AUBURN – A softball umpire for four decades, Norm Davis has done what no other Maine native has accomplished. The Auburn resident has been inducted into the National Softball Hall of Fame.

The Amateur Softball Association’s hall lists Davis under its meritorious service category. He received the honor during the hall’s 26th induction ceremony in Colorado Springs in November.

Davis, 72, joined some of softball’s top performers in the latest class of inductees. Three members of the 1996 U.S. Olympic team – Dot Richardson, Michele Granger and Sheila Douty – were inducted in November. Two-time Olympic gold medalist Michele Smith was inducted early because of a scheduling conflict.

“It’s a nice honor, and it was a very touching ceremony,” said Davis. But he said he’s not sure how he got it.

He’s earned his stripes by umpiring three ASA major national tournaments, serving as Maine’s umpire in chief and, at his peak, calling more than 100 games per year.

The Hall of Fame’s Web site also says Davis was instrumental in having the first National Umpire School in Maine. In April of 1997, Davis gave ASA clinics in England, Germany, Italy and Turkey at Air Force Bases for three weeks.