The first Philadelphia umpire elected to the ASA National Softball Hall of Fame, Cinquanto started umpiring while in college (Rider) doing intramural games to earn extra money. “The more I umpired the more I began to enjoy it and wanted to learn more,” said Cinquanto.”I started attending local baseball umpiring clinics and camps.” After graduating from Rider, Cinquanto began umpiring high school baseball and gradually made it to the college level. To keep busy after high school and college baseball, Cinquanto started umpiring in the Atlantic Seaboard League, then one of the nation’s top men’s fast pitch leagues. Cinquanto really enjoyed working the games and one evening was asked to attend an ASA Rules Clinic given by Tom Mason, former ASA umpire-in-chief (1972-1980). After hearing Tom, Cinquanto said he knew that he wanted to become a member of the ASA and be part of the umpiring program. Although his goal was “to be the best (umpire) that I could be,” induction into the National Softball Hall of Fame wasn’t a high priority. “I really never gave entering the Hall (of Fame) much thought. My thoughts toward the end of my umpiring career were focused on doing the best job I could and coming out of a game or tournament he same or better than when I began. I also wanted to give back to the game teaching other young umpires what I had learned through the years from veteran umpires and the ASA National Staff,” said Cinquanto. During his umpiring career, Cinquanto officiated 15 ASA and ISF events, including six Men’s Major Fast Pitch Nationals. In three of the Men’s Majors, he was selected to work the plate in the championship game. In the 1990 U.S. Olympic Festival in Minneapolis, MN, Cinquanto was selected to work first base in the championship game of the men’s division. His ISF assignments included the 1983 Pan American Games tryouts, the Tri-Nation Tournament in Colorado Springs, CO (1983), the 1984 ISF Men’s World Fast Pitch Championship in Midland, MI, the 1987 Pan American Games in Indianapolis, IN, the European Women’s Championship (1995) and the 1996 ISF Men’s World Championship in Midland. MI. In 1982, Cinquanto was ISF certified in fast pitch. Six years later, he was inducted into the Philadelphia Hall of Fame. In 1986, he was selected for the National Indicator Fraternity, and in 1993 received the ASA Award of Excellence for Region Three. Cinquanto became a member of the Medals program (gold level) in 2000 followed by his induction into the Pennsylvania Hall of Fame a year later. In 2003, Cinquanto was selected for the ASA’s Elite Umpire Program. Since 1979, Cinquanto has served as the Philadelphia UIC. In 1999, Cinquanto was named the Atlantic 10 Conference coordinator of softball umpires and the America East Conference coordinator of softball umpires. A 1972 graduate of Rider College, Cinquanto retired in January, 2002, after a 32-year career as a therapeutic activities supervisor and state parole supervisor for the Department of Public Welfare and the Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole. On June 15, 2004, Cinquanto was recognized by the House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for his outstanding professional career as well as his umpiring career. Nick passed away on January 22, 2012.
