THE UMPIRE'S CORNER

Welcome to the North Miami Beach Little League Volunteer Umpire program!

1. Philosophy

We operate under the auspices of Little League Baseball® (Headquarters in Williamsport, PA). We believe this is the best organized, best run youth baseball program available for our children. Our league is part of Florida District 8. Our overriding philosophy is that this is a game for kids. All volunteers MUST encourage fun and learning. The Little League ball field is not the place for “hot dogs”, "hot heads" or undesirable attitudes.

Our goal is to provide the players with the best umpiring we can provide. The quality of play is directly influenced by the quality of umpiring, so we try to ensure that every umpire is ready when he/she walks on the field. Umpiring is not learned overnight. It usually takes a few years of experience before a ump feels comfortable. Be patient and keep learning.

2. Training

Incorporated into Little League is the Umpire Training Program held in Williamsport and around the country (and the world). North Miami Beach Little League utilizes the recommended rules, mechanics and interpretations taught by Little League. All umpires are supplied with a Little League rule book and other training aids available thru Little League. Also, we use videos and other tools to provide examples and interpretations.

Just as important as rules are the mechanics of umpiring. The umpire must know how to move on the field, where to go, how to make calls, how to work the plate. We give instruction in these areas hand-in-hand with the rules.

3. Scheduling

We schedule junior umpires (ages 13 thru 17) at the level of play for which they feel comfortable and usually with an adult umpire. Sometimes this doesn’t work out, but that is our goal. New adults are also placed where they feel comfortable. We want everyone to enjoy the umpiring experience, and return year after year, even after their children are finished playing in the NMBLL. We schedule umpires for Minors (9-10), Majors (11-12), Juniors (13-14) and Softball (9-14). Juniors play occurs on a field with 90 feet bases. The other divisions play on a 60-foot field.

E-mail is the primary means of distributing game schedules to solicit umpires for participation. Email replies are the primary means umpires sign up for games that fit into their personal schedule. Occasionally, there are last minute cancellations or openings that must be filled, necessitating phone calls. We ask all umpires to sign up for as many games as they can, and, if they must cancel, to try to find their own replacement. If a game is rained out, we ask the umpires to keep their game. All umps will have the e-mail/phone distribution list. If someone cannot find a replacement, advise the Chief Umpire Jim Allen.

4. Uniform

The standard uniform for NMBLL umpires is a navy blue polo shirt and heather gray slacks. The league supplies the polo shirt, a LL umpire hat, red tee shirt and a patch. It also supplies plate equipment for plate umpires (ball bag, indicator, and plate brush). All umpires should wear black umpire or athletic shoes (no spikes or cleats).

5. Rules

Everyone, including coaches, looks to the umpire for the proper application of a rule. Many times, you are the only person who has ever looked at the rulebook with any more than a passing interest. It is essential that every umpire read and understand the rules of Little League and the application of those rules. Keep your rule book handy for review and study all year long. If you need any clarification, or if you have question about a play that happened in a game, contact Jim Allen. If he doesn’t know the answer, he will find it for you.

6. Tournament Umpires

The Little League Tournament are held at the end of the regular spring season. These games require umpires who are more experienced to handle the excitement/pressure of tournament play. If you want to work tournament games, tell the Chief Umpire, and he will observe your work and advise you if you are ready and/or what you need to work on. The Chief Umpire, Vice President, and President will determine which umpires will qualify for tournament games.

7.Contact Info

Jim Allen is the NMBLL Umpire in Chief. The best way to reach him is by email, at umpire@nmbll.org. You can also call him: Cell 305.776.3889; Work 305.375.5961; or Home 305.931.6912.