Umpires
The Umpire Clinics for 2025 will be combination of an Online Module & In-Person Camp.
Please find detailed instructions on how to register and the information for the Camps below.
Online Modules & Camp Details
Level 1 and 2 umpires this year are required to complete a series of independent learning modules. The total expected time for the course is 2 hours. The online modules are currently available for completion on Baseball Ontario OnDeck. This does not need to be completed in one sitting but is required to be completed prior to your in-person camp date.
In addition, Level 1 and 2 umpires are required to attend a mandatory 4 hour in-person umpire camp instructed by Baseball Ontario Clinicians. East York will be hosting two camps at Malvern Collegiate Institute (Gymnasium South) and the date and times are as follows:
Camp Date | Camp Time | Level | Camp # | Club | Location |
Sat., April 5, 2025 | 9 AM – 1 PM | Level 1/2 | U25-14 | East York Baseball Association | Malvern Collegiate Institute (Gymnasium South) 55 Malvern Avenue, Toronto, ON M4E 3E4 |
Sat., April 5, 2025 | 1:30- 5:30 PM | Level 1/2 | U25-15 | East York Baseball Association |
The OBA has increased the cost of the camp per umpire for 2025 to $30 for Level 1 and $50 for Level 2.
Only one in-person session needs to be attended. As per Baseball Ontario, spots are limited to 40 umpires per camp so please register as soon as possible because umpires will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Walk-ins will not be accepted at the door on the day of the camp.
Please, only register for the camp date that you 100% know that you will be available for. The length of the camp is 4 hours, and you have to be there from start to finish. If you register for one of the camps and then find out later that you are unable to attend, please let the Umpire-in-Chief, Aaron Paragas, know at aparagas@torontomu.ca so your registration can be removed.
If you are unable to attend one of these camp dates or the camp you want to attend is full, you are free to attend another association’s umpire camp and pay that association’s fee to them.
Please note: Due to the number of other camps available hosted by other associations within Toronto there will be no wait list once these camps are full.
A list of other available umpire camps can be found here: https://ondeck.baseballontario.com/events. (Not all camps have been added and more may be added in the future by other associations.)
On the day of the camp please come in your umpire uniform (navy blue umpire shirt, navy blue hat or black Baseball Ontario logo’d hat, grey dress pants, black shoes, black socks, and black belt). You may also choose to bring an umpire mask, indicator, and brush – this is optional. Other protective equipment is not required.
STEPS TO COMPLETE YOUR REGISTRATION
Step #1 – Register for OnDeck/Update Your Profile
Umpires this year are required to register for Baseball Ontario OnDeck in order to register for an umpire camp and their online modules.
This can be done via this link: https://ondeck.baseballontario.com/baseball-ontario-ondeck/register.
Please, register your account under your name and not your parent’s name and have the correct date of birth. It is also recommended that you register using your own email.
Select “East York Baseball Association (Toronto Baseball Association)” as your association with your role being “umpire.”
Your primary role for 2025 would be as follows:
- New to umpiring → Umpire – Level 1.1 (First Year)
- Level 1.1 umpire in 2024 → Umpire – Level 1.2 (Second Year)
- Level 1.2 umpire in 2024 → Umpire – Level 2.1 (First Year L2)
- Level 2.1 umpire in 2024 → Umpire – Level 2.2 (Second Year L2)
- Level 2.2 umpire in 2024 → Umpire – Level 2.3 (Third Year L2)
- Level 2.3 umpire in 2024 → Umpire – Level 3
For example, if you were an Umpire – Level 1.1 (First Year) last year then your role would be Umpire – Level 1.2 (Second Year) because that would be your umpire level for this year after completing the camp.
If you already have a Baseball Ontario OnDeck profile, then all you need to do is update your profile for this season using the guide above.
Step #2 – Register for Your Courses and Camp
Umpires will register for their online modules and in-person umpire camp on the Baseball Ontario OnDeck platform.
Once you have logged in to Baseball Ontario OnDeck, click on your name in the top right corner, then click "my account", then choose "certifications" from the left menu, then choose the corresponding certification from “My Certifications”. If you scroll further down the page you will come across “In-Person Umpire Camp”, click on “View Events”, and from there select the umpire camp you want to attend.
Step #3 – Payment
Payment is due at the time of registration. It can be made via e-transfer to the EYBA Treasurer at eybatreasurer@gmail.com with the password being “baseball”. The cost is $30 for Level 1 and $50 for Level 2. In the memo/message please include your name, the camp level, and if you’re attending the morning or afternoon session.
Step #4 – Fill Out the EYBA Application Form
Click here to apply!
Applications will remain open until April 30, 2025. Umpires looking to join the EYBA after this date will be accepted on a case-by-case basis. Please email, Aaron Paragas, at aparagas@torontomu.ca after this date.
Additional Requirements for Adult Umpires
Again, for the 2025 season, adult umpires (18 and older) will have to complete additional requirements beyond certification in order to have their Baseball Ontario umpire card activated.
Please see the following link for these requirements: https://www.playoba.ca/umpire-screening-requirements.
Level 3 Certification
Level 3 umpire registration is open and is open to all umpires who have completed the 3-year Level 2 program cycle. Level 3 training occurs on a 3-year cycle comprised of SuperCamp, SuperClinic, and Exam training years. Level 3 umpires are qualified to work provincial playdowns and Eliminations up to and including Senior level.
NEW OR RETURNING LEVEL 3 UMPIRES - Log in to your OnDeck Profile at https://ondeck.baseballontario.com/
When updating your profile in ONDeck, select the Level 3 role. Then, click on “Complete Level 3 Umpire” where you will be able to pay your $60 certification fee online in ONDeck directly to the OBA.
For 2025, new and returning Level 3 umpires will be required to complete three online modules:
- Scoring Runs
- Base Awards
- Baserunning
East York Baseball uses certified OBA umpires for all Rep, Select and House League games in 8U and older.
Those interested in becoming an umpire for the East York Baseball Association should read through all the information below in addition to the EYBA Umpire Protocols and Procedures. Most questions should be answered in this material.
If you still require additional information, please contact the Umpire-in-Chief, Aaron Paragas, aparagas@torontomu.ca.
General Information About becoming an Umpire
Interested in being an Umpire?
All new and returning umpires must take a certified OBA Umpire Camp to umpire for EYBA. The camps are offered by Baseball Ontario and EYBA often hosts one or two in April. Course dates and registration are available on the Ontario Baseball website: http://www.playoba.ca
Those new to umpiring must register for Level 1. Once initial certification has been completed, umpires need to re-certify annually through online modules and in-person clinics.
Level 1 certification is a 2-year program, meaning that Level 1 must be take two years consecutively. Once Level 1 has been completed in two consecutive years, then umpires can proceed to take the next level. Level 2 certification is a 3-year program in the same manner.
Level 3 training occurs on a 3-year cycle comprised of SuperCamp, SuperClinic, and Exam training years. Level 3 umpires are qualified to work provincial playdowns and Eliminations up to and including Senior level.
If an umpire attends a camp/clinic through an association other than EYBA, he/she must email the EYBA Umpire-in-Chief once completed to be added to the EYBA database of umpires. Only umpires in our database with up-to-date contact information will be assigned jobs.
Umpiring Requirements
Umpires for EYBA must be able to meet the following requirements:
- Umpires must be 13 years old (or turning 13 in the current calendar year) or greater
- Must have attended an OBA Umpire Certification Clinic and hold a minimum Level 1 certification.
- Previous baseball experience is not mandatory; however, it is definitely an asset
For many individuals, umpiring for EYBA will be a first real job. Umpires can expect to undertake the following responsibilities:
- Arriving on time; 20 minutes prior to game time for House League and Select games, and 30 minutes prior to game time for Rep games. Arriving just prior to game time or at game time is not acceptable and will not be tolerated.
- Educating themselves on the rules for various division and levels of baseball at EYBA
- Officiate the game as per the rules for that division and level.
- Direct the course of the game ensuring a fun baseball environment for all.
- Make quick, accurate decisions and standing by those decisions while sometimes under pressure.
- Balance umpire commitments with school, playing baseball and other activities.
- Communicating with coaches and players as well as the Umpire-in-Chief in a timely manner.
Umpires are required to purchase their own uniform and some of their own equipment. The uniform includes:
- Navy blue umpire shirt
- Navy blue hat or black Baseball Ontario logo’d hat
- Grey dress pants (Dark/charcoal grey preferred) – No shorts, jeans, baseball pants, or jogging pants
- Indicator (Clicker)
- Plate brush
- Ball bag
- Watch
Uniforms may be purchased at Eagle Beaver Sports as they are the provider of uniforms and supplies for EYBA. Eagle Beaver often offers a discount to those affiliated with EYBA.
EYBA will provide umpires with face masks, chest protectors, and shin protectors, if they require it. Some umpires choose to purchase their own equipment, but this is not mandatory. EYBA has these items available for all umpires at work in the park on any given day.
EYBA does not keep umpire equipment at Dieppe Park or Greenwood Park. If you are assigned a game at one of those parks and need gear, you will need to retrieve some from Stan Wadlow and return it the next time you are at the park.
Umpire Scheduling
Many EYBA umpires play on sports teams themselves or have other commitments on various days of the week. The EYBA has an online system for our umpires to manage when they are available. Games will only be assigned if availability is indicated. Umpires are asked to accept or decline their game(s) in a reasonable amount of time or the game may be subject to re-assignment without notice.
Games are assigned according to seniority, games available, as well as your availability. Certain umpiring certification levels are required for certain levels of games. Generally, first year umpires will be scheduled to umpire 8U/9U House League games on Tuesdays and Thursdays or 11U House League on Mondays and Wednesdays, so please ensure you will have availability.
It is important that umpires update their contact information and their availability on a regular basis and respond to assignments promptly. The scheduling is done online using the scheduling system Goalline. It is the umpire’s responsibility to keep his/her availability updated. Games are assigned a minimum one to two weeks in advance, sometimes more.
Game assignments are at the sole discretion of the Umpire-in-Chief and he shall have the final say.
Umpire Mentoring
Umpire mentoring will be available this season for first year umpires. For the first year umpires assigned to a 8U and 9U House League game, every attempt will be made an assign you a mentor for your first one or two games. Your mentor will not work the game with you but instead will act as an off-field presence and will provide you with feedback throughout the game and answer any questions you may have regarding positioning, mechanics, rules, etc.
Umpire Pay Rate
The pay rate for umpires in EYBA depends on the level and division umpired. EYBA uses umpires to officiate all games between the 8U Level and the 18U Level, at the House League, Select, and Rep levels. The higher the age and/or skill level the higher the pay rate will be. Below is a chart listing the pay rates
2025 EYBA Umpire Pay Rates (Approved at the October 2024 AGM)
Level | Division | |
House League | 8U / 9U / 11U | $30 |
13U | $40 | |
15U / 18U | $50 | |
Select | 9U | $50 |
11U | $60 | |
13U | $70 | |
15U / 18U | $75 | |
Rep | 8U / 9U | $50 |
10U / 11U | $60 | |
12U / 13U | $70 | |
14U / 15U | $80 | |
16U / 18U | $90 | |
Elite | 15U | $80 |
16U / 18U | $90 ($100 for 9 inning games) | |
Rep Tournaments | 8U / 9U | $60 |
10U / 11U | $65 |
For House League, umpires will be paid after the game at the Snack Bar after signing the payment sheet. For Rep and Select, umpires will be paid prior to the game starting either at the plate meeting or off the field.
For House League games umpired alone, the pay rate will be 1.5x the normal rate. For Rep and Select games umpired alone, the pay rate will be 2x the normal rate and any travel bonuses.
Rules
EYBA House League | OBA OBA - Rep OBA - Select |
TBA TBA-YSBA-EOBA Interlock Rules |
Ejections & Bench Restrictions
Throughout the regular and playoff season issues may cause players, coaches, or spectators to get a little heated during the game.
During each season there may be an incident that occurs that may warrant anyone being ejected from a game. It is the umpire’s responsibility to keep the game moving along as best as possible and to enforce the rules. The East York Baseball Association and Toronto Baseball Association have a zero-tolerance policy for umpire abuse. Offenders of this policy are subject to ejection.
If you are required to eject someone, follow the steps noted below:
- Issue a bench restriction which will allow the coach to remain in the game but remain on the bench and in the dugout. Under no circumstances can the coach come out onto the field to coach a base or a player. The coach may only leave the dugout to tend to an injured player.
- If the coach does not follow this directive, then halt the game and instruct the coach that he is now ejected from the game and to leave the playing area.
- If they continue to act in an inappropriate manner, i.e.: verbally abusive you can once again halt the game and ask the person(s) to leave to the parking lot.
- Take a mental note or write down any coach’s or player’s numbers if applicable/ejected as you will need to note for the incident report (either the plate or base umpire).
- Contact the Umpire-in-Chief immediately following the game to report the incident and follow it up with a completed incident report. This can be found on the Toronto Baseball Association website under the “Umpires” tab.
- If it is a player or a parent that you feel the need to eject, then follow the same process minus the bench restriction. You may also skip issuing a warning and/or bench restriction and directly eject the offender.