Umpires

Umpires, often referred to as the 3rd team, are required for all Rookie Minors, Minors, and Majors games. If you are interested in umpiring please email uic@beaconhillball.com

The success of Beacon Hill baseball games is dependent on our youth umpires who are developing their skills. Beacon Hill adheres to strict zero-tolerance policy with regards to questioning, heckling, or bickering with our umpires at all levels. If you have any concerns, or suggestions for our umpires please contact our Umpire in Chief: uic@beaconhillball.com

All Beacon Hill baseball youth umpires must be Majors Baseball age (non-players should be 11+ years old) and participate in the annual District 7 Umpire Clinic (end of March/Early April).

Adult umpires are also welcome, on a volunteer basis, and must successfully complete the Criminal Record Check online and also participate in the annual District 7 Umpire Clinic.

Rules

All umpires are expected to have a complete understanding of the the Little League official rule book and the Beacon Hill House and Tournament Rules. Hard copies of the Little League Rule Book are available from the VP of Baseball or the UIC.

Mobile versions for iOS and Android can be downloaded from the AppStore or Google Play Store. More information at www.littleleague.org/playing-rules/little-league-rulebook-app/

House baseball rules can be found here:

Rookie Minors 

Minors and Majors 

Expectations

  • Please make sure you are arriving at least 20 minutes prior to the game and ready to meet the coaches at home plate 10 minutes prior to the start of the game
  • Make sure you are wearing your jock/jill, dark grey or black pants, and put on the safety equipment and umpire shirt/jacket and hat. Even if you are umpiring base you are required to wear your jock/jill for safety, and in the event that you are asked to replace the home plate umpire.
  • Make sure you are properly setup in the slot behind the catcher. Base umps keep an eye on all the plays. Remember that the plate ump will ask you if a batter checked a swing or not, so stay alert.
  • Don’t turn your head away from the ball. The front of the helmet is designed to deflect the ball away, the side of your head isn’t.
  • Umpire area: please make sure you hang up your shirts and put away your equipment properly after the game. If you see shirts that aren’t hung up, please take the extra time to hang them up.
  • If something is broken or missing PLEASE contact the UIC.
  • Be fair and consistent in your calls.
  • Remember you are in charge of the field. DO NOT be influenced by the coaches. We know it’s hard as they are older, or maybe your friends mom or dad, or maybe even your former coach - but the umpire is the official of the game. Be strong. Make your call, explain your reasoning if they ask, and move the play along. They will respect you for that.
  • Sign the umpire binder after your game
  • Speak up! If you experience any issues with parents or coaches, speak to another adult at the field  (such as a team manager) and contact the UIC: uic@beaconhillball.com. The UIC’s duty of care is for the well being of our umpires. The UIC is part of your team.

Baseball Umpiring Clinic

Held each year at the end of March or beginning of April. Anyone age 11 or older that would like to become an umpire for Beacon Hill Baseball must attend this clinic in order to qualify to umpire for the upcoming spring season.

Clinic participants should bring a glove, jock/jill protection, and dress for the weather. The clinic will be held rain or shine.

Registration is required for this clinic.  To register, please contact our UIC: uic@beaconhillball.com

Participants have some pre-work they should complete before the clinic:

1. Visit Little League University- Basic Call Mechanics to review basic call mechanics.

2. Visit Little League University - Proper Stance for Calls to review the proper stance for calling balls and strikes at the plate.

Make sure to complete the pre-work prior to showing up for the clinic in order to participate during the clinic.

Ongoing Training

  1. Download AND READ the Little League Rule Book. If you’d like a paper copy as the UIC. https://www.littleleague.org/playing-rules/little-league-rulebook-app/
  2. Umpire training course. Go through the Little League online training course here: https://www.littleleague.org/university/articles/the-umpire-training-course/

Umpire Scheduling

After completing the umpire clinic, umpires are required to create an Assignr.com account where umpires can view the game schedule, request games, and confirm the games which are assigned to them by the umpire scheduler or UIC.

In the event of a rainout, umpires will be notified at least one hour prior to game start time by the UIC. If a game is cancelled at the field, or during play, due to rain umpires will still be paid for their time.