Passing down the love of softball is a tradition many family members can understand. However passing down the love of officiating is quite unique. SWM photographer Pat Robinson was photographing the Red Rock Invitational Girl’s Fastpitch 14U tournament in St. George, UT and found three women, grandmother, daughter and granddaughter, who all umpire because they love the game of softball.

Gerry Ewing began the family tradition in 1979, when after ten years of playing and eight years of coaching, she made the transition into officiating. "I was born in 1933 in Murray, Utah. I grew up during the time when girls were expected to be gentle and home centered," the mother of eight and grandmother of 20 claims. Softball was a way to rebel and developed into a love that she passed on to her future generations. Most of her children are involved with sports, especially softball and soccer either through coaching or officiating. Gerry’s regular job is as a librarian for an elementary school.

A librarian off the field, Gerry expresses her love of the game. "The best part about officiating is it keeps you involved with the game of softball and involved with the girls. You can see the game develop and the skill level of the girls just soar," says Gerry. "I enjoy the association with other umpires." Gerry is the ASA president for the state of Utah and the ASA arbiter for the Utah Central District, and all three women are ASA certified. "The most difficult aspect of officiating is keeping a coach in the game when that coach is losing control. Coaches and players belong in the game, but they need to remember it still is just a game, albeit a wonderful game," she adds.

I started officiating while I was still coaching to help out when we did not have an official. I had always made a study of the rules and wanted them applied properly to the game. Gerri Lynn Cowley is Ewing’s daughter, a mother of two and a teaching aide in an elementary school and a student at the University of Utah. "I didn’t want to ump," exclaims Cowley. "But my mother had a tournament in Moab and they were short handed. I did seven games that day and the rest, as they say, is history." That was 1984 and she hasn’t looked back once. Her favorite part is being able to be a part of the game that she loves. The most difficult aspect of officiating for Gerri Lyn is putting up with arrogant, know-it-all male officials or coaches that think it is their duty to instruct.

Nicole Ewing is Gerry Ewing’s granddaughter and Gerri Lynn’s niece. Nicole began playing softball when she was eight years old and finally called it quits when she was fifteen. "I started umping because my grandma said I would be good at it and to earn a little extra money. Now my grandma, father (Gerry’s son), brother and I all umpire," she proudly states. For Nicole, the most difficult aspect right now is learning game control and not letting coaching bullies intimidate her.

All three women plan to continue umpiring for the time being. "I plan to keep officiating and working with umpires as long as I am able," adds Gerry.