UPDATE: MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP - Paul was a longtime softball umpire as well as a retired Township employee who unexpectedly passed away at the age of 61.

Many residents who knew him, or those with a love for softball, came out to play a three game tournament at Nancy Moore Park.

Paul had played ball in the past for 20 years before he began his umpire years.

Recreation Specialist, Greg Grothous said, "It's pretty awesome. You know, a lot of these teams, they knew Paul as an umpire, they just knew him as 'Blue' or they knew him as Paul. They didn't really know him, but they felt like this is something that they needed to do to come out here and participate just, for him."

Eight teams participated in the tournament which raised $1,031 towards the Memorial to be placed in Nancy Moore Park.

ORIGINAL STORY: MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP - Many residents braved the cold weekend weather to play a softball tournament in honor of a beloved umpire and retired Township employee.