Fisher selected CCBL Curly Clement Top Umpire
August 6, 2014 - Cape Cod League (Cape Cod) News Release
After taking a 20-year hiatus from the profession, little did Bill Fisher know that shortly after returning he would be named 2014 Curly Clement Award winner as top umpire in the Cape Cod Baseball League.
This summer, he reached the pinnacle in his profession by receiving the 10th annual Curly Clement Award during pre-game ceremonies at the CCBL All-Star game in Bourne, presented for officiating excellence and contributions over the years to umpiring in the Cape League.
"I was shocked and surprised upon receiving this award," Fisher said. "Since I began working for the Cape League four years ago, I strived to work every pitch, every play, of every inning from a place of gratitude and appreciation for those who work year-round and the season to make this league what it is. This award is an indication to me I'm on the right track trying to give back to the league as best I can. It's a blessing to be part of it each summer."
During the 1980s and early 1990s, Fisher worked as an umpire in the minor leagues, working in such places as New Britain, Conn., Albany, N.Y., and Reading, Pa.
Some of Fisher's fondest memories are umpiring games involving former Cape Leaguers Mo Vaughn, Buck Showalter and Jeff Bagwell, not to mention the one-and-only Bo Jackson.
But perhaps his biggest thrill was working behind the plate when the "Ryan Express" was on the mound.
"It was around 1989 and Nolan Ryan was pitching for the Texas Ranger in a spring training game," Fisher said. "I was home plate umpire and remember his (blazing) fastball was so straight and true it defied gravity."
In addition to his summers on the Cape, Fisher has been umpiring college baseball in the spring the past four years, mostly in the Northeast with teams in America East, Big East, Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference, Ivy League and Patriot League.
"When mention of the Cape League is made, it evokes a universal understanding," Fisher said. "Namely the best college summer baseball in the country, located in arguably the best summer vacation destination in the country, comprised of communities that have a unique passion for baseball. Receiving the Curly Clement Umpire Award links me to all the league is in a concrete way and I'm honored by that."
Fisher, who hails from Hudson, N.Y., and resides in Ravena, N.Y., with his wife Diane, is a 1983 graduate of State University of New York College at Oneonta, where he played baseball.
"Bill Fisher is a quality umpire and quality person and that's why he's the 2014 Curly Clement Umpire ofthe Year recipient in the CCBL," said Sol Yas, Cape League senior deputy commissioner/director of officiating. "That's also why Bill was given the honor of being home plate umpire at this year's All-Star game. Always with a smile and pleasant greeting, Bill is an outstanding representative of our officiating group, and truly belongs with past winners of the Clement Award."
Robert "Curly" Clement worked as a Cape League umpire over a span of four decades and was inducted into the CCBL Hall of Fame in 2002. He umpired 16 NCAA Division I Baseball Regionals, several Eastern College Athletic ConferenceDivision I Baseball Championships and two NCAA College World Series.
Affectionately known as the "Candy Man" for his propensity of passing out candy to players, coaches and field managers during on-field disputes, Clement's final Cape League appearance was spent working home plate at the 2000 CCBL All-Star game. He died in 2006 after a long illness.
Previous Clement Award winners include Pat Burns (2013), Joe Caraco (2012), Mark Ottavianelli (2011), Michael Sadowski (2010), John Leeds (2009), Harry Greer (2008), Tim Carey (2007), Peter Hall (2006), the late Jim McNally (2005) and Walter Bentson (2004).
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