Steps for USA Softball Umpire sanctioning 2022

These steps MUST be completed by ALL umpires each year.  USA softball does NOT accept other Background checks.  Concussion Training is good for three years, a current certificate is required by State of Ohio.  

1)     Umpire Registration:  Complete 2022 Registration form and pay sanction fee: $70.00

You will receive an umpire sanction card, please keep with you when working games.

2)     Background Check and SafeSport Training: All umpires 18 and over must complete USA Softball Background Check and ALL umpires, regardless of age, must complete SafeSport Certification: BG $14.00 paid online to USA Softball.  SafeSport is FREE if you access through USA softball following link below.

Go to www.registerUSAsoftball.com  ALL UMPIRES will register on this site.  It is necessary to complete the following requirements.  If you don’t have an account, register and go to the umpire  

section.  You will be assigned a Member ID number. That number goes on your registration Please email your Member ID number to me if you already submitted your registration form.  Select Background Check Purchase tab and complete background check. NOTE:  If you are under 18 years of age go straight to SafeSport Tab. 

All Umpires then go to the SafeSport tab and complete required training.  If you did the first part of this training last year, you would only need to do the next module, if not follow instruction to complete training. Please send me a copy of you certificate.

3)     Update or complete Concussion Training and print certificate: FREE

Go to: https://nfhslearn.com/courses/concussion-in-sports-2   This training is good for three years, for returning umpires please renew your certificate if necessary.  This is a STATE law. 

USA Softball Uniform Requirements – 2022

Exclusive vendor for USA Softball Gear / Uniforms: www.officialgear.com

All Uniforms MUST be official USA Softball umpire attire

Shirts - USA Softball Umpire Polo Powder Blue (#1030) $32-$40 depending on size

Most umpires, buy ONE shirt and it works for doing occasional games.  If you plan on working tournaments, PLEASE invest in extra shirts or two. Gear MUST fit UNDER your shirt.

Hats - Flex-Fit 6-Stitch USA Cap (#443) This is a COMBO cap plate/field six stitch $22.00

1)    Flex-Fit 4-Stitch USA Cap (#433) four stitch plate cap $22.00

2)    Flex-Fit 8 Stitch USA Cap (#453) eight stich base cap $22.00  

NOTE:  For most people one Combo Cap will work, if you plan on working a bunch of games, then you may want to consider both a plate and a field cap.

Shorts - (NAVY Blue) New Umpire Shorts (#T) $35.00

Ball Bag - USA Navy Ball Bag (#3320) $11.00

Pants- NOTE: Heather Gary Umpire Pants are required for certain events (tournaments) must be able to get shin guards underneath.  USA Softball sells these - Men’s Gray Base Pants (#PG) $45.00.  Get with me or another umpire, if you have questions.

Belt – Plain BLACK belt

Shoes – Plain BLACK turf shoes / Plain black athletic shoes (purchase locally or at officialgear.com)

GEAR Required to for plate umpires

I have listed a starting point (least expensive available on Officialgear.com

Chest Protector - Champro Inside Chest Protector (#5021) $39.00

Shin Guards - Shin Leg Guards (#5017) $29.00

Face Mask - Light Weight Extended Frame Mask w/ Vinyl Pads (#5006V) $29.00

Indicator (Clicker) - Optic Yellow Indicator w/ Inning (#530I) $5.95

OPTIONAL – 3N2 Plate Shoe (#1015) $110.00 (Toe Protection)

OPTIONAL - USA Jacket (#2005) $57.00 – $65.00, ONLY approved on field jacket…Black or white Under Armor is permitted…..

Umpire Requirements:

*Umpires must be Ohio ASA Sanctioned - Fee is $70.00 for 2022

NOTE: $45.00 State Fee and $25.00 Local Association Fee

*Take and pass a written test (New Umpires ONLY)

*Wear approved USA Softball Uniform / and equipment(mask, chin guard, chest protector)

*All umpires must re-register and sanction each season.

If you would like to umpire Girls Fastpitch Softball PLEASE contact Don McDaniel at dmcdanil80@gmai.com 

Our association provides high quality umpires for girls Fastpitch in Fairfield, Hocking, Athens counties.  In 2022 we will umpire leagues and tournaments in Columbus, Lancaster, Waverly, Athens and Logan.   

Our umpires also officiate games for the Lancaster Girls Softball Association in Lancaster, Ohio. We also umpire games for the Baltimore Girls Softball Association in Baltimore, Ohio. As well as ASA Tournaments and Leagues throughout Central and Southern Ohio. We added leagues in Perry and Pickaway Counties in 2021.

Our Umpires are sanctioned through the USA Softball

Our Mission is to provide quality, professional umpires to officiate Fastpitch Softball league and tournaments in and South-Eastern Ohio..

The following is a list of items that we need to ASSURE we are doing correctly for LGSA games (any of our games for that matter)

* Games must start ON TIME, call teams to dugout 10 minutes prior to game time. Meet with coaches 5 minutes before game time. Then start ON TMIE.

* Keep things moving - ONE MINUTE or 5 pitches first inning/1 pitch esch other inning (unless the team changes pitchers).

* Scorecards MUST be FULLY complete and turned in each night. This information is critical for the League. Umpire pay is based on these cards, and if not fully complete you may not be paid for those games until cards are completed. If you have a tie we will need all of the information about the game to finish it: Times, last batter, etc , etc. FULL DETAILS of why game was not finished MUST be listed on the scorecard.

* LGSA time limits are: No new inning after 1:30 (8U is 1:15), the inning in progress is to be completed. There should be NO ties, except for games that do not complete 1:30 (unless you have5 complete innings or home team ahead after 4 1/2, if you do the game is official). Games that are ties and called for weather or darkness will be completed. Put game deatils on scorecard and have teams compare scorebooks. REMINDER: Home team official book, so make sure scorecard and both books match.



* Read the LGSA rules prior to working a games in a division you are not familiar with. They are posted at: www.leaguelineup.com/lgsa

Other reminders:

* FULL ASA uniform is required. YOUR SHIRT MUST BE TUCKED IN and your hat on. Remember first impressions are important and set the tone for the game. LOOK and BE PROFESSIONAL!!!

* During pre-game meeting remind teams about jewelery and have them tuck their shirts in.

* DO NOT tolerate vulgarity, ejection is REQUIRED!!! Note: on scorecard and bring to my attention. Warnings should be given and noted on scorecard for any 'in game' conduct concrens.

* Umpires are responsible for addressing coaching and parents 'in game' conduct issues, there are Board members on duty and can assist with any issues that may arise.

The following items can be downloaded form the Handout area on the left.

USA Umpire Registration Form

LGSA Rules -  See update tab w/ modifications

COGFL Rules

2019 USA Fastpitch Rules (Test questions are from fastpitch section of USA Rule Book and Umpire Case Book)

2019 Information

** All Umpires**

Ohio "Return-To-Play" law went into effect on April, 26th 2013 - ALL Umpires Must Have this certification.

This is a free online training program that takes about 10 minutes to complete. Please follow the links below for more information. All NSA are required to complete this program and provide the me with a copy of the certificate of completion.

Link to NFHS (OHSAA umpires do not have to take a second time, please submit your certificate)

https://nfhslearn.com/courses/concussion-in-sports-2

Check the Umpire Forum (Tab on Left) for rules review and discussion. I will try to update weekly during the season. I will highlight rules that are applied infrequently.