Interested in Becoming an Umpire?
Here are the steps to get started umpiring with RDUA:
Register on https://www.horizonwebref.com/
Sign up on HorizonWebRef.com which RDUA uses for all Availability, Assignments, and Communications. To set up an account,
visit HorizonWebRef. The Association # is 205353, and select "Official" for User Type.
Click on Members Login, scroll down on the left of screen till you see Sign up, click.
Fill in all the information, our association # is 205353, box to the right click down arrow select official, go to bottom click on I agree and accept the T&C.
Click sign up and you're done.
Once you have done that, I’ll receive a
request for access and then you’ll start receiving all RDUA member communications. You’ll also want to download the
HorizonWebRef app on your phone so you receive timely notices of game changes, rainouts, etc.
Membership Dues
Dues for the 2024 school and summer ball seasons are $85 for the full season and $45 for Summer Only. Send dues to Harvey Cohen
via Venmo @rochesterdistrictump or via check to:
Rochester District Umpires Association
PO Box 1201
Pittsford, NY 14534
Membership Chairman; Mike Wilkin (585)392-6869(h) (585)370-3812 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. is the first point of contact for RDUA.
Background Checks / Fingerprints
If you have worked as a high school sports official in New York, whether it was baseball or another sport within the last 10 years or so
it is extremely likely that you have undergone fingerprinting and you can ignore this section. Fingerprints are also unnecessary if you
have worked in the public school system in New York.
If you are planning to work for the first time as a school sports official it will be necessary to contact your nearest BOCES to arrange
to be fingerprinted as a sports official. The cost is $100, $50 of which is reimbursed to you from Section V. Assuming that you are
interested in calling school ball, I have attached the fingerprint directions. After getting fingerprinted the attached “Clearance of
Employment” form must be sent to BOCES which authorizes Section V to get the results of your fingerprinting.
If you are working only summer ball, you need to have a simple background check (Cost about $15). If you are fingerprinted by
NYSED TEACH as a teacher, coach, or official, you don't need to fingerprint and background check for summer ball. If you plan to
work summer ball only complete the background check here: https://opportunities.averity.com/RochesterUmpires
W9
All umpires must have a W-9 form on file with RDUA so 1099-NEC information can be sent if you earn more than $600 paid to you
by RDUA for all summer and fall ball. Please mail to: RDUA, PO Box 1201, Pittsford, NY 14534-9201. School ball fees are paid
directly to you by the schools and it is rare that anyone exceeds the $600 1099 threshold for a single school district unless you are
calling multiple sports. Almost all summer/fall ball games are paid twice-monthly by Harvey Cohen. Harvey will also send you
instructions for setting up direct deposit through Five Star Bank.
Equipment and Uniform
We wear the NYSBUA shirt and hat. You should purchase charcoal pants not heather gray as that color has been phased out. The default color shirt for RDUA is
black, for summer ball you might want to also purchase a powder blue shirt. If you need help getting set up with equipment or
uniforms contact Len Pawlaczyk (585)749-4698 (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.). There may be some gently used items available to borrow to get
started. Len can also hook you up with new equipment.
Rulebooks
RDUA will provide one to you once you have paid dues. Personally, I find it more useful to download the NFHS rules app on my
phone/tablet which lets you search for key words, adjust the print size to your preference, and take online quizzes.
Test
If calling school ball, you’ll need to pass the NFHS baseball test online (https://www.dragonflymax.com/officials)
(https://www.dragonflymax.com/officials)
Click on the link in the Create Your Account 2024 attachment. If you Officiate other sports and you already have an account,
you will need to login and add BASEBALL to your list of Sports that you Officiate.
PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU SELECT YOUR LOCAL CHAPTER ASSOCIATION ( Rochester)
Clinics
As a new umpire, if you intend to call school ball, you’ll be required to attend 4 “classroom” clinics and a field clinic which are held at
the MCC fieldhouse and at Smash It Sports. Attending more than just one field clinc is advised to help you learn the positioning,
rotations, and signals. Other locations and times may be available as well. Most of our classroom clinics in 2023 were Zoom sessions
and some are available online in horizonwebref under "Videos". In the Documents section you can find powerpoints for some of the
sessions. For summer ball there is no requirement to attend or watch a certain number of videos.
Feel free to contact our chapter President, Chuck Healey This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.(585) 957-6066, or myself with any further questions. Once you have
completed the process, I will have you fill in your availability on HorizonWebRef and assign you games. We will try to have you
work with an experienced umpire to mentor you the first few times out
Miles Lewis, Assignor, Rochester District Umpires Association, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., 585-348-7382
