To become a baseball umpire in Tennessee, you must follow specific steps to get started. Here’s a breakdown of what you need to know:
Registeristration:
All officials must be registered with the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association (TSSAA).
Local Associations:
Reach out and join the officials’ association in your area to begin the process. Your local association will provide training through instructional meetings and training. They’ll also update you on rule changes as needed.
Age Requirements:
To become an umpire in Tennessee, you must be 18 or older, a high school graduate, and agree to a background check.
Exams & Training:
High School umpires must re-register each year to be eligible for the upcoming year and must pass a “Part I – Qualifying Exam every year with a 70 percent and attend one state-sponsored rules interpretation meeting and three local interoperation meetings.
Post-Season: Baseball umpires must attend either a TSSAA clinic every two years or a TSSAA camp every three years to be eligible to work post-season tournaments.
Fees and Dues:
Be prepared to pay registration fees to your local association and the TSSAA. These fees cover the cost of essential resources like the NFHS Rule Book, Case Book, Officials Manual, and insurance.