UMPIRE CERTIFICATION PROGRAM
In order to be recognized for national and international assignments, umpires must follow Softball Canada's umpire certification program. Certification for umpires for Level I-II-III is the responsibility of the Provincial/Territorial Umpire-in-Chiefs, while certification for umpires for Level IV and V is the responsibility of the National Office and the Officiating Development Committee.
Definitions
Prerequisites
The necessary criteria required in order to advance to the next certification level, (e.g., Level I Certification required before advancing to Level II.)
Training Requirements
The clinic and/or process of education and minimum grade criteria for certification exams.
Evaluation Requirement
Written assessment outlining strengths and weaknesses of both on/off field performance.
Certification Requirements
Pre-requisite + Training Requirements + Evaluation Requirement (except Level I) = Certified.
On-field Application
The level of softball that an umpire is capable of officiating once certified at that level (i.e. Provincial/Territorial minor level, senior fast pitch).
Maintenance
Support and preserve the certification level by attending clinics, writing exams, being active in Provincial/Territorial/Regional officiating programs.
NOTE:
Timing prerequisites for certification advancement are based on seasons of experience rather than definitive calendar dates. When determining eligibility for advancement provincial and territorial administrators should consider the number of “seasons” of experience since the previous certification clinic and not base their decisions on the calendar.
Example: An umpire attends a Level II certification clinic in April 2020. After two seasons (2020 and 2021) an umpire should be considered for attendance at a Level III clinic as of the end of the 2021 season (Fall 2021) assuming all other pre-requisites have been completed. Jurisdictions are called upon to use reason and common sense in the application of this pre-requisite.
Provincial/Territorial Responsibility
LEVEL I
Prerequisites
• None-New officials.
Level I Training Requirements
• Attend a Level I Clinic.
• Obtain 60% or more on the Level I Certification Exam (Note: Level I officials are not expected to write the national exam in their first year but will write the national exam in subsequent years).
On-Field Application
• Officiate local minor and adult recreational softball.
Maintenance
• Attend a local or association clinic once every two years.
• Write National exam and obtain 60% or more. (Writing and passing the Certification test at the Certification clinic will count as writing the National exam for their first year only.) Failure to obtain 60% or more on the National exam shall result in loss of that year counting towards the timing prerequisite for moving on to the next certification level.
LEVEL II
Prerequisites
• Certified Level I umpire for a minimum one (1) season and be of an age appropriate to umpire minor and adult competitive ball (Minimum of 16 years of age is recommended)
Level II Training Requirements
• Attend a Provincial/Territorial Level II Clinic (FP or SP).
• Obtain 70% or more on the Level II Certification exam.
Evaluation Requirement
• Receive one successful local, regional or provincial/territorial Level II evaluation.
On-Field Application
• Officiate local and provincial/territorial minor level and/or local adult softball.
• May be considered for selection as a secondary selection to a U15 or U17 Canadian Championship.
Maintenance
• Attend regional or provincial/territorial clinic once every two years.
• Write National exam and obtain 70% or more. (Writing and passing the Certification test at the Certification clinic will count as writing the National exam for that year only.) Failure to obtain 70% or more on the National exam shall result in loss of that year counting towards the timing prerequisite for moving on to the next certification level. They may be considered for selection to a Canadian Championship (U15 or U17 fill-in only).
LEVEL III
Prerequisites
• Certified Level II umpire for a minimum of two (2) seasons.
Level III Training Requirements
• Attend a Provincial/Territorial Level III Clinic (FP or SP).
• Obtain 80% or more on the Level III Certification exam.
Evaluation
• Receive one successful Level III Provincial/Territorial Championship evaluation.
On-Field Application
• Officiate provincial/territorial minor and adult softball.
• Qualified to officiate U19, U23, Women FP, Masters 40+ SP, Women SP & Co-Ed SP Canadian Championships.
Maintenance
• Attend provincial/territorial or regional clinic annually.
• Write National exam annually and obtain 80% or more. (Writing and passing the Certification test at the Certification clinic will count as writing the National exam for that year only.) Failure to obtain 80% or more on the National exam shall result in loss of that year counting towards the timing prerequisite for moving on to the next certification level. They may not be selected for a Canadian Championship in the current year.
• Active in local and regional officiating programs.
National Responsibility
LEVEL IV
Prerequisites
• Certified Level III umpire for a minimum of two (2) seasons.
• Attend at least one P/T Championship, and have received a successful evaluation to progress to Level IV.
Level IV Training Requirements
• Attend a National Level IV Theory Clinic.
• Successfully complete the Level IV Certification exam.
Evaluation
• Receive two successful evaluations by provincial/territorial representative and recommendations forwarded to ODC.
• Receive a successful Level IV evaluation at a U20 Men’s or U19 Women’s FP, U23 Women’s FP, Masters FP, Masters 40+SP, Women SP or Co-Ed SP Canadian Championship after completing Level IV Theory clinic.
• Provincial/Territorial UICs may request that a tournament be approved for the evaluation of a Level IV theory umpire in order that he/she may receive his/her Level IV practical and be fully certified Level IV. This applies in both fast pitch and slo-pitch. Only tournaments that will be using the 3 umpire system and afford the umpires to be evaluated the opportunity to work each position at least three times will be considered. The NDU must approve the evaluator who will carry out the evaluations.
On-Field Application
• Officiate provincial/territorial minor and adult softball.
• Officiate any Canadian Championship.
• DUIC at Canadian Championships or national clinician.
Maintenance
• Attend provincial/territorial clinic annually.
• Write National exam annually and obtain 80% or more. (Writing and passing the Certification test at the Certification clinic will count as writing the National exam for that year only.) Failure to obtain 80% or more on the National exam shall result in loss of that year counting towards the timing prerequisite for moving on to the next certification level and may not be selected to a Canadian Championship in the current year.
• Active in Regional and Provincial/Territorial Officiating programs.
LEVEL V
Prerequisites
• Fully certified Level IV for at least 2 seasons.
• Receive a successful evaluation at two (2) elite level events including any of the following: Canadian FP Championships (excluding the U15 and U17 categories) or Canada Games, or pre-approved elite events (e.g Canadian Open (excluding Futures tournament), or
or
• Receive a successful evaluation at one Canadian SP Championship.
Note: P/T Associations may submit events for consideration to be included as a prerequisite for a Level V evaluation. (Minimum criteria – 3 umpire system and minimum nine games per umpire.)
• Certified a minimum of 7 years.
• Endorsed by the Provincial/Territorial UIC.
Evaluation Requirement
• Receive two successful evaluations by provincial/territorial officiating representative.
• Recommendation from province/territory.
• After meeting prerequisite criteria, then receive a highly successful evaluation at a Women’s or Men’s FP, Masters 35+ SP, Men’s SP or Women’s SP Canadian Championship.
On-Field Application
• Officiate provincial/territorial minor and adult ball
• Officiate Canadian Championships
• Officiate International and National softball events.
• UIC/DUIC Canadian Championships
Maintenance
• Member in good standing, conduct in accordance with code of ethics, and registered each year.
• Write National exam annually and obtain 90% or more. Failure to obtain 90% or more on the National exam shall result in not being eligible for consideration for appointment by the ODC to either a supervisory role, clinician role or Canadian Championship or International event for that year.)
• Active in Provincial/Territorial and National Officiating programs.
• Active in ODC programs.
• Submit yearly self-evaluation report to National Officiating Development Committee by November 1st.
• Minimum point level achieved in on-field or off-field activity or both
• Officiate a Men’s or Women’s Canadian FP Championship, or a Men’s Canadian SP Championship, or an elite (FP/SP) tournament or an international event within four years to be eligible for selection by Softball Canada to International events.
WBSC CERTIFICATION
• Receive full Level V certification with Softball Canada.
• Attend a WBSC International Umpire Seminar within three (3)* years of receiving Softball Canada Level V certification.
• Successfully complete the WBSC International Umpire Certification exam.
• Successfully complete a WBSC certification seminar, including fitness and medical requirements.
• Receive a successful WBSC on-field evaluation.
• If WBSC Certification is not achieved, the umpire must reapply to attend another WBSC International Umpire Seminar within 3 years of the initial Seminar. Failure to do so will require the umpire to re-qualify at a Men’s or Women’s FP or Men’s SP Canadian Championships.
*Subject to a WBSC certification seminar being offered within North America
LEVEL VA
• If a Level V official is no longer active on the field or is no longer a candidate for International assignments, but is still active in program development and administration, they may request to be advanced to Level VA (administrative) status. Level VA officials must meet all criteria for maintaining an active Level V status with the exception of the minimum number of games criteria.
LEVEL VR
• Retired Level V. A Level V umpire who does not meet all criteria outlined under “Maintaining an Active Level V Status” will be declared Retired Level VR.
