De Bruyn, who has umpired for more than 25 years, called balls and strikes while officiating in the women’s softball gold-medal match at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, in which the United States beat Japan 2-1.

De Bruyn’s other umpiring highlights include the 1996 Women’s Softball World Championships in Japan and the Women’s Olympic Qualifier gold-medal game in Venezuela in 1999.

She earned gold medal plates in recognition of her umpiring efforts at both the World Championships and Olympic Games.

De Bruyn is one of five inductees into the Hall of Fame, alongside Brian Paton, a member of the Softball Canada’s men’s national team for 17 years.

Paton was captain for eight of those years, and during his international career won three World Cup medals and four Pan American Games gold medals between 1987 and 1999.

Long-serving Softball Canada volunteer Patricia Sparling is also set to be inducted, alongside Rosemary Theriault, a coach for more than 40 years, who lead the Canadian women’s open softball team to three medals at the Maccabiah World Games.

The final inductees as part of the latest intake is the Orioles team, who have won eight editions of the Canadian Slo-Pitch Championships since 2005.

The 2023 Hall of Fame class are set to be inducted during this year’s Softball Canada Annual General Meeting (AGM), due to be held in Niagara Falls in Ontario from November 9 to 11.

Up to five inductees from the region hosting the Softball Canada AGM each year are eligible for the Hall of Fame, with nominations reviewed by a Selection Committee who choose the final nominees based on their contributions to the sport.