To become a referee, first choose a sport to officiate, such as baseball, cricket, or football. Referees enforce rules, make decisions, and manage behavior. Short training programs are available for junior level referees, but becoming a professional referee takes years of experience and training. The Jim Evans Academy of Professional Umpiring and the Harry Wendelstedt Umpire School offer training for aspiring professional baseball umpires.
The necessary first step in becoming a referee is to determine the sports in which you wish to officiate. Umpires are found in baseball, cricket, and football. While all organized sports have a position responsible for ensuring the rules of the game are followed and making decisions, the term “referee” is only used in these three sports. Someone who is an active participant or a fan of these sports might want to become a referee.
A referee’s primary responsibility is to enforce the rules of games, make decisions and judgment decisions, and resolve discipline or behavior issues. A thorough understanding of the rules and requirements is essential. In addition to this knowledge, the ability to work with fans, athletes and other members of the official team is very important. Conflict resolution and management skills are becoming more important as behavior management and discipline is a growing area in professional sport.
At the junior level, there are many organizations that offer short training and testing programs for someone who wants to become a referee. The most popular baseball umpire programs in the United States are organized by the Little League or the Babe Ruth League. Talk to local baseball league organizers to learn how to become an umpire for that league.
A referee training program usually lasts eight to 12 weeks and can be divided into two sections: rules and calls. Anyone who wants to become a referee must memorize the rules of the sport at the appropriate level. Judging guidelines comprise nearly half of a referee training program.
The process to become a professional referee is quite complicated and has a very low success rate. On average, it takes seven to 10 years of professional experience to become an umpire in Major League Baseball. Long hours, extensive travel and individual sacrifices are essential for anyone who wants to make a career as a referee.
To become a professional baseball umpire, you must apply to the Jim Evans Academy of Professional Umpiring or the Harry Wendelstedt Umpire School. These schools offer a five-week training program dedicated to the skills needed to become a referee. The best students participate in the Professional Baseball Umpires Corporation evaluation course. Successful students are then eligible to work in the minor leagues as a referee.
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