Umpire FAQ

Interested in becoming an umpire at Wexford Agincourt Baseball League? Here’s what you need to know to sign up and register for the umpire clinic, as well as the equipment you will need to buy, how shifts are assigned and how much you’ll be paid per game.

Where can I find relevant Baseball Ontario Links?

We’ve pulled together some resources that, as an umpire, you may find useful.

Access your OBA account and look up your card number

How do I get started?

Your first step is to get an umpire number from the Ontario Baseball Association so you will be able to register for an umpire training clinic in the spring. If you’ve already got a number, you can use the one you have. You won’t be able to attend a clinic unless you pre-register using this umpire number. This umpire number stays with you as long as you are an umpire in Ontario.

To get your umpire number, please visit the OBA website.

Finally, let our umpire-in-chief know.

How do I register for a clinic?

Wexford usually hosts a clinic every year so keep your eyes and ears open for dates. If you can't attend that clinic, visit the OBA website for a clinic near you.

Is there a dress code for umpires?

You will need grey or dark pants, with a wide enough leg to accommodate shin pads if you are the home plate umpire. Track pants are acceptable to begin with, but you should plan to acquire some dress pants.

You will need a dark coloured baseball cap, preferably one with no logo. Your house league ball cap is acceptable.

Running shoes or cleats must be black or white. Neon or other colours are not acceptable.

You will need an umpire jersey. You may purchase your own from retailers such as, SportChek, Silverstar Sports or Eagle Beaver. Please check with us first to ensure you purchase one that is the correct colour for our league as there are many leagues and many colours available. Alternatively, you may borrow one from the league. If the league has one available to lend you in your size, we will hold your first two umpire fees for games that you umpire for us as a deposit. At the end of the season, after you have laundered the shirt and returned it in good condition, your full deposit will be refunded to you.

Read more about uniforms here.

Do I need to buy equipment?

When starting out as an umpire, we encourage you to wear a protective cup (also referred to as a jock or jill.) These can be purchased at most sporting goods stores. You will also need to purchase your own umpire kit (ball bag, indicator, brush). These are commonly available at stores such as SportChek, Silverstar Sports, Eagle Beaver, and Canadian Tire, as well as online retailers and typically sell for $20-$30.

Additionally, we provide the protective gear needed for each game. For U11 and U13 games, umpire gear is available in storage boxes near the diamond or in the field house at our parks. Coaches have access to these for you. As it is used by multiple umpires you may wish to sanitize the equipment before using it. U9 umpires typically don’t wear gear other than a protective cup. If you do not wish to use the protective gear supplied by the league, you may purchase and use your own provided that it is in good working condition. For safety reasons, please do not use any gear that does not fit, is cracked, damaged, or broken.

Once the season starts, how will I get my game assignments?

The number of games an umpire may be assigned depends on many variables, such as the Umpire certification level, availability, number of available umpires, etc. Ideally, we try to assign umpires to at least one game per week.

What’s expected of me when I show up for a game?

Once you accept an assignment, please arrive at the assigned park at least 15 minutes prior to the scheduled start. This allows you to:

Assess field conditions
Have a quick conversation with each coach to be sure they have enough players
Meet your partner and discuss who is doing home plate/bases
Get your gear on if you are plate umpire

What happens if the weather is bad on game day?

If games are cancelled by the league in advance, you will be contacted by text, phone and/or email. League decisions on cancellations are posted on the Wexford’s Instagram account by 5 p.m. for weeknight games.

If you receive no information about a cancellation, please arrive at the park 15 minutes before game time, as expected.

How much will I get paid?

Our payments for House League and Select games depend on your certification level. If the game is cancelled late (anytime within 1 hour of game time, and before the home plate meeting), you will be paid a ‘show up fee’ of ½ your usual fee. If umpire judgment Is required to cancel the game (e.g. severe rain, lighting) either during or after the home plate meeting, umpires will be paid the full rate.

How do I get paid?

Our umpire-in-chief is at Wishing Well park once a week to pay umpires for games the previous week. You will be notified of which day that is at the start of the season. Umpires are paid in cash, less any deductions for jerseys or equipment. If you can’t make it to Wishing Well on payday, your payment will be kept until you can pick it up.