USA Softball Region 9

Robert James (“Mr Peepers”)

Bob started his umpiring career in Mt. Vernon,  Washington with the Skagit Valley Umpires Association in 1984 and has bled ‘ASA Blue’ ever since. He has umpired in Canada, Alaska, Washington, Oregon, and Arizona. If you were to go to any tournament or ballpark that Bob is working in and ask what field Bob James is on, nine times out of ten you would probably get that deer in the headlights look with them asking, ‘Who is Bob James’? But, if you were to ask where Mr. Peepers is, everyone would know where to find him, whether on the field or on the grill cooking burgers and dogs.

Bob James, aka Mr. Peepers, is a name that is known all over the country. If you have ever gone to the ASA/USA Softball Umpire-in-Chief Clinic in Oklahoma City, you will see him selling raffle tickets for whatever region is hosting the hospitality event. Mr. Peepers is always willing to help when needed. He has been the President of the Skagit Valley Umpires Association and the Secretary/Treasurer three different times each and was UIC from 2000-2002.

Mr. Peepers has worked 9 nationals, 4 regionals and 12 state tournaments (8 slow pitch and 4 JO), including one in Alaska. He served as a Deputy UIC at the 14A Western and at the Men’s D/E/Rec Western. Each year he goes to Canada to volunteer for two events in July: the Canada Cup and the Special Olympics Games. He was one of the first people to come forward and volunteer to help when Washington ASA brought back a state slow pitch tournament last year in Mt. Vernon, after not having one in over 15 years. He was there for two days, sunup till sundown, acting as the chef for the umpires and staff, all while being the Deputy UIC.

Bob’s accomplishments do not end on the softball field. He has been a member of the Sedro Woolley Eagles since 1994, serving in many different capacities over the years such as: President (3 different times), Chaplain, Conductor, Past Worthy President, and Trustee. In 2000, he received the Eagle of the Year Award. For over ten years he has served as co-chair for the Eagles Scholarship Breakfast, an event held once a month providing funds to give two $1000.00 scholarships to high school seniors each year. He also serves as Chairman of the Dick Stephenson Memorial Christmas Basket Dinner and Auction, the largest charity fundraiser of the Sedro Woolley Eagles. It provides food and essentials to over 50 needy families at Christmas time.

The next time you are at the ball fields and would like to see Bob James umpire, just remember to ask for Mr. Peepers.