SYA Little League needs umpires, especially adults. Umpires give structure and oversight to games and are an important piece for the players' learning experience. If you have any interest or curiosity in umpiring our player pitch games, don't hesitate but ask. New, increased pay scale! If is never too late to do the following:

• Email our chief umpire with your desire to help us out (Jeremy Hodgkin) and with a photo ID
• Register as a volunteer at the SYA Registration Site
• Complete the background check - receive email notification from JDP (Age 18 and over)
• Attend as many D10 Umpire training sessions as each covers specific areas on the LL Rule Book
• Plan on attending one of the local rules training classes and the mechanics training
• We are looking for both baseball and softball umpires

SYA Little League has worked with District 10 to offer in depth rule training from from the LL Rule Book over the course of 5 nights during March as noted below. I understand you may not be able to attend all 5 sessions, but this is a great, free opportunity to become more knowledgeable in the game and get the training direct from our District staff. Details:

• Thur March 7
• Tue March 12
• Wed March 13
• Mon March 18
• Tue March 19

Location is Canterbury Woods ES, 4910 Willet DR Annandale, VA from 6:30pm to 8:30pm. Hope you can attend at least a few of these dates.

District 10 will also be offering Field Training on Sunday March 17 from 1-4pm at Pineridge Field in Annandale, near Fairfax Hospital.

You should download the Little League Rule Book onto you phone from either the Apple or Google app store for free. Yes, you should have your phones available for games - volume off and no using during games except when rules come into play. If you don;t have a phone and need a hard copy, you can purchase one from the LL Store:  https://www.shoplittleleague.org/league-essentials/rulebooks/

SYA Little League will be hosting via Zoom sessions on our local rules and field training during March, dates are posted below - Zoom details have been emailed out to all registered umpires:

Common & Local Rules (Zoom) Training - Baseball and Softball

• Thur, March 14, 7pm
• Thur, March 21, 7pm

Mechanics (On Field) Training - Baseball and Softball

• Sat, March 23, 11am Bull Run ES #1Moved to Sully Government Center, indoors
• Wed, April 3, 6pm Bull Run ES #1

Plan on attending at least one rules and one on the field training session. Other training provided as necessary. All NEW umpires must attend at least one rules session and one mechanics session to qualify.

We appreciate our volunteers (and paid umpires) for helping us have a successful season of baseball and softball! Do you know we pay youths and young adults that are in school still? If parents, register and do at least 8 games, they get a refund on their child's registration fees? Or we will even pay adults who sign up and go through the training. Ask about our program today! See Appendix B in our SOP for the umpire program details.

The league is making a great effort to recruit and train umpires so we minimize the complaints we have had in recent years. And yes, the pay is more for our youth that are still in school, with added bonus if umpiring with your parent. Take a little time to train yourself, become more confident, and in control of your games and know how to deal with adverse situations.

Parents who volunteer to attend umpire training and umpire a minimum of 8 games (Player Pitch games only) will receive a refund of their child’s registration fee (1 refund per 8 games umpired). Must schedule and report games through our web site. 

Schedule Your Games: Select/schedule your games using Demosphere. Games can be scheduled up to two weeks in advanced - honor system. Any issues or concerns with the site, please contact Jeremy Hodgkin. NOTE: Please do not sign up for back to back games on the same day for behind the plate, especially the youth umpires. Do one game behind the plate the next in the field. 

We may adjust assignments based on circumstances and we will work with you on this.

• Umpiring Rules 101 – The Big Eleven
• Little League Rules Myths
• Baseball Myths
• Little League Umpire Test (Answers)
• Little League Umpire Resource Center (Free!)
• Third Strike - caught, not caught
• Jeremy Hodgkin, Chief Umpire, SYA Little League umpire@syabaseball.org