Softball FAQs

If you are reading this, you are considering becoming a professional umpire. Congratulations!

You are on your way to joining one of the most rewarding pursuits anywhere. Many of our officials are former athletes who played baseball or softball when they were younger and want to keep up with the game. It’s a great way to give back. Officials are a close-knit fraternity of sorts. Being an umpire allows you to not only work with people who have a common interest, but you will also make some extra money along the way. It’s a great way to stay close to the sport you love and the people who keep it going.

Find answers to common questions about joining the Eastern Officials Association (EVOA) softball umpiring crew, training requirements, game assignments, and how to hire certified umpires in Eastern Virginia and Northeastern North Carolina.

How do I become a certified softball umpire with EOA?

To become a certified EOA softball umpire, complete our Softball Official Registration Form. Once registered, you will be invited to attend our upcoming training clinics, which cover plate work, base mechanics, and rulebook interpretations to prepare you for on-field assignments.

You can read the EOA Constitution as well as the Policies and Procedures by clicking the links provided.

EOA assigns softball umpires across the greater Hampton Roads region, Eastern Virginia, and Northeastern North Carolina. Our regular game locations include Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Hampton, Newport News, the Eastern Shore, and surrounding NC counties.

First and foremost, you can expect to have fun and make great relationships. Secondly, we will do our part to make sure you are properly trained and learn baseball from a perspective you only THOUGHT you knew. Finally, you can expect to be paid well for your efforts. EOA offers officiating opportunities and/or training for every sport we represent virtually year-round. When training, we also provide comprehensive evaluation so that you know where you’re doing well and where you can improve. We work on the finer points, mechanics of officiating, and of course, knowledge of the sport. We want you to be the best official you can be, because we all together represent a fantastic organization.

You’ll also need to be able to communicate using email and the internet. Our assignments are posted online and much of our communication is through email. You’ll have to check for assignments regularly, keep up with evaluations, and communicate often.

EOA umpires are certified to call games across multiple competition levels based on experience and evaluation:

  • Youth & Travel Ball: USA Softball (ASA), USSSA, PONY, Little League, and AAU

  • Scholastic & Collegiate: NFHS / Virginia High School League (VHSL) and NCAA matchups

Typically, first year officials will work their way up through youth sports before moving up to high school level sports. If you’re a fast learner and you receive better evaluations you can expect to advance quickly. If you’re transferring in from another organization, you will be evaluated as quickly as possible and will be assigned based on your demonstrated ability. A letter of transfer from your previous organization, including a recommendation and a confirmation of the level of games/events you’ve worked, will speed up the process.

Our officiating roster maintains active certifications in NFHS (VHSL), NCAA, USA Softball (ASA), USSSA, PONY, and Little League rule sets for both fast-pitch and slow-pitch softball.

No prior experience is required. EOA welcomes brand-new officials as well as seasoned veterans. We provide comprehensive classroom instruction, field clinics, and ongoing mentoring to give new umpires the skills and confidence needed to call games professionally.

Umpire game fees vary based on the age group, league tier, and competition level (e.g., youth rec vs. high school varsity doubleheaders). Game fees and payment schedules are detailed during registration and pre-season organizational meetings.

Umpires are responsible for providing their own standard softball uniform and protective gear, including:

  • Plate Gear: Catcher’s/umpire style mask or helmet, chest protector, shin guards, and ball bag.

  • Uniform: Approved powder blue/navy umpire shirt, heather gray or charcoal umpire slacks, indicator, plate brush, and black turf/cleated shoes.

To request EOA softball umpires for your upcoming season, weekend tournament, or individual games, visit our Booking Officials page or contact our Softball Commissioner directly. We assign fully insured, background-checked, and certified umpires tailored to your league’s specific rulebook.

You can book officials through this link: Booking Officials

If you’re still reading, you’re obviously intrigued with the opportunity to become an umpire with the Eastern Officials Association. You can dive right in and enjoy it. Just like when you learned the sport you love, you didn’t know it all and couldn’t do it all on the first day. We’ll take your understanding of the sport and teach you the rest. Get started by filling out the registration form. You can get to that by clicking on the link below. From there, you’ll be contacted by our training director and you will receive an email with a link to arbitersports.com. This will officially get you into our system and all ow you to receive more information about our organization. Members of the Development Committee will be your primary point of contact to start. If you have any other questions, you can email us directly.

Need Additional Assistance?

Have a question not listed here? Get in touch with our team directly:

  • Softball Commissioner: Jeremiah (Jeremy) Niedzwiecki

  • Email Jeremy