Umpiring for your local Little League is one way to get involved in your community, or stay involved in the game of baseball. Although it can be a time-consuming commitment, many people find it rewarding to contribute to an organization that helps girls and boys grow into successful men and women. Most leagues pay their umpires a stipend for each game, but most of those who umpire don't do it for the money alone.
Step 1
Check the position and readiness of the players before taking your position. You don't have to check in with each individual player, but a quick scan of the field should tell you whether it's safe to begin play.
Step 2
Crouch or lean while umpiring at-bat play. Little League players can be short enough to skew your perspective of the strike zone. Your eyes should ideally be at, or just below, the eye level of the player at-bat.
Step 3
Call your decisions quickly and clearly. A slow or quiet call can seem less than confident, and encourage participants to question your calls. Support your decisions with consistent and visible hand motions, such as the iconic thumb point for calling a player "out."
Step 4
Track balls and strikes using a tool other than your own memory, because it's easy to get confused as a game goes on. Better funded leagues may have scoreboards to help with this, but a simple hand-clicker is a popular and inexpensive option.
Step 5
Remain polite and professional when somebody questions your calls. If you've made a mistake, admit it and move on. If not, listen briefly and move on without changing your call. Avoid letting any rules discussion drag on and spoil the momentum -- and fun -- of the game.
References
- Little League Rules Resources Page
- "Little League Baseball Rulebook 2010"; Little League; 2010
- "Little League Softball Rulebook 2010"; Little League; 2010
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