Umpire Development

The Baseball Ontario Umpire's Committee is dedicated to supporting the development of all umpires in Ontario. Please click the tabs above to explore the many different umpire development opportunities available.

Email umpire@baseballontario.com with any questions you may have.

2022 Certification

All certification for umpires will be online for 2022. See below for the details of certification in 2022.

View an outline of umpire levels and certification requirements.

Umpires Returning for 2022

For 2022 only, umpires who did not certify during the pandemic (2020 or 2021) are eligible to return to umpiring based on your 2019 level. Ordinarily, umpires who miss a year of certification drop down one level.

Here are some examples:

If you were a Level 1.2 umpire in 2019 and didn't register during the pandemic, you may register for a Level 2 clinic and would be certified as a Level 2.1 umpire in 2022.
If you were a Level 2.2 umpire in 2019 and didn't register during the pandemic, you may register for a Level 2 clinic and would be certified as a Level 2.3 umpire for 2022.
If you were a Level 3 umpire in 2019 and didn't register during the pandemic, you will be eligible to write the 2022 Level 3 exam and will be certified as a Level 3 umpire for 2022.

Umpires returning after a longer absence may contact the Baseball Ontario office to apply for recertification. Such application shall be reviewed by the Supervisor of Umpires, who shall consider factors such as previous level, years of certification, reason for the absence, and length of the absence in determining the new certification level for the returning umpire.

Please email umpire@baseballontario.com and we recommend including a recommendation from your local UIC.

2022 Level 1 & 2 Certification

Level 1 and 2 Umpires will complete online E-learning modules. Both Level 1 and Level 2 modules available in April.

Contact your local association to register and pay for a virtual Level 1 or 2 clinic. You will then receive access to the virtual training modules from Baseball Ontario.

Email umpire@baseballontario.com if you need contact information for your local association.

2022 Level 3 Certification

After our very successful virtual Level 3 SuperClinic last year, 2022 returns to being an “exam” year for Level 3 umpires following our usual three-year cycle.

In 2022, Level 3 umpires will

complete and submit the Level 3 Umpires Exam
complete and submit at least 2 umpire training modules

The exam and training modules are now available. Baseball Ontario is pleased to report that the level 3 fee remains unchanged at $55.

Optional Learning for Level 3:

In addition to the requirments above, Level 3 umpires will have opportunities to:

review a Study Guide designated to support umpire learning and successful exam completion
view a 2-Umpire Advanced Positioning training session

Level 3 umpires will register and pay directly through their Baseball Ontario profile. Upon receipt of their payment and registration, Baseball Ontario will send individual umpires links to access the exam and accompanying content.

Level 4 Certification

People often ask what Level 4 is all about. The Level 4 clinic is held under the jurisdiction of Baseball Canada and it certifies people so that they are eligible to umpire at a National Championship. Each year there are 9 National Championships held in Canada and the Umpires for those championships must have a Level 4 status. In Ontario we hold one Level 4 clinic each year. Umpires must be invited to attend this clinic.

Outlined below are the procedures for having a Level 3 certification and how to obtain and maintain a Level 4 certification.

To Attain Level 3

Umpires must have successfully completed the 3-year Level 2 program clinic cycle of The Offense, The Defense, and The Umpire.

Alternatively, umpires may attend the Accelerated Umpire Program to attain Level 2.3 status, and have umpired for at least one year as a 2.3 umpire.

Umpires seeking an exemption to the above may apply in writing at umpire@baseballontario.com

Level 3 umpires are qualified to work Provincially up to and including Senior level.

To Attain Level 4

Be a Level 3 certified umpire for at least one year.
Be evaluated on-field by a Senior or Master Course Conductor on two occasions (1 plate and 1 base.) in a rep game at the 15U level or higher.
Designated tournaments will be available each year where Level 3 umpires can obtain the required on-field evaluation . Please see details of those events (links under Development tab) for more information.
Pay the required fee set out by the Umpires' Committee.

Requirements to Maintain Status

Write the National Exam each year and obtain 86%.
Be successfully evaluated by a Senior or Master Course Conductor on two occasions, or have successfully completed a National Championship assignment within the previous 3 years.
Attend a Level 4 clinic yearly at your own expense.
Pay the required fee set out by the clinic organizer.

If you fail to comply with the above criteria you will forfeit your card for the following year. The responsibility will be the umpires to make the necessary arrangements for evaluation through the Umpire's Committee.

Level 4 is a difficult yet rewarding standard to obtain. Each year there are fewer National Assignments than there are Level 4 Umpires and the wait to finally get that assignment may seem long. But, as all who have been there will tell you, the wait is worth it when you finally do get to step onto the field at a one of our country's National Championships.

Level 4 Certification People often ask what Level 4 is all about. The Level 4 clinic is held under the jurisdiction of Baseball Canada and it certifies people so that they are eligible to umpire at a National Championship. Each year there are 9 National Championships held in Canada and the Umpires for those championships must have a Level 4 status. In Ontario we hold one Level 4 clinic each year. Umpires must be invited to attend this clinic. Outlined below are the procedures for having a Level 3 certification and how to obtain and maintain a Level 4 certification. To Attain Level 3 Umpires must have successfully completed the 3 year Level 2 program clinic cycle of The Offense, The Defense, and The Umpire. Alternatively, umpires may attend the Accelerated Umpire Program to attain Level 2.3 status, and have umpired for at least one year as a 2.3 umpire. Umpires seeking exemption to the above may apply in writing at umpire@baseballontario.com Level 3 umpires are qualified to work Provincially up to and including Senior level. To Attain Level 4 Be a Level 3 certified umpire for at least one year. Be evaluated on-field by a Senior or Master Course Conductor on two occasions (1 plate and 1 base.) in a rep game at the 15U level or higher. Designated tournaments will be available each year where Level 3 umpires can obtain the required on-field evaluation . Please see details of those events (links under Development tab) for more information. Pay the required fee set out by the Umpires' Committee. Requirements to Maintain Status Write the National Exam each year and obtain 86%. Be successfully evaluated by a Senior or Master Course Conductor on two occasions, or have successfully completed a National Championship assignment within the previous 3 years. Attend a Level 4 clinic yearly at your own expense. Pay the required fee set out by the clinic organizer. If you fail to comply with the above criteria you will forfeit your card for the following year. The responsibility will be the umpires to make the necessary arrangements for evaluation through the Umpire's Committee. Level 4 is a difficult yet rewarding standard to obtain. Each year there are fewer National Assignments than there are Level 4 Umpires and the wait to finally get that assignment may seem long. But, as all who have been there will tell you, the wait is worth it when you finally do get to step onto the field at a one of our country's National Championships.