NCAA National Umpire Improvement Program
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do I become a college umpire?
A: The vast majority of today?s college baseball umpires progress up through youth league and high school baseball into junior college and ultimately Division I Conferences. Some umpires have worked in professional baseball (minor leagues) and upon release or retirement move into college baseball. No matter what situation you are in you should find out who does the assigning for your local colleges and contact that person. In most cases this will be a local umpire association?s assignment secretary. This person will be able to tell you what the process is in that area. You should expect to work fall games to be evaluated before being assigned to spring regular season games.
Q: I?ve been working college games locally, how do I get into a Division I Conference?
A: Most major Division I conferences have an individual that is responsible for selection, training and assignment of umpires. Please see the chart below for the appropriate contact information.
Conference | Advisor | Address | City, State Zip | work/phone/fax | |
Carver, MA 02330 | 508/866-7288 (w) | ||||
Atlantic 10 | Carver, MA 02330 | 508/866-7288 (w) | |||
Dee Todd | 336/854-8787 | ||||
Atlantic Sun | Tony Thompson | 4425 Hwy 78 | 770/972-5515 | ||
Big 12 | 816/304-6941 | ||||
Big East | Jim Siedliski |
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Big South | 4425 Hwy 78 | 770/972-5515 | |||
Big Ten | Rich Fetchiet | 734/647-4016 | |||
Big West | Dale Williams | 60/772-1769 (h)760/772-1781 | |||
Colonial | John Porter | | | (703) 407-0700 | |
Conference | Rich Fetchiet | 734/647-4016 | |||
Horizon | Rich Fetchiet | 734/647-4016 | |||
Ivy Group | Carver, MA 02330 | 508/866-7288 (w) | |||
Metro | Carver, MA 02330 | 508/866-7288 (w) | |||
Mid-American | Rich Fetchiet | 734/647-4016 | |||
Mid-Continent | Eric Harmon | 765/448-6294 | |||
Mid-Eastern | Adonis Hill | | 803/ 276-0827 | ||
816/304-6941 | |||||
Mountain West | Jim Paronto | 2185 Tovar Cr. | 970/ 242-1800 | ||
Northeast | Carver, MA 02330 | 508/866-7288 (w) | |||
Ron English | 615/371-1698, ext. 2 | ||||
Pac-10 | 2731 Caminito Verdugo | 619/542-3426 | |||
Patriot | Carver, MA 02330 | 508/866-7288 (w) | |||
Southeastern | 4425 Hwy 78 | 770/972-5515 | |||
Southern | 4425 Hwy 78 | 770/972-5515 | |||
Southland | 512/ 245-3241 | ||||
Southwestern(SWAC) | 601/364-6175 | ||||
Sun Belt | Helen Grant | 504/299-9066, ext. 16 | |||
West Coast | Tom Hiler | | Sante Fe Springs, CA 90670 | 562/ 908-7553 | |
Western | 2731 Caminito Verdugo | 619/542-3426
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Q: I?m on a Division I Conference umpire staff, how do I get selected for postseason assignments?
A: Near the end of the season each Division I conference submits a list of recommended umpires to the NCAA for consideration of assignment to the Division I championship. These lists are based on the in-season evaluations within that conference. You must be on a recommended list from your conference in order to be assigned to the championship.
Q: Should I attend an umpire camp?
A: Only if you want to improve your umpiring abilities. The NCAA does not certify or accredit any umpire camps and it is not a prerequisite for assignment to any level of the championship. There are numerous camps across the country, most of which are very well worth your time and energy to attend. Be sure to ask what is taught at the camp (e.g. high school rules and mechanics, Major League Baseball rules and mechanics or some other system) so as to ensure your appropriate level of instruction. It should be clear that no matter who the instructors are, your attendance in no way affects your status as a potential candidate for NCAA postseason assignment.
The contact for this page is wburrow@ncaa.org
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