Jump Into Umpiring

Becoming an umpire

Congratulations - by reading this page, you are taking the first important step in becoming a softball umpire. There are many reasons to start umpiring, it might be to help your club, spend time with your friends or family, aim to extend your playing career or you just love softball and want to get more involved. Whatever your reason, welcome to the Blue Crew, we are glad you are here!

Before you get started to become an official umpire of softball, here is some information that might help you understand the role of an umpire and what you need to know:

Umpires need to keep good fitness levels for the role
You will need to know the basic skills involved in playing softball as you will need to umpire on throwing, catching, fielding a ball, hitting and moving between bases
It is helpful to have an understanding of the basic softball rules and terminology
Umpires need to be familiar with member policies and guidelines related to umpires

Support People

Each Association in NSW has a committee member responsible for umpiring. Reach out to your local association to find out who is the Association Umpire In Chief (UIC) / Umpires Coordinator

The Softball NSW Umpires Association is also available to help. Contact: Vicki Lansley (Association Secretary) nswumpires@gmail.com

Join the SNSW Umpires Association

Joining the Softball NSW Umpires Association means you will be joining our umpiring family and becoming part of a culture that is passionate about achieving success on and off the diamond.

Membership is available to accredited umpires, unaccredited umpires who umpire regularly at your association, and umpire supporters. Membership is available to all accredited umpires (Level 1-8), unaccredited umpires who umpire regularly at your association and umpire supporters. Due to COVID-19 and the impacts to competitions across NSW, reduction of games, various impacts to our umpires, our family and friends; the SNSWUA has decided to automatically sign up all 2020 members for 2021 - Free of charge.

Buy Umpire Merchandise SNSW Umpires Calendar

Softball Rules

Official Playing Rules Rules Points of Emphasis Rules Assessment

Uniform and Equipment

Click here for the umpire uniform and equipment.

Level 1 Requirements

To achieve Level 1, here are the things you need to do:

Umpire both plates and bases at a satisfactory basic level for a season - refer to the Level 1 checklist which can be downloaded here
Pass the Basic Rules Assessment. More Info
Complete Play By The Rules online training courses. https://www.playbytherules.net.au/
Sign the Umpire's Code of Conduct. Download

Read Full Level 1 Requirements here.