Prospective Umpires

If you are interested in becoming one of our umpires, please become a WIAA Certified umpire. We give schedule priority to WIAA Certified umpires over USA Softball certified and other non-certified umpires. There is no WIAA Umpire registration fee for high school students!

There is also a severe need for high school umpires so if you get your WIAA Umpire certification, you can start doing high school games as well!

Learn more on the WIAA website at www.wiaawi.org/Officials/Become-an-Official.

Umpire Information, Requirements, & Pay Rates

NOTE: USA Softball umpires must follow all WIAA uniform requirements (USA Softball logo is okay). No black, white, red, or other colored shirts are to be used. Only powder blue shirts can be used in softball games.

Classification System (WIAA) - From the WIAA Guide for Sports Officials

1. Officials may advance one level in classification each year if all requirements for the next level are met.

• ​Note: L0, L1, L2 and L3 officials will be allowed to advance two levels in classification per sport, per year, when credited for attending a WIAA approved officiating clinic or by completing a NFHS officials training video for the sport(s) official is licensed in. Official must meet all the criteria for the new level (maximum one clinic or video per sport/year). Note: Clinic attendance or training video viewing does not eliminate the WIAA rules video requirement. L4, L5 and Master officials attending a WIAA approved clinic, conducting a WIAA approved clinic or viewing a NFHS training video will be given credit for one varsity contest on their Schedule of Games.

2. Officials will maintain their current classification level for any of the following reasons (will not advance):

• Miss the deadline for submitting Part I or Part II (if applicable) exam.
• Did not achieve the required exam score for the next level, but did achieve the necessary score to maintain their current level.
• Did not have the required number of regular season varsity contests for the next level, but did have the required number of regular season varsity contests to maintain their current level.
• Submitted their varsity schedule late, but did achieve the necessary number of regular season varsity contests to maintain their current level.

3. Officials will drop in classification for any of the following reasons:

• Did not watch WIAA rules video in the sport(s) in which he/she is licensed.
• Did not submit Part I or Part II (if applicable) exam.
• Did not work the required number of regular season varsity contests for the L5 or Master classification level.
• A Master official did not achieve the required Part I and Part II (if applicable) exam score and/or did not have the required number of regular season varsity contests for the Master level.
• Repetitive violation of requirements listed in No. 2.

4. An official’s classification level will drop one level, in a given sport, for each year they are not licensed.

Classification Requirements (WIAA) - From the WIAA Guide for Sports Officials

Officials may advance one level in classification each year if all requirements for the next level are met by the due date.

• L0 - Meet sport meeting requirement, write Part I exam.
• L1 - Meet sport meeting requirement, write Part I exam.
• L2 - Meet sport meeting requirement, score 70% on Part I exam.
• L3 - Meet sport meeting requirement, score 75% on Part I exam.
• L4 - Meet sport meeting requirement, score 80% on Part I exam.
• L5 - Meet sport meeting requirement, score 85% on Part I exam, provide schedule of regular season varsity games worked during current school year. Note: Post-season contests (regionals, sectionals, state) do not count for the required number of varsity contests. (For softball, the requirement is 4 regular season varsity contests.)
  
• MASTER - Meet sport meeting requirement, score 90% on Part I and Part II exam (if applicable), provide schedule or regular season varsity games worked during current school year. Note: Post-season contests (regionals, sectionals, state) do not count for the required number of varsity contests. (For softball, the requirement is 8 regular season varsity contests.)

NOTE: Classification level L-R applies to high school students that register for free. They are not required to take or pass the umpire exam in order to be certified as L-R.

Official Umpire Uniform - Equipment - From the NFHS 2022-2023 Softball Umpires Manual

The appearance of officials is most important, for both the respect of players, coaches and spectators, as well as for comfort and safety. It is imperative that all umpires wear identical color combinations. The proper uniform for an umpire consists of a powder blue shirt (pullover style), heather gray or navy blue slacks and a navy blue fitted cap. (With regards to slacks, the NFHS recommends either color; however, umpires should work with their state association to determine the one color approved for their state.) If an undershirt is worn under the powder blue shirt, it shall be white and short sleeved. If a long-sleeve undershirt or turtleneck is worn, it shall not be exposed. Pullover style jackets or knit sweater shall be navy blue. No patch other than the state association patch shall be worn on the uniform.

Equipment for the plate umpire should offer the best in protection, mobility and comfort. A mask with a throat protector is required in Fast Pitch and recommended in Slow Pitch. The inside-style chest protector and leg guards are strongly recommended in both Fast Pitch and Slow Pitch. Slacks should fit comfortably over leg guards. Shoes for the plate umpire should offer the maximum in protection with a hard shell or steel reinforced toe and steel or reinforced tongue. Soles should provide good traction. Shoes should be solid black with no white or colored markings. The plate and base umpire(s) should use a ball/strike indicator and plate brush. Ball bag(s) the color of the slacks is mandatory for the plate umpire. The fitted cap is mandatory and shall never be worn backwards. Black socks that are at least mid-calf length should be worn. A black belt with a small buckle completes the uniform requirements.

Umpire(s) should dress according to weather conditions and have additional or backup equipment at their disposal. Male umpires shall wear a protective cup. State associations may adopt other uniform options, as long as it does not compromise the umpire(s) safety and all umpires are dressed alike.

​Jewelry, except for medical-alert bracelets and necklaces, shall not be worn.

Umpire Uniform & Equipment Restrictions/Clarifications - From the Wisconsin Adaptations to NFHS Rules

Official's Uniform

• Shirt: Powder Blue
• Slacks: Heather Gray
• Hat: Navy Blue
• Shoes/Socks/Belt: Black
• Jacket: Navy Blue

Official's Equipment

• Mandatory Equipment: Face Mask and Throat Protector
• Recommended: Chest Protector, Protective Cup, Shin Guards, Ball/Strike Indicator, Pencil, Line-Up Card

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NOTE: Portage Youth Softball is generally lenient on the uniform/equipment requirements for umpires. However, we have had several umpires show up in unprofessional or missing uniforms which reflects poorly on the umpire and our organization. We are one of the few communities to have certified and experienced umpires at most if not all games. It is something we take pride in and it gives visitors a better perception of our organization as a whole. Specifics such as the color of ball bags and color of pants are less important than the color and style of the shirt. Many umpires will wear black shirts (allowed for baseball). However, it generally indicates to players, coaches, and spectators that the umpire is used to baseball and not softball. Wearing shorts is not acceptable for certified umpires that want to get paid the Certified in Official Uniform rate. It ultimately comes down to judgment, but it is often pretty easy to spot an umpire in an incorrect or inadequate uniform. Umpires should be encouraged/warned to wear the correct uniform as they would for a WIAA high school game.

Umpire Pay Rates & Payment Schedule

Umpires are typically paid at the end of each month and at the conclusion of each season (when the season ends at the beginning or middle of a month). The exceptions to this are at our home tournament where umpires are paid after their last game and when visiting teams pay some or all of the umpire fees. In the case of a visiting team paying umpires, generally only the visiting team's share of umpire expenses is paid at the game while Portage Youth Softball's share of umpire fees is paid according to the typical payment schedule.

Regular Season Games

Pay Rate Classification	Requirements	Pay Rate
Certified Umpire in Official Uniform	WIAA and/or USA Softball certified umpire wearing complete & correct (professional) uniform	$45 per game
Certified Umpire in non-Official Uniform	WIAA and/or USA Softball certified umpire wearing incomplete or incorrect (unprofessional) uniform	$35 per game
Non-Certified Umpire	Umpire is not WIAA or USA Softball certified	$35 per game

Tournament Games

Pay Rate Classification	Requirements	Pay Rate
Certified Umpire in Official Uniform	WIAA and/or USA Softball certified umpire wearing complete & correct (professional) uniform	$40 per game
Certified Umpire in non-Official Uniform	WIAA and/or USA Softball certified umpire wearing incomplete or incorrect (unprofessional) uniform	$30 per game
Non-Certified Umpire	Umpire is not WIAA or USA Softball certified	$30 per game

NOTE: Pay Rate Classification is determined by Portage Youth Softball and is not negotiable. If you want to receive a higher pay rate, ensure you are certified AND wearing correct/official/professional uniform per the requirements above.