UMPIRE IN CHIEF
RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Hiring
The UIC is responsible for maintaining a roster of qualified umpires to work
all levels of play. There should be a balance between older/experienced umpires
and younger/lesser experienced umpires in order to appropriately schedule all
levels of play and to continually develop umpires qualified to handle higher
levels of play. A good place to recruit new umpires is during MYBI registration
in January. A recommended starting age for new umpires is 14.
2. Training
The UIC is responsible to provide adequate training to
all new umpires and to maintain skills in all experienced umpires. Seminars are
generally available through the Minnesota Youth Athletic Services. In addition,
the UIC should cover a rule review, technique review, and performance
expectations in a pre-season organizational meeting.
3. Scheduling
The UIC is responsible for umpire scheduling
at all levels of in-house and home traveling games. In addition, local
tournaments such as the annual Roberg Tournament will
require scheduling. It is recommended that scheduling be done in two-week
blocks in order to minimize schedule changes due to other commitments that
arise for the umpires. As a general rule, umpires should be at least three years
older than the level they are working. Higher performing and reliable umpires
get first priority and should generally be used in the higher paid levels. New
umpires should be brought along slowly at the younger in-house levels. One
umpire per game is required in the regular season and two for the playoffs. In
tournaments, one umpire is generally required until the semi-finals and finals
in which two umpires should be scheduled. Conflicts of interest (umpire has a
sibling on a team or a Father coaching a team) should be avoided. All
scheduling can be done from the master field schedule. Other umpire
associations can be contacted when there are shortages of available umpires.
Umpires are expected to arrive at the field at least 15 minutes before game time
in order to conduct a pre-game meeting with coaches to discuss ground rules and
sportsmanship expectations.
4. On-going Evaluation
In order to maintain quality, the UIC should periodically evaluate all
umpires during the season. Both on the field performance and adherence to dress
code should be assessed. This can be accomplished by attendance at games or by
soliciting feedback from coaches. All feedback should be given directly to the
individual umpires. The UIC should document and maintain all feedback on umpire
performance.
5. Pay/Bonus
The UIC is responsible for ensuring umpires are
properly paid for work performed. Umpires must fill out a card signed by both
coaches for every game worked. Paychecks will be based on completed cards and
issued periodically during the season. The UIC should also provide a pay stub
with the paycheck itemizing games worked during the pay period. The treasurer
will provide the paychecks to the UIC for delivery to the umpires.
Current pay rates:
2/3 in-house- $TBD (base umpire for regular
season).
2/3 in-house - $25/game (base umpire for playoffs only).
4/5 in-house - $30/game.
6/7 in-house - $35/game.
8/9 in-house - $40/game.
10U-11U-12U travel - $40/game.
13U-14U-15U travel - $50/game ($54 if MYAS umpire seminar attended).
Tournaments - $40/game plus tournament bonus pay.
Late arrivals – ½ game fee reduction.
No-shows – umpire will work one unpaid game for each no-show.
Rainouts – ½ game fee if umpire showed up and game did
not start – every effort will be made to notify umpires in advance if a game is
cancelled.
Suspended games – 2/3 game fee.
Forfeits – full pay rate (umpire must work a controlled scrimmage if coaches want to play).
Bonus pay:
Regular season bonus paid at end of season, tournament bonus paid at end of
tournament.
Rookies – no bonus
1 year of experience - $5/game
2 years of experience - $10/game
3+ years of experience - $12.50/game
No bonus for 13-15U travel games
Zero no-shows = 100% of accrued bonus
One no-show = 50% of accrued bonus
Two no-shows = 25% of accrued bonus
Three + no-shows = no bonus
6. Equipment Inventory
The UIC is responsible for maintaining an accurate inventory of umpire
equipment and replacing equipment as necessary. The UIC should ensure that all
umpires are provided with equipment that fits properly and is in good shape.
Umpires that plan to return the following season may keep their equipment, but
those that do not should return it to the UIC to be stored with all MYBI
equipment.
7. Transferring
Information to New UIC
It is essential that a meeting take place between the
outgoing UIC and the new UIC. This meeting should take place ASAP after the new
UIC is in place.
Last Update: January 2008