Becoming an umpire for Little League is a great way to give back to the game you love and make a difference in the lives of young people. But it’s not as simple as walking up to the plate and calling balls and strikes. Here are some tips on how to become an umpire for Little League.

What Do You Need To Be An Umpire?

First, you need to make sure that you are physically fit enough for the job. You’ll be on your feet all day, and you’ll be running around all over the field making calls. You should also have good eyesight—some parents will try to sneak by you with a questionable ball or strike call, so you’ll have to be able to spot those fast enough that no one notices!

How To Become An Umpire For Little League

Next, go ahead and look into becoming an umpire in your area by contacting your local league supervisor or manager. They may have some training programs available, or they may just give you some pointers on what they’re looking for when they hire new officials each season. You can also find ways to get involved with local leagues through volunteering opportunities after school or on weekends if there aren’t any paid positions available at this time (but keep checking back!).

How To Become An Umpire For Little League

Little League provides kids with the opportunity to participate in America’s favorite pastime, starting at an early age. Community T-ball, softball and baseball programs rely on the efforts of many adults so that the programs can run smoothly. Umpires are particularly important, as they help ensure that players and coaches abide by the rules during games.

What Does a Little League Umpire Do?

Umpires officiate baseball games, and are responsible for observing game play, enforcing game rules, and, when necessary, making judgment calls regarding the actions of players and coaches. Typical umpire duties include:

• Enforcing game rules during play. 
• Inspecting equipment and, if necessary, assessing players to ensure fitness for use or participation.
• Regulating when game play should start or stop.
• Listen to and resolve complaints by coaches or players.
• Setting and enforcing penalties.

How to Become an Umpire

The path to becoming a Little League umpire varies significantly among Little League associations. However, most organizations will want to ensure that umpires can be trusted around children, will understand the game and its rules, and will be able to render judgments quickly and to stick by them.

Options Available

Individuals who are interested in umpiring can begin their search for opportunities at the local level by looking up local Little League websites. Usually, these sites have a volunteer, coach or umpire recruiting page that provides information on getting started. Some areas rely on umpires from third-party umpire associations that provide officiating services at all levels of baseball play in a state or area, including school and major league teams. A visit to the association’s website should provide the information needed to submit an application.

Application

Every Little League will have its own application process, but most will have an application available for download or online submission on their website. Applicants should take note of deadlines: Baseball is a seasonal sport, so applications need to be processed before training begins.

In addition to providing personal information, such as name, address, and phone number, applications may ask prospective umpires to provide information about scheduling preferences as well as a description of their knowledge of the game and previous experience as a coach, umpire or player. From there, the Little League organization or umpiring association can make a determination about the level of play at which a new umpire can officiate.

Background Check

Because Little League umpires work with children and teenagers, most Little League organizations will require potential umpires to submit to a background check. Applicants might need to provide personal details, such as previous addresses, Social Security numbers and fingerprints as part of the review process. Background checks can take awhile to complete, so applicants might want to take this timeline into consideration to ensure that they will be able to participate in the next upcoming season.

In most cases, the purpose of a background check is to determine whether the umpire is a person of good character and can be trusted around children. Often, those reviewing the background check will be paying attention to whether the applicant has a criminal history, with a special focus on whether he has been arrested for or convicted of a crime involving minors or domestic violence.

Education and Training

Little League organizations, as well as independent umpire associations, will expect umpires to complete a standard training program and, in many cases, ongoing continuing education. Training programs differ between organizations, but may include:

• Reading: Umpires may be required to review proprietary training manuals to ensure that they understand league rules and procedures. These manuals will be provided by the league.
• Online coursework: Umpire associations and Little League organizations may offer online courses that prospective and current umpires can take to measure and verify the umpires knowledge of regulations and sport rules. Some associations and organizations work with third-party vendors that offer online training to sports officials.
• In-person clinics: Periodically, Little League organizations and umpire associations sponsor in-person training clinics that provide training to umpires. 

Of course, the more experience and umpire gets, the better she can become at her job. Eventually, she may be able to move into other baseball and softball leagues, including professional leagues. Umpires who want to move into intercollegiate and professional work should keep careful records of every game they work, as well as completion of training classes and clinics, so they can provide documentation of their experience to league and school officials.

Umpire Certification

Although there isn’t an umpire certification program specifically for Little League umpires, some professional associations may offer a certificate to those umpires who complete its umpire clinics. The World Baseball Softball Confederation international governing body for baseball and softball and the governing authority for both sports at the Olympic level, does have an umpire certification program, although the WBSC is primarily connected to softball and baseball associations outside the United States.

Some baseball umpires belong to the National Association of Sports Officials, an industry organization that provides many benefits, including education and training, advocacy for the safety of umpires, as well as insurance products and discounts on professional products and services.

Tip

In some Little Leagues, an umpire will be expected to provide his own equipment. However, some organizations provide equipment to umpires or offer reimbursement for this expense. Prospective umpires should refrain from purchasing equipment until they’ve been told what the Little League’s policy is.

Little League Umpire Skill Set

Working as a Little League umpire requires a unique set of skills and personality characteristics. While it is easy for outsiders to think of Little League as just a bunch of kids playing baseball or softball, the reality is that youth sports can be highly competitive. In addition, because Little League is community-based, umpires must be able to manage relationships with neighbors and friends who may also be parents of players or coaches.

Anyone considering becoming an umpire should perform a self-assessment and consider whether they possess the following qualities:

• A deep love of baseball and a strong understanding of its rules.
• A willingness to learn Little League regulations and keep up-to-date on new policies.
• Time flexibility that allows for taking time off to attend clinics, trainings and games.
• The ability to pay attention to game play.
• The ability to make judgments about player and coach behavior and render a decision quickly on the field.
• The ability to keep one’s cool when faced with angry coaches, players or parents.
• The physical ability to move around the field as necessary.

Do Little League Umpires Get Paid?

Some do, but this depends on the sponsoring community. Traditionally, Little League umpires have been volunteers, a position supported by the national Little League Association. However, some communities now hire empires directly, or contract with an umpires association that provides umpires for games. Umpires are typically paid per game and a game fee can range between $15 and $50, depending on the umpire’s experience, whether the umpire is positioned at home plate or one of the bases, and the significance of the game. For example, a championship game may offer a higher stipend.

In some cases, umpires may be able to enjoy perks such as free food items from the concession stand, as well as reimbursement for attending training clinics and the cost of gear and equipment. These perks are often available to both paid and volunteer umpires.

Career Options and Trajectories

While many people become Little League umpires because they enjoy the sport or want to support youth programs in their community, some may decide that they would like to move into a career as a sports official. Working as a Little League umpire can be a great first step along this career path.

Those who are successful as Little League coaches may be able to eventually work as an umpire for high school and college games, then move into semi-professional and professional baseball umpire jobs. Joining a state or local umpire association can provide the experience and training needed to progress in an officiating career. In some cases, umpires and other sports officials may be required to hold at least a high school diploma or even a college degree, depending on the type of game played.

According to the United States Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of May 2017, the median annual wage for umpires, referees, and other sports officials was $26,800. This means that 50 percent of workers in field made more than this amount and the other half made less. The top 10 percent of earners made more than $56,100 and the bottom 10 percent earned less than $18,360.

Other career options for Little League umpires who are interested in working within youth athletic programs full-time include becoming a:

Coach: Athletic coaches work with professional and amateur athletes, and help them develop their skills and abilities. Coaches of team sports work with the entire team to develop strong strategies for competitions. Many coaches are employed by high schools and colleges, as well as by youth and professional sports teams. Typically, those who do work in schools must have a bachelor’s degree, although the degree could be in practically any subject. Still, some coaches do specialize in sports science, health education, biology or kinesiology. The median annual salary for coaches, as of May 2017, was $32,270.

Physical education teacher: Becoming a physical education teacher requires at least a bachelor’s degree, although many school districts, particularly in affluent areas, may require that gym teachers hold at least a master’s degree. In some schools, P.E. teachers are expected to also take on coaching duties. High school gym teachers in the United States earned a median annual salary of $59,170.

Athletic trainer: According to the BLS, athletic trainers specialize in identifying, treating and preventing injuries and illnesses in athletes. Typically, trainers have a bachelor’s degree and many go on to earn a graduate degree. As of May 2017, the median annual salary for an athletic trainer was $46,630.

Other Considerations

Because umpiring, particularly for Little League, is typically a part-time job, umpires will need time management skills that allow them to schedule time spent at games in a way that does not affect a day job or family life. Umpires should also be aware that because Little League organizations are independent of each other, that qualifying as an umpire in one organization may not be enough to allow someone to umpire Little League games in another city. Documenting one’s experience, as well as participating in groups for umpires and other sports officials, can help an umpire develop a strong reputation so that he can find work, even after relocating.