2024 Umpire Information

Training Opportunities

We have 3 development opportunities for umpires. First year umpires are required to complete all 3.  Established umpires are encouraged to attend any of the 3 sessions where they'd like to have further development or a refresher.  

Form to register for sessions:  https://forms.gle/Sapfw5fnCRrXSA566

Introduction to Umpiring In South Ottawa LL - Zoom call facilitated by Peggy Pratt
Designed for new umpires.  
Thursday  April 18  7:00pm - 8:00pm 
Agenda: game assignment process, setting availability in goalline, compensation, rules documents, apparel and answers to all your "non rules" questions.  Parents are welcome to attend.   A link will be sent to those signing up. 
 

In-person training:   Umpire In Chief, Brad Hammond
Saturday April 20   8:30am - 11:30am   Hunt Club Riverside Community Centre   3320 Paul Anka Drive. 
Learn the rules and all you need to before you get out on the field.  Pizza lunch will be served after the session for those staying for the afternoon session. Bring a pen, notebook and waterbottle.  


On-field training:   UIC Brad Hammond
Saturday April 20    noon - 1:30pm
McCarthy diamonds behind Hunt Club Riverside Community Centre   
Learn proper on-field positioning and how to make the calls.  Umpires intending to start taking games on larger fields (junior, senior) are encouraged to attend this session to learn proper positioning.  Wear weather appropriate clothing and sturdy shoes. 

Additional development options:
Field positioning information and videos:

Unsure about where to stand on the diamond, or how to move into position after the ball is hit?  Want to be sure what you're doing is correct?  Watch these 30 second videos.  
http://southottawalittleleague.ca/page.php?page_id=125085

Mid-season ump coaching
If you would like some additional support or training at any time, please send an email to Ken Gorman.  Ken will align seasoned umpires to games where the umps working the game have asked for some coaching.  

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General Information

Scheduling

Umpires will be scheduled according to their experience and availability.  The umpire scheduler will assign games based on the availability you indicate in the website.  Please confirm your assignments in a timely fashion. Or put games "up for grabs" promptly so that others can take them. 

 

Should a game be cancelled because of bad weather or for any reason, the umpire scheduler will send you an email one hour before the game start (ie: by 5 PM for games that start at 6 PM).
If you show up to a game that has been cancelled and you have been notified, you will not be paid. If no email is sent within an hour to scheduled game time (so game is on) and the game needs to be cancelled at the field, you will be paid.

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Payment

Umpiring is eligible service for volunteer hours. Anyone who wishes to do so for all or part of their hours should advise the treasurer who will make arrangements to have your volunteer sheets signed.  

Rates per game:

Division	Bases	Plate
Rookie	n/a	$20*
Minor	$25	$30
Major	$30	$35
Junior	$40	$45
Senior 19U	$50	$55

*Rookie summer interlock umpire rate is $25/game (these are 6 inning games, max 2 hrs). Spring games are 45 mins.
 
If you are on your own at a game, your payment will increase by $10, except for rookie where there is only one assigned umpire. 

How to Get Paid:  We will use the game schedule to confirm payments to umpires. Therefore umpires MUST inform the umpire scheduler of any changes to the schedule that affect payments. For example: doing a game solo; switching plate/base umpires at the field; not showing up for a game.  We encourage umpires to check their payroll schedule which shows SOLL's records for games completed and how much is being paid out.  Please inform the umpire scheduler of any errors.  

Payments will be calculated as of the last day of each month - May 31, June 30, July 31, August 31.  For fall ball, cheques will be processed as soon as the last games are finished which will be no later than October 15.  We aim to mail cheques mailed within 10 days of month end. If this payment schedule causes difficulty to any umpire particulary those taking games regularly, please contact the umpire scheduler. We are unable to pay by etransfer. Umpires are asked to cash their cheques promptly. 

Rules

Knowing the rules is pretty important when you're an umpire. You'll be given a LL rule book at the clinic, or you can get one from our UIC.  We use the LL rule book plus a supplementary document that provides local rules/details. 

Rules Documents:
COED:  In rookie, minor and major spring, we use South Ottawa's House League rules document. (posted on our website under forms, documents)  http://southottawalittleleague.ca/page.php?page_id=47971

COED INTERLOCK AND GIRLS BASEBALL:  For spring and summer Junior, Senior and for 19U and the all girls league, supplementary rules are found on the D2 website 

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Equipment

Umpire equipment is kept at the fields in the green boxes. Coaches have keys and will open the boxes. You will find a chest protector and/or balloon, face mask and a set of shin pads. If the chest protector is too small or does not fit under your shirt, use the balloon. Make sure you take time to properly adjust the equipment - safety is of prime importance.  If the equipment is unsuitable or in need of repair/replacement, please advise our umpire scheduler  

SOLL provides new umpires with a brush, bag and indicator. Returning umpires should still have these items. If not, new ones can be purchased from any sporting goods store at a reasonable price. Umpires who umpired at least 10 games in the previous season can request a replacement brush, bag or indicator from the umpire scheduler.  

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Uniform

Pick up patches, kits, hats: 

For new umpires or umps needing replacement items, please pick them up at the spring umpire clinic, or send an email to Brad Hammond at umpireinchief@southottawalittleleague.ca to arrange a pick up.  

Umpires must purchase and wear gray pants and a black or navy golf shirt with the provided Little League Umpire patch sewn onto the left shoulder. SOLL provides an umpire patch and a hat to first year umpires.  Replacement hats are available on request and will be provided without charge to returning umpires who were active in the previous season.  

Returning umpires who have worked at least 10 games during the previous season can request up to a maximum value of $40 towards the purchase of any umpire apparel or equipment.  Receipts should be sent to the umpire scheduler. 

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At the Games

SOLL expects all coaches, players, and fans to treat umpires with respect. This means no yelling, intimidating or criticizing calls. It does happen that people get carried away with their emotions when they disagree with an umpire´s calls. Even when an umpire makes a mistake, this is still not justified. An umpire should do his or her best to ignore such remarks and maintain confidence. Should the situation need to be addressed, the umpire should contact the umpire in chief after the game or use the rules in place to address it during the game.

Little League has implemented a role called Game Coordinator (see Rule 9.03(d)). An adult is required to be on hand and functioning in this role whenever there is no umpire 18 years of age or older. S/he will identify themselves to you prior to the game starting. Usually they will be the team coordinator of the home team. In instances where you may need some friendly support, they will be there to do so. They will be briefed on basic rules, mainly those that involve how to handle coaches, players or fans who are being unreasonable. But, they are not meant to overtake the game or your authority. We truly hope you will never need to call on this person and that everyone involved will maintain proper decorum. In the event that you need them, they will be there.

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