Umpiring
Umpires are the third team on the field during any softball game. Sometimes referred to as "The Blue" they make sure all of the teams have the right equipment, the right uniforms and that the fields are set up correctly before the start of the game. They then officiate over the game and are responsible for the correct application of the rules as well as making sure that the game is safe. What rules do we use?
Whilst there are a few different sets of rules to play softball under, here in Ireland we use the ASA code of rules and when competing in Europe we use the ISF rules. Both sets of rules are very similar and the ASA update their rule books every two years with the ISF updating their books every 5 years.
What are Bye Laws?
Bye laws are local rules that differ from the ASA or ISF rules. A prime example of a bye law is the Irish rule allowing for our teams to play in the 6:4 ratio in Co-Ed Slowpitch softball. This means that in the Irish leagues our teams can play with 6 Males and 4 Females as opposed to the 5 Male, 5 Female ration set out in ASA and ISF.
Why Umpire?
Learning to be an umpire is valuable to everyone, both to yourself as it gives you a great understanding to the game and how to play as well as to your team who can learn from the rules the strategies to best employ in their game. It also makes sure that the game runs smoothly and safely and adds to the professionalism of our sport. It doesn't hurt that you get paid expenses of €35 per game and over €200 per weekend tournament, which can go a long way towards paying for your season. If you learn how to umpire you can also develop your skills and train to umpire at the ESF and ISF level and with these international qualifications you can get to travel all around the world. The ESF currently has an exchange program with Umpires all around Europe and Canada.
How do I learn to be an Umpire?
If you contact the Softball Ireland Secretary at you can put your name down for the next course and check out the calendar for upcoming training weekends.
Umpiring 2010 / 2011
The 2010 year was one of the busiest in umpiring in Ireland for many years. Not only did we have our highest ever percentage of covered games in the Leinster Region but two of our Leinster Umpires received the highest license grade available for the European Softball Federation and they both officiated at the ECCS and ECCHS in Europe and were on the field for the finals. We also saw another Leinster player qualify for his entry level license for the ESF and we wish him well as he steps out into the European Softball community later this year.
In 2010 we also added / re-qualified 16 umpires in both Leinster and Ulster and we would like to increase this number with further courses provided in all three regions shortly. If you would like to learn how to umpire then please contact your regional umpiring co-ordinator or email me and we will make sure we include you in our prospective lists.
Umpires are the third team on the field and an essential part of our sport. I feel it is essential that every team have at least 1 player qualified to umpire so that the team can benefit from this viewpoint when playing their games. Softball Ireland is committed to increasing the numbers of umpires in our sport throughout the country, increasing the number of ESF qualified umpires available to represent Ireland in Europe and the World and improving the skills of those umpires already doing their work week in and out throughout our sport. We also want to look at improving the professionalism of our umpires by providing a uniform code and helping them stand out as our officials at every game they attend.
Remember that Umpires are volunteers and should be treated with the respect they deserve for the responsibility they assume both for the games and the safety of the players and bystanders.
If you would like to get more information about Softball Ireland Umpires courses in March and April or if you would like to train to get your ESF and maybe your ISF qualification then please email us.
So looking forward we have more opportunities for you all to learn how to umpire and help improve your sport locally, to get qualified for Europe and maybe world participation. With Ulster planning on hosting the World Police and Fire fighter games in 2013, with the ISF and ASA partnering up to work on getting Softball back into the Olympics and with Softball Ireland working towards building dedicated grounds in each region in Ireland there are countless opportunities for you to bring your sport further, to grow and develop, increase awareness and help your regional bodies and Softball Ireland to make 2011 and onwards bigger and better.
Yours in Softball
James O' Farrell
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