Clint Gieni was recognized for his more than 30 years of service working in Battlefords Minor Baseball. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Martin Martinson

Leaving a legacy

Longtime umpire, Clint Gieni recognized for contributions to game

Jul 21, 2023 | 6:00 AM

Over the last 30 years, no one has done more to grow the game of minor baseball, and the quality of the way it’s officiated at the grassroots level in the Battlefords, than Clint Gieni.

That’s why Gieni, who has been umpiring local baseball games in the community since the early 90s, and served as Battlefords Minor Baseball president from 2018-23, was recognized Wednesday night at Beaver Lions Stadium, before umpiring his final game ahead of retirement.

Recognized during a special pre-game presentation ahead of the 18U North Battleford Beavers regular season finale against the Prince Albert Royals, it was a game the Beavers would win 8-4.

Gieni was thanked for his years of service and presented as the inaugural recipient of the Clint Gieni Umpire of the Year Award, named in his honour, which will be given annually to the top minor baseball umpire in the community.

“I thought the executive might just do something at our next meeting, so I was totally caught off guard, I was quite taken aback,” Gieni said with gratitude following the presentation.

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“It’ll give us a chance to have something in our own community that each year one of our junior umpires can strive for. I wasn’t ever thinking there would be an award like this, but I’m really glad the executive thought this through and came up with an award like this. It’s pretty special, for sure.”

Clint Gieni, pictured here umpiring his final game. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

Current president of Battlefords Minor Baseball, Ryan Muyers, who Gieni passed the baton on to last year, said it was important to recognize him for all his years of dedication.

“Clint has worked tirelessly to breathe new life into minor baseball in the Battlefords,” Muyers said. “Clint’s commitment has extended beyond the boardroom and beyond just baseball, his true passion is in umpiring [and] for the past two decades, every player, parent and coach have come to respect Clint on the field and everyone knows him as “Mr. Gieni”

In addition to the award in his name, Gieni’s legacy in minor baseball will also continue through the ongoing impact of those he has trained over his years and their work in the game.

Gieni said as he looks back at the last three-plus decades, it’s the reputation of the Battlefords as a place with strong, honest umpiring that he takes pride in.

“We’re pretty well known in the Battlefords for the quality of our empires and to me I figured if we were ever going to elevate the game of baseball in our community we had to do it by getting our officials up to official status where they could take on a game.

“A number of [local umpires] have also been used last year and this year at provincial tournaments and I’ve heard good feedback, so our umpire program is definitely one of the best here in the northwest part of the province.”

While he may no longer be on the diamond during minor ball games working, Gieni said he has every intention to still be a familiar face at the local ball games.

“I would expect that you’ll still see me around the junior diamonds and at the senior diamonds you’ll see me in the stands,” he said with a smile.

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Martin.Martinson@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @MartyMartyPxP1