As a police office for the Tacoma Police Department, Bob Huegel knew a thing or two about putting a collar on a criminal. As a baseball and softball shortstop, he put a stop the offensive efforts of many an opposing batter. As an umpire he ran a clean game and earned the respect of the many athletes who ran the bases under his keen eye. Huegel hailed from Greensburg, Indiana, graduating from the local high school there in 1933. After a year at Indiana University in Bloomington, Huegel stepped into the professional baseball world. He played shortstop for the Indianapolis Indians, Cleveland’s Class AA team, and later for the Tacoma Tigers. Following the conclusion of his baseball career he continued to play the game he loved on numerous softball teams. Eventually, Huegel became an umpire and was a member of the Washington State Umpire and Referees Association. Bob was also an outstanding basketball player, playing on a Tacoma-area team that competed at the National AAU Basketball Championships during the 1938-39 season. University Place sports participants benefited from Huegel’s role as an active booster, supporting women’s baseball and little league teams.