This section of Northeast Seattle Little League's website is dedicated to providing our Umpires with the information they need to perform their duties and to encourage coaches, parents and community members to take a more active role in our league by volunteering to umpire.
Game Umpires are needed for all divisions of both baseball and softball. Being a Little League Umpire is an enjoyable and rewarding experience. It is a positive way to participate in your child’s sporting activity. Consistent and fair Umpires are always appreciated. Be an Umpire!!
To volunteer to be an umpire or to get additional information about being an umpire, please contact:
NESLL hopes that Umpires will enjoy the experience and stay with the program through multiple seasons.
Scheduling Games
Umpire scheduling is managed on-line at the District 8 Umpires website. Links below provide instructions on how to register as an umpire and schedule yourself to umpire games. The Umpire-in-Chief will manage the umpire schedule to ensure game coverage.
Rules
Training
Umpires need a solid understanding of baseball rules as written in the Little League rulebook. Each umpire will be issued a current year rulebook. Field Mechanics training covering positioning and signaling technique is required before an umpire works behind home plate.
Umpire training for 2012 has been scheduled for the following dates:
Rules Training:
Tuesday, March 13, in the Garden Room at The Brig (Bldg 406) in Magnuson Park, 7:00 to 9:00 pm
Thursday, March 15, in the Garden Room at The Brig (Bldg 406) in Magnuson Park, 7:00 to 9:00 pm
Field Mechanics Training:
Sunday, March 18, at Mickey Merriam Field #8 in Magnuson Park, 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Attendance at both Rules and Field Mechanics Training is mandatory in order for you to umpire in NESLL. You need only attend one of the two dates for Rules Training.
Instructional Videos
These videos may help you to understand certain game situations that typically occur. The files are in .wmv format. Mac users can use a free plug-in from Microsoft that allows these files to play in QuickTime. The plug-in is available at http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/player/wmcomponents.mspx.
NESLL's Youth Umpire Program is intended to increase involvement of neighborhood youth in the game of baseball, increase participant’s knowledge of the rules of the game, and enhance our community’s volunteer umpire resources. Active participation in the program can result in community service learning hours or monetary compensation, beginning at $15 per game. The ultimate goal of this program, like all Little League programs, is to give youth the opportunity to learn, succeed and be rewarded in a challenging, but safe environment.
Interested Youth Umpires must attend umpire training provided by NESLL at no cost. NESLL will provide Youth Umpires with uniform and equipment. Youth Umpires will work as field umpires until they become experienced and are authorized by NESLL's Umpire in Chief to work behind the plate. Youth Umpires will be assigned to games with more experienced umpires and will receive ongoing training and mentoring during the season.
For more details and to obtain an Agreement, please see the Youth Umpire Agreement in Forms and Documents.
NESLL Volunteer Background Check
All volunteers for NESLL, including umpires, are required to complete an official Little League Volunteer Application. A photocopy of a Washington State issued driver’s license or ID card is required with your application. Social security number need not be provided. Please mail completed application to:
Northeast Seattle Little League
5549 33rd Avenue NE
Seattle, WA 98115
Umpire Commitment
Umpire training is scheduled annually in March orearly April. The season starts in early-April and runs to mid-June. Minors and Majors teams participate in playoff tournament play in June, culminating in our league championship on the second Saturday in June. All-Star tournaments are in late-June through mid-July. NESLL is committed to providing umpires to all tournaments in which its teams play. It is considered an honor to participate as an umpire in our league tournament play and in the All Star tournament, and umpires are selected for these games by NESLL’s Umpire-in-Chief and the DIstrict 8 Umpire-in-Chief.
Each umpire should expect to work at least one game and are encouraged to work two or more games each week. Lesser experienced umpires may wish to schedule National Division games or work with more experienced umpires before they work a Major Division game. Youth Umpires will work only American Division games unless approved by the NESLL UIC or Lead Umpire to work in higher divisions. If an umpire is scheduled for a game and a last minute change is necessary, the umpire should verbally contact the UIC.
Umpire Uniform and Equipment
Umpire equipment is provided at each of the field equipment boxes. Umpires that attend the pre-season NESLL Field Mechanics session will be issued Umpire Shirts and NESLL Umpire Hats.
The following equipment is issued by the league:
· Umpire Shirt and Hat
· Chest Protector
· Shin Guards
· Face Guard
· Belt Pouch containing plate brush and count indicator
· Little League Rule Book
The following equipment is the responsibility of the umpire:
· Protective Cup
· Pants (Gray is the preferred color)
· Shoes (Black is the preferred color; reinforced toe recommended for Majors, umpire preference for lower levels; sturdy shoes recommended at all levels)