AKBA Umpires
Interested in becoming an Umpire?
If you are interested in becoming an umpire for the Aurora-King Baseball Association, please be sure to read all the information on this page as most of your questions will be answered.
Also, you can contact the Umpire-in-Chief, Chris Fafalios, at umpires@akba.ca
For many individuals, umpiring for the Aurora-King Baseball Association will be their first job. Umpires can expect to undertake the following responsibilities:
- Read carefully each set of Division and Official Baseball Rules
- Show up on time
- Take charge of a game
- Create an environment for the kids to have fun playing baseball
- Make quick, accurate decisions
- Balance umpire commitments with school, playing baseball and other activities
- Keep a schedule and record of games umpired
- Communicate their concerns, questions and problems to the Umpire-in-Chief in a timely manner
In addition:
- If you are scheduled to work on a night and the weather is calling for rain, please DO NOT email the Umpire in Chief (UIC) asking if your game is still on or not. He will send an email on those nights that inclement weather is forecast between 3:30pm and 5:30pm. If you don't receive an email, GO TO YOUR GAME. Don't assume that the game is not on. If you get to your assignment and you, your partner, and both coaches agree that the field is unplayable, you can call the game and will still be paid.
- If you are scheduled to work on a night and you do not show up to your scheduled game, you will be fined half of the pay of what you would have earned that game (i.e. $40 game is a $20 fine). You are scheduled according to your availability. This is a paid job with the expectation that you will attend where teams, coaches, players, and parents are expecting you. Attending your scheduled game, once you have been scheduled, is not an option, it is your obligation. If this happens once, you will be warned not to miss another game because the second time it happens will result in your termination from umpiring in the AKBA. This decision will be joint between the President of the AKBA and the UIC.
- If you are scheduled to work on a night and the UIC is told that you arrived late for your assignment you will be warned about this. You should always arrive and be ready for your assignment at least 15 minutes prior to the game. This does not mean show up 15 minutes before the game. Respect the game and everyone involved. It is also your responsibility as an umpire to inform the UIC if your partner is late. This may result in a pay reduction depending on the scenario.
- Umpires are to arrive NO LATER than 20 minutes before game time.
- The Home team is responsible for providing game balls.
- Review the ground rules 5 minutes before the scheduled start time.
- Keep the players and coaches hustling on and off the field between innings.
- The umpire has control of the game.
- You need to show confidence and authority at all times.
- Do not hesitate to speak loud and clear to the coaches to ensure a smooth & consistent game pace is maintained at all times.
- Teams are required to field 9 players to start a game.
- A 15-minute grace period is given before the game can be declared a forfeit. Time however, is not added to the end of the game, it just cuts into the game itself.
- If both teams wish to remain for a scrimmage, suggest a coach can umpire behind the mound.
- Umpires are not required to umpire a forfeited game (due to transportation it is their discretion to do so).
- It is recommended that you do stay if the teams wish to play and “share” players for practice purposes.
The first step to take to become an umpire is to register yourself here. Once you have registered, you will be able to select a clinic to attend to receive your license. For all new umpires, you are a Level 1. Please register for a Level 1 clinic.
Some years the AKBA hosts Level 1 and Level 2 clinics. If the AKBA does not host a clinic, please find another location to receive your license. If the AKBA does host a clinic, the existing umpires of the AKBA receive a reserved spot (from the UIC) for the AKBA clinic. Therefore, there may not be a spot at an AKBA clinic if you are a new umpire! If that is the case, find another location to receive your license.
You are more than welcome to email the UIC with your contact email and phone number (and any additional questions) at any time AFTER you have registered on the Baseball Ontario website. You will then be put into consideration to be added to the email list as an umpire for the AKBA, subject to the discretion of the UIC and the Board.
Umpire FAQ
A: Yes. Many of our umpires play on sports teams themselves, or have other commitments on different days of the week. Our Umpire-In-Chief works hard to ensure that all umpires are assigned as many games as they are available for. However, if should be noted that the more games one umpires, the more skilled they will become.
A: The umpire uniform consists of an umpire shirt (light blue, navy blue or pink - to be worn by all members of the umpire crew), grey umpire pants, black shoes, and black umpire hat. In the event of colder or rainy weather, it is recommended that a navy or black plain pullover be worn. NOTHING with logos or detail is allowed.
A black or navy belt is also mandatory, as the umpire ball bag needs to be attached this way. Umpires are expected to be wearing this uniform EACH time they step on the field, with no exceptions.
A: OBA umpires are ranked according to Baseball Ontario’s policy regarding umpire certification. Our Association is home to umpires ranging from Level 1 (beginner) to Level 4. The majority of our umpires fall into the Level 1,2, and 3 categories. The higher the level of an umpire, the more advance games they are eligible to officiate.
A: Umpires will need to use a set of shin pads, an umpire mask, chest protector, plate brush and counter. Ensure that you bring them to each assigned game even though you may not be doing the plate.
A: While baseball is a highly competitive game, there are rules in place in order to keep arguments at a minimum, as well as to protect the umpires. The AKBA takes conduct towards umpires very seriously.
Always remain confident with your call; in baseball there are two teams, and on EACH pitch or play, one of the teams is not going to be happy with the outcome. If there is are problems, you are always encouraged to contact the Umpire-In-Chief and we will ensure that the situation is looked into.
A: The pay rate for umpires in the Aurora-King Baseball Association depends on the age level you Umpire. The AKBA uses umpires to officiate all games between 9U-18U at the house league, Select, and Rep levels. The higher the age level, the higher the pay rate.
All beginning umpires should expect to begin by umpiring 9U house league games only until they have gained experience.