NORTH YORK UMPIRES
IMPORTANT INFORMATION RE: 2023 UMPIRE CERTIFICATION
Baseball Ontario has instituted a new registration system for umpire certification. Whether you are a new or returning umpire please carefully review the Baseball Ontario web page for 2023 umpire certification.
There is a section that asks for association, here is where you find Toronto Baseball Association - North York. And then you need to click the button that says +Join. This is the only way you will be added to our list and we'll be able to track you. Click on adjacent photo to see the Join button and how your registration should appear.
You may also be asked to sign-up for the Umpire Development Clinic (scroll to the bottom of the page and click on events). We are hosting one at Bond on April 29th. If you aren't asked to sign-up for the NYBA clinic or can't find it, don't worry. We are monitoring the registration and creating a sign-up list.
PAYMENT:
Baseball Ontario does not collect the umpire registration fees - that is done by the association, in this case NYBA. Payment is done through TeamSnap. The registration form is to the right OR click here.
NOTE:
- If you are a family of two umpires, we suggest that your umpires each use an individual email addresses to access the OnDeck.
- If you are a new umpire, please start by creating a profile with OnDeck. You will begin as 1.1 umpire. https://ondeck.baseballontario.com/baseball-ontario-ondeck/register
- Association - ensure that you profile identifies North York Baseball as your association - that's the only way we can track you!
- For umpires who have not yet reached their 13th birthday, there is a known glitch in the system. Please enter your proper month and date of birth with the year 1924 (which is the last year in the drop down list). That will allow your profile to be created. An email will be sent out to the address associated with the account when the capability to enter the correct birth year is enabled.
For more information on umpiring for the 2023 season visit the Baseball Ontario site - Umpires
If you are experiencing any issues, please reach out to Tracey and Heather and we'll try to help you troubleshoot the problem.
NYBA supports a robust and professional roster of OBA qualified umpires.
NYBA Umpire Policy states that umpires must be TWO years older than the division they are umpiring. And, all umpires must equally share field and home plate positions.
HOUSE LEAGUE UMPIRES:
House League games are held Monday-Wednesday evenings at Bond Park. Umpire assignments are managed by the series convenor under the guidance of the Umpire-In-Chief.
Anyone interested in umpiring house league should contact Tracey Lawson.
ELITE, REP & SELECT UMPIRES:
Umpires wanting to umpire at the elite, rep & select levels must be at least 12 years old and complete both online and on-site training clinics with NYBA under the umbrella of the Ontario Baseball Association.
The OBA online clinic is now open. See above for registration information. The NYBA Umpire Development Camp is scheduled for Saturday, April 29, 2023 at Bond Park. (Sunday, April 30 rain date). New umpires, should stay on stand-by until we have further instructions.
Players begin with a level 1.1 rating allowing them to umpire the younger series and eventually elevate to a 3.0 rating, which qualifies them to umpire all series including Elite.
Elite, Rep & Select games are held weekday evenings, starting at 8:30PM Monday to Wednesday (after House League) and 6PM Thursday and Fridays. Weekends games can run 9AM to 7PM. Most games are approximately 2 hours in length, except for the Midget/Bantam level (14+) which are 2.5 hours.
UMPIRE TRAINING CLINICS:
Umpires are required to complete an online clinic with the Ontario Baseball Clinic. Sign-up is through the OBA but fees are paid to the NYBA. The NYBA payment module will open shortly. Once an umpire has successfully completed the umpire course, NYBA is notified.
In addition to successfully completing the OBA online clinic, Level 1 & 2 umpires will be required to attend a 4 hour Umpire Development Clinic April 29th at Bond Park. (There is no additional charge or registration required.)
NYBA will also require all Level 1 umpires to attend a Midget/Bantam game, to observe Level 3 umpires. While this is required for all Level 1 umpires, it is highly recommended for Level 2 umpires as well.
New for 2023: 1.1 umpires are required to umpire House League games for extra practice. These games are paid.
REGISTRATION:
To register for the Ontario Baseball Association 2023 umpire re-certification click on OnDeck. Login using your personal email address. If there are two umpires using the same email address (ie. brothers) each should have their own email. See above for instructions.
The umpire fees are collected by the local associations, in this case North York Baseball. To pay your umpire registration fee: click here.
EQUIPMENT:
Umpires are expected to have proper attire for each game: a navy/black or light blue shirt, grey slacks, black or dark shoes & socks, navy or black umpire hat (with no logos) and a belt. It's imperative that umpires wear the same shirt colour.
As long as the shirt has a collar, breast pocket and is either dark blue, black or powder blue, it doesn't have to be the regulation umpire shirt.
Baseball caps are NOT to be worn backwards and shin pads must be worn inside your pants. Umpires who do otherwise, will be asked to correct or remove equipment during the game.
Umpires are expected to equally share home plate responsibilities. For this position, umpires are required to have a chest protector, catcher’s face mask and shin guards. Umpires are expected to bring all of their equipment to every game with the plan to be behind the plate. NYBA has some umpire equipment it can loan for a game if necessary.
Umpires also require a brush to sweep the base and an indicator to keep score. A face mask is important if there is a need to discuss a call with a coach.
NYBA supplier of choice is Eagle Beaver Sports. NYBA players and umpires receive a discount.
If you are a retiring umpire and interested in selling your equipment, please contact Heather at heather@nyba.ca. We have a number of umpires that may be interested in your used equipment.
SCHEDULING:
Umpires are asked for their availability two to three weeks in advance using a Google Form. Once umpires are assigned to a game, a confirmation email is sent.
There are times, when a game is scheduled within the same week. The umpire scheduler will reach out via email/text, and will generally allow 24 hours for a response before reaching out to other umpires.
It is the umpire’s responsibility to mark down the game dates. While coaches are asked to call/text or email in advance as a reminder, umpires should NOT depend it on it.
A complete schedule of games; umpires and coaching information is recorded in a Google Worksheet and accessible from the umpire’s page.
ASSIGNING OF GAMES:
Every effort is made to ensure a fair distribution of games. Professional attitude both on and off the diamond along with skill is factored into game assignment.
When assigning umpires to games, NYBA has the following policy:
Umpires must be 2 years older than the series they are umping, and qualify for the series according to their OBA level – see below for details.
- 1.1 8UAAA/9UAAA, 10UAA, 9U, 10U Select
- 1.2 (All 1.1 series) PLUS 10UAAA, 11U Select
- 2.0 (All 1.2 series) PLUS 11UAAA, 13UA&AA, Select
- 2.1 All levels up to 14U Select
- 2.2 -3.0 All divisions including Bantam Elite
First year umpires (1.1 & 1.2) are paired with a more experienced umpire for their first few months for additional training and support.
The NYBA Umpire-in-Chief has the final say as to which umpires are booked and umpire pairings.
GAME DAY:
The NYBA Umpire Google Sheet identifies umpire partners for each game. Partners should touch base prior to the game to co-ordinate shirt colours and arrange plate/base positioning. (see above).
Umpires are expected to arrive to the park 30 minutes before each game and on the field for the plate meeting 5 minutes before the game is scheduled to start.
Fines have been put in place for lateness:
- First time: $5.00 for every 5 minutes
- Second time: Loss of next umpiring assignment
- Third time: Umpire will be placed at the bottom of the list and will be asked last for assignments.
NYBA umpire fees are based on the age group, not the level. All games within the same age group, whether A, AA, or AAA are paid the same rate. Coaches may pay either by e-transfer or in a sealed envelope before or after the game.
These are the rates for 2023 and are subject to change. All fees listed are per umpire, per game.
- Rookie (8&9) – $40
- Mosquito (10&11) – $45
- Peewee (12&13)- $60
- Bantam (14&15) – $75 | 9 innings - $90
- Midget (16-18) - $90 | 9 innings - $100
- Juniors (19 and over) - $100
CANCELLATIONS:
Plans change, a coach books a last-minute game or practice, we understand. We require as much notice as you can give us, whether by email, text or personal phone call, so that a replacement can be found.
Every effort is made to find an alternate game as quickly as possible and ensure that the umpire doesn’t lose their rotation spot.
WEATHER:
In the event of bad weather and the cancellation of a game, the coach will contact the umpires at least 1 hour prior to start time to advise you whether the game is cancelled. Any umpire not given sufficient notice will be paid in full for the game.
If conditions at Bond warrant closing the park or a diamond, it will be announced @NYBAFields.
FINALLY:
Due to the nature of the position, you are bound to get into altercations during games. Always remain calm, civil and approachable. Coaches have been notified that inappropriate behaviour [personal comments, profanity or inappropriate behaviour] towards umpires will not be tolerated and could be grounds for ejection from the game.
The same holds true for umpires. You are being held to a strict, professional code, and we expect you to act accordingly at all times.
Any incident should be reported directly to Tracey Lawson.
We look forward to working with you this season!
Tracey Lawson
VP House League – Umpire-in-Chief
traceylawson28@hotmail.com
For Scheduling Issues contact:
Heather Robertson
Umpire Co-ordinator
nybaumpires@gmail.com