| Walk Worthy Be Part Of The Solution |
| The Arizona Interscholastic Association is deeply committed to improving the sportsmanship and the behavior of all participants in high school athletic contests. It is extremely important that the umpires who choose to umpire for AIA member schools be a part of this commitment, and do their part to enhance a positive athletic-educational experience. |
| TWO programs are in place for umpires to provide their part in improving not only sportsmanship, but also the relationship between umpires and coaches. |
| 1. The wearing of the Pursuing Victory With Honor patch on the umpire uniform is mandatory, beginning with the 2003 - 2004 year. This patch signifies to everyone that our umpires are in harmony with the principles of the program. One patch will be provided to all umpires, and additional ones will be available from the AIA office at our cost. |
| 2. The umpires "PROMISE TO SCHOOLS" card, which contains the sportsmanship statement (to be read prior to all contests), along with a place for the coach to provide his evaluation input, is to be given to the coach prior to the contest. (view card) |
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| Our Philosophy |
| As umpires, we stand alongside our member schools and the coaches, as partners on the same side, working in concert with them to provide a positive athletic experience. |
| This philosophy of the AIA Officiating Department is in harmony with Our Purpose, Our Theme, and Our Mission, along with the AIA Mission Statement. These components encompass a belief that, by working together with coaches and schools, we can impact the high school sports experience in a positive way. |
| We Believe: |
| • That interscholastic athletic competition should demonstrate high standards of ethics and sportsmanship, and promote the development of good character and other important life skills. |
| • That the highest potential of sports is achieved when participants are committed to Pursuing Victory With Honor according to the six core principles: |
| TRUSTWORTHINESS involves Integrity and Honesty RESPECT is what we show each other through sportsmanship RESPONSIBILITY is being accountable and prepared FAIRNESS is making sure everyone competes honorably CARING is showing compassion for each person's role CITIZENSHIP is playing by the rules |
| • That by setting high standards of excellence for our own performance on the athletic stage, we can model the same pillars of character that we ask coaches to model. |
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| Our Theme |
| Umpires are to Walk Worthy in the Uniform |
| • By following the Code of Ethics, being professional, having the utmost integrity, and possessing an individual quest for excellence in preparation and performance. |
| • By being a positive part of the umpiring community, sharing and growing together for the betterment of umpiring and the game. |
| • By being a part of the educational process, assisting in the education of student athletes through positive enforcement of sportsmanship guidelines, enforcing rules in a consistent manner, and working with our member schools to enhance the athletic experience. |
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| Our Mission |
| To provide to our member schools the highest quality umpiring possible with individuals that are properly prepared and trained |
| To assist in fulfill in our mission to provide quality umpiring, and to enhance the evaluation process, umpires are to provide to athletic directors and/or coaches a "PROMISE TO SCHOOLS" card, which contains our sportsmanship message, reflects our mission, gives names of umpires working the contest, and requests evaluation from the schools to the AIA regarding the quality of umpiring. (view card) |
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| Our Purpose |
| Umpiring is a integral part of the Arizona Interscholastic Association, Inc. athletic programs. Recognizing the need for qualified game umpires for high school athletic contests, the Legislative Council authorized the Executive Director to administer the umpires training and classification program by the regulations printed in the AIA OFFICIALS' HANDBOOK. |
| The purpose of the Arizona Interscholastic Association Officials Program is to advance the best interests of interscholastic competition by: |
| • Aiding umpires, coaches and players in acquiring thorough knowledge of playing rules in softball. |
| • Encouraging observance of the spirit and letter of playing rules and ethical codes on all occasions. |
| • Encouraging and assisting interested men and women to become qualified umpires. |
| • Establishing a classification of umpires according to qualifications and experience. |
| • Fostering the spirit of sportsmanship and fair play. |
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| AIA Umpires Code of Ethics |
| Schools have entrusted umpires to assist them in the educational development of their youth through athletics. The proper operation of such a process requires that umpires be independent, impartial, and responsible to the people they serve. |
| In recognition of these expectations, it shall be the responsibility of an umpire to follow the directions provided in the following Umpire's Code of Ethics. Violation of the Code of Ethics will be a violation of AIA Bylaws and may result in a sanction to the offending party. |
| An Umpire Shall |
| • Place the welfare of the individual athlete above all other considerations. |
| • Maintain confidence and control from start of an assignment to finish. |
| • Devote time, thought and study to the rules of the game and the mechanics necessary to carry out these rules so that one may render effective and creditable service in a fair and unbiased manner. |
| • Work with fellow umpires and the State Association in a spirit of harmony and cooperation in spite of differences of opinion that may arise during debate of points or rules at issue. |
| • Resist every temptation and outside pressure to use one's position as an umpire to benefit oneself. |
| • Under all circumstances avoid promoting the special interest of any person or group of persons other than the athletes we serve. |
| • Constantly uphold the honor and dignity of the avocation in all personal conduct and relations with the student athletes, coaches, athletic directors, school administrators, colleagues, and the public and to be a worthy example to the athletes under one's jurisdiction. |
| • Be prepared both physically and mentally, dress according to expectations, and maintain a proper appearance that is befitting the importance of the contest. |
| • Remember and recognize that it is important to honor contracts regardless of possible inconvenience or financial loss. |
| • Not make statements to the news media critical of any school administrator, school, team, coach, player, other umpire or the AIA. |
| • Not smoke or use any form of tobacco on or in the vicinity of the playing area, nor drink any alcoholic beverages or use any drugs on the day of the contest. |
| • Carry a responsibility to act in a manner becoming to a professional person. The conduct of any umpire influences the attitudes of the public toward the profession in general as well as toward the umpire in particular. |
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| Guidelines for Umpires |
| Code of Conduct for Umpires |
| 1. Umpires shall bear a great responsibility for engendering public confidence in sports. |
| 2. Umpires shall be free of obligation to any interest other than the impartial and fair judging of softball competitions. |
| 3. Umpires shall hold and maintain the basic tenets of officiating which include history, integrity, neutrality, respect, sensitivity, professionalism, discretion and tactfulness. |
| 4. Umpires shall master both rules of the game and mechanics necessary to enforce the rules, and shall exercise authority in an impartial, firm and controlled manner. |
| 5. Umpires shall uphold the honor and dignity of the profession in all interactions with student-athletes, coaches, school administrators, colleagues, and the public. |
| 6. Umpires shall display and execute superior communication skills, both verbal and non-verbal. |
| 7. Umpires shall recognize that anything that may lead to a conflict of interest, either real or apparent, must be avoided. Gifts, favors, special treatment, privileges, employment or a personal relationship with a school or team that can compromise the perceived impartiality of officiating must be avoided. |
| 8. Umpires shall prepare themselves both physically and mentally; shall dress neatly and appropriately to, during and from a contest; and shall comport themselves in a manner consistent with the high standards of the profession. |
| 9. Umpires shall not be party to actions designed to unfairly limit or restrain access to umpiring, umpiring assignments or to association membership. That includes selection for positions of leadership based upon economic factors, race, creed, color, age, sex, physical handicap, country or national origin. |
| 10. Umpires shall be punctual and professional in the fulfillment of all contractual obligations. |
| 11. Umpires shall work with each other and their governing bodies in a constructive and cooperative manner. |
| 12. Umpires shall resist every temptation and outside pressure to use one’s position as an umpire to benefit oneself. |
| 13. Umpires shall never participate in any form of illegal gambling on sports contest, may never gamble on any sporting event in which they have either a direct or indirect involvement, and may never gamble on events involving high school athletics. |
| 14. Umpires shall not make false or misleading statements regarding their qualifications, rating, credentials, experience, training or competence. |
| 15. Umpires shall accept responsibility for all actions taken. |
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