umpire-In-Chief)
Mar 10 Softball Division Meeting
March 10 : IHSA Certified Softball Level II Clinic Session Agenda
** Did you provide First & Last Name & IHSA ID # to Obtain Credit for 3/10 Meeting **
7:00pm – 7:05pm Dan Krueger: Clinician Introduction, Zoom Protocols, Registration
7:05pm – 7:55pm Videos, Look-Back Rule, Pre-game & Post-game with Partner
7:55pm – 8:00pm Tracie Henry, IHSA SB Administrator, Preseason Softball Video
8:00am – 8:20pm Q & A : * Any Topic *
8:20pm – 8:30pm Review 3/17, 3/24, 3/31 Clinic Session Agenda & Adjourn
3/17 : Clinician is Fred Schlessinger
3/24 : Clinician is Bonny Kuenster
3/31 : Clinician is Steve Verive
Don Christ : 847-254-7099, GCAC H.S. Softball Assignor
Mar 3 Softball Division Meeting
Level 2 Softball Clinic is Free with the AOA Membership Fee of $20
The Athletic Officials Association Softball Division would like, again, to offer its current members and new first-year members the possibility of receiving Level 2 clinic credit for attending a minimum of three of five scheduled meetings. We received IHSA approval for this format in 2021.
AOA Softball meets for five consecutive weeks on a Wednesday evening, from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM. In the past we have met at Fenton High School, however, due to COVID-19, we plan to conduct our training sessions online virtually.
March 3, 10, 17, 24, 31
Zoom Webinar will be made available at 6:45pm to allow buffer time and accommodate sign-ins. Each training session will include video and a presentation utilizing IHSA Certified Clinicians, as well as guest speakers such as IHSA Administrator Tracie Henry.
Topic | Time | Presenter |
---|---|---|
You make the call – video | 30 min | Dan Krueger |
Base umpire mechanics | 20 min | |
Coaches round table Perry Peterson, Head Coach Barrington Molly Freeman, Head Coach Hersey HS | 25 min | |
Question and Answer | 15 min |
Softball Division 2020
Meetings held at Fenton High School Rooms 302 & 304, from 7:00 – 8:30 PM. To be a member in good standing you must attend 3 of 5 meetings. Dues remain at $35 payed at the first meeting attended, Clinic is free to members
Softball Meeting January 29, 2020
Umpire Pre-Season Training Program / Concussions
Professionalism
20 Test Questions
Softball Meeting February 5, 2020
Conflict Resolution
Pre-Game Meeting with Partners and Coaches
20 Test Questions
Softball Meeting February 12, 2020
Working with an Assigner – (assigners will attend, bring your open dates)
Coaches Panel – (3 coaches to attend)
20 Test Questions
Softball Meeting February 19, 2020
Batting Out of Order and Substitutions
Strike Zone Philosophy
20 Test Questions
Softball Meeting February 26, 2020
Rules Changes and POE
Working the Bases
20 Test Questions
Softball Clinic February 29, 2020
9 AM -1:30 PM
Location: Fenton High School, Bensenville, Il Room 302
Clinic Level: 1 & 2
Affiliated Organization: AOA
Contact: Tony Swat
Email: Nozs [at] aol [dot] com
Cost: Free for Members/ $35 for Non-Members
Clinician Dan Krueger
Chuck Leach with Official Call – Vendor
Sunday May 17, 2020, AOA Softball Banquet
Shoeless Joes, Addison IL
Willie Smith
A celebration was held June 18th 2019 for the retirement of Willie Smith

37 Years as a IHSA umpire, 2 term AOA President and 5 time State Final Umpire.
He will be missed.
Pictured left to right: John Cournane, Joe Madison, Joe Fritsch, Willie Smith, Chris Schaefer, Sal Vasta