*****Congratulations to the following PSUA members who were assigned OSAA 2024 softball finals: Earle Ramsay (6A), John Joerger (5A) and Bryan Gardner (3A) *****The PSUA's first instructional meeting of the year is on Wednesday, January 29, 2025, 6:45-8:45 pm at a site tbd (probably Cleveland HS in downstairs cafeteria).

**Do you LOVE softball?**

Do you want the very best seat at the field?

Do you want to earn a little extra money?

WE WANT YOU!

Click here to e-mail the PSUA Commissioner

HOW BADLY ARE NEW UMPIRES NEEDED?

Across America, all levels of sports are experiencing a shortage of officials. If current trends continue, it will become increasingly difficult for these programs to stay in operation. And it will be the young people who suffer should that happen.

Here around Portland and the surrounding tri-county area, our need is great and it is immediate. Due to this shortage, we were forced to reschedule numerous games during our recent high school season. And numerous umpires were assigned multiple games per day.

We need you now!

IS EXPERIENCE REQUIRED?

Not at all. We will train you. A good understanding of softball/baseball is a big plus.

WHAT DO HIGH SCHOOL UMPIRES GET PAID?

For 2025 we’re receiving another substantial increase in our game fees. They’ll range between $67.50 per umire for non-varsity games to $85.25 per umpire for varsity contests.

A 6% fee is deducted from every game fee and given to the association’s Commissioner. The Commissioner is a paid, elected position (three years) who assigns games and is the liaison between the umpires, PSUA, the schools and the OSAA.

We also receive mileage pay to help defray our travel costs. These extra fees vary, based on how far the games are from our central point of downtown Portland. The minimum fee has increased to $10. At this time, our largest mileage fees are in the $30 range.

There are now four pay days per season (April 2, 2025; April 16; April 30 and May 21). Umpires are paid directly by the PSUA — usually by direct deposit.

WHEN IS THE SEASON?

High School games begin around the second week of March and conclude around the third week of May. That’s when the OSAA State Playoffs begin.

OSAA/PSUA OCEP Training Class (for State Playoffs)

WHAT’S TRAINING LIKE?

Classroom: Classroom training starts at the beginning of February and runs six weeks — usually one evening per week. An umpire can be assigned to Tuesdays, Wednesdays or Thursdays. This training consists of Zoom classes on your computer, tablet or smart-phone. These classes include interactive lectures, diagrams, slide presentations and demonstration videos.

Classes are split into veterans and rookies. Classes are fun and friendly, encouraging questions and participation.

On Field: Every year, we provide a one-day, on-field clinic. The last several years it has been held at Jesuit High School in West Portland. It’s held on a pre-season weekend and usually lasts about five hours. This training consists of on-field instruction regarding angles and positions, as well as home plate mechanics. All umpires, regardless of level, are strongly encouraged to attend.

The OSAA requires all umpires to satisfy a required amount of annual training hours (10 hours and/or six meetings).

Mentors: All umpires have the opportunity to request a Mentor. Mentors are experienced umpires to whom one can go with questions or concerns. Mentors will check-in frequently with their Mentees, sometimes working games with them. The Mentor is an advocate, guide and friend to the Mentee. Mentors are assigned to all umpires that request one. Some umpires might have two Mentors assigned if enough are available.

Observations/Evaluations: In an ongoing effort to improve our newer umpire’s experience, PSUA has recently formed a Game Coaches team. This new feature is still in development and has just completed its first season. We are actively working to improve and refine this program.

Observations: With this program, a veteran umpire (often a retired umpire or a board officer) can come observe your game, after which they will share their observations, encouragements and tips for improvement in a very informal and friendly way.

Evaluations: Veteran umpires seeking advanced critique can request an Evaluation. This is a more formal process wherein an umpire will receive a written evaluation and instructions. This is very useful, especially late in the season as advanced umpires prepare for state playoffs.

IS THERE A TEST?

Yes. Every umpire is required to pass an online Rules Test that is provided by OSAA. An umpire must pass with at least a 75% score in order to umpire Varsity games.

Study groups are formed every year to help prepare for this test. We each get three opportunities to pass the test.

ARE THERE FEES?

Every umpire must pay an annual registration fee to OSAA. This is usually somewhere around $75. This fee must be paid up-front. Once paid, the state will send you a packet that includes membership information, a Rule Book, a Case Book, an Umpires Manual and some other items.

There is a once-per-year membership fee with PSUA. This amount is usually around $50 and is deducted from your first paycheck. This fee, though, is waived your first year in the PSUA. That’s our welcome gift to you.

Are you a US military veteran? Please let our Commissioner know. In working with the association “Battlefields to Ballfields,” we might be able to get your fees and/or uniforms & gear paid for.

HOW ARE UNIFORMS AND GEAR ACQUIRED?

Each umpire is responsible for acquiring their own gear and uniform. However, we often have surplus, used items that we can provide to our rookies.

We also have relationships with retail providers who offer us discounts. One is US Officials Supplies, Inc.: http://www.usofficialsupplies.com.

Are you a US military veteran? Please let our Commissioner know. In working with the association “Battlefields to Ballfields,” we might be able to get your fees and/or uniforms & gear paid for.

ARE ASSIGNMENTS FLEXIBLE, I.E. THE NUMBER OF GAMES, LOCATIONS AND TIMES?

Number of Games: You can work as many or as few games as you want. You can also block dates and/or days of the week.

Locations: Our commissioner works very hard to assign games only in your preferred geographic areas.

Times: Times of day are less flexible. Most games begin around 5 pm. All umpires are required to arrive at the field no less than 30 minutes before game time though 45 minutes is preferred.

AS A NEW UMPIRE, WOULD I ONLY UMPIRE JUNIOR VARSITY GAMES?

A new, inexperienced umpire, will start with Junior Varsity games. You will work in two-umpire teams with a more experienced partner. We will not “throw you to the wolves.” As you increase in skill, knowledge and confidence, you may be assigned Junior varsity games by yourself. Solo games are a lot of fun and pay more than two-umpire games do. It is not unusual for a new umpire, who has progressed in ability, to see some Varsity action before their first season is through.

Experienced New PSUA members. If you are an experienced umpire that is new to the PSUA, the above-described process will likely move more rapidly, with Varsity assignments coming sooner.

WHAT IS THE BALANCE OF VARSITY AND JUNIOR VARSITY ASSIGNMENTS?

We believe that no matter what their level of play, all softball players deserve good umpires. We therefore require all of our umpires – whether beginners, novices, veterans or experts – to work their share of Junior Varsity games. We believe that this is an important part of providing good service to our customers. This also provides our less experienced umpires opportunities to work with our experts in low stress environments.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE BEST REASONS THAT I SHOULD UMPIRE?

Fun: Umpiring is a lot of fun, especially as we get better at it. Softball is a blast and there is no better place from which to view this great game than from right on the field. We have the best seats in the house!
Exercise: This game keeps us moving. A body in motion stays in motion. We have umpires well into their seventies who just keep going.
Community: Umpiring provides us a chance to get involved. So many great lessons can be learned from organized activities. Some of these kids’ lives will be forever impacted by the relationships they make and the lessons they learn. We get to provide an important part of the infrastructure that makes the magic happen. And that can be very satisfying.
Joy: Umpiring is a chance to be around bright, energetic young people. When we see a player achieve something that they once thought they couldn’t – when we see a team rally around each other to accomplish a common goal – when we see leadership, sportsmanship, tenacity being taught and learned right in front of us – when we see a face light up with joy; we get to not only witness it, we get to know that we were part of making it happen. It’s a better reward than the few dollars we get paid.
Camaraderie: As umpires, we build friendships that last lifetimes. PSUA umpires are a family.
Credentials: Community involvement activities – especially those that show leadership, like sports officiating – look great on job applications and other documentation.
Make a few dollars while you’re at. That’s pretty cool!

IS IT TRUE THAT UMPIRING IS A HOSTILE, COMBATIVE ENVIRONMENT?

In our experience, at least here in the Portland and surrounding tri-county area, these incidents are uncommon, especially in the Junior Varsity levels. It is possible to hear a few gripes about our calls and decisions. And, though unfortunate incidents occasionally arise, most games move along nicely with a minimum of these distractions.

In our preseason training, we help our umpires prepare for dealing with these moments.

WHAT IF I HAVE MORE QUESTIONS?

Please utilize the Contact feature on this website. Feel free to reach out with any questions at all. We will be happy to chat with you.

OK. COUNT ME IN. HOW DO I GET INVOLVED?

Please utilize this website’s contact feature (below) to let us know the great news. We’ll get back to you quickly with a big, friendly welcome and instructions for next steps. But beware! Once you get started umpiring you might not ever be able to stop! Yeah, it’s that great!