-
DAYS
-
HOURS
-
MINUTES
-
SECONDS
Announcements

Become a BASU Certified Softball Umpire

basu certified softball umpire

Next time you feel like screaming “Hey Blu!” on the softball diamond in 2025, ask yourself: do I know the rules as well as they do? If you’re not sure that you do, here’s your chance to educate yourself and your team. The Manchester Softball League (MSL) is encouraging its players to consider becoming a BASU certified softball umpire through the British Association of Softball Umpires (BASU).

Five Reasons to Become a BASU Certified Softball Umpire?

If you’re wondering why now is a good time to consider umpiring, we can tell you that it offers numerous benefits to you both on and off the field. 

To begin with, a certified BASU softball umpire receives significant compensation for their ability to blu a game – up to £25 per contest. We’re also working on ways to certify more umpires and ensure that more people across our league know the rulebook. Accordingly, check out the MSL website to see more ways we’re encouraging umpires to join in the fun.

Secondly, umpiring provides a deeper understanding of the rules of the game. Such knowledge significantly improves your own gameplay, management and communication with umpires and your own players during matches. As newly elected MSL Umpire-in-Chief Simon Sharp says:

“The main reason I went on the umpiring course was to gain a better understanding of the rules. If you know the rules, that gives you and your team an advantage.”

Third: Umpiring is a valuable opportunity to give back to the league. Umpires contribute to the smooth running of the MSL and ensure fair play for all teams.

Fourthly, as an umpire, you can help to ensure that all of your games run on time. Everyday life events happen, and the knowledge that your team has umpire availability serves as peace of mind. It means you’ll always have someone on hand that can step in at a moment’s notice and ensure a game:

  • starts on time;
  • runs on time, and;
  • allows everyone to enjoy another day on the diamond.1

Finally, many players and executives alike maintain a strong sense of community within the MSL. The umpires are one of the most essential pieces of that community. After all: without an umpire, it’s just practice. As a blu, you can:

  • meet and interact with players and officials regularly;
  • expanding your softball network and;
  • enhancing everyone’s appreciation of the efforts you’re making to help this inclusive, equitable sport grow and thrive.

MSL 2025 BASU Training Begins 21st January

BASU offers comprehensive training courses that cover all aspects of softball umpiring, from basic mechanics to advanced rule interpretations. Capable instructors run the courses and provide a supportive learning environment.

Ultimately, the Manchester Softball League aims to support its members in their umpiring journey. Accordingly, we offer guidance on course registration, scheduling, and ongoing support throughout your umpiring journey. MSL will host a series of online courses for 2025 beginning Tuesday, 21 January. Plus, you can register for the optional on-field assessment to become an accredited BASU umpire.

Key course dates

  • Introductory session: Tuesday, 21st January.
  • Block 1 Recap: Tuesday, 4th February.
  • Block 2 Recap: Tuesday, 18th February.
  • Block 3 Recap: Tuesday, 4th March.
  • Block 4 Recap: Tuesday, 18th March.
  • Final session & exam recap: Tuesday, 1st April.
  • Practical session: Saturday 5th April, Parrs Wood Sports Centre, 9.30am-4pm.

“Give it a go,” says Sharp. “You might enjoy it so much, you’ll end up becoming the UIC in a few years time!”

For more information on BASU umpiring courses and how to get involved, check out:

We look forward to welcoming you to the MSL umpiring team!

1: Here’s an example of where having an umpire on your team comes in handy. In August 2024, my team (Screwballs) and the Didsbury Bats were scheduled to play in a Division II playoff game. Yet life got in the way, and we were stuck with an unfortunate situation where an umpire became unavailable. Fortunately, both sides had certified umpires on hand, and we worked together to supply an umpire to work the game during each team’s time at bat to make sure the game ran fairly AND playing time was distributed as had been planned. Despite losing a closely played game, I can definitely say that every umpire from both sides acquitted themselves in a professional and equitable manner. And the game was completed without any hiccups. Although my Screwball teammates did give me a bit of a funny look (nothing new there, really).

Author