A well-known figure in our sporting community has died.

Carl Lake, a former broadcaster with CBC TV and VOCM, had been battling cancer the past several years.

Carl hung up his umpire’s uniform in September after 53 years of calling balls and strikes. He umpired at national baseball championships including one in St. John’s in 1982 in which pitcher Bill “Spaceman” Lee was only a couple of years removed from the Montreal Expos team which came within a hair of winning the National League East.

He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in Newfoundland and Labrador in 2006.

Lake also authored “The Sports Page,” an online publication highlighting the local sports scene.

View the obituary via Caul’s Funeral Home at this link.

The following statement today was issued by the Honourable Bernard Davis, Minister of Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation:

Minister Davis Offers Condolences on Passing of Carl Lake

Along with my colleagues in the House of Assembly, I offer our sincerest condolences to the friends and family of Mr. Carl Lake.

A pillar in our provincial sporting scene, Mr. Lake could always be found at his beloved St. Pat’s Ballpark in St. John’s, where he was a fixture on the base paths or behind home plate – umpiring local games, provincial contests and national championships for over 50 years.

Inducted as a builder in Baseball NL’s Hall of Fame in 2006, Mr. Lake was a true ambassador for our province’s sporting scene. While he dedicated his life to the sport of baseball, Mr. Lake was a passionate promoter of local and provincial sports through his website, SportspageNL.ca.

Mr. Lake was a proud husband, father and grandfather; a true gentleman who will certainly be missed.

The sporting community in Newfoundland and Labrador mourns his passing.