Umpires

Zionsville Little League Umpire Information

How to Become a ZLL Youth Umpire

Applications for umpires will be accepted beginning late January. Applications for the 2027 season will be posted in January 2027. A link will be posted in the side panel of the ZLL website. We’ll also post the link on the ZLL Facebook and ZLL Instagram.

Base-line qualifications:

• Meet minimum age of 12 by Little League age determination guidelines
• Must possess good understanding of baseball/softball rules and game situation knowledge
• Must pass ZLL Rookie Umpire Test with score of 75% or better in first year
• Annually attend ZLL umpire training as required (see schedule below)
• Review and Sign Umpire Waiver Form each year
• Approved by ZLL Umpire Office and remain in good standing with ZLL
• Available to umpire a minimum of two games per week between April and June (and September and October for optional fall ball season)

Training/Clinics

Training is required to umpire in Zionsville Little League. Please review the information below to determine the clinic(s) a prospective umpire must attend.

Basic Rules Clinic

• Required for all 1st year (“rookie) and 2nd year umpires
• Classroom review of Little League baseball/softball rules
• Complete pre-work review of rules information posted on ZLL web site in advance of clinic
• “Rookie” umpires must complete and pass rules exam at 75% level or higher

Introductory Field Clinic

• Required for all 1st year (“rookie”) and 2nd year umpires
• On-field review of umpire positioning, game mechanics and safety
• Complete pre-work review of position and mechanics information posted on ZLL web site in advance of clinic

The rules training portion of the clinic lasts 2 hours with returning umpires dismissed at completion. Rookie umpires stay to complete the rules exam lasting up to an additional hour. A brief pre-read is distributed to review before the rules clinic. A qualification score of 80% or better is required to continue through the umpire training with a second chance offered if needed.

The field clinic is outdoors and lasts 90 minutes. Dress appropriately for the early spring weather – the warmer you are the more you learn! Field clinics cover the on field aspects of umpiring a game and all park procedures – including communications, equipment and weather situations.

Plan to attend one of the two dates for each of the rules and field clinics.  If you are unable to attend either scheduled date, please notify the Umpire Officer as soon as possible, as typically there is one make-up session but no guarantee it will occur before Opening Day.  First year umpires must attend both clinics before eligible to umpire.

For more information about umpiring, contact The ZLL Umpire Officer.