Cactus Umpires: College Softball

The Mission of the NCAA Softball Umpire Improvement Program is to improve the overall quality of umpiring throughout college softball by:

Identifying, observing, training and evaluating umpires for assignment to NCAA
Division I, II and III Regionals/First Rounds and National Championships.
Providing consistency in the interpretation of NCAA softball rules and
umpiring mechanics.
Promoting better communication between umpires, coaches, and the NCAA.


Kathy Strahm National Coordinator Residence: Burlington, VT kathy.strahm_ncaa@verizon.net	Emily Alexander Regional Coordinator Residence: Phoenix, AZ cactusump@cox.net	Ed Crane Regional Coordinator Residence: Newnan, GA EdCrane12@gmail.com

The NCAA Softball Umpire Improvement Advisory Staff has identified the following areas as priorities:

Develop a standardized national form for use in evaluation by national staff, conference coordinators and qualified observers.
Develop guidelines for selection of umpires for NCAA postseason tournaments.
Develop curriculum to standardize umpire education in the methods used to promote selection to postseason play.
Serve as a resource for conferences who wish to implement a comprehensive training program for their umpires.

2009 Umpire Selection Timeline
Date	Action
August 29, 2008	Regional Umpire clinic and selection information posted on NCAA web site
October 31, 2008 (not later than)	Division II: mailing to conference commissioners, softball administrators, umpire assigners, and head coaches requesting recommendations umpires for postseason competition.
December 1, 2008 (not later than)	Divisions I and III: mailing to conference commissioners, softball administrtors, umpire coordinators and assigners, and head coaches (III) requesting recommendations for umpires for postseason competition.
January 16, 2009	Divisions I, II, and III: Deadline for umpire recommendations.
Early February, 2009	NCAA Softball Umpire Improvement Program (SUIP) staff and conference call to develop a list of umpires under consideration for assignment.
February 11, 2009	Mailing to umpires under consideration for assignment (includes availability and commitment forms).
March 6, 2009	Umpires under consideration: Deadline for returning availability information.
April 13-15, 2009	Selection of umpires by SUIP staff.
April 16, 2009	List of selected umpires sent to respective committees for approval.
April 17, 2009	Committees notify SUIP national coordinator of approval of recommendations by 5:00 p.m. Eastern time.
April 20, 2008 (not later than)	Post list of selected umpires with postseason assignments.

Guidelines for Selection for Assignment to ALL POSTSEASON