A reminder that registration for Little League umpire clinics & camps begins Monday at 9am.If you are someone thinking about participating in a camp or clinic in 2026, you’ll want to be at the ready right at 9am to sign up for your chosen class!
A few words on what’s going to be available at West Region HQ in San Bernardino, California (and here’s a good overview):
UMPIRE ACADEMY (BIG DIAMONDS - 70 & 90 FOOT)
February 16-20, 2026
Interesting that The Powers That Be are choosing to focus on teen baseball for the February academy—I think it’s a great idea! If you have a special interest in this level of ball, this ought to be an awesome experience.
PLATE MECHANICS CLINIC
February 20-22, 2026
A quick weekend away is much more do-able for most folks, and if you’re at all interested in participating in a LL camp, this might be a great one for any level of LL umpire. Much has changed in the past few years regarding our plate work and expectations as a plate umpire. Tune up your game… meet and hang out with all levels of LL umpires from around the West Region, from beginners to World Series veterans… “be seen” by evaluators, if selection to a postseason tournament crew is a goal that you have… and most of all have a super fun time! There’s so much to like about a quick weekend trip down to San Bernardino; give me a shout this weekend if you’d like to talk more about it.
4-UMPIRE SYSTEM CLINIC
May 28-31, 2026
This has in the past been known as a “tournament umpires clinic” but it seems to be now open to all who would like to learn and improve their four-umpire chops.
FALL UMPIRE ACADEMY
November 13-18, 2026
Here’s the standard offering for the weeklong, a week focused on 60’ mechanics. You’ve all heard me gush about how awesome a week in San Bernardino at a weeklong academy is. Every one of our D1 umpires who have had this opportunity will agree. It’s a game-changer and one of the most fun experiences of any kind you can spend! If this interests you, even though it’s nearly a year out I’d encourage you to go ahead and get registered now. If your plans change, your registration fee is refundable. Even though it’s nearly a year away, this will sell out fast.
WHAT ABOUT I.D. CAMPS?
Dates & locations for those have not yet been announced. I’ve spoken with several of you who intend to go after an ID Camp and together we’ll keep a close eye on things so we know when registration opens.
WHAT ABOUT THE SEATTLE UMPIRE CLINIC?
I expect we’ll be doing our usual regional weekend umpire clinic again this year, early March-ish, but I have not yet received any confirmation. I’ll let you know when I do. This clinic is a huge opportunity for many of our guys and I expect D1 to have good representation at this year’s event.
AND DON’T FORGET……
… that we have a mechanism in place, the D1 UmpFun[d], to help grant awardees with registration/airfare/hotel expenses to attend Little League trainings like those listed here. We expect to award 3 to 4 financial grants to D1 umpires in 2026. Learn more at www.d1umpires.org/umpfund and apply NOW if you or one of your umpires is interested.