Beginning Umpires

[softballfan33]

What is the best way to start an umpiring "career"? Schools? Classes? Online? A friend was talking about it the other day and didn't know the answer so decided to find out for her. She played softball in HS, some travel ball, but didn't play in college as the school she decided to attend for her major didn't have a team. Any thoughts as to the best way to go about this?

[tcannizzo]

This is a great question; glad to see her interest.
It is really quite simple to get started. Umpires are usually organized by a local umpire association. Here is the web site for my umpire association in Metro Atlanta http://softballumpires.com/. Contact the UIC for your local ASA to find out who the contacts are for the local associations and let them know of her interest.

It is not required, but highly advised to go to an ASA Umpire School.
Date Location Region/Type Coordinator
December 12-13, 2009 Bryan/College Station, TX Region 7 James Brau
January 30-31, 2010 Lake Worth, FL Region 5 Matt Dunbar
January 30-31, 2010 Columbus, OH Region 9 Warren Jones
February 6-7, 2010 Moor Park, CA Region 14 Jim Gibilisco
February 13-14, 2010 Nashville, TN Region 4 Phil Davidson
February 20-21 South Bend, IN Region 10 Ron Summers
March 20-21, 2010 Stratford, CT Region 1 Hank Koritkoski
April 10-11, 2010 Oxford, MI Region 8 Bob Lawson
April 17-18, 2010 Sheridan, WY Region 13 Mike Hanson
May 1-2, 2010 Rapid City, SD Region 11 Brett Distel
June 16-20, 2010 Cincinnati, OH Fast Pitch Camp Dee Fick

If you have any trouble finding a local contact, we can help, if you let us know your location.

[MTR]

While a school is a great idea, I strongly recommend anyone beginning an umpiring career start with local clinics and schools. National Schools are not intended for rookies. Some local associations do not operate local schools and push their rookies toward National Schools. The problem is that in an effort to learn, rookies have a tendancy to ask questions that are no brainers to an umpire who has been on the field for a couple years. In turn, it tends to slow down the tempo of the schools and becomes discouraging to umpires with some experience.

It has gotten to the point that I brief umpires to be aware of this, have patience and they will pick up a fair amount of info just by listening.

[wadeintothem]

In addition to any clinics you might track down the local rec league and get your feet wet. Umpiring is a lot of OJT. Its ok to screw up if you open that book and learn from it. I agree with MTR, start local for clinics... but dont let lack of clinics hold you back. One 8-hour day or some such is a just one single brick to build upon. Get out there and work and take your lumps while attending every clinic you reasonably can. Good luck.