Joe Hoffmann started umpiring in the late 1970s at Mt. Greenwood Park, but the lure of playing was too great, so he returned to playing softball. In 1984, however, he returned to umpiring for the A.S.A. During his seventeen-year career, he called balls and strikes for the Blue Island Major League for six years, the Mt. Prospect Classic League for two years, the Clyde Park Major League for four years, and the Super Pro League for one year. He also umpired and was tournament director (along with Bob Ancona) in the ASA National Qualifier tournaments for ten years. His experience qualified him to umpire some of softball’s high-pressure games. He officiated eight ASA National tournaments and was assigned to the championship game each time. As the umpire co-coordinator for six ASA tournaments, he rated and graded his fellow umpires as they worked every game of the Nationals. He was also tournament director for six Metro tournaments. Joe and his wife Joan, live in Tinley Park, Illinois. They have two children – Joe and Julie.
