THINGS TO THINK ABOUT

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The biggest thing you must be physically prepared for is having to stand several hours on end, occasionally in high heat. If you’re working the plate, bending your knees and holding position during every pitch is required. You will be required to jog periodically to properly position yourself and occasional sprinting might be needed.  As the baseball players’ ages increase and the competitive levels increase, the physical demands will rise.

Fast judgment is a hallmark of baseball umpires. You’ll be required to see action happen, analyze it and judge it with little hesitation. When you call a strike or a ball, or call a runner out or safe, you must do so confidently and with authority. With practice, many of these judgment calls will become second nature to you and your brain will tell you what you saw without having to think about it. Focus is crucial for baseball umpires as well. You must be able to keep yourself in the game mentally because intense action can break out at any second, even if the play has been routine for several innings in a row.

Softball has many situations that happen rarely but that you’ll need to master to be prepared for every situation. You can train yourself with rule books and manuals from the Referee Training Center, but you should also join a local umpires association where you can expect lectures, demonstrations and exercises that will prepare you for what you’ll face.

Different organizations have different requirements, but most require at least attendance at a meeting to go over any current rule changes. Additional requirements may be a written test with a minimum passing score, payment of fees for the upcoming season and association meeting attendance.

• Polished, black athletic shoes. Either turf shoe or flat—bottom.
• Black socks.
• Gray slacks usually but check with a local association for what is appropriate in your area.
• A pullover shirt, usually dark blue. Check what your association requires or permits.
• Black leather belt.
• A cap. Get a sized one rather than an adjustable.
• Officiating tools: pencil and indicator.
• Equipment Needed for the Plate Umpire
• A mask with a throat protector.
• An inside chest protector.
• A cup (for men).
• Shinguards.
• Plate brush.
• Ballbag
• Protective plate shoes

Estimated cost: $350. Once you join an umpire’s association, there may be veteran umpires who are willing to give or sell you “hand–me–downs” to help you get geared up at a reduced cost.

Game fees vary widely based on the players’ age group, competitive level and the state you umpire in. You can expect the range of $25-$50 for youth games and $60-70 for competitive high school varsity games. To maximize your income, you can work a combination of levels several days a week, including weekend tournaments where you can work games all day. An umpire with a full schedule can make several hundred dollars per week outside their normal jobs.

Moving up to work college games comes with a dramatic increase in pay but will require more training, study and travel.