HOW TO BECOME AN ISF CERTIFIED UMPIRE

Most umpires want to know how they can be selected to officiate at world championships, regional games, or even the Olympics. The following will provide information on obtaining certification as an ISF umpire.

First, you must be a registered with the Amateur Softball Association, the National Governing Body (NGB) for softball in the United States. To find out how to become a registered umpire within the ASA, contact your local ASA association. A complete list of associations can be found on the ASA website at www.asasoftball.com

THE INITIAL STEP IS TRAINING AT THE LOCAL LEVEL

The ASA has all types of umpire training available. There are rules clinics, mechanic schools, and advanced fast pitch camps at the local, national, or regional levels. Umpires who take time to advance their knowledge and to display what skills they have learned in front of evaluators, including local or regional Umpires-In-Chief (UIC), will be rewarded by receiving assignments to local, regional, or national championships. Once an umpire has been registered as an ASA umpire for at least seven years, worked at least four ASA National Championships, two of which are in the same category of play and from an upper level national championship, they can apply for ASA/USA Elite umpire program. Once they have gained this status they can apply for an ISF Umpire Certification School.

When applying for an ISF Umpire Certification School umpires must have completed the application and have it approved and signed by the umpire’s UIC and the ASA (to verify qualifications) and approved by the ISF. Once this is completed the umpire is eligible to be invited to attend a school of their choice.

WHAT TO EXPECT AT AN ISF CERTIFIED SCHOOL

At the five-day school, both rules and mechanics are reviewed. The umpire is observed in drills, evaluated in live games (50%), and given a 100-question rules examination (30%). Case Play situations (5%) and Mechanics Play situations (5%) are offered for each umpire to describe the rules and/or proper coverage for the three or four umpire system. The replies are provided by each umpire in front of all in attendance. The final evaluation is working behind the plate behind live pitching or a pitching machine (10%). Overall, the umpire must achieve a 90% or higher score to be certified.

Once certified, the umpire is eligible to be assigned to a world championship. Each participating country can select from their eligible list of certified umpires, and the host country has 3-4 selections. Some countries participating in the championship may not have certified umpires, therefore if more umpires are needed, based on the number of teams participating, the ISF can add as many at-large umpires as required.
 
Be sure to check out www.asasoftball.com for my information on becoming an umpire.