NBUA

Apprentice/C-Tier Training
2026-01-27 18:30 - 21:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
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
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
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
More scrimmage games to get you ready for the regular season.

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

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

Apprentice/C-Tier Training
2026-02-03 18:30 - 21:00
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
More scrimmage games. Possiblly at Meridian Park. Stay tuned.

High School Rules
2026-02-19 18:30 - 21:00
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.

Apprentice/C-Tier Scrimmages
2026-02-22
More scrimmage games. Talk to your trainers to get signed up. Locations to be determined.
We need A-Tier and T-Tier umpires to participate as trainers, please contact Bill Fitzgerald to confirm.

High School Study
2026-02-26 18:30 - 21:00 | Bellevue Christian School, 1701 98th Ave NE, Bellevue, WA, United States
This is our annual study session for the High School Rules Test that we all must pass in order to be assigned games. All Tiers are invited to attend; Apprentice, C-Tier, B-Tier, A-Tier, T-Tier.
Before the session, instructions will be sent out, the group will be divided alphabetically and given a certain group of questions to research. Be prepared to discuss the questions your group has been assigned.

Apprentice/C-Tier Scrimmages
2026-02-28
More scrimmage games to practice your skills before the games begin to get serious. Talk to your trainers about assignments.
Support from A-Tier and T-Tier requested (Mentors encouraged to participate with your mentees)

B-Tier/C+Tier Scrimmages
2026-02-28
More Scrimmage games, time and play TBD probably sign up through Arbiter

NBUA Business Meeting
2026-03-02 19:00 - 20:30 | Bellevue Christian School, 1701 98th Ave NE, Bellevue, WA, United States
All NBUA members are invited to attend the annual business meeting, the last time we will all be together before the season starts. The various commitee chairs will describe their functions and report their current status. Apprentices will be introduced to their mentors (if they haven’t already met during the scrimmages). The surplus equipment will be available for new umpires to pick through. The hat manufacturer will be present to hand out NBUA logo hats that have been ordered.
Apprentices, C-Tier, B-Tier, A-Tier, T-Tier

Apprentice/C-Tier Training
2026-03-03 18:30 - 21:00
This is the final scheduled Zoom class for new umpires. It will cover a wide range of topics and is an excellent place to ask questions that may have come up during the scrimmages (like why did one upper level umpire tell me one thing while another senior umpire told me the complete opposite?)
session topics include:
Appeals
Force Play Slide Rule
DH
Lineup Card
Lineup Card Management
Peer Evaluations
Plays At the Plate / Wedge
Confusing Test Questions
Plate Meeting
Open session to talk about anything that you want to.

High School Season Begins
2026-03-07
The high school season starts today and may include regular 7 inning games or jamborees where three teams play a round robin series of three, 3 inning games. Have fun!

3-man Mechanics
2026-04-19 18:30 - 21:00
Every year, most of us spend the first two months of the year working 2-man games and then, suddenly, during the high school playoffs, when everybody gets super concerned over every call you make, we switch to 3-man mechanics. This is our yearly class to try and make the transition easier. The class is aimed at the A-Tier and T-Tier (Tournament) umpires who will be assigned those playoff games, but anyone is invited to participate.
This will be a virtual meeting via Zoom. Details will be sent out beforehand. If you don’t get them, just as your training coordinators.

Board Nominations are Open
2026-07-21 08:00 - 2026-08-04 00:00
This is your call for candidates for election to the NBUA Board of Directors.
This election cycle, two board positions are open for a 3-year opportunity and three board positions are open for a 2-year opportunity to serve your fellow members. The determination as to who serves a 3-year or 2-year term is based on Policies and Procedures, Board Election Transition Policy, section 17.3 which states: “(t)hree year terms will first be assigned to directors serving their first term on the Board. Any additional spots or tie-breaking situations will then be determined by the candidate(s) who receive(s)s the most Member votes.”
Please email any NBUA Board of Directors to submit your name for this nomination.
This is your opportunity to participate in your NBUA’s operations and contribute to your fellow umpires.
We encourage anyone interested in participating to step forward and help lead and shape the Association. Nominations for the Board can be made by any member in good standing, for themself or another.
