Rick Howarth

Rick Howarth – Pecatonica, IL

This Pecatonica native began his umpiring journey in an unexpected way when he was just 16 years old at the Winnebago County Fairgrounds. "I was in the stands waiting for a men's fast pitch game when the scheduled umpires didn't show. One of the players turned to me and asked, 'Would you give it a shot?' I said yes and just like that, I became an umpire. I must have done something right because they asked me to come back the next week."

In 2000, after his daughter completed her high school softball career, Rick decided to officially register as a high school umpire. "I thought I had a good handle on the game after my first outing, but a few games in, reality hit — I had a lot to learn. Thankfully, I was mentored by three outstanding umpires: Bob Papich, Darwin Powell, and Maynard Keller. Their guidance and support helped shape me into the umpire I would become."

Over the years, Rick was honored to be named the IHSA Softball Official of the Year in 2017 and had the privilege of umpiring at the IHSA State Finals in 2015, 2018, and 2022 — further humbled to be selected as the plate umpire for the championship games in both 2018 and 2022.

For the past 25 years, he has worked all levels of USSSA State and World Series tournaments in Rockford for both men's and women's divisions. "I'm incredibly grateful to Brenda Paulson for bringing me into her tournaments and honored to have been selected to work championship day multiple times and the Championship plate in the Youth and Women's World Series events."

"I would like to thank my fellow umpires for the camaraderie, the laughs, and the joy of sharing this game together. It's true what they say: if you're not having fun out there, you're doing it wrong. A heartfelt thank you to my wife, Deb, and to my family: son Eric, daughter Amy and her husband Chris, and my grandchildren Natalie, Joshua, and Jason. I now find myself on the other side of the fence, cheering proudly as Grandpa. It is truly my honor to join the ranks of so many great umpires and players in the Hall of Fame."