International Softball Federation Director of Umpires, Merle Butler. Smedes photo.

International Softball Federation Director of Umpires, Merle Butler passed away January 6. He served the Amateur Softball Association and ISF for over 30 years and in 1993 was elected into the ISF Hall of Fame. Services were held in Oklahoma City and in Los Gatos, CA where many friends, family and softball colleagues were in attendance.

Butler was born in Blue Earth, Minnesota in 1935. What may come of a surprise to some is that Butler attended Washington State University where he played football on a scholarship. He also refereed high school football in Oklahoma for 43 years up until his death. Nevada State Umpire in Chief, Jim Lykins said, “He refereed football back in his younger days. He could have become an NFL official, he was that good. But he chose softball,” Lykins mentioned.

Lykins also noted that softball was Merle Butler’s life. And he said, “It was always a pleasure to work with him.”

Lykins met Butler when he was the Director of Umpires for ASA. Butler retired from ASA in 2005 and worked full time as the Director of Umpires for ISF and planned on attending the Beijing Olympics until he passed.

Butler’s son, Jim Butler said his father’s career highlights were attending the Olympics. Merle Butler had the benefit of selecting and supervising umpires at the 1996 Columbus, GA Olympics, the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia and the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Greece.

Though Merle Butler had a secret sports passion for football, he will always be remembered for his commendable softball services. “He did everything imaginable for the softball world,” Lykins said.