High School Rules Night
2025-02-20 18:30 - 21:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Bellevue Christian School, 1701 98th Ave NE, Bellevue, WA, United States
This is our annual High School Rules night with Tim Stevens. Tim (for those that don’t know) is a long time member of the NBUA and also a former member of the NFHS rules committee. He will take us through any rule changes that have come down the line and will also outline some of the main differences between the MLB rules and NFHS rules. The first games of the year are generally High School games so this is good to know. Also, there’s going to be a test.
Due to last minute family issues, Tim will not be able to do this training in person. Instead this has been changed to a Zoom meeting. So, you have a choice, you can stay at home and watch this over Zoom, or you can join us all at the BCS hall and watch this together.
All Tiers (Apprentice, C-Tier, B-Tier, A-Tier and T-Tier)

Apprentice and C-Tier scrimmages
2025-02-22 | WA
Another day of scrimmage games overseen by A-Tier and T-Tier coaches. Time and place To Be Determined. Bring all gear.

High School Test Study Session
2025-02-27 18:30 - 21:00 | Bellevue Christian School, 1701 98th Ave NE, Bellevue, WA, United States
We all get together and work out the answers to the High School Test. Passing the NFHS Test is a requirement for umpires who want to be assigned games with the NBUA. It is also required by the WOA before they allow anyone in the state to work High School or Middle School games.
All tiers are welcomed to the study session (Apprentice, C-Tier, B-Tier, A-Tier, T-Tier). We will be broken into groups by last name. Each will be assigned a specific set of questions and will present their answers to the group. The sample questions can be downloaded, in advance from the Arbiter thru the WOA Central Hub.
A link will be provided on the Arbiter website that allows officials to go in and take the HS Baseball test. There are also a number of required clinics and a background check that must be fulfilled. It’s all explained on the WIAA website accessed via Arbiter.

All Tiers scrimmages
2025-03-01 | WA
More live scrimmages time and place TBD. Apprentice and C-Tier umpires will work with B-Tier, A-Tier and T-Tier umpires on scrimmage games. This is a watch, work and learn situation where sometimes you will be on the field working games with umpires of various tiers and sometimes you will be watching other umpires from behind the fence perhaps doing a “Did you see what they did?” “Do you know why?” sort of thing. Heckling is not encouraged but sometimes is unavoidable.

Apprentice and C-Tier Training
2025-03-04 18:30 - 21:00 | WA
The final online training session before the fireworks begin. Any questions you have should be answered by now but, if not, ask them here.
Subjects include (but anything goes):
Appeals
Force Play Slide Rule
Designated Hitter
Lineup Card
Lineup Card Management
Peer Evaluations
Plays At the Plate / Wedge
Confusing Test Questions
Plate Meeting
Arbiter session
Evaluations
Open session to talk about anything that you want to.

3 Man Mechanics Training
2025-04-12 19:00 - 21:30 | WA
For B-Tier, A-Tier and T-Tier umpires who will be assigned games in the upcoming High School playoffs, this is a chance to brush up on your 3-Man field mechanics. All umpires are welcomed to attend.
This will be an online session so watch your e-mail for the login details

Apprentice Training
2026-01-22 18:30 - 21:00 | WA
Hello to new umpires! If you have not done so yet, please make yourself known to our staff by applying via the New Umpire Application form on the homepage of this website. This will be a virtual training session using Zoom. Please download and test your Zoom application before the meeting. For login information please contact Brian Sweet (Director of Training) see contacts section of this website.
Session contents include:
Director of Training (Welcome to NBUA, …)
Apprentice Training 1st day
Basic List of NBUA Items Required
NBUA Uniform and Equipment
NBUA Umpire Terminology
Signaling the Basic 8
Apprentice / C Tier Expectations
WOA Umpire Mechanics (intro for apprentice)

Apprentice Training
2026-01-24 09:00 - 12:00 | Eastside Catholic High School, 232 228th Ave SE, Sammamish, WA, 98074, United States
This will be our first in-person training session for Apprentices only. We will hold this training at a classroom at Eastside Catholic High School. Parking is out by the baseball field then walk to the school campus. Directions to the actual classroom will be provided by Brian Sweet.
Session contents include:
Plate Basics (Jim Evan’s PPT)
Slot basics with mechanics
Strike Zone
Practical Strike Zone
Head Height, Tracking, Strike Mechanic, Ball Call Mechanic
Signal to partner
Putting the ball in play
Calling Time!
In-Field Fly Rule signals, vocals (when to call an IFF)
Timing Plays
Check swings

Apprentice Field Mechanics
2026-01-24 13:00 - 15:30 | Eastside Catholic High School, 232 228th Ave SE, Sammamish, WA, 98074, United States
This will be our first training session out on an actual field. We call this “Field Mechanics”, which are the physical aspects of umpiring. We will be meeting after lunch on the baseball field at Eastside Catholic High School. Dress for the weather, bring your mask if you have one, wear shoes appropriate for running on a (wet) turf field.

Apprentice/C-Tier Training
2026-01-27 18:30 - 21:00 | WA
This will be another virtual Zoom Meeting. Details will be sent out by e-mail. If you don’t get the details before the meeting, contact Brian Sweet. The Training sessions from this point forward will include both Apprentices and C-Tier umpires.
Session contents include:
Pre-Game/Post-Game
Runner’s Lane
MLB Rules: Runner Rules
What is a Trouble Ball?
WOA Umpire Mechanics

C+Tier/B-Tier/A-Tier/T-Tier Training
2026-01-28 18:30 - 21:00 | WA
A virtual training session on Zoom. Details will be e-mailed beforehand. C+Tier are umpires that have completed 3 or more years on the C-Tier.
Subjects to be covered include:
Obstruction/Interference
Malicious contact
Ejections/Game management

Apprentice/C-Tier Training
2026-01-29 18:30 - 21:00 | WA
Another virtual training session using Zoom:
Session contents include:
Baseball rules – 8.00 the pitcher
MLB Rules (non-runner, pitcher, batter)
MLB Rules: Batter Rules
Base Awards
WOA Umpire Mechanics

Apprentice/C-Tier Training
2026-01-31 09:00 - 11:30 | Eastside Catholic High School, 232 228th Ave SE, Sammamish, WA, 98074, United States
This will be a classroom session at Eastside Catholic HS.
Sessions contents include:
Obstruction/Interference

B-Tier/C+Tier Field Mechanics
2026-01-31 09:00 - 11:30 | Eastside Catholic High School, 232 228th Ave SE, Sammamish, WA, 98074, United States
This will be a morning of Field Mechanics Drills on the field at Eastside Catholic. Dress for the weather.

Apprentice/C-Tier Field Mechanics
2026-01-31 12:30 - 15:30 | Eastside Catholic High School, 232 228th Ave SE, Sammamish, WA, 98074, United States
Meet on the baseball field after lunch. Dress for the weather. Bring your gear if you have it, or just your mask if that’s all you have.
Field Mechanics drills

B-Tier/C+Tier Scrimmages
2026-02-01 | WA
More scrimmage games to get you ready for the regular season.

A-Tier/T-Tier Scrimmages
2026-02-01 | WA
Scrimmages will be arrange at a time and place TBD.

A-Tier/T-Tier Scrimmages
2026-02-02 | WA
Scrimmages for training purposes will be arranged at a time and place TBD

Apprentice/C-Tier Training
2026-02-03 18:30 - 21:00 | WA
This is another virtual training session via Zoom.
Session contents include:
MLB Rules: Pitcher Rules
HS Rules (15-20 diff) PPT
Keys to umpiring baseball
How to work with your Partner
How to work with players
* Catcher Report

Apprentice/C-Tier Training
2026-02-05 18:30 - 21:00 | WA
This is another virtual session via Zoom.
Session contents include:
Obstruction/Interference (4 videos and discussion)
“We’ve all been there”
Game Management Techniques
* Non HS (how to handle summer ball, …)
* HS tools (how to leverage warnings, benching, …)
Handling / Working w/Coaches (griping, chirping)
Ejections

C+Tier/B-Tier/A-Tier/T-Tier Training
2026-02-05 18:30 - 21:00 | WA
Another virtual training session via Zoom.
Subjects to be covered include:
HS/MLB rules difference
Appeals
Getting/giving help to your partner

Apprentice/C-Tier Field Mechanics
2026-02-07 09:00 - 12:00 | Eastside Catholic High School, 232 228th Ave SE, Sammamish, WA, 98074, United States
This whole day will be outdoors on the baseball field at Eastside Catholic. This morning session will be more drills concerning field mechanics.

Apprentice/C-Tier Cage Training
2026-02-07 13:00 - 16:00 | Eastside Catholic High School, 232 228th Ave SE, Sammamish, WA, 98074, United States
This is another outdoor session at the ball field but we will be using the batting cages so we can get right into the details of working the plate and calling balls and strikes, check swings, foul tips, time, hit-by-pitch, putting the ball in play and all the other things that happen to the batter at bat.
A-Tier and T-Tier umpires are requested to support this training.

Apprentice/C-Tier Training
2026-02-10 18:30 - 21:00 | WA
This is another online training session using Zoom.
Session contents include:
Arbiter
Arbiter Pay / Wisely
When to get help / when to give help
Balks
Force Play Slide Rule
Designated Hitter Rule (DH)

C+Tier/B-Tier/A-Tier/T-Tier Training
2026-02-12 18:30 - 21:00 | WA
Another virtual training session via Zoom
Subjects covered will include:
Mechanics: plays at the plate, double play coverage, unusual/close plays
1-man mechanics
Expectations for B to A and expectations of A/TT feedback to B and C

Apprentice/C-Tier Scrimmages
2026-02-14 | WA
Trainees will be assigned to work scrimmage games (practice games played before the start of the regular season). The location and time of these games will not be known until a day or two before they occur so stay alert for your assignments. Bring all your gear and expect to work both plate and field. If you don’t have all your gear yet, let someone know and gear will be provided. Instructor umpires will be onfield with you and will also be available for debriefing off the field.
Support from A-Tier and T-Tier umpires is requested.

B-Tier/C+Tier Field Mechanics
2026-02-14 09:00 - 11:30 | Eastside Catholic High School, 232 228th Ave SE, Sammamish, WA, 98074, United States
Field Mechanics Training at ESC

A-Tier/T-Tier Scrimmages
2026-02-15 | WA
Scrimmage games for training purposes will be arranged at a time and place TBD

B-Tier/C+Tier Scrimmages
2026-02-15 10:00 - 14:00 | WA
More scrimmage games. Possiblly at Meridian Park. Stay tuned.

High School Rules
2026-02-19 18:30 - 21:00 | WA
This is our yearly Zoom training session with Tim Stevens to learn the differences/changes/points of emphasis in the National Federation of High Schools (NFHS) rules for 2026. All tiers; Apprentice, C-Tier, B-Tier, A-Tier and T-Tier are invited to attend. See Posts for login information.
