TRAINING CENTER
Welcome to the IAUSO Training Center.
We will have information posted here regarding upcoming pre-season orientations and trainings.
As we go into a heavy week of games with Fastpitch Nationals and Baseball State please read the following:
No faded uniform shirts.
Every year umpires receive two new shirts and a new hat. Wear them please. Look crisp and clean this weekend to start the day.
Please wear USSSA logo shirts and hat. DO NOT wear your high school or college logo uniforms and hat.
If we see or get reports that umpires are wearing faded old uniforms and other logos we will bring a replacement to the park and take it our of your check.
Nobody cares what levels of ball you do outside of USSSA. Wear the uniform of the people that are paying you that day.
Umpires will be handing out MVP nomination cards. One per umpire per game. Suggest each umpire picks a dugout all day on that field.
The MVP nomination from an umpire has been greatly received by the young players this year and means a lot to them.
Your MVP nomination as an umpire does not have to always be the best player, pitcher, or catcher. It can be because of good sportsmanship, an encourager, or a player that makes a memorable play.
Most of you have been great at doing this. If this is something you refuse or do not want to do please reconsider if officiating youth sports is for you.
As always start today and hydrate, Hydrate, HYDRATE!
FASTPITCH NATIONALS
All ages
Pool Play - Flip for home. Winner gets home field advantage. Not choice.
Bracket Play - Higher seed get home field advantage. Not choice. If higher seed can not be determined at plate meeting a flip will be made with winner getting home field advantage, not choice.
The following ages will be using all Iowa Normal Rules:
8u, 9c, 10c, 11c
The ONLY change will be in 8u to allow bunting.
Use the following link for Iowa rules and click on appropriate age if needed: https://centraliowasports.com/rules/
The following ages will be using straight up National USSSA Rules:
9 Open, 10b, 10 Open, 11a, 11b, 13a, 13b, and 14b
The major difference to remember is if a team chooses to Roster Bat and a player gets hurt the team must take an out at their point in the line up EVEN if the team has more than nine on their roster.
Use the same link as above but click on 'USSSA Rulebook' tab. https://centraliowasports.com/rules/
BASEBALL STATE
All of the same rules, time limits, and run rules will apply.
EXCEPT:
Pool Play and Bracket Play higher seed gets a CHOICE for being home and away and they get CHOICE of dugout.
On Sunday and Monday Bracket Play a lower seed from the winner's bracket trumps a higher seed that has worked their way out of the loser's bracket.
TRAINING
Training will begin again the week of July 14 when Second League Season starts.
There will be Umpire 101, Group Trainings, and 1- on -1 with a Veteran Program.
Please keep an eye out for schedules in the weekly email and on the IAUSO website under the 'Training' tab.
One-on-One with a Veteran Baseball Umpire Program
Once you have been to a Group Training this is a great way to learn with a Veteran Umpire and get paid!
These opportunities are during weeknight league games.
Please let JP know if you are interested in this program.
SPECIAL OPPORTUNITY FOR UMPIRES BETWEEN THE AGES OF 13 through 18 YEARS OF AGE (both Baseball and Fastpitch)
The MLB Umps Care Charities Youth Leadership Program - FREE to Attend!
Please click on the link and check out this fantastic program. Many of our successful minor age umpires have benefited from this program. There is NO COST to attend!
https://umpscare.com/programs/official-leadership/
INTERACTIVE WEBSITE:
Here is a great website to help you with both baseball and fastpitch 2 Umpire Mechanics, Positioning, and Rotations:
I visit this website and do a module daily. Repetition only gets you better!
As the season progresses please self evaluate. If you feel you need some work on your plate or base work, or you need to work on your confidence, please utilize the trainings below!
All first year umpires should still attend as much training as possible. We have great instructors that want to help make you better!
New Officials
Before taking the field, new officials must:
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Attend an orientation
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The above pre-season meetings would count for a new umpires orientation
2. Attend an on field training session
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These will start the first week of league play and will be available on a weekly basis
veteran Officials
It is beneficial for all umpires to continue training. Highly recommended to attend an on-field training.