2026 UMPIRE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

Baseball SA is recruiting 14 new Division 1 umpires for the 2026/27 season through a fully structured, funded development program. If you’ve played the game and want a role in it that can take you further than playing ever could , this program is for you.

What the program includes:

• 52 hours of paid training across the season

• 24 weekly online theory sessions, one hour, from home

• 6 two-hour practical sessions at West Beach (April–September)

• Integration with existing league umpire training group

• Annual Umpire Seminar

• Full uniform and equipment supplied (~$800 value, recovered through pay)

• AABU and BUASA membership paid by Baseball SA

• Season-long mentoring from ABL panel umpires

• $875 paid before Christmas on completing first 3 months

• Average season earnings of $4,000 paid fortnightly

Who we are looking for:

Age 20–30, played state league baseball at any level, available Saturdays, willing to commit 1 hour/week online plus 2 hours/month practical. Training commences April 2026.

Submit your expression of interest using the email below :

neil.poulton@baseballsa.org.au

COMMUNITY UMPIRING PROGRAM- THE STARTING POINT

Baseball SA’s Community Umpire Program has been designed to provide volunteer “Club” umpires with an easy starting point to begin umpiring.
This online course along with Gameday Registration and a Working with Children’s check is all that is needed to become an accredited umpire with your club.

Clubs are required to have one (1) Community Accredited umpire for every two (2) senior teams they register each season.

Register and Complete Community Umpire Program

CLUB UMPIRE DEVELOPMENT

Already umpiring at your club and want to develop your skills? Baseball SA actively

Supports club umpire development through:

• On-site club umpire clinics , available anytime a club has the numbers and requests one.

Contact officiating@baseballsa.org.au to organise.

• Open access to all league umpire training sessions , club umpires are welcome at every session throughout the season.

• Annual Umpire Seminar , open to all umpires at any level. The more people in the room, the better the session.

There is no obligation to become a league umpire. Many of our best club umpires are exactly that, excellent club umpires who make the game better every weekend. The training is available whenever you want it.

  • Registering and becoming a league umpire for Baseball SA is easy and takes you through a well established and supportive process. It starts with registering your interest and completing the online community umpire course (above). Once completed a simple email to officiating@baseballsa.org.au then puts you on the right path.

  • NEXT SESSION : Monday 2 March 2026 | 6:30pm at West Beach Baseball Ground

    Open to all interested umpires , new, returning, and club umpires.

    No cost. No experience necessary. Come along and find out if umpiring is for you.

    2026 UMPIRE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM , Commencing April 2026

    A fully structured, funded development pathway for 14 new Division 1 umpires. Training

    begins April. Expressions of interest open now.

  • Baseball SA wear the national umpire uniform provided through the Association of Australian Baseball Umpires, ABU.
    www.abu.org.au
    You need to be a member of ABU but for new league umpires you will be provided with a code to cover your first years $20 membership.

  • Baseball SA use the platform called RefBook to track umpires’ appointment to games, your availability to umpire and your payment for umpiring.

    Upon commencement you will be setup on RefBook which will become your main home and portal for most information.

  • Payment for umpires is intended to be a re-imbursement for any and all of the costs associated with umpiring.
    Pay rates range from $57 per game to $126 depending on the grade you are umpiring and your accreditation.

    Umpire payments are made fortnightly directly into your bank account.

  • As an umpire progresses in their umpiring, in order to be a “plate umpire” you will need the necessary protective equipment. BUASA and the BSA Umpire Instructors will guide you through what you need and Baseball SA can provide you with an advance on your umpiring payments and deduct the cost from your pays over the season.

Umpiring Uniforms

  • Umpiring Cap

    Umpires generally need 2 caps. One for Base umpiring and one for Plate. The other alternative is a to use a combo cap.
    Sizing is normal US fitted cap sizing i.e. 7-1/4” etc.
    The difference in the caps are the peak size.
    For Base cap you want an 8 stitch cap
    For Plate cap you want a 4 stitch cap and the combo is a 6 stitch.

  • On Field Shirt

    Shirts are USA sizing which is generally larger than you might expect. Order 1 size smaller than normal. For your plate shirt it is usually a size larger to fit your chest protector underneath the shirt.

  • Umpire Pants

    Umpire pants are generally grey, these can be purchased through the ABU website or from any Umpire uniform suppliers. Reach out to other umpires for more information. Plate pants are cut differently (straight cut) to allow leg guards to fit underneath.

  • Walk out shirt

    Baseball SA umpires use ABU walk out shirts when arriving to games or representing umpiring and Baseball SA. These are not compulsory but helps identify you as a proud member of the umpiring community. These can also be purchased through the ABU website.