Congratulations Kim!
WBSC announces Kim Johnson and Naomi Erdahl of USA Softball will officiate 2020 U-18 Women’s Softball World Cup FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 11, 2020 Web Release: Link OKLAHOMA CITY –– The names of the appointed officials for the 2020 World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) U-18 Women’s Softball World Cup held in Lima, Peru have been unveiled by the WBSC with USA Softball of North Dakota’s Naomi Erdahl (Bismarck, N.D.) and USA Softball of Ohio’s Kim Johnson (Cincinnati, Ohio) names included on the list of umpires.
Erdahl received her WBSC certification in 2017 and joins the staff of officials after representing the U.S. at the 2019 USA Softball International Cup in Columbus, Ga., her first WBSC-sanctioned event. The Elite Umpire Award recipient has also umpired approximately 20 Men’s and Women’s USA Softball National Championships along with several NCAA Division-I postseason tournaments.
“I’m deeply honored to have been selected to represent USA Softball as an official at the U-18 Women’s Softball World Cup,” said Erdahl. “It means so much to me to have unique opportunities to work the international game and experience the love of softball with officials and teams from around the world.”
“I’m really looking forward to traveling to another country to build new relationships and camaraderie among all the officials and staff involved, as well as being a facilitator of the high level of competition for the participating teams,” added Erdahl.
This is the second WBSC-sanctioned event for Johnson after also working the 2019 USA Softball International Cup. Johnson received his Elite Umpire Status in 2012 and has umpired the USA Softball Junior Olympic Cup three times (2016, 2018, 2019), the USA Softball GOLD 18U National Championship five times (2007, 2009, 2011, 2015, 2016), and has worked the NAIA National Championship (2017) and NCAA Division-III National Championship (2008).
“This opportunity means all of the hard work and time away from family is paying off to be able to continue my passion and love for umpiring this sport,” Johnson said. “I am excited and honored to be part of an umpire staff working this prestigious event. I am humbled to represent the United States and USA Softball of Ohio. I am looking forward to the competition, reconnecting with umpires I know and meeting new umpires from other countries.”
Umpires are selected to represent the United States at WBSC-sanctioned events through their affiliation with USA Softball, the National Governing Body of Softball in the United States. To find out how you can become a WBSC-certified umpire, please visit USASoftball.com.
