Israel’s baseball community suffered an unexpected  blow last week when Canadian-born Howard Osterer collapsed and died while umping a game in Gezer.

A native of Ottawa who made aliyah a few years ago, Osterer was remembered as a committed Zionist whose dream was to grow the sport that he loved so much in his new homeland.

Osterer served as the Jerusalem regional director for the Israel Association of Baseball (IAB). He was a certified baseball umpire and had an interest in a variety of sports. Over the years, he contacted The CJN to suggest stories on the Canadian Football League, Israeli curling, and of course, baseball in the Holy Land.

“I have the privilege of working with a wonderful group of dedicated coaches and volunteers,” Osterer said in an email to The CJN sent only a week before he died. “We are successfully bringing back baseball not just into Jerusalem but right across our country. We welcome and support all youth to the greatest game on this earth.”

“It was natural for Howie to incline to organized sports” said former CJN editor Mordechai Ben-Dat. “He was always a superb athlete and was recognized as such across the country for his football playing at the University of Ottawa.

“Howie had a very large heart. His shoulders were broad. And he had an effusively mischievous smile. He carried other peoples’ burdens as if they were his own. Everybody knew him that way. And that is why those who knew him, cared for him, wanted the best for him and now will mourn that he is no longer part of their – our – world,” Ben-Dat said.

“I am still in shock, 24 hours later,” said Peter Kurz, secretary general of the IAB. “He was a great guy. He was so outgoing and happy all the time and so interested in baseball.

“He died where he wanted to be, behind the plate, umping a game.”

Osterer was reportedly officiating at a game between two teams of 16-year-olds when he signalled for a stoppage in play. Moments later, he collapsed. Despite efforts of doctors present, he died from what is believed to have been a stroke.

The IAB is setting up a scholarship fund in his name to help children with limited financial means play baseball.

Not yet 60 years of age, Osterer is survived by his parents, siblings, five children and six grandchildren.