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New Umpire Information

The USA Softball umpire program is among the nation's largest officiating organizations with over 35,000 officials actively involved each year. USA Softball officials are nationally recognized as the best trained and proficient in the sport and are involved in competition starting with league play, city, state and national championships. Ultimately, USA Softball umpires could officiate events such as world championship, Pan American and Olympic competitions.

USA Softball annually hosts local, state and national umpire clinics which literally blanket the nation and bring the best instruction available in the sport to every region. Over the last decade, the Amateur Softball Association's umpire program has become an innovator in the production of quality training materials. When a clinic is not available - videos, books, slides and other instructional aids allow instruction to continue.

Getting Started

Contact us to let us know you are interested in becoming an umpire. You will receive a welcome note with information about our training program.

  • Attend the training sessions (see the calendar for more information). These are classroom, gym, and field training sessions designed to get you ready to umpire. The training is free to you.
  • Pay your annual USA Softball Registration fee. You can pay this at any training session or any general membership meeting also online.

USA Softball DFW Uniform Requirements

 

  • All clothing shall be washed and cleaned regularly and be wrinkle-free at the beginning of each day’s assignments. Shoes shall be brushed and polished before each day’s assignments and cleaned between assignments on the same day.
  • When multiple umpires work a game, they must dress in the same color scheme. Everyone must be in the same color shirt and pants. There can be different-length uniform sleeves on the same field as long as the shirts are the same color. All umpires do not have to be in jackets.
  • If a shirt is worn under the powder blue shirt, it must be plain and white. If a shirt is worn under the navy blue shirt, it must be plain and navy blue.
  • The powder blue shirt and gray pants are the default uniform in all games. Variations are up to the umpiring crew. Dress Code
  • For all USA Softball-sanctioned games, the umpire shall wear the powder blue or navy USA Softball shirt, heather gray or navy pants or navy shorts(slow pitch only), and the approved USA Softball cap and ball bag(s). Shoes and belts must be black; all other equipment shall be as mandated in the most current USA Softball Rule Book.

Why Umpire?

For those serious about umpiring, USA Softball umpire training is the best available in any sports organization today. National, regional, and local mechanic schools and rules clinics are scheduled each spring and often in the fall for new umpires beginning at that time of year. Training is similar at each level, as the USA Softball Umpire Manual describes. Whether plate mechanics, base positioning, signals, working with players and coaches, or just tips in umpiring, the Manual is the complete training guide. To assist the local training official, USA Softball provides training aides through a Clinic Guide, instructional videos and presentations, school mechanics drill cards, an umpire examination, meeting quizzes, and a "Case Book."

Insurance for USA Softball umpires is by far the best for any sport or organization and includes a $5,000,000 liability policy and accidental injury policy with maximum benefit of $100,000 for any accidental injury arising out of the amateur softball activities (including clinics and schools), and games, leagues, and tournaments involving USA Softball registered teams and when working Scholastic, (Middle school, High School, NFHS) and Collegiate (NCAA, NAIA, NJCAA, etc...) softball events. The medical expense coverage is provided on an excess basis. It also includes an accidental death and dismemberment policy, as well as dental coverage that will pay the actual expense incurred for treatments to sound and natural teeth, with a $500 limit for each tooth.

An umpire uniform and leisure wear program is available so that each registered umpire can proudly purchase and wear the official USA Softball uniform. Whether it's the shirt, cap, pants, shoes or ball bag, or any of a variety of protective equipment or optional wear such as sunglasses, the USA Softball umpire program has it. 

USA Softball registered umpires are selected to officiate in the metro, state, regional, and national championships, and as members of the National Governing Body for Softball in the US, are the only organization in the US which softball umpires can apply for World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) certification and the opportunity to umpire in World Championships, Regional Games (Pan Am Games) or the Olympic Games. World Cup events held in Plant City, Florida, also are open to USA Softball umpires who have completed a "Qualifier" Seminar.

USA Softball umpires are rewarded for their years of service and expertise through the Medals Program, the National Indicator Fraternity, WBSC Certification, and possibly the National Softball Hall of Fame. No other organization has this various assortment of awards programs for their umpires.

Yes, it pays to be a USA Softball umpire! From expert training to being rewarded for individual umpire achievements, USA Softball offers the most to help umpires achieve their goals - to be the best they can be and to reach the highest level their skills will take them.