Softball Tournament a Tribute to Umpire, Coach Hank Jaxel

In the world of youth softball and baseball in Rockland County over the past 25 years, Henry "Hank" Jaxel of Nanuet stood out as a leading proponent of youth sports and a key organizer the men and women who officiate at sporting events.

His sudden death on May 3 at age 67 stunned the community, including the 85 members of the Rockland ASA Umpires organization, for which he was the longtime president. As leader of the group, he oversaw training of umpires and worked with officials at local sports leagues to coordinate games.

In the wake of Jaxel's death, Rockland ASA umpires have decided to sponsor an annual scholarship in Jaxel's memory and they are hosting a girls softball tournament in his honor. The first annual Hank Jaxel Memorial Softball Tournament begins today at Heroes Field in Nanuet.

Ron Greene, a Rockland ASA umpire who is one of the organizers of the tournament, said Jaxel was a strong supporter of girls softball and the tournament is designed not only as a fundraising event but as a way of continuing Jaxel's efforts to provide local girls more opportunities to play softball.

The scholarship in honor of Jaxel is expected to go to one player from a local youth softball league each year in support of a future college education.

Rockland ASA umpires officiate games for Little League Baseball and Softball, as well as a variety of other youth softball and baseball leagues and adult softball leagues throughout Rockland County. Jaxel is credited by Rockland ASA umpires for keeping the organization together for nearly three decades - including some tought times - and leading it through a period of major expansion over the past few years.

Greene called Jaxel a dedicated leader who was also concerned about helping keep costs as low as possible for sports leagues and the parents who pay for their kids to play in those leagues. Additionally, Greene said Jaxel believed in working closely with leagues to make it as easy as possible for them to arrange for umpires at their games.

Greene said Rockland ASA is moving forward as an organization trying to use the same no-nonsense approach Jaxel took.

"He considered this a service business," Greene said. "It's important to give the people what they need and you have to keep the cost of this reasonable for them."

Jaxel, who lived in Nanuet for more than 30 years. He was retired from AT&T and the Clarkstown Central School District. He had been very active in the CYO program a St. Anthony's in Nanuet and was active with Nanuet Little League for many years as well as serving as a volunteer with Special Olympics.

The impact of Jaxel's involvement and dedication to the community could be seen the day of his funeral, when hundreds of people jammed St. Anthony's Church.  Among those in the church that day were many women who had played softball in their youth and remembered Jaxel for the central role that he had played. 

Greene said Jaxel's dedication to youth softball and its players was what inspired Rockland ASA members to create the memorial scholarship. Members of the Rockland ASA group are donating a portion of the fees they get as umpires to the scholarship, and they are donating their time to officiate at the Jaxel Tournament games.

The tournament kicks off tonight, with teams from Clarkstown, Nanuet, Haverstraw, and South Orangetown participating in two age groups.  The age groups will be 12 and under and 10 and under. There are eight teams in the tournament.

The tournament will allow all these girls, who do not necessarily get to play each other, to compete.  The scholarship fund will be available to girls from the various communities, and will be awarded to an individual who has not only participated in the softball programs, but has also demonstrated exemplary citizenship in the spirit of Hank Jaxel.

The tournament begins at 5:30 p.m., when New City 10 and under plays, followed by New City 12 and under at 7 p.m.  It will continue throughout Saturday and Sunday, with Saturday games having starting times going from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.