SDLL Young Umpire Program

Help the next generation learn the game you love by joining our Young Umpire Academy. Umpires are well-trained, provided uniform and equipment, and paid $40 per game. 

We invite all those interested to apply! The deadline is Feb 14th, 2024. Please apply ASAP so we can better plan.

This Spring, South Durham Little League will be expanding the successful  Young Umpire Program. We learned a lot last year and heard great feedback. Here are some new improvements and expansions for this Spring season!

• We will be expanding the number of leagues that Young Umpires provide service for, giving more opportunities for umpires!

• We are adding Softball and hoping many of our softball alumni will join us! 

• We will open the schedule to allow game signups for the entire season, giving families the ability to plan ahead as much as possible. 

• We are going to pay the Young Umpires directly and go away from the gift cards we did in the pilot.

• We will have three workshop dates to choose from. (You only need to attend one)

• Steven King will officially serve as the Young Umpire Coach. He will be the liaison to parents, lead the workshops, and take an active coaching role to encourage and help the young umpires improve. This should give families and umpires someone to connect, ask questions of, and provide an additional contact (Ryan Day will still be the Umpire Coordinator on the BOD)

Good umpires are critical to the long-term success of SDLL. It is our goal to build a strong squad of umpires in the SDLL family to help us provide safe, fair, and consistent play for all teams and players. We also want to provide this opportunity for children who have been in SDLL to continue to be a part of the community, demonstrate real-world leadership skills and thrive. Last, this gives all our current players role models to look up to.

This program will require trained, committed umpires who hustle and earn the respect of the players and coaches.

To participate, the Young Umpire Program requires an on-field, in-person workshop, working knowledge of the Little League Rule Book for the respective age division, and completion of the USA Baseball - Abuse Training for Minors course

Through this program,

• Umpires will learn to maintain a safe, fair, and fun game environment for all players, coaches and fans.
• Umpires will learn how to act professionally and confidently and communicate clearly.
• Umpires will learn how to handle disagreements and safety issues with coaches.

The workshops will be at Parkwood Ball Field on:

• Sunday, February 18th, 2024 from  2-4 pm
• Friday, March 1st, 2024 from 6-8 pm
• Sunday, March 3rd, 2024 from 2-4 pm

(You must attend one of these sessions)

Young Umpires who successfully complete the program will be invited to participate in umpiring ball games. This is an academy aimed at helping you develop. We know that development takes time and commitment, so to help you with expenses and to ensure commitment, Young Umpires will be paid $40 per game as a 1099 independent contractor (we can explain what that means at the workshop).

Young Umpires will be provided with an umpiring shirt, hat, ball bag, brush, and clicker. Umpires will be expected to wear their own gray or black pants/slacks with a black belt. NO SHORTS.

Requirements to Apply

• 13 years of age or older

• Strong knowledge of baseball and/or softball

• Previous experience as a player in a Little League strongly encouraged

• Complete the application form prior to midnight ET on February 14th, 2024.

Requirements to Umpire Games

• Attend an in-person workshop 

• Affirm reading of Little League Rule Book

• Pass Rule Test

• Register as a Little League Umpire 

• Completion of the free USA Baseball - Abuse Training for Minors course

If you have questions, please contact Ryan Day ([email protected]) or Steven King (919-360-8907). 

Complete this form to apply by Feb 14th, 2024. Please apply ASAP so we can better plan.