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Umpire Information

Kirkland American Little League baseball and softball games are umpired by volunteers – people like you and me - who want to support the community, their kids and their neighbors. They are professionals in things other than baseball and softball … like you.

Kirkland American Little League provides training to volunteer umpires. With the help of the District 9 umpire program, Kirkland American Little League offers the best umpire training program in the state, and consistently has volunteers selected to umpire District and State all-star games.

BASIC TRAINING

Umpire training is crucial, especially for new umpires.  KALL, KNLL and Redmond West have again combined to provide training for umpires.  Umpire volunteers are required to attend ONE classroom training and ONE field training.  They are NOT required to attend all.  Training dates are not set yet but will happen in early March.

  • Classroom #1 (new umpires)
  • Classroom #2 (returning umpires)
  • Field training #1 (new umpires)
  • Field training #2 (returning umpires)

NOTE: location of field training may change to an indoor facility in Kirkland if there's inclement weather. Attend classroom training, or contact the UIC, to find out.

For field training, dress warm, stretch and bring water.  Bring your umpire mask, umpire hat and indicator if you have one. If you don't have this equipment we’ll provide them to you. During this training, you’ll learn where to be on the field to make calls as bases umpire and home plate umpire. This session is being run by head umpires for Redmond West, Redmond North and Kirkland National leagues, with assistance from other experienced, volunteer umpires.

Online umpire quiz, click here.

ADVANCED TRAINING

For returning umpires with more than 40 games experience, and those newer who want to learn and practice more advanced mechanics.

  • District 9 umpires will host 200-level classroom and field training in March.  [date TBD] is field training for big diamond (90’ bases) and [date TBD] is field training for small diamond (60’ bases). Dates to come for classroom training. Check the Washington District 9 Umpire website here
  • Western Region outreach umpire dates are March 7th and 8th, SeaTac WA.  See the 2020 Registration Flyer for details.
    Kirkland American Little League will reimburse the registration fee for up to 7 league umpires who wish to attend.  Email UIC@KirklandAmerican.com if interested.  Once confirmed, you’ll submit your paid receipt to the UIC.

Washington District 9 Umpire home page is hereYou’ll find training dates and materials, rules, links to equipment suppliers, D9 umpire staff. 

TRAINING FOR MANAGERS AND COACHES

we will be holding an umpire training for coaches separately. This is geared for coaches and is less about mechanics of being an umpire and more about rules and how to work the game as a manager/coach. Stay turned for information on that.

UMPIRE FIELD MECHANICS DIAGRAM

www.littleleagueumpiring101.comSelf-paced training website with graphics and instructional videos for new and beginning Little League volunteer umpires. 

umpirebible.com/rules.htm: Read about little league baseball rules and umpire mechanics in more common language than you’ll find in the official rules book (aka, green book). The author, Nick G, umpires little league in WA state.

UMPIRE GEAR REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM

The League provides each volunteer umpire with their own hat and shirt. The League also has shared sets of shin guards, chest protectors, masks, and brush, ball bag and indicators that can be used during games and returned after games.

The League offers incentives to volunteer umpires. For every 8 games you work, you can reimburse the League $50 spent on your own umpire gear. Work with your Umpire-in-Chief (UIC) to confirm games in Arbiter and email the paid receipt(s) with your name and street address to your UIC.

The League will reimburse each baseball and softball team $100 towards their end-of-season team party if their team meets the team’s minimum number of games umpired. The UIC will work with each team manager to confirm.

SPECIAL: For umpires who sign up for 12 or more Kirkland American Little League baseball or softball games by April 8, the League will reimburse you $110 towards umpire gear. Work with your UIC to confirm you have 12+ games scheduled in Arbiter and email the receipt(s) with your name and street address to your UIC. 

Recommended vendors are:

Risan Athletics [Kirkland/Redmond border; http://www.risan.com

  • Tell them you’re a Kirkland American Little League ump to get 10% off your order
  • Get pants, facemask, leather belt and protective cup for approx. $90, pre-tax.
  • Risan also carries chest protectors, shin guards

Shop online at Honig’s: http://honigs.com/ or Umpire Attire http://www.ump-attire.com/ 

  • Good for field shoes (black, low rise) and plate shoes (black).
  • Good for socks, Under-Armor shirts (wear under the umpire shirt), umpire jackets and other umpire accessories.

Contact

Kirkland American Little League  
P.O. Box 146 Kirkland, WA  
98033