Join ABUA

The first thing you’ll need to do is complete the Become an Umpire form on the Join ABAU page of our website. By completing this form you’ll let us know that you’re interested in becoming an umpire. Once we get your form we’ll follow up with you in a timely manner.

Yes. You will be required to complete a background check in order to officiate High School games.

They sure do. All new Umpires must attend our New Candidate Training Course. Starting in mid-to-late February new umpires will meet once a week, typically starting at 6pm on a weeknight, for 1.5 hours to learn the basics of umpiring. During this time additional mechanics training clinics are also available. There are also members of the association who are more than willing to meet-up with you throughout the season to provide feedback, discuss scenarios, and address any questions/concerns you have.

There are some upfront costs you’ll incur to get started. In your first year you’ll be required to pay your Association dues (approx $93.) As part of this fee you’ll be provided with a NFHS Rule Book, Case Book, and Mechanics book. This fee will also cover your insurance for the year. A background check is required. The feed for this is around $90-$100.

You’ll also need to purchase your umpire gear. Prices vary depending on what and how much you buy. At a minimum you’ll need:

• Navy Umpire Shirt
• Navy Plate Hat
• Navy Field Hat
• Pants
• Plate Shoes
• Shinguards
• Chest Protector
• Facemask
• Ball bag
• Indicator

Additional equipment to consider includes:

• Additional Shirts (e.g., Light Blue, Red)
• Field Pants
• Base Shoes
• Windbreak
• Bag to store your gear

You may be able to pickup gear that someone else is selling (e.g., someone is no longer umpiring and wants to sell their gear).

Nope. While it certainly will benefit you to have a basic knowledge about the rules of the game, through our New Candidate Training Course, studying the Rule Book, and working with fellow umpires, you’ll learn what you need to know to be an umpire.

How much you make just depends on how many games you work. Game fees for 2019 are as follows:

• Varsity $88.00 (note – you must work 3 seasons and pass the Varsity exam before being scheduled for Varsity games)
• JV $65.50
• Freshman $65.50
• Modified $58.50
• Sectional Game $95.00
• Tournament Game $91.00

These fees are paid to each umpire. Each umpire is also entitled to a $7.00 travel expense.
All fees and expenses are per Section 2 contact.

The ABUA serves schools from as far North as North Warren, as far South as Mechanicville/Hoosick Falls, as far East as Salem. When you turn in your availability sheet you’ll let the Assignor know where you’ll be leaving from to make it to a game. Typically you’ll be assigned games within a reasonable distance from where you’re departing. For example, if you work in Albany, you’re not going to be assigned a 4:30pm game in Whitehall. You’ll likely work games in Mechanicville, Hoosick Falls, Hoosick Valley, Stillwater, etc.

Weekday games typically start at 4:15pm or 4:30pm. Those facilities that have lights may schedule start times for 7pm.

Each umpire provides the ABUA Assignor with the dates their available to umpire. The Assignor will then schedule umpires accordingly. Generally speaking, you’ll be able to work as many games as you want. If there’s a day you can’t work, you won’t be assigned a game that day. High School games are typically played Mon-Fri, with some games scheduled for Saturday’s. No games are scheduled on Sundays.