How to Become an Umpire for USSSA in Louisiana

Baseball and softball teams can determine who's best on the field, but the real decision makers -- ball or strike, safe or out -- are the umpires. These men and women have a responsibility to be emotionless, detail-oriented professionals with the sole goal of being fair arbiters. Prospective umpires need to pass a test and market themselves to district officials in hopes of getting onto diamonds in the U.S. Specialty Sports Association leagues of Louisiana.

Instructions

    • 1

      Study the official USSSA rule book for your particular sport. Softball manuals are offered for the two types of play: slow pitch and fast pitch. Rule books are available online or by contacting the league director in your area.

    • 2

      Contact the USSSA umpiring director in your local district. As of 2009, Louisiana had nine districts organized under a statewide committee featuring, among others, a state umpire-in-chief.

    • 3

      Take the USSSA umpire test. Ask the district's chief umpire for testing dates and locations. The fast-pitch exam, for example, contains 100 true-or-false questions about various rules governing umpire positioning, mechanics and decision making. (Reference 4)

    • 4

      Offer your services to various leagues in your area and the district office. Send emails or make phone calls to get yourself on the schedule for regular season games. With experience, you can ask for assignments to tournament games.