Baseball

Beginning Baseball Umpiring

Build sound judgment, clear mechanics, and confidence behind every call.

7 weeks 4.5 hrs13 lessons + final exam

Aligned with NFHS Baseball Rules. Always confirm current-year rules and state association adaptations; youth competition may use additional modifications.

Individual enrollment

$50

One-time, full course access

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Course outline

Week 1

Role, Preparation, and Pregame

The Umpire's Role and Professional Preparation
Learn what a beginner umpire is responsible for and how to arrive ready. Build habits of impartiality, preparation, and steady communication.
20 min
Pregame Inspection and the Plate Conference
Develop a repeatable pregame routine with your partner and both head coaches. Identify hazards, confirm legal participation, and establish workable ground rules.
20 min

Week 2

Venue, Equipment, and Competition Basics

Field, Equipment, and Legal Participation
Recognize the playing field and common equipment concerns. Learn the difference between identifying a problem and applying its specific rule consequence.
20 min
Live Ball, Outs, Runs, and Inning Flow
Follow the basic sequence of a baseball game. Recognize when the ball remains live and how outs affect scoring and advancement.
20 min

Week 3

Core Rules I

The Strike Zone and Batter Responsibilities
Develop a consistent NFHS strike zone and recognize common batter situations. Separate pitch location, swings, foul tips, and batter conduct.
20 min
Pitching Positions, Balks, and Illegal Pitches
Recognize legal pitching responsibilities without importing professional rules. Learn the different NFHS consequences when runners are present or absent.
20 min

Week 4

Core Rules II

Fair, Foul, Catches, and Boundary Awards
Judge batted balls and completed catches with better timing. Identify the event that creates an award instead of guessing from the final location.
20 min
Interference, Obstruction, and Appeals
Distinguish offensive hindrance from defensive obstruction. Learn to administer appeals and base-running remedies without inventing automatic outcomes.
20 min

Week 5

Positioning, Mechanics, and Communication

Base-Umpire Positioning and Play Coverage
Build useful angles and disciplined movement in a two-umpire system. Learn why coverage must follow your association's approved mechanics.
20 min
Plate Mechanics, Signals, and Crew Communication
Practice a stable plate stance and clear signals. Use partner assistance to correct rule application without treating every disagreement as a conference.
20 min

Week 6

Management, Sportsmanship, and Safety

Managing Coaches, Players, and Spectators
Use calm communication and appropriate boundaries. Recognize when preventive officiating should become formal sportsmanship enforcement.
20 min
Safety Decisions and Incident Reporting
Practice stopping play for medical and weather concerns. Learn how factual reports support administrators and protect future participants.
20 min

Week 7

Final Review

Final Review & Certification Exam
Review the course decision process and complete a twelve-question assessment. Passing this course assessment does not replace state association registration, testing, observation, or certification requirements.
30 min