Softball Canada requires umpires to take a clinic or a refresher course each year. VMSA will reimburse umpires for their clinic and registration fees after five games. You must submit your clinic receipt in order to be reimbursed.

Most associations in the Lower Mainland schedule clinics beginning in February and March. Upcoming clinics are listed at http://softball.bc.ca/events. 
Look for clinics in Districts 4-7 as being reasonably nearby - we are in District 5. They are usually run on Saturdays and/or Sundays.

The VMSA usually runs a Level 1, Level 2 and refresher clinic in late March or early April; however, this is not guaranteed. You may want to register for a clinic elsewhere in the Lower Mainland to make sure you can attend on a date that works for you.

Registration for all clinics must be done on-line. Follow the link on the Softball BC web-site.
VMSA pays Softball BC certified umpires $20-$45 per game (TBA).

Umpiring FAQ

Can I umpire?


A: Umpiring is not for everyone but it is good money and a great way to contribute to the game. You should be at least 12 years old.

Who umpires in VMSA?

A: Any umpire registered with Softball BC

A: Parent volunteers for volunteer hours (but not youth volunteers).

What level will I umpire at?

A: Youth umpires will generally umpire in younger divisions


A: Adult umpires may decide where they think they are qualified.

Do I need to register and take a clinic?


A: You must register


A: You must take a clinic
 or refresher each year.

How do I get equipment?


A: We have umpire equipment (catcher pads and mask) available for umpires who do not have their own. All umpires (except parents umpiring their own child's game) will be required to wear a blue Softball Canada umpire shirt over their umpire gear. These can be purchased on-line from Home Run Sports http://www.homerunsports.info/. The VMSA will have shirts for umpires to use for the season if they do not want to order their own. To receive one of these shirts, you must provide a $55 deposit cheque, post-dated to July 15, 2017, payable to the VMSA. If the shirt is not returned to VMSA in reasonably good condition by that date, we will cash the cheque. 

What does it cost?


A: You must be a member of Softball BC ($10 lifetime membership; if you have been a player or coach, you are a member)

A: You must register and pay the umpire registration fee. 2016 fee for Level 1 was $90/year


A: You must take a clinic. In 2016 Level 1 was $100; refresher was $55. VMSA will reimburse umpires for their registration and clinic fee after five games. You must submit your clinic and registration fee receipt in order to be reimbursed.

What do I get paid?


A: VMSA pays Softball BC certified umpires anywhere from $20-$45 per game dependent on the their umpiring level and the level of game they umpire.  The VMSA also raises the fees paid to their umpires by $5.00 per game after each five games umpired for the VMSA up to a maximum of $15.00 extra per game after 15 games.

Finances: We don't want you to miss out on umpiring if finances prevent you from taking a clinic or purchasing a shirt. If this is an issue, please let us know.

Please contact the umpire scheduler at umpire@vmsa.ca if you are interested in umpiring or if you have any questions.