Across the globe during the Little League® offseason, District Administrators and local league officials spend months recruiting umpires and preparing them through clinics, training sessions, and mentorship for the season ahead.
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To learn more about some of the successes that local leagues have had in preseason preparation and training, Little League International sat down for a “Full-Count Conversation” with local league Umpires-In-Chief, Joey Tignor (California District 6), Michele Mendillo (Connecticut District 4), and Larry Babcock (Indiana District 1).
1-0 Count: How do you handle preseason prep and training with your umpires?
Joey Tignor (JT): “When it comes to recruitment for umpiring, what I found to be most successful is utilizing the current umpires to encourage new ones and presenting to them the benefits of becoming an umpire. It is important for them to understand that while they may begin at the youth level, there is a defined pathway for growth. Umpiring is not just a side opportunity; it can develop into a meaningful long-term role, and even a career for those who want it to be. A big part of recruitment is education. We make sure players understand what the progression looks like, what levels they can reach, and how umpiring allows them to stay connected to the game long after their playing days are over. When they see that bigger picture, they are much more open to getting started.”
Michele Mendillo (MM): “Every year before the season starts, we hold a coach-to-umpire training in February that provides visuals, demonstrations, handouts, and discussions on commonly misinterpreted rules. This preseason meeting is mandatory for umpires, whether they are veterans or new, and coaches who would like to manage a team the following season, so they can hear questions and do rule explanations together. Additionally, I require my umpires to take the Little League Diamond Leader Training before they can umpire a game. I also hold two outdoor sessions where we practice the basics of the plate and field on the diamond to make sure everyone is using consistent mechanics.”
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Larry Babcock (LB): “We do two preseason clinics for our new umpires. We do one in November and then another one in January. Outside of that, we go to different leagues around our district and educate them on their turf and go through an abbreviated version of our clinics. At these clinics, we go through plate mechanics, base mechanics, rule changes, teachings, everything.”
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1-1 Count: What are the top priorities you focus on before an umpire’s first season?
JT: It’s about keeping young umpires interested enough to go from a clinic to actually doing games. I was fortunate growing up to have veteran umpires invest their time in helping me be successful, and that experience stuck with me. That’s why we’ve created a mentorship program where veteran umpires welcome a youth umpire each year and focus on helping train them and being a mentor year-round.”
LB: “Plate mechanics, because most of them are going to umpire the plate. We focus on a two-umpire system, so we do everything we can to set them up for success. We talk about plate meetings, where they stand, who’s part of it, some expectations dealing with coaches and managers, and how they should handle them. We just try to put tools in their toolbox to help them be successful in that first year.”
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2-1 Count: How do you ensure umpires are up to date on rule changes before Opening Day?
JT: “We constantly go to the Little League University website and the Little League website to check out all the new information and rule updates. Our U.I.C.s meet monthly throughout the year to discuss rule changes, mechanics updates, and anything new coming down the pipeline. After that, we share that knowledge with our local leagues and presidents, so everyone understands what is changing and why it matters on the field.”
MM: “With our preseason training starting in February, I give out materials and documents from the Little League website and information on commonly misinterpreted rules. I also print out the significant rule updates and changes. I also provide materials about expectations like arrival times, equipment checks, and what legal and illegal bats look like, so umpires fully understand the rules before the season begins.”
LB: “When I get the information from Little League International, that immediately goes out to all my league U.I.C.s, and then they will post it in their umpire locker rooms. I am big on any interpretations that come out because our umpires use the Rulebook App. It’s just a lot of communication and making sure not only our umpires, but our League Presidents, our Player Agents, and our managers all also understand what is going on.”
2-2 Count: What role does feedback, either between innings or postgame, play in early-season development?
JT: “Feedback is what makes us all better. My approach is to always be upfront, honest, and professional while keeping it positive, so umpires stay motivated and constantly want to improve. When you give feedback the right way, umpires take it seriously and often go right back out there ready to apply what they just learned.”
MM: “It plays a large role. What I expect my veteran umpires to do is pair up with a new or rookie umpire. In between each half inning, they meet on the first-base line and talk about situations happening during the game. If there is nothing to talk about, I emphasize the veteran umpire to teach a rule that might come up during the game. After the game is over, they have a postgame discussion away from the field, and I always follow up with them to see how the game went or if there were any issues or questions they may have.”
3-2 Count: How does your preseason approach differ for brand-new umpires compared to veterans?
JT: “For brand-new umpires, we focus heavily on mentorship and hands-on experience. We tend to pair up our rookie umpires and veteran umpires and run live scrimmages where they can work innings and get comfortable on the field. During this time, first-year umpires will also have the opportunity to ask questions. After the game, we will pull them aside for feedback and send them right back out there again so they can apply what they have learned and continue to build confidence on the field.”
MM: “Collectively, I put them through the same type of training. When I talk about all these preseason trainings, they are no different for a new umpire compared to a veteran umpire. I lean on the veteran umpires to support the new ones, making sure they are consistently in the right position and giving them confidence. It creates a connection between the two of them, and with the training we provide, it doesn’t take long for a new umpire to start feeling like a veteran.”
LB: “For our new umpires, our class is basic. We break it down on where to stand, where to be, plate meetings, things like that. It’s less about rules and more about teaching a one- or two-umpire system and making it easy for them to understand. For our veteran umpires, it’s a lot different. We go through a lot of four-umpire mechanics, tournament rule changes, things like that. This year, I have six of my district umpires working in either the Region Tournaments or one of the World Series tournaments, so we get super in-depth with those individuals to prepare them.”
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.