Longtime umpire’s appointment begins Sept. 1, 2027
Robbie Guest, who has worked as a Division I softball umpire for 21 years, will be the new NCAA secretary-rules editor for the sport, effective Sept. 1, 2027.
He will succeed Vickie Van Kleeck, whose term is expiring Aug. 31, 2027.
Guest umpired the Women’s College World Series in 2023, 2024 and 2026. His Division I postseason experience includes 11 Division I regionals and eight Division I super regionals.
Over his umpiring career, he has served as a crew chief in the Southeastern, Atlantic Coast and Big 12 conferences.
Since 2022, Guest has participated in NCAA softball rules committee meetings as the umpire representative. Through the years, he assisted in the editing of the NCAA Softball Rules Book and Case Book.
Guest’s contributions to the sport also include being the chair of the Softball Umpire Program Mechanics Committee for three years, during which the Four-Umpire Mechanics System was developed.
He has helped mentor umpires by being a presenter and instructor at national camps, clinics and virtual training events.
Guest, who has worked as an avionics engineer for more than three decades, umpired five seasons of Athletes Unlimited Softball.
“Throughout my career, I’ve learned that trust is built through good judgment and the fair, consistent application of the rules,” Guest said. “I’m excited for the opportunity to serve in this new leadership role as a steward of the rules, preserving the values that define NCAA softball while embracing the thoughtful changes necessary to support its incredible growth. I look forward to working with coaches, student-athletes, administrators, media partners and umpires to help ensure our rules are applied, interpreted and understood with clarity and consistency.”
