Region 2 |

USA Softball of Central Virginia’s Mary Matusiewicz is a retired USAF Colonel with 24 years of service. Upon her retirement, she was looking for something to do to keep her physically and mentally challenged. As a former fastpitch softball player herself, Matusiewicz decided to give umpiring a chance. She attended training, studied the rule book and read the online manual. At the end of the 2020 season she was not only awarded her association’s Rookie of the Year award, but also the Iron Mask award that goes to the umpire working the most games for the year. Matusiewicz’s efforts and dedication to umpiring is a true testament to what an individual can do when given the correct training, encouragement, and opportunity. 

Region 2 |

John Harwell of USA Softball of Ohio is from Mt. Vernon, Ohio and has been umpiring slow pitch and girls softball for 45 years. He is the mentor for many and truly loved and appreciated in the softball community. Every year Harwell says, “I’m not sure if I have another year,” but every year he often outperforms those he has mentored. At 77 he still can umpire the high-level games, and yes, he still plays USA Softball.

Region 2 |

Kirby Carder, USA Softball of Ohio, is from Fredericktown, Ohio and is the USA Softball Ohio District 15 commissioner. He started umpiring ten years ago when the local league he was operating was short of umpires. He instantly fell in love with softball umpiring and says, “It just took off from there”. Carder is a veteran of two national championships and works high school softball.

Region 2 |

USA Softball of Ohio's Joy Mortine (pictured taking a break between games at a tournament) of Mt. Vernon, Ohio is in her 10th year of umpiring career. She likes to split her time between the local leagues and traveling. Umpiring both fastpitch and slow pitch, Mortine is a major part of the local umpire association and helps to keep them organized. She has attended the Umpire in Chief (UIC) clinics in OKC and has been selected to umpire in National Championship play.

Region 10 |

Shannon Schroeder has been an umpire with USA Softball of Nevada for six years. He grew up in Las Vegas watching and playing slow pitch softball, then later moved into coaching his kids in softball and baseball. By day he is a construction manager for a home builder in the Vegas area. Schroeder says softball is a fun sport to watch, coach, and now umpire. He loves how the game moves fast and there is never a dull moment. 

Region 10 |

Gerry McCutcheon, USA Softball of Nevada, has been a USA Softball Umpire for 21 years. He currently lives in Pahrump, NV and umpires USA Softball, high school, and college in and around the Las Vegas area. He is presently employed by the government in Custodial Services. McCutcheon began umpiring after years of coaching as a way to stay involved in the game. He says he "wants to be the umpire I'd like to have working my game"