Umpiring
If you would like to register to umpire in a Softball Newfoundland and Labrador, please contact Keith Pender at keithpender@esdnl.ca.
History of Umpiring - PDF File
How to Become a Registered Umpire
So you're interested in becoming an umpire... That's wonderful! Umpiring does have a lot of great things to offer - if of course - you think you can tolerate and learn to deal with the realities of the officiating world, i.e., dust, heat, shoe polish, confrontation, rules, fans... and, on the brighter side... camaraderie, the colour of blue, teamwork, partnership, travel, and lots more.
Since you're considering becoming an umpire, you should really consider becoming a registered umpire. A registered umpire is an official who has become a member of one of the best officiating programs in the world.
If you want to become an umpire, your first task is to get in touch with your Local Umpires' Association. Your Local Association will provide general clinics in rules and mechanics to get you started. You will want to go to the ball diamond and watch your peers to get a better sense of officiating. Your association will want you do decide whether to umpire Slo-Pitch, Fast Pitch, or both.
The next step towards your officiating development will be the registration process. Your Local Association will provide you with a Registration/Application Form. Once this form is submitted, it registers you with your Provincial or Territorial Umpire Program. There is a fee associated with this registration, but what you receive for your investment far surpasses this amount. After you've submitted your Registration/Application Form you will receive a rulebook, examinations (Slo-Pitch and Fast Pitch) and a lot of informative information about the Provincial/Territorial programs and services. Once you have submitted your examinations, the Provincial/Territorial office will mark your exams and send you copies of your results. You are now a Registered Umpire and you will have been given a number. This number shows that you are a Registered Umpire in your Province or Territory, and, because your Province is affiliated with Softball Canada, you are now registered with Softball Canada.
The most important question you must entertain is "Why should I register?" When you register with your Provincial/Territorial Umpire Program, you avail yourself of a multitude of opportunities, services and information that are unavailable to the unregistered official. One of the most important services provided through registration is insurance. Insurance protects you not only for injury, should you be injured on the diamond, but against legal accusations and litigation. Your registration gives you access to provincial/territorial and national publications and information about clinics. Being a registered official places you in a position to move up the ladder of success. Qualified personnel will evaluate you. Potentially, you can move from a Level I official to Level II, Level III and so on as you acquire clinics and on-field evaluations. There are many opportunities to advance on and off the diamond. When you register, you place yourself in a position to umpire at any Member Association sanctioned tournaments, including Provincial/Territorial Championships, Provincial/Territorial Qualifiers, Eliminations, and Grand Championships. You are also eligible to umpire at Canadian Championships.
You want to become an umpire? Become a Registered Umpire! Here is the abbreviated process...
- Get in touch with your Local Association.
- Fill out the application form and mail it to your Provincial/Territorial Office with the appropriate fee. An umpire package will be sent to you... rulebook, examinations, insurance information and other pamphlets about services and publications.
- Write the exams and return them to your Provincial/Territorial office for marking.
- When you pass, you will receive your results with a reference sheet, and your Softball Canada number.
Support your Local Umpires' Association, support your Provincial or Territorial Umpires' Program, and support Softball Canada. When you register you become a member of one of the most experienced and well-respected umpire crews in the world. Register and wear your blues proudly.
Benefits of Being a Softball Canada Registered Umpire
- Official recognition by Softball Canada (recognized as the National Sport Governing Body by Sport Canada) and by your own Provincial/Territorial Association as a qualified softball official. Through your affiliation with Softball Canada, you also become linked with the International Softball Federation, the governing body for both slo-pitch and fast pitch throughout the world.
- Access to professionally organized umpire certification clinics (Levels I through IV) for both slo-pitch and fast pitch officials. At these annual clinics, emphasis is placed on understanding and correct interpretation of rules, as well as understanding proper on-the-diamond techniques.
- Comprehensive insurance coverage. Complete information is available through your Provincial/Territorial Association, which administers this program.
- Encouragement and support through on-field umpire development and evaluation programs. Senior umpires will review your progress in actual game situations and provide helpful advice on how to improve your umpiring skills.
- The potential to officiate at:
- Local leagues
- Sanctioned regional competitions and tournaments
- Sanctioned provincial/territorial championships
- Inter-provincial/territorial regional championships
- Canadian Championships
- International events
- World Championships
- Olympic Games
- You will receive the newsletter, "Between the Lines", which includes various articles to help you improve your umpiring skills, a detailed look at rule interpretations, news from around the country plus general interest stories. Every second year you will have the opportunity to participate in our national umpire convention, "Blue Convention", and attend workshops conducted by Canada's top umpires, presentations from international speakers as well as social and networking opportunities.
- Softball Canada offers National Umpire Mechanics Schools, high intensity skills training seminars that will enhance your umpiring skills and put you at the top of your game.
- You will become part of a support network of over 5,000 Softball Canada umpires, each committed to being the best official she/he can be!
Certification Levels
Level V
Prerequisites
- Level IV for at least 2 years.
- Receive a successful evaluation at two (2) events including any of the following: Canadian FP Championships (excluding the Pee Wee and Bantam categories), Canada Games, Canada Cup (excluding the Futures tournament), or the 3 Nations Challenge.
or
- Receive a successful evaluation at one Canadian SP Championship.
Note: P/T Associations may submit events for consideration to be included as a prerequisite for a Level V evaluation. (Minimum criteria - 3 umpire system and minimum nine games per umpire.)
- Certified a minimum of 7 years.
- Endorsed by the Provincial/Territorial UIC.
Evaluation Requirement
- Receive two successful evaluations by provincial/territorial officiating representative.
- Recommendation from province/territory.
- After meeting prerequisite criteria, then receive a highly successful evaluation at a (Sr. Women FP, Sr. Men FP, Masters 35+ SP, Sr. Men SP, Sr. Women's SP) Canadian Championship.
Level V Training Requirements
- Attend an ISF International Umpire Seminar within three (3) years of receiving Softball Canada Level V certification.
- Obtain 90% or more on the ISF International Umpire Certification exam.
- Receive a successful ISF evaluation.
- If ISF Certification is not achieved, the umpire must reapply to attend another ISF International Umpire Seminar within 3 years of the initial Seminar.
On-Field Application
- Officiate provincial/territorial minor and adult ball
- Officiate Canadian Championships
- Officiate International and National softball events
- Supervise Canadian Championships
Maintenance
- Member in good standing, conduct in accordance with code of ethics, and registered each year.
- Write National exam annually and obtain 90% or more.
- Active in Provincial/Territorial and National Officiating programs.
- Active in ODC programs.
- Submit yearly self-evaluation report to National Officiating Development Committee by November 1st.
- Minimum 25 games per season in discipline in which LV certification is achieved.
- Submit an article at least every three years for "Between the Lines".
- Officiate a Senior Canadian FP Championship/Senior Men's Canadian SP Championship or an international event within four years to be eligible for selection by Softball Canada to International events.
LEVEL VA
- If a Level V official is no longer active on the field or is no longer a candidate for International assignments, but is still active in program development and administration, they may request to be advanced to Level Va (administrative) status. Level Va officials must meet all criteria for maintaining an active Level V status with the exception of the minimum number of games criteria.
LEVEL VR
- Retired Level V. A Level V umpire who does not meet all criteria outlined under "Maintaining an Active Level V Status" will be declared Retired Level Vr.
Level IV
Prerequisites
- Certified Level III umpire for a minimum of two (2) years.
- Attend at least one P/T Championship, and have received a successful evaluation to progress to Level IV.
Level IV Training Requirements
- Attend a National Level IV Theory Clinic.
- Obtain 85% or more on the Level IV Certification exam.
Evaluation
- Receive two successful evaluations by provincial/territorial representative and recommendations forwarded to ODC.
- Receive a successful Level IV evaluation at a (Midget FP/Junior Women FP/Masters FP/Masters 40+SP, Senior Women SP & Co-Ed SP) Canadian Championship after completing Level IV Theory clinic.
- Provincial/Territorial UICs may request that a tournament be approved for the evaluation of Level IV theory umpire in order that he/she may receive his/her Level IV practical and be fully certified Level IV. This applies in both fast pitch and slo-pitch. Only tournaments that will be using the 3 umpire system and afford the umpires to be evaluated the opportunity to work each position at least three times will be considered. The ODC will select the evaluator to attend the tournament.
On-Field Application
- Officiate provincial/territorial minor and adult softball.
- Officiate a Canadian Championship.
Maintenance
- Attend provincial/territorial clinic annually.
- Write National exam annually and obtain 85% or more.
- Active in Regional and Provincial/Territorial Officiating programs.
Level III
Prerequisites
- Certified Level II umpire for a minimum of two (2) years.
Level III Training Requirements
- Attend a Provincial/Territorial Level III Clinic (FP or SP)
- Obtain 80% or more on the Level III Certification exam.
Evaluation
- Receive one successful Level III Provincial/Territorial Championship evaluation.
On-Field Application
- Officiate provincial/territorial minor and adult softball.
- Qualified to officiate Midget FP, Junior Women FP, Masters 40+ SP, Senior Women SP & Co-Ed SP) Canadian Championships.
Maintenance
- Attend provincial/territorial or regional clinic annually.
- Write National exam annually and obtain 80% or more.
- Active in local and regional officiating program.
Level II
Prerequisites
- Certified Level I umpire for a minimum one (1) year and be 16 years of age.
Level II Training Requirements
- Attend a Provincial/Territorial Level II Clinic (FP or SP).
- Obtain 70% or more on the Level II Certification exam.
Evaluation Requirement
- Receive one successful local, regional or provincial/territorial Level II evaluation.
On-Field Application
- Officiate local and provincial/territorial minor level and/or local adult softball.
Maintenance
- Attend regional or provincial/territorial clinic once every two years.
- Write National exam and obtain 70% or more. (Non-certification year only.)
Level I
Prerequisites
Level I Training Requirements
- Attend a Level I Clinic.
- Obtain 60% or more on the Level I Certification Exam.
On-Field Application
- Officiate local minor and adult softball.
Maintenance:
- Attend a local or association clinic once every two years.
- Write National exam and obtain 60% or more. (Non-certification year only.)
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