Les Novak
The softball family lost a true giant with the passing of Les Novak, Minnesota’s longest-serving Umpire-in-Chief and a mentor to generations of officials. Les passed away on August 25, 2026.
Longtime Minnesota ASA Umpire in Chief (UIC), Les Novak, was elected to the National Softball Hall of Fame and due for induction this fall at the USA Softball National Council Meeting. This is the highest recognition anyone can receive in softball.
Some of Les’ achievements are:
- Started umpiring in 1957.
- Minnesota State Umpire In Chief from 1964 to 2006.
- Umpired in ten ASA National Championships.
- Participated in every ASA Umpire Clinic since its’ inception.
- Conducted umpire clinics in Japan, Korea, New Zealand, Phillipines, and Thailand.
- Was the plate umpire in the 1986 Women’s College Softball World Series.
- Was the plate umpire in the 1986 Men’s College Baseball World Series.
- He served as the MLB emergency umpire for the Minnesota Twins at Metropolitan Stadium.
- He served as the Umpire In Chief for the Women’s Pro Softball League (which would eventually become the NPF) from 1997-2001.
- He served as the Umpire in Chief for the American Pro Softball League (slow pitch pro league) from 1977-1979.
- He assigned Big 10, Northern Sun, MIAC, and UMAC games for many years.
- He has served as the International Softball Congress (ISC) Assistant UIC since 1998.
- He has served as an ISC Commissioner since 1999.
- Inducted into the ISC Hall of Fame in 2002.
- Induction into the University of Minnesota Hall of Fame in 2009
- Chairman of the ISC Umpire Committee
- Minnesota High School Clinician for Baseball and Softball for 14 years.
Most recently, Les has supported the sport as a driving force behind the creation of the Carrol Forbes Lifetime Membership Foundation, authoring articles for the Fastpitch Chronicle and Fastpitch Bulletin, and has served as the ISC Assistant UIC since 1998, and as an ISC Commissioner since 1999. Les is retired, lives in New Hope, Minnesota, and has four daughters Wendy, Wanda, Carol, and Cathy.
