Please mail umpire application and order form
to our
Maple Grove Office
MSF
10701 - 93rd Avenue North
Suite D
Maple Grove, MN 55369
763/488-9995
Fax (Credit Card Orders) 763/488-3712
Attention JO Umpires!!!
JO Umpire Clinic
Sunday, April 27 9:00AM-3:00PM
Irish Sports Dome
13901 S. Robert Trail
Rosemount, MN 55068
View Map
Click Here for the Umpire Uniform Catalog and Order Form
*Important Notice*
NO PHONE ORDERS ACCEPTED! FAX ORDERS WITH
COMPLETE CREDIT CARD INFORMATION ARE ACCEPTABLE. Please allow 7-10 DAYS for delivery of all orders.
No order will be shipped prior to March 25 of the current year.
Unused or unworn items due to wrong size or defective nature, must be returned within 20 days of receipt.
Umpires may purchase or pick up equipment at Maple Grove Office
MONDAY-FRIDAY 9:00am - 5:00PM!
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ASA*USA-MSF Softball has planned another busy season for individuals
interested in serving as a softball umpire. We will once again offer
an unequaled program at the lowest possible cost. Please review
the below highlights of the ASA*USA-MSF Softball umpire program:
2008 Umpire Clinics Coming Soon:
Umpires who attend a state or national umpire school during the current year and demonstrate proficiency will be given priority for post-season district, state, regional and national tournament assignments.
Required again this year is a very attractive, quality umpire cap
with the ASA letters embroidered across the front in white with
blue outline. This cap is required wear for all ASA umpires and
is ONLY AVAILABLE through Sports Federation Offices. NO "SUBSTITUTES"
AUTHORIZED! It is available in cloth or mesh back, adjustable or
sized. To order, please contact MSF offices for an umpire equipment
catalog/order form or Click Here for the Umpire Uniform Catalog and Order Form*Important Notice* NO PHONE ORDERS ACCEPTED! FAX ORDERS WITH
COMPLETE CREDIT CARD INFORMATION ARE ACCEPTABLE. Please allow 7-10 DAYS for delivery of all orders. No order will be shipped prior to March 25 of the current year. Unused or unworn items due to wrong size or defective nature, must be returned within 20 days of receipt. Umpires may purchase or pick up equipment at MAPLE GROVE OFFICE MONDAY-FRIDAY 9:00am - 5:00PM!
Umpires with three or more years of demonstrated district or state tournament officiating proficiency that are interested in serving as a district or state tournament UIC should contact their district or applicable state umpire in chief or district commissioner to express their interest in serving. Opportunities are available from time to time.
The Casual Profanity/Family Atmosphere rule adopted in 1993 to
curb the vulgar language used by some players will again be used
in 2008. This rule has been adopted for sanctioned weekend and post
season tournament play and is highly recommended for local league
play. The rule has met with great success and needs to be enforced
from the outset of the season.
The Sports Federation offers an umpires' uniform program which
features quality umpire equipment at low, low prices (contact MSF
offices for an umpire equipment catalog or Click Here for the Umpire Uniform
Catalog and Order Form
*Important Notice* NO PHONE ORDERS ACCEPTED! FAX ORDERS WITH
COMPLETE CREDIT CARD INFORMATION ARE ACCEPTABLE. Please allow 7-10 DAYS for delivery of all orders. No order will be shipped prior to March 25 of the current year. Unused or unworn items due to wrong size or defective nature, must be returned within 20 days of receipt. Umpires may purchase or pick up equipment at MAPLE GROVE OFFICE MONDAY-FRIDAY 9:00am - 5:00PM!
Umpires will receive two current iron on year circles in their registration
packet.
Available again this year is an umpire equipment bag. The bag is also suitable for a wide variety of other sports/travel related uses.
UMPIRE MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION
Registration
All umpires who officiate league games or sanctioned invitational or post-season tournaments held outside the city limits of Minneapolis and St. Paul which are registered or sanctioned by the ASA*USA-MSF must be registered with the ASA*USA-MSF.
To Officially Register as an ASA*USA-MSF Umpire an Individual Must Meet the Following Two Requirements:
- Contact MSF offices for a membership application and send the application and the $45.00 fee to MSF Offices no later than 10 days prior to the clinic you plan to attend.
- If you neglect to mail your application a minimum of 10 days prior to the clinic you plan to attend, then retain it and bring it with a check or money order to the clinic you attend. The membership cost will be $50.00 for at the door registration. This method is not recommended because it may necessitate waiting in a line to register.
- If the application is mailed to MSF Offices after you have already attended a clinic then you must include $3.00 for postage and handling along with your clinic attendance slip.
- Renewal Umpires who apply or attend a clinic after May 1 will be assessed a $5.00 late application penalty.
- Attend at least one umpire certification clinic.
(ATTENDANCE WILL BE TAKEN.)
ASA*USA-MSF 2008 Umpire Certification
Clinics/Schools
General Information
* Unless otherwise noted, all clinics begin at 7:30pm.
* Prospective umpires must attend one of the certification clinics and/or schools listed above...attendance will be taken.
* Players, managers and league directors are encouraged to attend a clinic.
* State umpire schools are day long and highly recommended for new umpires or veterans who want to hone their skills (advance registration not required).
To expedite the registration process, avoid paying the $3.00 postage and handling fee and assure you will be able to pick up your packet of materials at the clinic you attend, please submit the registration application a minimum of ten days prior to the clinic you plan to attend. You will receive via return mail a post card verifying receipt of your application. This post card must be presented at the conclusion of the clinic you attend. A packet of materials will be provided in exchange for the post card. If you sent in your application ten days in advance of the clinic and do not receive your verification post card prior to the clinic, contact the MSF Office before attending the clinic or you will be required to mail in your attendance slip with $3.00 for postage/handling in order to receive your packet. IF YOU FORGET TO BRING YOUR POST CARD TO THE CLINIC YOU WILL NOT RECEIVE A PACKET AND WILL BE REQUIRED TO MAIL THE POST CARD TO MSF OFFICES ALONG WITH A $3.00 FEE FOR POSTAGE AND HANDLING.
Youth Umpire Program
Assure the availability of experienced umpires in the future and improve the quality of the officiating in your local J.O. leagues by initiating a J.O. umpires program (17 & under) in your community this year.
* All of the benefits which are provided for adult umpires are available to J.O. umpires for a lower fee of $30.00.
*IMPORTANT NOTE*
Certification clinic sites are chosen in a manner that attempts to provide optimum geographical coverage. However, we realize there are some local associations which would prefer to have a clinic in their city, or solely for their association. Should your local group desire this service the MSF umpire staff member of your choice is available to conduct a clinic in your city. The clinician fee is $45.00 plus $.29 per mile. Please contact your District Umpire in Chief if your organization is interested in this service.
Once the Two Registration Requirements Stated Above are Met, the Umpire Receives the Services Designated Below:
Services
- A $10,000,000 general liability insurance policy which covers
the umpire for bodily injury or property damage to others arising
out of all operations in connection with the activities of an
ASA*USA-MSF member teams, leagues or sanctioned tournament. (This
is not liquor liability insurance.)
- A $100,000 secondary health insurance policy with a $100 deductible
which covers accidental injury arising out of softball activities
of the umpire during ASA*USA-MSF sanctioned practices, games or
tournaments including direct travel to and from the place of practice
or game. Medical expense is covered up to $100,000, loss of life
benefit to $2,000 and dismemberment benefits up to $4,000.
- The municipality on whose fields you officiate may be covered
by the provisions of the $10,000,000 general liability policy
outlined in Item #1 for the nominal charge of $200.00.
- If a team possesses ASA*USA-MSF team liability or accident insurance
it will be in force during the game you officiate.
- ASA Umpire Manual
- Two Current Year iron on Circles for back center of umpire cap.
- ASA*USA-MSF Membership I.D. Card
- Bat Ring
- Rule Interpretation Clinic
- One year subscription to ASA national publication, "Balls and
Strikes".
- Eligibility to umpire games in which ASA*USA-MSF member teams
compete throughout the entire state of Minnesota.
- Services of Federation Office, State Umpires In Chief, District
Commissioners and District Umpires In Chief.
- Services of MSF as a clearinghouse for sports information.
- Membership in an organization which is striving to improve the
understanding and quality of sports officiating.
- Voting representation on the MSF Board of Directors.
To order additional materials, umpires should utilize the order portion of their membership form. Materials which are available for individual purchase include:
- ASA Current iron on year circles (two provided in membership packet) $ 1.00 each
- Rule Book & Manual (one provided in membership packet) $ 7.50 each
- Softball Umpire Scorecards (50) $ 5.00 each
- ASA*USA-MSF Flipping Coin $ 5.00 each
- ASA Tournament Bracket Book 3-64 teams $ 15.00 each
Rules and Regulations
In addition to complying with rule 10 of the ASA guide, all umpires shall abide by the rules and regulations delineated below:
- The above services only apply while officiating ASA*USA-MSF member teams, leagues or sanctioned tournaments. Teams must be ASA*USA-MSF members and the umpire must be in regulation uniform.
- All umpires shall be ASA*USA-MSF registered and in regulation uniform (see below) to officiate ASA registered teams/leagues or in ASA*USA-MSF sanctioned invitational or post-season tournaments.
- ASA registered umpires shall not officiate in games or leagues in which non-registered teams compete.
- ASA registered umpires shall not officiate in non-sanctioned invitational tournaments. Umpires are responsible for checking to see that the sanctioned invitational tournament sticker is posted at tournament headquarters prior to commencing officiating.
- Umpires who are ASA registered through Metro Minneapolis or Metro St. Paul or through a state other than Minnesota must receive permission from the respective Minnesota District Commissioner or District Umpire In Chief prior to officiating in league games or sanctioned tournaments which are conducted outside the city limits of St. Paul or Minneapolis and within the Minnesota state boundaries.
- All umpires shall carry or be prepared to immediately produce their current ASA*USA-MSF membership card and Minnesota driver's license upon the request of the state commissioner, district commission, state umpires in chief, district umpire in chief, sanctioned invitational tournament director or local league director.
Uniform
- The current iron on year circle must be worn on the back bottom center of the ASA lettered cap. Year circles iron on with a hot iron and circular pressure (they are also removable).
- Iron on American Flag emblem is optional for left side of cap.
- ASA uniforms are available through the Sports Federation Office. The regulation uniform consists of:
- powder blue ASA pro-style micr-mesh polo shirt with white and navy trim and ASA*MSF logo embroidered on left chest is required. If a local officials association emblem is worn, it shall be sewn on the right sleeve of the shirt. No other emblems may be worn.
- official blue umpire cap with white ASA letters embroidered across the front — only available through Sports Federation Offices. Caps are required for both men and women. Visors are not legal.
- GREY SLACKS or navy blue shorts (Local communities and invitational tournament directors have the option to require full length slacks). Fastpitch umpires must wear full length slacks.
Note: When two umpires are employed, both must be in the identical uniform.
- when shorts are worn, white knee high or mid calf tube socks with three navy blue stripes shall also be worn (extra long socks with two navy stripes are permissible)
- navy blue umpire jacket (if a jacket is worn)
- black belt
- navy blue or grey ball bag (grey ball bag may only be worn with grey slacks)
- black shoes
- indicator and plate brush
- Sunglasses may be worn provided they are not mirrored, florescent, or other gaudy styles
Conduct
An umpire membership shall be revoked for any of the following acts:
- Failure to wear the regulation uniform and properly display the ASA -MSF logo when officiating in ASA*USA-MSF sanctioned tournaments or leagues.
- Failure to honor game assignments.
- Failure to comply with the rules and regulations which govern member umpires.
- Committing an act which in the judgement of the MSF is deemed detrimental to fellow umpires and/or the state recreational sports program.
Umpires who fail to comply with the rules outlined in this section will have their membership revoked and be required to appear before the MSF Hearing and Protest Committee prior to being reinstated.
TOURNAMENT UMPIRES SELECTION PROCEDURES
General Information
Each year approximately 600 officials are employed in ASA*USA-MSF post-season tournaments. The official’s association which services the host community during the regular season receives a minimum of 50 percent of the game assignments, if available and qualifed. The remaining assignments are distributed to qualified officials who have contacted the ASA*USA-MSF State or District Umpires In Chief and expressed a desire to work. Prospective tournament officials must possess a minimum of three years officiating experience and have exhibited their competency in regular season and sanctioned invitational tournament play. Umpires who attend a state or national umpire school during the current year and demonstrate proficiency will be given priority for post-season district, state, regional and national tournament assignments.
Division Fee
Adult Slowpitch 1 @ $21 or 2 @ $21
Adult Fastpitch 1 @ $36 or 2 @ $29
J.O. Slowpitch 1 @ $21 or 2 @ $21
J.O. Fastpitch 1 @ $33 or 2 @ $29
Modified Pitch 2 @ $27
The fee is the same for district, state and regional contests.
Officials who are interested in working district tournaments should contact
their respective District Umpire In Chief. Officials interested
in state, regional, national playoff or national tournaments should
contact the State Umpire In Chief or their District Umpire In Chief.
Written correspondence with references and experience should be
sent no later than July 1.
NOTE: Members of officials associations located in communities where an MSF post-season tournament is scheduled need not contact the State or District Umpire In Chief, but must inform their assignment secretary of their desire to work.
When ASA games (league, sanctioned tournaments, district, national, etc) are offered, umpires registered ASA are asked to honor those requests prior to accepting assignments for non-ASA games. If an ASA umpire works a non-ASA assignment when an ASA assignment has been offered they are subject to lower ASA assignment priority in the future for league, sanctioned tournament, district, regional, national competition, etc. This policy has been established due to the shortage of available umpires.
We thank you for your past support of Federation programs and look
forward to again counting you among the more than 1,400 Minnesota
Umpires who will become members of ASA*USA Softball in 2008.
Best wishes for a successful season of umpiring and do not hesitate to call
on the Umpire In Chief in your district (see staff directory ) if
you need assistance.
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