BASEBALL

Central Maine Baseball Umpires Association

Eastern Maine Baseball Umpires Association

Western Maine Baseball Umpires Association

Baseball State Interpreter; Jeff Mertzel,

MAINE STATE BASEBALL UMPIRES ASSOCIATIONS

Maine Baseball Umpire Associations

For more information or to register: www.easternmaineumpires.org

EASTERN MAINE 

New members dues are $80, and include the first year's dues ($60) and NFHS rules and case books. 

 Rookie Classes begin the first Sunday AFTER the Super Bowl.

Western Maine Baseball Umpires Association (WMBUA)

New member application form

For more information or to register:

www.wmbua.net

WESTERN MAINE

Central Maine Baseball Umpires

For more information or to register: 

www.centralmaineumpires.com

The Mid-Coast Maine Baseball Umpires Association (baseball and softball) offers training virtually year round.

At this time, we do not have any in person clinics planned as we have in years past.

Candidates can register at https://www.midcoastumpires.com/. Also, any information individuals are looking for regarding our association can be found on our website.

For more information or to register:

MID-COAST

Northern Maine Baseball Umpires 

All interested can contact Chris Casavant at

NORTHERN MAINE

The DownEast Maine Baseball Umpires

For more information or to register: 

DOWN EAST

The Kennebec-Somerset Maine Baseball Umpires 

For more information or to register: 

KENNEBEC-SOMERSET

Uniforms and equipment

Baseball umpires are responsible for all of their own equipment and uniform items. Check with your association secretary to make sure you have everything that is required specifically for your association. 

You will need:

• A good pair of base umpire shoes (black)
• A good pair of plate umpire shoes (black)
• (No cleats allowed for umpires)
• Black socks, at least calf-high

• A pair of plate umpire pants (charcoal or heather gray) These are bigger in the seat and legs, to allow for shin guards underneath.
• A pair of base umpire pants (charcoal or heather gray) 
• A good leather belt (black) at least 1" wide with silver buckle.

(NOTE: Pants come un-hemmed. Give yourself plenty of time to have the length altered. When measuring inseam it is a good idea to wear your plate shoes to get the proper length.)

• At least one navy blue umpire shirt (short sleeve)
• At least one Carolina blue umpire shirt (short sleeve)
• At least one black umpire shirt (short sleeve)
• At least one navy blue undershirt
• At least one black undershirt

(NEVER wear a white undershirt under umpire shirt. ALWAYS wear an undershirt under your uniform shirt. Try to match your uniform shirt color).
ALL OUTERWEAR (shirts, jackets) requires a Maine State Baseball Umpires Association patch.

• 1 base umpire hat (with association logo) (longer bill)
• 1 plate umpire hat (with association logo) (short bill)
• A long sleeve navy blue umpire jacket (3/4 zipper)
• A pair of plain black gloves for cold weather

• A plate umpire face mask (hockey style or traditional)
• A chest protector
• A pair of shin guards
• A supporter and protective cup
• One or two ball bags (black, navy, or gray)
• A balls, strikes, and outs indicator (good idea to have 2)
• Plate brush
• A line up card holder with pencil or pen

When first starting out, it can be expensive to obtain all of these items. There is a tendency to try to save money on some items. Typically, the more expensive protective gear will last a lot longer, and is a better product. Ask other umpires in your association for recommendations. They may even have some used equipment to help you get started.

Other items you may find useful: 

• Sunglasses
• Bug repellent
• Water jug
• Sunscreen
• Folding chair
• Cooler for ice
• Small towel
• Black shoe polish
• Shoe cleaning products
• A stiff brush for cleaning shoes.
• An extra pair of shoelaces for each pair of shoes.

REQUIREMENTS for

ALL Baseball Umpires in Maine

All baseball umpires in Maine must be a member in good standing of at least one of the seven  umpires associations.

A background check and fingerprinting are mandatory, and must be renewed every five years.

Every official must pass a mandatory background check by the Maine Department of Education. It can take several weeks for a background check to be processed. DO NOT WAIT until a couple weeks before the season. You CANNOT be assigned any games until your assignor has proof of your compliance with this requirement.

INFORMATION ON BACKGROUND CHECK

Every official must have their fingerprints taken and kept on file with the State of Maine prior to being assigned to work any games in the State of Maine. There is only one company authorized to take finger prints. You must make an appointment with them. DO NOT wait until the last minute.

INFORMATION ON FINGERPRINTING

PRO TIPS:

Each assignment BEGINS when you accept it.

Prepare accordingly for each assignment, and make sure your uniform and equipment are CLEAN, and in good repair. Make sure you give yourself plenty of time to prepare at home, and to arrive at least 30 minutes early to the venue. If you know you're running late, or you are delayed for any reason, call your partner as soon as possible to let them know of your estimated time of arrival.

You get ONE chance to make a good first impression. The first thing any coach will notice about you is your uniform and shoes. Make sure your uniform is clean, worn properly, and that your shoes are clean and polished. It takes three minutes to polish your shoes if you make sure you clean them AFTER your last game.

Your appearance; good or bad, reflects on YOU, YOUR PARTNER, YOUR ASSOCIATION, AND UMPIRES ACROSS THE STATE.

Make sure your hats are clean, and don't have sweat stains on them. Take care of your uniform, hats, and protective gear and they'll last a lot longer.

WHAT YOU'LL NEED TO BE A BASEBALL UMPIRE

Footwear

Protective gear and accessories

Pants and belt

Shirts and jackets

Hats and gloves

Scroll down to find the dates for clinics and classes for new umpires, as well as some great information about what you'll need.