Pat Bettise was born and raised in Billings, Montana.  His father, Don, was a lifelong sports official, who instilled the love of sports in his son.

At the age of 17, Pat donned the black and white stripes himself, and began a lifetime of youth, high school, and college sports officiating.  Pat started coaching Little League baseball in his twenties, and his passion for the sport grew. He loved to recognize a child’s natural talent and help hone their skills to create a disciplined and competitive player.

One of the most difficult things Pat witnessed was seeing naturally talented kids with a love for the sport, unable to continue due to limited financial means.  He often shared with his wife Donna, “If I ever won the lottery, I would keep all of the money in Montana and put it into youth sports programs, making sure no kid ever had to be turned away because they couldn’t afford to play.”

Late in 2020, after refereeing his 47^th high school football season, Pat was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. The news was a terrible blow, especially to someone who had maintained good health most of his life.  Pat lost his battle to cancer in August of 2021. Pat’s wife and his family decided to honor Pat by establishing a baseball scholarship fund in his memory. Funds raised will help local youth succeed in sports, ensuring “they have the opportunity to move on.”

Your kind donations mean so much to Pat, his wife Donna, and the entire Bettise family.  He would be so proud of making a difference in the community that raised him.