What is a “Patched” Umpire?

Typically, a “Patched” umpire means an official who has had a reasonable level of training from a Sanctioning Organization, and is a ‘card carrying’ member of one (or more) sanctioning bodies. This is true for both softball and baseball. Patched Softball Umpires, for example, may have received training in their trade through IHSA, ASA, NSA, USSSA, BPA, PONY, or other recognized organization. The term “patch” refers to a physical embroidered patch umpires receive (used to receive) at completion of training.
 . . . O, one more not-so-minor detail -- the reason you get patched every year, is so you can get a Rule Book for the programs where you’ll be doing most of your officiating. It’s also a proven fact that actually reading the rule book gives you a tremendous leg-up, compared to those who expect to get by on their playing experience... thinking they know everything they need to know. Here’s a little secret -- they DON’T!
 . . . O, I almost forgot, Supplemental Insurance Coverage, in case you experience an injury in the course of your officiating activities, and sometimes beyond.... see the last item on this page.

So, what does it take to become a “Patched” Umpire?

The simplest thing to do is to make contact with the appropriate representative of the sanctioning organization for which you would want to serve as an umpire. This may be an Area UIC (Umpire in Chief), State UIC or Regional UIC. They can direct you to how training is conducted for their organization, whether y Clinics or (as is often the case) in live, ‘hands-on’ situations, working with veteran officials.
 . . . FYI, PlayBallServices is affiliated with a number of of the Midwest’s leading Sanctioning Organizations for Girls Fast-Pitch (GFP) Softball -- NSA, and ASA. In fact, among our members are the NSA Chicagoland South Area (Northern Illinois) UIC... who also happens to be the BPA [Baseball Players Association - counterpart to NSA] IL State UIC. That, in itself, should give you an indication of the respect PBS holds among these major sanctions. We’re here to help, and we’re always looking for individuals who want to ‘stay in touch with  the game.’

• To Sanction NSA or BPA, follow this link in our site
• To Sanction ASA, or PONY Baseball/Softball, go here in our site.
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OK, I’ll get “patched” -- that makes sense.
Now . . . What does it take to become a Good Official?

1) Time.  And with time comes Experience.
2) An open mind; a willingness to learn; and a focus on continually improving, each and every day.
3) An attitude of confidence (NEVER arrogance), in yourself and your abilities.
4) An intent to never settle for anything less than the very best you have to give,
 . . . no matter how long the day, or how tired you might be.
5) And, most of all, a love of the game, and a desire to help the players have fun.

As an example, we like to work with individuals who have three or more years of softball / baseball playing or coaching experience at a competitive level.. not necessarily umpiring experience, although that may also be helpful. High school sophomores, juniors & seniors who have playing experience, college students, and adults or all ages -- men AND women -- make great candidates. Our officials range in age from about 15 years of age, well up into the ‘Senior Citizen’ class. So once you’ve reached mid-high school age and beyond, you’re right where you want to be.
 . . . It’s our experience that those with some competitive playing/coaching experience generally have the game fundamentals down. Then, it becomes a matter of becoming rules-knowledgeable, by reading the rule book(s) AND the umpires’ manual(s), attending training clinics & rules meetings, and working with veteran officials to help ‘learn the ropes’... otherwise known as “Mentoring.” Veteran umpires can also help tune novice umpires into how to handle and successfully resolve situations where conflict may arise. And better still, how to do the right things to avoid potential conflict situations in the first place.

How can I get started? What’s the right way?...

The first place to go is our “HOW TO BECOME AN UMPIRE” page, that’s right here.  This information on this page spells out pretty much step-by-step what you’ll what to do to move forward with an umpiring avocation.
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What else do I need to know?

One Super-Critical Factor to be aware of, is that as a sports official, You Are An INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR...

• You Work for Yourself and No One Else! You are not an employee of any organization through whom you might accept assignments -- be that high school. college, rec. league, park district, program coordinator, umpire assignor, or Tournament Director or Manager.
• You are also Solely Responsible for any Tax Liability for the monies you earn in your umpiring activities.
• And Perhaps Most Importantly, you are Solely Responsible for your own Liability Insurance Coverage, and Medical Coverage. In the event that you are injured either on the way to, during, or on the way back from an officiating assignment, the organization through whom you took the assignment, and/or the program you worked for bear no legal liability.

That’s why it’s incumbent on you to consider SANCTIONING, with a program such as PONY Baseball / Softball (the majority of the local / rec. league games you’ll work typically ascribe to PONY rules). But more importantly, you are STRONGLY ENCOURAGED to invest  the extra $25.00 that PONY charges for their Insurance Coverage -- which, if we are correct, covers both Liability AND Supplemental Medical Coverage.
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