What you'll have gained as an umpire

• Gain confidence leading games and managing tough calls.
• Be the reason players and families feel safe and supported.
• Build leadership and calm decision-making under pressure.
• Join a tight community and build friendships across the league.
• Become a better coach or parent.

Background check requirements

All NCLL volunteers who interact with players must complete a background check each season. This helps ensure a safe environment for every participant and aligns with Little League policy and applicable law.

• Who needs it: Managers, assistant coaches, team managers, umpires, and volunteers interacting with players.
• When: Before your first practice or game.
• Renewal: Every calendar year.
• Provider: JDP (secure background screening).
• Email link: Expires in 14 days; request a new one if it lapses.
• Help: See the Volunteer Hub or email [email protected].

What to have ready

• Full legal name, birth date, and current address for the JDP screening.
• Driver's license/state ID to speed up verification.
• Best email and mobile number so we can share scheduling updates.
• Watch for the JDP/SafeSport invite email from the league (check spam).
• Use your legal name and the same email you registered with NCLL.

How to Complete Your Background Check

• Register as a volunteer: Go to the Volunteer Hub, sign in, and select your volunteer role.
• Watch for the JDP email: Look for an email invitation from JDP with a secure link. The link is valid for 14 days.
• Complete the questionnaire: Open the JDP link and fill out the required fields with accurate, up-to-date information.
• Submit and wait for confirmation: Submit the form; no additional upload is needed. NCLL is notified automatically when you're cleared.
• Expired link: If your JDP email link expires, contact [email protected] for a fresh invitation.

How to complete

1. Open the Little League University course and sign in or create an account.
2. Click Enroll/Register for "Abuse Awareness Training" (top of the course page).
3. If asked, search for North Central Little League.
4. Watch the modules, review the readings, and answer the quick checks.
5. Finish end-of-course quiz to record completion.

Reminders

• Deadline: before your first practice/game; renew every year.
• Scope: managers, coaches, umpires, on-field helpers, board/key volunteers.
• Technical issues? Use LLU Help/Support or try a fresh browser tab or incognito mode.
• Stay sharp: revisit key indicators mid-season.
• Required by LLI: recognize/report abuse and keep every field safe.

Walkthrough video

Remember, if something feels off, speak up: email [email protected] or your division coordinator; call 911 for emergencies.

What to include

• Your experience level (brand-new, returning, high-school certified, etc.).
• Preferred divisions or age groups so we can line up the right partner.
• Any dates you're unavailable during the next month for training or games.

Coordinators triage requests nightly during the season. If you don't see a response within 48 hours, feel free to bump the thread or text the contact listed in the form.

Clinic lineup

• Mechanics labs: Plate stance, slot adjustments, timing drills.
• Live reps: Scrimmage innings with radios to simulate game flow.
• Rules sprints: Lightning rounds on interference, substitutions, and pace-of-play.
• Orientation night: Preseason walkthrough of expectations, safety, and game flow.

Mentors are assigned on-site, so tap a veteran if you want shadow assignments or feedback on a specific mechanic.

What you get

• Plate meeting checklist and lineup card template.
• Positioning/rotation guides for one- and two-umpire systems.
• Signals, timing, and substitution cheat sheets.

Quick checks

• Watch league rainout alerts before leaving home.
• Use the 30/30 lightning rule; stop play on unsafe surfaces.
• Report rainouts to the scheduler and reply quickly for makeups.

Signup tips

• Note plate/base preferences in the comment field so schedulers can balance workloads.
• Flag travel or interleague dates that require extra briefing on ground rules.
• Use the same form to release a game if plans change—last-minute swaps keep coverage solid.

Need a specific mentor? Add their name to the request so we can co-assign whenever possible.

Program highlights

• Shadow first, then take the plate with a veteran tracking feedback.
• Earn per-game stipends once you complete mechanics and safety modules.
• We'll document hours for service requirements or leadership awards.

Parents/guardians sign the stipend form once per season; coordinators handle the rest.

What's inside

• Printable cheat sheets for plate meetings, lineup card checks, and substitution flow.
• Equipment sizing tips plus how to borrow chest protectors, masks, or ball bags.
• Direct links to Little League's concussion, lightning, and incident-report forms.
• NCLL safety policy and local guidelines (email [email protected] for the latest PDF).

Loaner gear lives at Ross; email the coordinator 24 hours ahead if you need to reserve a set for a double-header.