Apprentice and C-Tier Training
2025-02-01 09:00 - 23:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Eastside Catholic High School, 232 228th Ave SE, Sammamish, WA, 98074, United States
This will be a class held in person in-doors.
Subjects to be covered include:
Obstruction/Interference

Apprentice and C-Tier Field Mechanics
2025-02-01 12:30 - 15:30 | Eastside Catholic High School, 232 228th Ave SE, Sammamish, WA, 98074, United States
For the Apprentices, this will be an introduction to Field Mechanics (i.e. the physical acts of umpiring) We will be meeting on the baseball field and there might even be a lunch provided before we start (talk to Brian). Dress appropriately. Weather conditions could be pretty bad but we’ll likely be out there no matter what. We also generally bring out the surplus/donated gear so this is a great time for the rookies to pick up free equipment.

B-Tier, A-Tier, T-Tier Scrimmages
2025-02-02
More scrimmages available for upper Tier umpires.
Scrimmages have been canceled because we couldn’t find any teams practicing in this weather. Better luck next time.

Apprentice and C-Tier Training
2025-02-04 18:30 - 21:00
This will be another online class
Subjects 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

B-Tier, A-Tier, T-Tier Training
2025-02-05 18:30 - 21:00
This will be another online class
Subjects will include:
HS/MLB rules difference
Appeals
Getting/giving help to your partner

Apprentice and C-Tier Training
2025-02-06 18:30 - 21:00
Another online gathering
Subjects to 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

B-Tier, A-Tier, T-Tier Scrimmages
2025-02-08
More scrimmages will be scheduled. There won’t be a lot of warning about when and where these will happen so pay attention to your e-mails. Also A and T-Tier are also asked to help out with training the C-Tier and Apprentice umpires. They will be on the field all day today at Eastside Catholic. Contact Brian Sweet to see how you can help.
Scrimmages have been canceled because we couldn’t find any teams practicing in this weather. Better luck next time.

Apprentice and C-Tier Field Mechanics
2025-02-08 09:00 - 12:00 | Eastside Catholic High School, 232 228th Ave SE, Sammamish, WA, 98074, United States
This is the start to a full day on the field. Bring uniforms if you have them but whatever you do, make sure you dress warmly enough to spend the whole day outside.

Apprentice and C-Tier Cage Training
2025-02-08 13:00 - 16:00
Once again we will be on the field but back in the batting cages learning the basics of plate mechanics. Calling Balls and Strikes is the core job we do and we all can use practice. Bring your protective gear if you have it (at least a mask) but, most likely we will not be seeing live pitches here just soft-toss balls (unless we can come up with a pitching machine or two).
We will try to provide a lunch between the two sessions but talk to your instructors to make sure.

Apprentice and C-Tier Training
2025-02-11 18:30 - 21:00
Another online session.
Subjects include:
Arbiter
Arbiter Pay / Wisely
When to get help / when to give help
Balks
Force Play Slide Rule (** Checking to see if Tim S will Cover)
Designated Hitter (** Checking to see if Tim S will Cover)

B-Tier, A-Tier, T-Tier Training
2025-02-13 18:30 - 21:00
This is another online session.
Subjects 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

Apprentice and C-Tier scrimmages
2025-02-15
The idea here is to get the new and slightly used umpires into actual game situations. We will attempt to find teams that are practicing before their real season starts so the scores mean nothing. A-Tier and T-Tier umpires, especially those who are mentors, will attend the games and coach the trainees. We will rotate umpires into and out of the game so that the coaching can occur (hopefully) when you’re not on the field.
Please bring all your gear to the game and prepared to do plate and bases. If you don’t have all your gear yet, some will be available at the field but, you really need to get used to your own gear, especially whatever mask you’re going to use during the season.
We won’t know exactly when and where these games are being played until a day or so ahead of time so pay attention. You may get e-mails indicating that certain games are available and you’ll need to pick one and let your trainers know which one you will attend.

B-Tier, A-Tier, T-Tier scrimmages
2025-02-15
You know the drill by now

B-Tier, A-Tier, T-Tier scrimmages
2025-02-16
More practice games

High School Rules Night
2025-02-20 18:30 - 21:00 | 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
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
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.

NBUA Business Meeting
2025-03-03 19:00 - 21:00 | Bellevue Christian School, 1701 98th Ave NE, Bellevue, WA, United States
Our final get together before the season starts. Meet Mark Clough (our fearless assignor) and talk about the upcoming season. The Board will lay out any changes to the way things are going to be done vis pay, evaluations/promotions, policies, etc. Apprentices should have met their mentors by now but, if not, this is your chance. Also final chance to pick over the surplus/donated equipment.

Apprentice and C-Tier Training
2025-03-04 18:30 - 21:00
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.

High School Season Starts
2025-03-07 - 2025-03-09
The High School Season starts this weekend and often these matches will involve round robin games that put three teams on a field and they play 3 inning games until all 3 teams have each played 6 innings. Or they might just play normal games. You ask the coaches. Apprentice umpires are generally paired with their mentors for these games.

3 Man Mechanics Training
2025-04-12 19:00 - 21:30
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

Voting Begins
2025-09-08
Voting is virtual. You will all be sent information on how to cast your ballot via individual e-mails.

2025 Banquet and Awards Dinner
2025-09-13 18:00 - 22:00 | Gala Events, 18318 SR 203, Monroe, WA, 98272, United States
This is our annual Banquet and Awards dinner to be held in a new location this year. For the first time in a long time it will NOT be held the same day as our annual golf tournament.
This is our agenda so far:
* 6pm Bar opens, 7pm Banquet will get underway
* Location is the Gala Events location just south of Monroe (see below)
* Food is hosted by J&L Barbeque
* This event is for our Members & their significant others
* NBUA members are free (included with your dues), and your guests are only $35
* Many of our customers are invited as well
* Dress code is to dress nice for the evening. Most fellows wear shirt/tie/jacket. Most ladies wear a dress or pantsuit.
* This is a really fun event for the ladies too!
* Several awards will be given out including Rookie of the Year, Outstanding Umpire(s) of the Year & more.
* This event is where/when all promotions are announced…

Hope to see you all there.

Voting Closes
2025-09-15 00:00 - 18:00
Voting will close at 6PM and the votes will be tallied that evening by the election committee.

Apprentice Training
2026-01-22 18:30 - 21:00
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.

NBUA General Meeting
2026-01-26 19:00 - 20:30 | Bellevue Christian School, 1701 98th Ave NE, Bellevue, WA, United States
All Tiers are welcomed at the 2026 NBUA General Meeting. The new Board of Directors will be introduced along with a new proposal for changing the way future boards will be elected. The NBUA President will lay out his expectations for the year to come and answer questions from the membership. The new Apprentice class will be introduced. Various recognition awards will be presented to C-Tier, B-Tier, A-Tier and T-Tier umpires.

Apprentice/C-Tier Training
2026-01-27 18:30 - 21:00
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
