Umpires are essential to softball. What is softball when there is no umpire? Well, it's called practice!
A game is the time when all actions on the diamond, along with any scores, records or accomplishments, are official. They are official because they are played in a competition using official rules published by the World Baseball Softball Confederation and are witnessed and validated by -- a qualified umpire!
How to become a BASU umpire
BASU (The British Association of Softball Umpires) is the governing body and training authority for umpires in British softball.
You can become a certified BASU umpire by passing an online qualification course led by our Trainers, attending and passing a Practical Day and then successfully completing an assessment game monitored by one of our Assessors, usually at a tournament.
If you would like to attend a course to become a qualified BASU umpire, contact BASU Training Officer Colin Russell.
Membership benefits
Qualified BASU umpires need to take out BASU membership.
The BASU membership fee (£10 in total) may be paid in full to BASU Treasurer Steve Getraer or will be collected by a deduction from games umpired during your first tournament of the season.
Full membership is available ONLY to people who have passed a BASU qualification course and assessment.
The benefits of membership include:
- Ongoing training and support to help you reach your full potential in umpiring, including attending BASU Advanced Courses, with the additional possibility of attaining WBSC Europe and WBSC qualifications and representing Great Britain and BASU abroad.
- Priority for umpiring opportunities.
- Third-party civil liability insurance while umpiring games.
- The entitlement to wear BASU uniform, which is subsidised by BASU.
- Email communication regarding BASU events, AGMs etc, and the right to vote at the BASU AGM.
Only BASU Full Members may purchase merchandise such as official BASU umpiring uniforms. To arrange for purchase and delivery of the new range of BASU clothing, please contact BASU Kit Officer Yuki Ono.