Umpiring Information

Questions: Umpire In Chief

• Requirements
  • Must be at least "league age" 12
  • Communication (mainly for the younger umpires) - Be able to handle communicating with the veteran umpires and umpire scheduler.  If you are not comfortable speaking to adults as an "equal", in an adult manner, it will be difficult for you to handle on field situations.
  • By your second assigned game, you need to acquire a pair of HEATHER GREY pants.  Mervyn's usually has them in stock.  For the most comfortable fit, buy one size (waist) larger than normal - gives a little more room for the shin guards and is more comfortable when working the plate.  "Umpire" pants are also available at several online stores.
  • Required to purchase your own navy umpire shirt and indicator.  We have them available at a discounted price.
  • Umpire hat - unless wearing a hockey style helmet.  League provides one hat per season to each umpire.
  • Be willing to accept constructive criticism.
  • We do have protective gear in the umpire room you can use.
  • MUST wear a cup when umpiring behind the plate, SHOULD wear a cup while umpiring bases.
  • Understand the material in this handout (click here to read the handout)
• Not acceptable
  • Arriving late
  • Unwilling to learn/improve
  • Inappropriate uniform (not being prepared)
  • Not conducting yourself appropriately
    • Chatting with those outside the fence during a game
    • Using your cell phone during a game (text or voice)
    • Inattentiveness
• Interested?
  • Contact Umpire In Chief for more information
  • For announcements to the group, we use e-mail a computer generated phone dialer and messaging system.  This allows us to make many contacts in a short period of time.
  • There will be an umpire training/refresher clinic before the season begins.
  • Read the NLL rules (access them from the home page in the notes for managers section)
  • Read the LL rules.  This link is to a 2004 version, with the instructor comments.  2007 has some differences, but this will get you started.
  • A short primer on umpiring
  • Here is a link to a zipped version of a power point presentation on umpiring.  Studying this material will give you a good foundation.
  • Read "From the Veteran's"
  • Ask questions
• DOCUMENTS FOR UMPIRES
  • Incident Report
• Tips from Little League Inc
  • http://www.littleleague.org/umpires/tipsindex.asp
• Scheduling
  • As one would expect, the veteran umpires do get preference in scheduling.  Sending in your availability well in advance is suggested.
  • Availability.  The schedule is prepared in advance, hopefully at least a week forward.
  • Last minute cancellations and no shows will negatively affect your scheduling.
  • Skill progression.  All umpires are observed and evaluated at various times.
  • Will not normally be assigned to a game at the same level you are playing/coaching.
• Suggested Items
  • Black belt
  • Black shoes
  • Navy undershirt
  • "Plate" shoes or shoes with a metal toe
• Conduct
  • As long as you are an active umpire, you should conduct yourself in an appropriate manner, even when not umpiring.  You will be surprised at how many times you are "recognized" as an umpire while away from the park.
• Attire & other tips
• Get a backpack or gear bag for your umpire gear
• You can wear your own catcher's helmet or mask if you like
• Do not use a catcher's chest protector - there is no shoulder protection.
• Bring an extra shirt and extra socks to change into after the game.
• Get some long socks (up to your knee) to wear.  Shin guards directly on your skin gets hot.  Black socks are proper, but white is OK during the regular season.  Soccer referee socks are not a bad choice and you can get them at many sporting goods stores.
• Sunglasses are not a bad idea.
• Post-Game Reports
• After each game, you can e-mail a post-game report.  What went well, what did not go well, any questions, weird plays, and so on.  The more information we share, the better umpires we can all be.  If you are not comfortable with e-mail, you can write a note and leave it in the umpire room tacked up on the bulletin board near the schedule - address it to Tim and/or Dennis.
• Other Items
  • The Napa LL Board of Directors fully supports umpires.  Managers, coaches, players, and spectators will NOT be allowed to be abusive towards the umpires.  Should you feel someone acted inappropriately, be sure to report the situation ASAP.  Feel free to ask veteran umpires how they handle "situations".
• Spring 2006 NLL Umpire Statistics
  • 556 umpire slots filled (regular season, playoff, TOC)
  • 51 umpires slots left unfilled
  • Almost every umpire received their requested slots
  • Top working umpire filled 74 slots
  • 5 umpires took nearly half the slots
  • ONLY three parents of players umpired - 2 are regular umpires, 1 took a fill in slot.
  • 6 active players umpired 123 slots (22%)
  • About half the slots were filled by umpires over 15 years of age
  • About half the slots were filled by umpires 12 to 15 years of age
    • 61 slots - four 12 year olds
    • 100 slots - three 13 year olds
    • 36 slots - two 14 year olds
    • 65 slots - five 15 year olds
  • There were 6 ejections
• Fall 2005 NLL Umpire Statistics
  • 4 adults umpired 37 times total
  • 11 youths age 12 through 14 umpired 79 times total