NORTH YORK UMPIRES
OBA Update [June 7, 2024]: Players are permitted to wear sunglasses and can be worn by any player, including the pitcher. For clarification check BaseballOntario OnDeck.
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:
Anyone wanting to umpire at the elite, rep & select levels must be 12 years old and complete both online and on-site training clinics with NYBA under the umbrella of the Ontario Baseball Association. The full umpire training consists of online modules and an onsite umpire development clinic.
Players begin with a level 1.1 rating allowing them to umpire the younger series and eventually graduate to a 3.0 rating, which qualifies them to umpire all series.
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.
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 8PM. Most games are approximately 2 hours in length, except for the Midget/Bantam level (14+) which are 2.5 hours.
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.
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.
Umpires also require a brush to sweep the base and an indicator to keep score.
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. It's imperative that umpires wear the same colour shirt on game day.
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.
NYBA supplier of choice is Home Run Sports in Mississauga 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. Click here to advise NYBA of your availability.
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 NYBA home 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; have successfully completed the OBA umpire requirements and qualify for the series according to their OBA level – see below for details.
- 1.1 8U, 9U, 10UA/AA/Select
- 1.2 (All 1.1 series) PLUS 10UAAA, 11U A/AA/Select
- 2.1 (All 1.2 series) PLUS 11UAAA, 12U & 13U
- 2.2 -3.0 All series
First year umpires (1.1) 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.
GETTING ON THE NYBA ROSTER:
If you are a certified umpire in good standing and would like to umpire for NYBA: please send an email to nybaumpires@gmail.com. Please provide your full contact information (name, email, cell); birthdate; umpire level and experience.
GAME DAY:
The NYBA Umpire Schedule 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 20 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, 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.
Having said that, becoming an umpire requires commitment, and NYBA takes that seriously. Umpires who consistently cancel - more than twice - will be moved to the bottom of the rotation..
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
Ben Mack
Umpire Co-ordinator
nybaumpires@gmail.com
416-554-7494
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