NSA Hall of Fame: Robert Kerness (2017)

CATEGORY: Umpire

YEAR INDUCTED: 2017

Robert (Bob) Kerness began his career with the National Softball Association in 1998 when he registered to be a Slow and Fast Pitch Umpire. Bob began umpiring in 1976 and it did not take long for his talent and ability to be recognized by NSA and he was appointed as the Umpire in Chief for Illinois in 1999. While State UIC, Bob introduced many training programs and pay scale for Illinois and was responsible for organizing an Umpire Award Banquet.

During his years with NSA, Bob has been UIC for approximately 64 NSA State events, 40 Regionals, 160+ World Qualifiers, 100 NITs, and 25+ World Series. Bob was selected North/Central “UIC of the Year” in 2003, 2010, and 2015 and was inducted into the Illinois State Hall of Fame in 2007. Bob has been married to his wife Linda for 50 years and they have three children and two grandchildren.

On November 2, 2017, Bob Kerness was inducted into the NSA Sports Hall of Fame in the Umpire Category.