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.
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.
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.
For returning umpires with more than 40 games experience, and those newer who want to learn and practice more advanced mechanics.
Washington District 9 Umpire home page is here. You’ll find training dates and materials, rules, links to equipment suppliers, D9 umpire staff.
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.
www.littleleagueumpiring101.com: Self-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.
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]
Shop online at Honig’s: http://honigs.com/ or Umpire Attire http://www.ump-attire.com/