Remembering Uncle Mitch: Umpire Passes Away Doing What He Loved

Remembering “Uncle Mitch”: Beloved Umpire Passes Away in Heat

Article Credit: WMBF News

The softball community in Sumter, South Carolina, is mourning the loss of a man who made the game better—one call, one kid, one inning at a time.

Mitchell Huggins, 61, passed away Saturday after collapsing while umpiring a youth softball tournament during a heat wave at Patriot Park. According to the Sumter County Coroner’s Office, heat exposure contributed to his death.

Known affectionately by players and families as “Uncle Mitch” or “Mr. Mitch,” Huggins had spent more than a decade dedicating his time and heart to youth sports, especially through his work with Top Gun Sports, a nonprofit focused on giving young athletes a place to grow and compete.

His sister, Pamela Rufus, shared that Huggins briefly regained consciousness after passing out and was able to speak with her on FaceTime before losing consciousness again. “He was just lifeless,” she said. “He didn’t even look like himself.” Despite efforts from bystanders to revive him, Huggins was pronounced dead at the hospital.

“He just loved the game,” Rufus said. “That was his whole passion. That was his second home. He loved those kids.”

Players, parents, and fellow officials who were there say the tragedy has raised important questions about heat safety and tournament protocols. Some voiced concerns about why games continued despite dangerous temperatures.

“He was telling them about it being hot,” Rufus said. “It was just too hot … the heat was not good for anybody.”

While she believes her brother’s death could have been prevented, Rufus hopes his legacy will inspire change. She wants others to take heat illness seriously—and to always remember the heart behind the man in blue.

Mitch Huggins died doing what he loved: supporting kids on the field, guiding the game with fairness and joy. His celebration of life will be held Saturday at the former Timmonsville High School on Kemper Street.

For more on how to stay safe during summer tournament season, check out our guide to hydration and heat awareness for athletes.

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