​In 2026 our training sessions will be structured slightly differently than in the past. Instead of having a series of training meetings for all umpires, we will be splitting the meetings into two separate sessions, one a series of meetings designed specifically for new(er) umpires, and a second set of meetings tailored for veteran umpires.

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This year our training meetings will be on Monday nights at West Valley High School from 6:00-8:00 PM. Because we will be having dual sessions on some evenings, the meetings will take place in both the Community Room (Room 1101), and the library depending on the group. We encourage people to arrive a little early to sign in, pick up materials and chat with your fellow umpires.

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Attendance at these meetings is highly encouraged and your attendance will have an impact on both your regular season assignments and post-season playoff eligibility.​

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Training Meetings Specifically for Veterans:

Monday, January 5th, General Meeting for ALL umpires

Monday, January 12th, Veteran’s Meeting: Evaluations

Monday, February 2nd, Veteran’s Meeting: Interaction with coaches

Monday, February 9th, Veteran’s Meeting: Plate Work

Monday, March 2nd, Veteran’s Meeting: 3-person Mechanics

The Veteran’s meetings will be led by Larry Randall, Dwaine Schettler and Rob Bartlett and will be focused on the more complex and/or subtle elements of umpiring.

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Training Meetings for New(er) Umpires:

Monday, January 5th, General meeting for ALL umpires

Monday, January 12th, Basic Mechanics & Signals

Monday, January 19th, NO MEETING, Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday

Monday, January 26th, Working the Bases, Part 1

Monday, February 2nd, Working the Bases, Part 2

Monday, February 9th, Working the Plate

Monday, February 16th, NO MEETING, President’s Day Holiday

Monday, February 23rd, Working with a Partner/Working Solo

Monday, March 2nd, Game Management, Interacting with Coaches

Monday, March 9th, WOA Certification Test Study Session

The New(er) Umpires Meetings will be led by Matt Miethe, Jamison Edwards & Gary Teale and will be focused on umpiring basics.

 

Batting Cage Sessions for All Umpires:

Note: Batting Cage sessions will be listed as “Events” in Arbiter and umpires will need to “Accept” in order to participate.

Saturday, January 17th, 9:00-11:00 AM at Whitworth

Saturday, January 24th, 9:00-11:00 AM at Whitworth

Saturday, January 31st, 9:00-11:00 AM at Whitworth

Additional batting cage sessions are in the process of being set up. We will keep you informed as they develop.

 

We will be sending out weekly reminders via Arbiter throughout January, February and March outlining in greater detail the topics that will be covered at each of our meetings. Again, we highly encourage all umpires to attend these meetings. They help us to refresh and continue to improve our umpiring skills.

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The foundation for our trainings in 2026 will include Umpire Classroom's "Umpiring 101" which can be accessed online at https://www.umpireclassroom.com/offers/i6FLsFi5 . The cost for the online course is $25.00.  Even If you are able to make all the training meetings, it is highly recommended that you take this course since it has videos that cover topics that we don't have time to cover in our classroom trainings.​ For umpires new to the organization in 2025, the $25.00 for the course will be reimbursed if 1.) You submit the certification that you have completed the entire course, and 2.) Umpire a minimum of 20 games in 2025. 

It is HIGHLY recommended that all umpires in our association subscribe to Umpire Classroom. By doing so you will receive weekly quizzes and videos on recent rule changes, as well as refresher videos and quizzes on all aspects of being an umpire. 

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