If you haven't already, contact our Umpire-In-Chief!

We are seeking adult volunteer umpires and youth umpires (Ages 13 and up) to be part of the “third team.” Youth umpires are compensated for their work, and get an excellent “first job” experience. We strive to teach them the proper rules and techniques to work games, as well as to gain poise, confidence, and experience in handling stressful and difficult situations. It's also a great way to develop a portable skill, one in high demand that will make a good side hustle all of your life. I can say that, after a few years of experience and mentoring in our league, we have alumni who have moved up to higher level ball and are making a good deal of cash to sock away while handling full academic and extracurricular activity loads!

ALL provides full umpire training in the spring and an abbreviated training (appropriate for fall ball) in the fall. The training program that teaches proper base and plate mechanics, rules of the game, and standards of conduct. If you are interested in umpiring at Arlington Little League, please register below and we will be in touch with training information.

We ask that players, managers, coaches, and parents be respectful of our umpires. In addition, the Board of Directors has no tolerance for managers, coaches and parents who berate or mistreat our umpires and will not hesitate to take action in situations that merit such action. Please focus your attention on encouraging and cheering the teams on the field, not questioning or arguing an umpire’s calls.

Sincerely,

Dr. Steven Sundbeck

Umpire-in-Chief, Arlington Little League

Q. What are the requirements to be an umpire?

The minimum age is typically 13. Children age 12 may be able to umpire AAA games on a case by case basis; please contact the UIC.

Q. Do umpires get paid?
We do pay our junior umpire corps. Paychecks are issued once at the conclusion of each season (Spring or Fall). We will need a W-9 from each umpire for our non-profit accounting purposes. Pay for junior umpires will be $50/game for Spring 2024 on the 60’ fields.

For adults, we are looking to maintain the Little League preferred spirit of volunteering at this time.

Q. When adults volunteer to umpire, do they get any other compensation or benefits?
In addition to the eternal thanks of the Board and undying respect from the populace, volunteer umpires may receive appreciation rewards from time to time, including investing in protective gear for their individual use. They will be supported in their training and development if they wish to move up the ladder of Little League all-star tournaments.

Q. Are adult volunteer umpires prohibited from volunteering in other ways?

Of course not! We need all the help we can get in all the ways we can get it. We would never ask you to forgo coaching your own kids (or even just watching your own kids play!) to umpire a different game. We would probably ask you not to officiate at a level where you are coaching, until things get really desperate, but that’s just common sense.

Q. When and where are games played?
Games are played all over Arlington at various times, including evenings after school and most of the day Saturday. Sundays are occasionally used for rain makeup games.

Q. Is training provided to new umpires?
Yes. A Rules Clinic and a Beginning Mechanics Clinic are required prior to qualifying as an umpire. We offer this training prior to the start of every season.

Q. I’ve played for years and already know the rules really well, do I have to attend the training?

“I’ve umpired for years, and experience has taught me that most players don’t know the rules as well as they think they do. Also they certainly do not know the umpire’s perspective on, and application of, the rules of the game. Plus, there’s the positioning and decorum aspects of the job to learn!”--Steve Sundbeck, current Umpire-in-Chief of Arlington Little League.

Q. When are your trainings?

We do a full training every spring–six classroom hours over three Monday nights, and one 2.5 hour field session. In the fall, we just do the field session and ask the trainees to come back to the classroom in the spring.

Q. Does ALL supply my uniform and protective gear?
We supply the umpire polo shirt, and (shared) protective equipment which is located inside a bin or locker at each field. Umpires themselve supply a black hat, pants (gray slacks, with jeans or baseball pants being acceptable for beginning youth umpires), a ball bag for plate work, a plate brush, and an indicator. (These last three are commonly available in an umpire “starter kit” at numerous retail locations on and off line.)

Q. What does the league do to keep the kids safe?

The league provides face masks (with dangling throat guards), chest protectors, and shin guards for junior and volunteer umpires. Umpires are welcome to use their own personal gear. Kids who own catcher’s gear may also use that, provided that the face mask or helmet also includes a dangling throat guard. Adult volunteers are strongly encouraged to use a “dangler” as well.

Q. How bad are the coaches/parents to deal with?

As bad as we let them be. So, we don’t let them be. Sporting, appropriate behavior is the baseline expectation of all players, coaches, and parents in ALL. When this isn’t met, the board takes action. Yes, we have suspended and removed coaches in the past, and let parents know they were welcome to find better things to do than harass our umpires. We will have your back as an umpire 100% (and the day we don’t, is the day I walk away from the board–Steve/UIC).

Q. How many games do I have to umpire?
We are happy to have you do whatever you can! Umpire assignments are currently self-assigned from a published schedule. Youth umpires are requested to try to do at least one game a week, health and academic schedules permitting. Adult volunteers are welcomed to choose a regular date and time that fits their schedule, and we will reserve that for them for the season. Or if they prefer, they can work on a more ad hoc schedule.

Q. Can I umpire for Arlington Little League if I live outside the League boundaries?
Yes!

Q. Can I umpire for other leagues and organizations also?
Yes, but we do not loan out protective plate gear for non-Little League activities. You are welcome to wear the shirt we give you for other work.

We’ve been happy to help our experienced umpires network and explore other opportunities.

Q. What Should I Do If It's Been Raining And The Games May Be Canceled?
If it's been raining and the fields are wet, there's a good chance the games will be canceled. This is controlled by the county; please follow their rain line at 703-228-4715 or through Arlington Alert.

Q. What Do I Do If I Have A Last Minute Emergency and Can't Show Up?
If there is less than 3 day's notice, you MUST contact the Umpire-in-Chief to discuss arrangements. If you know another umpire who can “cover your shift” we appreciate you doing the legwork as well.

Q. How do I contact the Arlington Little League Umpire-in-Chief?
Please contact Steven Sundbeck, our Umpire-in-Chief at umpire@arlingtonlittleleague.org for questions about working with Arlington Little League, or if you are an existing umpire with an issue.