FAQs
What is the Northern Colorado Sports Officials?
What clubs and/or organizations do you provide officials
for?
How old do I have to be to umpire?
When does the season begin?
What kind of training
is required to become an umpire with NCSO
How much can I get
paid for umpiring?
I play baseball as well. Is this a
problem?
It sounds like NCSO schedules games in a wide area.
Do I get compensated for mileage?
Do I have to pay anything
to join the NCSO?
What about uniforms and equipment?
How can I get involved in High School Baseball
umpiring?
Do I have to pay taxes on my earnings that I make
as an umpire?
Am I insured through NCSO?
What is the Northern Colorado Sports
Officials?
The NCSO is an organization founded with the belief that sports officials are
a unique and integral part of athletic competition. The NCSO is first and
foremost an advocacy group for sports officials. The NCSO also provides
training, scheduling, and game officials for athletic organizations or clubs.
Right now, the only two sports that the NCSO is involved in are baseball and
girls’ fast-pitch softball, though, as the name indicates, other sports being
added is a possibility. The NCSO is also an advocate for sportsmanship, ethical
behavior, and education through athletics. Look for the Colorado Sportsmanship
Initiative coming soon.
What clubs and/or organizations do you provide
officials for?
We are currently under contract with the Fort Collins Baseball Club, Windsor
Competitive Baseball, and the Fort Collins Starz softball programs. This
includes all summer high school programs in Fort Collins and Windsor. We are
currently talking to other groups around the area, and almost certainly will add
more programs prior to the start of the season. NCSO also has a great working
relationship with other officiating and sanctioning bodies, such as Triple Crown
Sports, and actively works in partnership with them to refer umpires to their
events.
How old do I have to be to umpire?
Umpires must be fourteen years of age by the beginning of the season on June
1. Fourteen and fifteen year old umpires will attend a separate meeting with
their parent(s) so that expectations, travel requirements, etc. can be
discussed. Additionally, these umpires may only work recreational and rookie
league games for twelve year olds and younger. Any umpire sixteen years of age
or older may umpire any league that their ability dictates, with the only rule
being that any umpire may not officiate a game involving participants the same
age or older than the umpire.
When does the season begin?
Competitive baseball programs will begin in April. Recreational leagues begin
in June. The summer season runs, including tournaments, until August. The fall
season runs from September to the end of October.
What kind of training is required to become an
umpire with NCSO?
Any training that meets our high standard is acceptable. If you have umpired
in an area other than Northern Colorado, you will be expected to provide the
name and number of your former supervisor so that we can contact them. However,
ALL umpires are required to attend annual training sessions, whether through the
high school umpires group, their collegiate conference, or the local NCSO
training session. Go to the important dates link on the home page for training
days and times. Superior training is the backbone of the NCSO, and why northern
Colorado umpires are so highly regarded.
How much can I get paid for umpiring?
Game fees run from 28.00-75.00 per game, depending on age and level of play.
Your availability determines how many games you can get. Some umpires made over
$5,000.00 last year.
I play baseball as well. Is this a
problem?
No. NCSO will schedule around your availability. Obviously, you will not be
allowed to officiate in your own league.
It sounds like NCSO schedules games in a wide
area. Do I get compensated for mileage?
No. Travel costs may be tax deductible, but you will not be reimbursed for
travel and/or mileage.
Do I have to pay anything to join the
NCSO?
Dues are 40.00 annually. I ask that all umpires pay dues to help defray the
administrative costs that are incurred from scheduling and payment.
What about uniforms and equipment?
The NCSO is a professional organization, and requires all officials to
provide their own equipment and uniform. All umpires must
have:
Mask
Inside chest protector
Shin guards
Official heather gray
slacks
Official navy blue jersey
Black shoes/socks/belt
Official navy
blue hat
Ball bag/indicator/plate brush
NCSO offers a buyer’s assistance program that will purchase these articles
for the new umpire, and deduct the cost from their pay throughout the season.
NCSO also holds an annual used equipment sale, where quality uniforms and
equipment can be purchased at a very reasonable price.
Included on this web-site is a link to Gerry Davis Sports- the recommended
provider for quality umpire apparel and equipment.
How can I get involved in High School Baseball
umpiring?
E-mail Sean Grogan (on the contacts page) Sean is the area director for the
Colorado High School Baseball Umpires Association.
Do I have to pay taxes on my earnings that I make
as an umpire?
Consult your tax advisor for specific details. All umpires joining NCSO are
doing so as independent contractors. NCSO will train umpires, assign games, and
act as a payment broker for individual leagues. Umpires joining NCSO ARE NOT
employees of NCSO. No tax forms will be generated, though payment records will
be kept that NCSO umpires can access if they want to.
Am I insured through NCSO?
No. As independent contractors, all umpires will be required to sign a waiver
indicating that they are currently covered by a medical policy, or, if not, that
they understand any injury incurred while umpiring or traveling to or from
umpiring is their own responsibility. Liability insurance may be purchased
through any one of a number of agencies. National Sports officials groups, such
as the National Federation of High Schools or the National Association of Sports
Officials, offer liability coverage with many other membership benefits for
joining their organization. Umpires under eighteen years of age will be required
to have a parent sign the form as
well.