How to Become an HLL Umpire
Working as an HLL umpire is a great way for your child to stay engaged with the game even after they are too old to play Little League. We welcome any child age 10+ who has a strong sense of responsibility, the courage to make tough calls, and a genuine love of the game, to apply to become an HLL umpire!
To become an HLL umpire, you must first sign your child up using our online registration system. Start by logging into your HLL website account by clicking the HLL Member Login link in the top right corner of the screen. If you don't have an account, we'll help you create one. Once you are logged in, click on the My Account link (also in the top right corner) and follow the steps to register your child as an umpire.
Your child will then be invited to complete in-person umpire training. There are two parts to this: an all-hands meeting in a classroom setting, and then a field training session. These normally are scheduled for late January or early February. Both sessions must be satisfactorily completed in order to become an HLL umpire.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the HLL Umpire Director at umpires@hllbaseball.org.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Who is eligible to be an umpire?
Anyone age 11 and up who shares a love of the game, attends the umpire training sessions, and has a commitment to learn the Little League rules. - Why should my child be an umpire?
Many of our kids "age-out" of HLL, but still love the game and want to play a part in our HLL community. It's a paying job, and it teaches them responsibility, discipline, commitment, and a very public sense of community service that they can be proud of. - What is the commitment?
Each week, you will sign up to umpire one or more games. Our only requirement: if you sign up, you must show up. - How much do umpires get paid?
Rates are typically $35-40 per game for Plate Umpire, $25 per game for Field Umpire and $20 per game for Scoreboard Umpire. Occasionally, if we have trouble filling a particular slot, bonuses may be added to these numbers. - When do umpires get paid?
We mail checks to umpires twice per season - one to cover the first half, and one to cover the second half. - As a first-year umpire, am I qualified to sign up for any umpire position?
Umpires will be granted sign-up privileges for various roles (plate / field / scoreboard / announcer) at various levels (AAA / Minors / Majors) based on their demonstrated proficiency. Typically, first-year umpires start out as scoreboard and AAA field umpires, and work their way up from there. - What if I get sick and can't make a game I signed up for?
Umpires are ultimately responsible for finding replacements for games they sign up for but cannot attend, but we will do our best to help as well. - Why does my child need to provide their social security number?
Hillsborough Little League is a 501(c)3 nonprofit corporation whose operating charter is issued by Little League International, but whose corporate compliance is governed by federal and California state law. One of the attractions of our youth umpire program is that we remunerate our umpires. Not only do our graduates get to spend time back at the fields, but they also get to make a little pocket money. We treat our youth umpires as contractors, and if their aggregate earnings are greater than $600 in a tax year (not common), we are required to issue a Form 1099 reporting their earnings. - Can my child be an unpaid volunteer, e.g. to earn volunteer credits for a school or organization?
Yes! Many of our HLL umpires want to volunteer as a public service to the league. In such instances, in lieu of payment, we will send a certificate of civic service, recording the umpire's hours donated to HLL. No social security number is required in this case.