South Jersey Umpire Demonstrates True Love Of The Game
By Tim Jimenez
WILLIAMSTOWN, N.J. (CBS) - Earlier this week, some of the best high school softball players in the region played in front of college scouts for the annual Phillies Carpenter Cup.
The tournament's head of officiating has been calling balls and strikes for decades, and isn't planning on stopping anytime soon.
For 61-year-old Allison Munch, her passion for her sport has never wavered.
"My family obviously comes first," she says. "Softball comes a very close second, if not tied!"
Along with her Carpenter Cup duties, she's the softball rules interpreter for the entire state of New Jersey. The Williamstown resident got into umpiring in the early 70s, wanting to stay in the game after high school with no scholarships available.
"And you couldn't play softball intercollegiately down there so I continued umpiring." she says.
She's amazed with all the opportunities for women after Title IX become law 43 years ago this week. As for what makes for a good umpire, she says decisiveness and never resting:
"I still read the rules everyday because something always comes up. Every year I'll say, 'oh I think I've seen it all.' No!"
