It is with great sadness that Softball NSW wishes to inform our members, colleagues and friends as to the passing of Andrew Rindfleish. Andrew was a well-respected and much-admired administrator of Softball in NSW, Australia and Internationally. He will be sadly missed, but his legacy will live on forever.  

Andrew’s accomplishments through his journey in Softball were many and far reaching. Andrew was a Softball Australia Level 6 Umpire (#82) and International Softball Federation (WBSC) certification (#516). He was the Softball NSW Umpire in Chief from 1989-1991 and was appointed president to the Softball NSW Umpires Association in 2023 until his death. In 1992 Andrew was awarded his Life Membership of the Softball NSW Umpires Association. 

Andrew attended various State, National and World Championships during his illustrious and decorated umpiring career. These included the 1991 Junior Women, 1994 Open Men, 2000 Open Men, 2001 Junior Men’s International Championships and the 2003 Olympic Qualifer. He also serviced the sport of softball at an elite umpiring level including four ISF World Championships for 23 years and 50 National Championships spanning a 27-year period. In 2013 Andrew was inducted into the Softball Australia Hall of Fame for his years of service to our sport.

Softball NSW Umpiring Director Krissi Travers noted. “Andy was a one of a kind. His tremendous contributions both on and off the diamond as well as to the many individuals he coached, mentored or who he was there for leave an incredible mark. Whilst the loss for Andy we will feel is immeasurable, we find solace in the legacy that Andy leaves behind, a legacy that will forever stay with all our community, in particular our ‘blue family’.  Andy was one of the best students of the game and will be greatly missed but will always be with us on the diamond. I pass my condolences on behalf of the blue family onto Sue, Adam, Kelly, and Pete.”

An inductee into the Softball NSW Hall of Fame in 2017 and Order of Australia Medal recipient in 2020, Andrew dedicated more than 30 years of service to Softball at a local, state, and national level. He had a strong affiliation with Softball in NSW through the Sutherland Shire Softball Association, giving up his time to mentor umpires, players and assist with community activities. He also had a strong appreciation for state level softball servicing state championships and other events spanning 33 years.

Softball NSW President Paige Hyslop noted “Andrew was a tremendous contributor for Softball in NSW and Australia. He worked tirelessly and without fuss for the betterment of Softball and no task whether umpiring or otherwise was ever too much. His legacy to Softball will never be forgotten and he will be greatly missed. I pass on my condolences to Sue, Adam, Kelly, and Pete.”

Further details will be provided over the coming days.