DAVIDSON — Rodney Wightman has moved up the ranks of softball umpiring.

The Davidson plumber and father of three, umpired the gold medal game at the U16 Western Canadian Softball Championships in Regina July 31 to Aug. 3.

Wightman has been umpiring softball games for years, but this was his first experience calling the shots at a championships.

He wound up behind the plate thanks to his daughter Dakota, a top-level umpire, who has umpired at national championships.

“Dakota told me I need to do a championships to see that different caliber of ball,” Wightman said.

He applied to ump at the Western Canada Championships and ended up working with 13 other umpires from Saskatchewan, British Columbia and Alberta during the four-day tournament.

“I really enjoyed the weekend. I learned lots being with different umps,” Wightman said. “The first day, we were pretty rusty, then the second day, you could see us pick up in the system.”

At this level of ball, Wightman said umps have to be sharp and on their game because the coaches will be all over them, challenging calls.

Wightman’s quality of work behind the plate was noticed. He was chosen to umpire the gold medal game between Victoria and Manitoba.

The Westman Magic from Brandon, Man., won 6-1 over the Lakehill Blazers from Victoria in the girls’ final.