Hodgins receives Dale Ford Umpire of the Year award

REDINGTON SHORES, Fla. -  Appalachian League President, Lee Landers, has announced that Steve Hodgins is this year's recipient of the third annual Dale Ford Umpire of the Year award. The award is named after the former long time major league umpire and lifelong Eastern Tennessee resident. The Appalachian League is only the second league in minor league baseball to institute such an award. Hodgins is in his first season in the Appalachian League and rated at or near the top in all categories of a recent Appy League manager's umpire survey. Hodgins is also highly rated by Minor League Baseball Umpire Development.

Dale Ford started his professional umpiring career in the Appalachian League before going on to a 27year run as a major league umpire where he worked in two world series, three all-star games and numerous playoff and league championship games.   Ford spent the off seasons officiating Division I college basketball and was involved in many post season tournaments. Following retirement from major league baseball, Ford served three terms in the Tennessee House of Representatives where he was instrumental in bringing several water and road projects back to his district, all while helping numerous individuals with social security, insurance and disability needs.
Dale Ford lives with his wife, Joyce (Couch) Ford, in Jonesborough, Tennessee and still officiates Appalachian League games when needed.