At the beginning of every Little League® season, umpires step back onto the field ready to call games with confidence and consistency. Behind every call is preparation, mentorship, and a commitment to constant improvement.
To better understand how local leagues are developing strong umpire leadership programs and mentoring their umpires at the grassroots level, Little League sat down for a “Full-Count Conversation” with Umpires-In-Chiefs, Ricci Hall, Michelle DeRosa, DJ Rose, and Brian Henry. Each umpire shares how they lead their umpires, providing specific examples of success, and provide advice on how other umpire-in-chiefs can do the same at their local league.
1-0 Count: How do you train umpires before and during the season to ensure they are ready for game day at your local league?
Ricci Hall (RH): “The number one step is to help them realize that no one knows everything the first time they cross the lines. We try to really distill down the most important factors they are going to need to know to be as successful as they can on the field and feel confident. We give preliminary training to try to get them to a point where they feel confident enough to don the gear and get themselves out there. Beyond that, we focus on making sure we do follow-ups, work with them, and connect them to mentors so they don’t leave. It’s a trifold process of recruitment, getting them to gain confidence, and ultimately getting them mentorship to retain them.”
Michelle DeRosa (MD): “We take all our trainings from Little League University and build out a structure where we can educate our umpires at every camp and clinic that is put on. When it reaches the local level, instructors adjust to it based on the experience of the officials in the room. They simplify the material and focus on the basics, so it works for highly experienced umpires and beginners.”
DJ Rose (DJR): “Our goal is to simplify umpire training as much as possible. I serve as the region umpire training coordinator for the Central Region, which gives me the opportunity to shape how we approach instruction. We focus on understanding how adults learn, using methods like “tell, show, do” to make training effective. We break everything down into clear, simple building blocks, so they aren’t asked to do something they haven’t been prepared for. For example, when teaching how to call balls and strikes, we walk through head position, timing, and pitch tracking step by step. We consistently apply this structured, hands-on approach to everything we teach.”
1-1 Count: What do you feel umpires need most when it comes to simplified training and instruction?
Brian Henry (BH): “I feel umpires just need a common understanding. I think right now we view our umpires through the eyes of Major League Baseball, high school baseball, or at the collegiate level. We have to help them understand that it is far more basic than what they are seeing on TV. Obviously, we want the best-trained umpires we can possibly get for Little League, and I think the most recent World Series has shown that we are doing a pretty good job. From a local perspective, we must help them understand that it’s simpler than it looks.”
RH: “Umpires need to know where to stand and position themselves, especially early in their careers when they often work solo. Building confidence behind home plate comes from learning key fundamentals like head placement, getting set, and tracking the ball so they can call pitches effectively. On the base positioning is just as important to get the best view and make accurate calls. It’s important to emphasize that mistakes are inevitable, and fostering a mindset of continuous improvement helps umpires feel confident and motivated to keep coming back.”
2-1 Count: How do you ensure your umpires are well prepared, supported, and confident ahead of games?
MD: “Whether you are working with a partner or multiple umpires, we will get together as a crew before the game and talk about things that can happen, may happen, and what we should be prepared for. I ask them simple questions: Do we know the background of the teams? Where are they coming from? Are there things that we need to look for? I walk them through everything that can happen in the game beforehand because information is the biggest source of preparation. I have been to many umpires’ first games to support them, and they have told me afterwards or years down the road that they were glad to see me because they felt supported. Preparing and supporting them is what it is all about.”
DJR: “It all starts with a strong pregame and a clear sense of identity as an umpire. First and foremost, umpires should serve the game and strive to be someone others want to root for by creating a positive, encouraging environment. That means building strong relationships, communicating openly, and giving honest feedback to help everyone improve. A big part of growth is staying humble and always willing to learn, even if it means revisiting the basics. No matter the level of the game, preparation, communication, and habits remain consistent. Treat every game with the same level of focus and professionalism, whether it’s local or high stakes. Supporting your fellow umpires and building camaraderie makes the experience better for everyone.”
2-2 Count: What are a few things umpires can do to continue to work on their craft, not just on the field, but off of it, too?
RH: “Umpiring can become an obsession, much like playing, as individuals strive to be the best at their role. Today, it’s easier than ever to improve thanks to the abundance of online resources and training content available. Umpires can develop their skills even off the field by studying videos and learning advanced concepts. On the field, even routine plays should be treated as opportunities to build strong habits for more critical moments.”
MD: “The best advice I give umpires looking to improve on the field regularly is to read the rule book regularly, even revisiting sections you think you already know. Doing this consistently helps refresh your understanding, especially at the start of a season when new points of emphasis are introduced. Another valuable resource is Make the Right Call, the Casebook of Little League Baseball and Softball, which provides real-game scenarios that reinforce how rules are applied. Beyond reading, watching games is one of the most effective ways to learn. Observing how experienced officials handle unusual situations builds practical knowledge you won’t get from higher-level games alone. Additionally, strong habits developed in lower-pressure games prepare you for bigger stages, since you ultimately perform at the level of your everyday routines.”
DJR: “Umpires can improve off the field by constantly studying and deepening their knowledge of the rules. This can be done anytime, and understanding how to apply rules is just as important as memorizing them. Continuous learning is essential, and no umpire should ever feel like they’ve learned enough or outgrown training opportunities. Attending clinics, reviewing materials, and staying open to new ideas help keep skills sharp and up to date. Great umpires stay humble and treat every opportunity as a chance to get better. Being involved in local leagues and supporting the game at all levels helps build experience, give back to the community, and create a positive environment for players and families.”
BH: “Obviously, clinic offerings are huge. Anytime that an umpire can attend a Little League academy, a Little League plate mechanics clinic, or any of the other training courses is certainly going to help. I think it is incumbent on our local league umpire-in-chiefs to also have an off-season program that will help them continue to build on what they may have done in previous seasons. I have been doing this for 30 years, and I still learn things every single year. It is a building process, and I think the off-season is a huge part of that.”
3-2 Count: What advice would you give new or veteran Umpire–in–Chiefs or Crew Chiefs to improve their leadership skills?
RH: “A strong umpire culture starts with modeling the values the program promotes, such as being someone others want to root for, supporting fellow umpires, serving the game, and improving your craft. Leadership matters at every level, whether you’re a UIC, a Crew Chief, or even if you are stepping into the role for the first time, because others are always watching and relying on you. By consistently demonstrating teamwork, positivity, and dedication to the game, leaders set the tone for everyone involved. It’s also important to foster a growth mindset, where mistakes are seen as opportunities to improve rather than failures. No umpire enters a game expecting to perform poorly, but errors happen, and the key is learning quickly and getting better with each pitch, play, and game.”
MD: “It’s all about people. You have to be a person who roots for others. I am at the point in my career where I have had a lot of success. I want to help impact the next generation of umpires, especially women, so that they, too, can achieve what I have achieved and inspire them to chase their dreams. I get the greater joy now of seeing my students I have mentored succeed and making it to the levels that I have been to. Invest in your people, be there for them, be there to root them on, and guide them through this incredible journey. That won’t just make you a better leader, but a better person.”
Looking to step up to the plate and be an umpire this season? Visit LittleLeague.org/Umpire to learn more and find a league near you. Also, don’t forget to shop for all your umpire polos, caps, and accessories by visiting ShopLittleLeague.org.