Head down to the softball fields on a Saturday and you'll see Ian Hocquard there.
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His association with the Tamworth Softball Association (TSA) started about four years ago as a supporter.
Hocquard's wife Anna took up the game first before daughters Evelyn, 12, Isobel, 10, and Makenzie, 9 started playing. Hocquard also played before the men's competition folded but he wasn't lost to the game.
He'd taken up umpiring the juniors to help out the association and quickly found himself doing the seniors. Hocquard had to take a lot in quickly and said he's learning as he goes.
"There are that many rules in softball that it is quite difficult for somebody like myself to know every single one but it's a learning process," Hocquard said.
And the TSA committee are incredibly thankful for the work Hocquard - and all the other umpires and volunteers - put in to make the competition possible.
"Our umpires are volunteers and we're grateful they give up Saturday afternoon - and morning because they help with the juniors - so we can play softball," TSA senior vice president Natalie Crittle said. "They're learning as they go and have improved out of sight. Everyone gives umpires a hard time in every sport but they're handling it well."
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Crittle said with so many rules, one may not pop up for a whole season which can throw a curve ball to the umpires when it does.
"But they're able to talk to more senior players who can explain rules a bit better," Crittle said.
Along with the seniors, Hocquard also goes to the junior games to umpire and help out new umpire Alexander Cracknell.
Hocquard was an umpire for both senior games on the weekend where United Oldbats beat Hurricanes 15-0 to book a spot in the grand final. Savages edged out Benchwarmers Green, 8-7, in the other match.
Hurricanes and Savages will clash this weekend for a spot in the grand final.
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