2009

January 12 – Rex Brown, 85. Brown started officiating local athletic events in 1947 with his brother Lindell Brown and before it all ended became known as “Mr. Umpire” not only in West Sound but nationally and internationally. Brown became the first Washington State Umpire In-Chief in 1972, joined the Amateur Softball Association (ASA) national staff in 1981 as Deputy Umpire In-Chief for Region 15 (Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana and Alaska). He also worked 12 national softball tournaments and held softball clinics throughout Asia, Europe and the United States. He was among the original 12 umpires inducted into the ASA National Hall of Fame, is in the ASA Region 15 Hall of Fame and the Kitsap Sports Hall of Fame. The Kitsap County Bremerton Athletic Roundtable gives the Rex Brown Award at its annual sports banquet.