Becoming an Umpire
 

I am interested in becoming an softball/baseball umpire, and am wondering what the best way to go about this actually is. Does anyone have any particular advice on the process or about going about it??

First, after a thorough psychiatric evaluation to find out why anyone would want to umpire (kidding of course). Tell us where you are wishing to umpire (city, or at least general area), and someone will then tell you who to contact. There are a bunch of UIC's, assignors, etc on this board. One's gotta be close to you.

Mitchell, Indiana is where I am from. South central Indiana.

Don't know how they do it in Indiana, but here's how I did it here in Michigan. I contacted the M.H.S.A.A. (Michigan High School Athletic Association) and indicated my desire to officiate. They sent me an application and I payed a registration fee. They then sent me a copy of the rules books which I then read many times. They also included a test with answers for you to test you knowledge of the rules. I then contacted local area schools and started doing 9th grade/J.V. games for a few years before moving up to Varsity level competition. I'd highly suggest finding and attending any clinics availiable to help speed you along. Good Luck!!!!

Indiana commish, Wayne Myers, 812-234-0339 [email protected], www.indiana-asa.org

See if your local hs or ASA association has a new officials clinic. Reading the rule book is not enough! A good beginners clinic run by an association is invaluable - in fact, in our hs association it is mandadtory before one can take the field. And do not be afraid to ask the qualifications of the clinicians either! We are lucky that our clinic is run by two NYS clinicians, so our newbies get 1st class training before going out into the wild.