How do you become an umpire

[Guest James]

Greetings

     I would like to become an umpire.   How do I accomplish this?  I figure I'd start with Little League but Id like to do HS games in the end for Baseball.   

 

Thanks

[ricka56]

I simple did a google search on <my town> baseball umpire and found some of the umpire associations and most all of the baseball organizations (like little league) that use umpires. They can put you in contact with the umpire association that they use.

Depending on the part of the country you are in, working as a LL umpire won't help much getting you HS work (tight bases makes LL unique). I'd suggest looking for youth baseball that play (for lack of a better term) real baseball. More of the methods there are applicable to HS baseball than LL methods (that's Ives' cue to chime in).   

[Tksjewelry]

Don't forget to become a regular member of this site. While joining any association will get you work as an umpire, this site is another step that will help you become a good umpire. Sent from my SM-G920P using Tapatalk

[Guest James]

Greetings

     I would like to become an umpire.   How do I accomplish this?  I figure I'd start with Little League but Id like to do HS games in the end for Baseball.   

 

Thanks

[Cav]

Go to your local ballpark and ask the umpire crew after the game.   

[Richvee]

I started in LL. I went to my local LL registration, told them I was interested, they gave me a volunteer form to fill out and they put me in touch with the league Umpire in Chief. From there you will meet people who will know about about local associations, cadet classes for high school, etc. Lots of us got started with little league. One thing for sure, you'll see more crazy stuff there a lot sooner than in high school. Until then, start reading the rule book.

[Rich Ives]

I simple did a google search on <my town> baseball umpire and found some of the umpire associations and most all of the baseball organizations (like little league) that use umpires. They can put you in contact with the umpire association that they use.

Depending on the part of the country you are in, working as a LL umpire won't help much getting you HS work (tight bases makes LL unique). I'd suggest looking for youth baseball that play (for lack of a better term) real baseball. More of the methods there are applicable to HS baseball than LL methods (that's Ives' cue to chime in).   

Where are the youth leagues the play 60-90? That play no re-entry? That have no pitching restrictions? That have no age limits or divisions by age? That have no slide/attempt to avoid rules?

Real baseball? Hah!

Oh wait - you mean the no-lead rule as if that's the only separator.

Chime enough?

 

 

[ElkOil]

Why not start with High School?  Umpiring isn't the kind of thing where you start at one level like I think you're thinking.  My association, for example, doesn't do little league at all.  We do HS and adult only.  So with us, the only place to start is High School, and then you're thrown right into Men's league once they start.  

To become an ump, find your local umpiring association, then contact them to find out how to join.  Mine offers six weeks of training at no cost, then you begin by doing sub-varsity and freshman High School scrimmage games.  Once the season begins, guys with less then three years of experience do HS-aged games at the lower levels and smaller schools, as well as men in the spring.  For the summer and fall, once tournament ball begins, we're crazy-busy until the fall when it slows down a bit.

Others here can chime in about little league -- I've never done any of their games.  But it's a bit different.  Depending on your age, you'll find different levels of ball accept you more readily than others.  You'll also find coaches and parents with differing priorities, so your experience will vary depending on the age groups you umpire.

[maineump]

In our area, the HS board, the LL board & American Legion are all different groups. Many of our HS guys work the other levels, but here you don't need to be on HS board to do LL, and you don't need to start in LL to get to HS board.

Our HS group has a school in the early spring. The first few years, you would work sub-varsity games, and work your way up. Summer ball is LL and Legion. It is a great chance to work the big field with experienced folks doing JR & SR league games, and it is a great training ground. To do Legion, you need to be a varsity umpire.

Like above, check your local area - call a school and talk to Athletic Director to see who the umpire groups are in the area. Contact them and jump through the hoops. There really is no 'standard' to become an umpire, every area has their own system.

Good luck and have fun!

[MRG9999]

In Pennsylvania, in order to officiate any school games, regardless of the level, the aspiring official must pass a 100 question test with a score of 75.  I am sure other states have the same test due to being part of NFHS umbrella.

For LL, Pony, Colt, Legion, our local association issues a test of 50 questions specific to the level of ball which the umpire must pass with a 80%.  This keeps the rift raft away from the association.  Sure we had officials who scored lower than 80% who fought the association on it, but we never caved in to them.  We are one of the better associations around in Western PA because of this.

[ricka56]

Travel/tournament baseball is much more similar to HS baseball than LL The dimensions differ, but the umpire positioning and coverage are the same for the most part. LL's no runner leads makes positioning and coverage a different animal.

[Thunderheads]

merged the double thread

[kylehutson]

Another thought. Go to your local parks and recreation department. They may offer clinics and training, and if they don't they'll at least be able to put you in contact with those who do.

[Mudisfun]

James... where are you from? That alone may get you some insight into who you can contact via people on this board alone.

 

[maineump]

LL is BS. Accept it.

What level of LL are you talking about?

The 90' levels are less restrictive than FED, and are much more like OBR.

Just because some levels (other than LL) charge money to play in tournaments, doesn't make them any better than another. I have read many threads on this board that complain about these tournament baseball leagues and lack of control.

[jrewell1978]

Be 13 years old, don't have a game one day, have your dad be your hometown's parks & rec UIC and have someone no show. Worked for me!

[JaxRolo]

If @Thunderheads

Can be an Umpire... anyone can!  

[catsbackr]

Usually a head injury is involved.

[BrianC14]

Greetings

     I would like to become an umpire.   How do I accomplish this?  I figure I'd start with Little League but Id like to do HS games in the end for Baseball.   

 

Thanks

1) Lose whatever dignity you have.

2) Ask complete strangers to treat you like dirt (or worse).

3) Have your head examined.

4) Begin by attending an umpire/school clinic nearest to your location.

4a) Follow their lead.

5) Build yourself up from there.

Honestly, I'd recommend skipping the no-shave level.  Depending on your age (post-high school) there's no reason why you can't / shouldn't start at the high school level.  

 

Edited November 27, 2015 by BrianC14
add info/ sincerity.

[DVA7130]

Where are the youth leagues the play 60-90? That play no re-entry? That have no pitching restrictions? That have no age limits or divisions by age? That have no slide/attempt to avoid rules?

Real baseball? Hah!

Oh wait - you mean the no-lead rule as if that's the only separator.

Chime enough?

 

 

LL is BS. Accept it.