What an Umpire Needs

One of the joys of putting together the exhibit “It’s More Than Just a Game: African American Athletes in Iowa.” is documenting the many African American stories concerning sports in Iowa. While many African Americans have participated in sports in Iowa, there have been few African American sports officials in Iowa.

The AAHMCCI received a very unique collection in July, 2006 which is featured in the exhibit that documents officiating. Duane Murray of Des Moines began his career as an umpire in Kansas City and moved to Des Moines. He has served as a girl’s softball umpire for the Big 8/Big 12, Big 10, and Missouri Valley Conferences as well as umpiring at the 1996 Olympic games in Atlanta. Murray has been voted into the Des Moines Softball Hall of Fame. Murray has donated a complete set of umpire’s equipment to the AHMCCI and also graciously allowed the AAHMCCI to scan photos and copies of awards and loaned additional items for the exhibit. Donated items include a ball/strikes counter, a ball bag, shin guards, umpire’s mask, chest guard, shoes, shirt, pants, and jacket. It is unusual to find such a complete collection of equipment and is fascinating to see just how much equipment an umpire needs.

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