Being a youth umpire is an important (and fun) opportunity.  As a league, our Little League relies on youth umpires to officiate games at ALL LEVELS.  Furthermore, we believe being an umpire helps our kids learn the game, build sympathy for the umpires overseeing their games, and earn some extra money or get volunteer hours for school.

To sign up, go to the Dibs Section of the SMLLA website

- Single A to Majors:  https://www.smlla.org/dib_sessions/show/57853

- Juniors: https://www.smlla.org/dib_sessions/show/57854  

After the Clinic, I received a number of requests for Umpire tips and guidelines, so I created our first ever Youth Umpire Guide (doc).  I based the document off a very extensive guide that East Hills Little League posted online (credit to them).  This document is lengthy but it is worth reviewing with your child.

1. SMLLA UMPIRE POC’s

There are 2 SMLLA Board members responsible for the Umpire Program - Larry Weyer ([email protected]) and Andres (Andy) Rodriquez ([email protected]).  If you have any questions or concerns, please contact either of us.

2. MODIFYING / CANCELING SHIFTS

Things come up. I get it.  But I ask that you notify me of changes in your schedule thru the Dibs tool.  That way, another kid can grab that spot, and I can set expectations with Managers about limited umpire coverage for a game.  The earlier you make the change, the better. Dibs won't let you cancel if you shift is less than 1 day away. In that case, email Andy or I.  

3. NO SHOWS

If your child signed up for a shift and didn’t attend, please let me know via email. While I will ask managers to notify me of games that don’t have umpires, it is a lot easier if the parents let me know directly. When I have this information I will update the count we use to pay kids.

4. ESCALATIONS

In the clinic, we talked about how to manage on field conflicts between umpires and managers / coaches.  While I don’t recall such incidents happening, I told the kids that the Board and I make it VERY CLEAR to managers / coaches that our umpires must be treated with due respect.  Managers / Coaches should understand that our youth umpires are volunteers that are learning the role and making tough, split second decisions.  While the umpire may get some wrong - the Manager, Coaches and players should respect the call and move on.  If there is a play that requires support / guidance, the umpires should look for a me, another Board member or Field Supervisor in the stands.  Finally, I asked the kids to report any incident with Managers / Coaches to me in person or email via their parents.  Please let me know when it happens versus after the season is over.  That way, I can correct it. 

5. UMPIRE GEAR

The Umpire Closet is on the side of the Snack Shack facing the batting cage.  Before every game, a Board member will open the closet.   In the closet, your child will find: umpire shirts (Light blue / Navy), protective gear (all new this year), ball and strike counters, and plate brushes.   After the game, your child can return the equipment to the room.  I asked them to treat the room like their rooms at home and keep it clean and orderly :).  If the gear doesn’t fit, please let me know.  I have adult size umpire gear in the Board’s Equipment room. 

6. VOLUNTEER HOURS

Your child can use umpire shifts for their school service / volunteer hours.  At the midpoint and end of season, I will create a summary of all shifts.  You can tell me how many of these shifts should be used for volunteer hours.  Those shifts won’t be paid. I will sign your child’s volunteer “form.” 

7. TYPE OF UMPIRE SHIFTS 

We have 6 different umpire roles.  These vary based on Division (Juniors, Majors, Minors, etc) and role (Plate versus Bases).   The eligibility for a role will vary based on your child’s “baseball age”.  

8. TIMELINE FOR PAYMENTS

1. At the end of every month, I will send a summary of shifts for the month to parents.  I will be using Dibs as my source of truth for this accounting.  
2. If you see something wrong, let me know within a couple of days.
3. A week or two after each month our Finance lead will issue checks.  Checks will be mailed to your son’s home address.  If that address has changed, please let me know. Checks will appear in a plain envelope with no SMLLA logo on it.  Please don’t throw it away.  Checks that aren’t cashed after a couple of weeks will be voided.  Then Finance will have to re-issue them. This is extra work for everybody.

9. TAX IMPLICATIONS

If an umpire makes over $600 in the calendar year, SMLLA will issue a 1099 tax form and you will be need to pay taxes for them.  For the younger kids, we rarely see anybody trigger the 1099.  But for older kids that ump in Spring and Fall, this could happen more.  

Your child can use umpire shifts for their school service / volunteer hours.  At the midpoint and end of season, I will create a summary of all shifts.  You can tell me how many of these shifts should be used for volunteer hours.  Those shifts won’t be paid. I will sign your child’s volunteer “form.”