1.    Philosophy
Fort Hunt Baseball operates under the auspices of Little League Baseball® (Headquarters in Williamsport, PA).  We believe this is the best organized, best run youth baseball program available for our children. Our league is part of Virginia District 9.  We must remember this is a game of and for kids. All volunteers MUST encourage fun and learning. The Little League ball field is not the place for “hot dogs”, "hot heads" or undesirable attitudes.  Our goal is to provide the players with the best umpiring we can provide. The quality of play is directly influenced by the quality of umpiring, so we try to ensure that every umpire is ready when he/she walks on the field.  Umpiring is not learned overnight.  It usually takes a few years of experience before a ump feels comfortable.  Be patient and keep learning.

   2.    Training
Incorporated into Little League is the Umpire Training Program held in Williamsport and around the country (and the world).  Fort Hunt Baseball utilizes the recommended rules, mechanics and interpretations taught by Little League.  All umpires are supplied with a Little League rule book and other training aids available thru Little League.  Also, we use videos and other tools, such as Referee Magazine, to provide examples and interpretations.  Just as important as rules are the mechanics of umpiring.  The umpire must know how to move on the field, where to go, how to make calls, how to work the plate.  We give instruction in these areas hand-in-hand with the rules.

  3.    Scheduling
We schedule junior umpires (ages 13 thru 17) at the level of play for which they feel comfortable and usually with an adult umpire.  Sometimes this doesn’t work out, but that is our goal.  New adults are also placed where they feel comfortable.  We want everyone to enjoy the umpiring experience, and return year after year, even after their children are finished playing in Fort Hunt Little League. We schedule umpires for AAA (10-11), Majors (11-12), Juniors (13-14) and Seniors (15-16).  Juniors and Seniors play occurs on a field with 90 feet bases.  E-mail is the primary means of distributing game schedules to solicit umpires for participation.  Email replies are the primary means umpires sign up for games that fit into their personal schedule.  Occasionally, there are last minute cancellations or openings that must be filled, necessitating phone calls.  We ask all umpires to sign up for as many games as they can, and, if they must cancel, to try to find their own replacement. If a game is rained out, we ask the umpires to keep their game.  All umps will have the e-mail/phone distribution list.  If someone cannot find a replacement, advise the scheduler.  Presently, the Chief Umpire, Don Essex, is the scheduler (contact info below).

 4.    Uniform
The standard uniform for Fort Hunt umpires is a navy blue pullover shirt and heather gray slacks.  The league supplies the “FH” umpire hat, tee shirt and a patch.  The tee shirt and hat are navy blue.  Shoes should be black and shined/clean.  Ball bags are navy or gray.  New and junior umps do not need to spend money outfitting themselves; they can wear the supplied hat and tee shirt, long jeans (no shorts, please) and tennis shoes.  As you continue umpiring, you will begin to buy the uniform.  Also, plate equipment is available at the fields for those who do not have their own.

 5.    Rules
Everyone, including coaches, looks to the umpire for the proper application of a rule.  Many times, you are the only person who has ever looked at the rulebook with any more than a passing interest.  It is essential that every umpire read and understand the rules of Little League and the application of those rules.  Keep your rule book handy for review and study all year long.  If you need any clarification, or if you have question about a play that happened in a game, contact Don Essex.  If he doesn’t know the answer, he will find it for you.

6.    Tournament Umpires
The Fun Tournament and Little League All-Star Tournament are held at the end of the regular spring season.  These games require umpires who are more experienced to handle the excitement/pressure of tournament play.  If you want to work tournament games, tell the Chief Umpire, and he will observe your work and advise you if you are ready and/or what you need to work on.  The Fort Hunt Chief Umpire, Umpire Scheduler and President will determine which umpires will qualify for tournament games.  Ft. Hunt is one of the few umpire groups in the District which has a great reputation, and has the respect and confidence of District 9 officials to be awarded tournament championship games.  You must be willing to accept some constructive criticism and perhaps adjust your mechanics and/or approach to the game if you want to be involved in tournaments.  

7.    Fall Season
This is a perfect time for new umpires to start.  It is considered the "instructional season" for everyone.  Games start around the beginning of September and end in October.  We try to conduct at least one umpire clinic in August.  The age groups are generally the same as spring, with lots of games for all umps to gain experience and work on mechanics/rule application.

Chief Umpire Don Essex (703) 966-9205 edan8@hotmail.com