Ed Sharp has been involved in fastpitch softball for nearly 50 years

Ed Sharp (Iowa Fastpitch Hall Of Fame 2004 Inductee)

Ed Sharp has been involved in fastpitch softball for nearly 50 years. Originally from Kansas, he was introduced to fastpitch softball while in military service. He played fastpitch for 20 years and during that time he began an umpiring career which continues yet today.

Ed and his family settled in Marshalltown where he worked for Swift Packing Company in the labor relations department. He has been an ASA registered umpire since 1970 and he has umpired over 5000 games. He served as Umpire-in-Chief (UIC) for the city of Marshalltown for 13 years. He also served as a Deputy UIC for Iowa for five years and since 1985, Ed has been serving as the Iowa ASA Umpire-in-Chief.

During his long career, Ed has umpired in many district, substate, state, regional and national tournaments involving girls, women, boys, and men teams. His vast experience and expertise resulted in his being named Assistant UIC at four ASA Nationals, including the 1998 Girl's 12- and-Under Nationals in St. Louis.

The highlight of Ed's illustrious umpiring career is being named as Umpire-in-Chief for eight ASA national tournaments. The most recent of these include:

1999 Boys 1 0-12-14-16-Under Fastpitch Nationals at Sioux City, Iowa 2000 Boys 1 0-12-14-16-Under Fastpitch Nationals at Sioux City, Iowa 2001 Boys 1 0-12-14-16-Under Fastpitch Nationals at Sioux Falls, SD 2003 Boys 1 0-12-14-16-Under Fastpitch Nationals at Sioux Falls, SD 2003 Boys 18-Under and Men's 23-Under Fastpitch Nationals at Sioux Falls, SD

Ed has been a tireless worker for softball in the state of Iowa. He continually recruits new umpires, attends national umpire clinics to improve his skills and puts what he learns to use on the playing field. He is also involved in conducting umpire clinics at the state level and he mentored and encouraged many younger umpires so that they might improve their skills as well.

It is my pleasure to nominate Ed Sharp of Marshalltown for induction in the Iowa Fastpitch Softball Hall of Fame.

Doug Lindaman