• Identifying, observing, training and evaluating umpires for assignment to NCAA Division I, II and III Regionals/First Rounds and National Championships.
• Providing consistency in the interpretation of NCAA softball rules and umpiring mechanics.
• Promoting better communication between umpires, coaches, and the NCAA.

• Develop a standardized national form for use in evaluation by national staff, conference coordinators and qualified observers.
• Develop guidelines for selection of umpires for NCAA postseason tournaments.
• Develop curriculum to standardize umpire education in the methods used to promote selection to postseason play.
• Serve as a resource for conferences who wish to implement a comprehensive training program for their umpires.

History of the SUIP

In 2000, the NCAA Division I Softball Committee created and funded the Softball Umpire Improvement Program (SUIP). Jeff Hansen was hired as national coordinator with the responsibility of creating a format to assist the conferences in implementing a formal training and evaluation program for the purpose of standardizing the way the game is umpired throughout the country. The need for standardization of mechanics, positioning and philosophy throughout the country existed as far back as the early 1980s and has become even more necessary as softball has grown in popularity and parity.

After a year of planning, the following items were implemented in late 2001 in preparation for the 2002 season: four regional coordinators were hired to assist the national and conference programs; a national umpire evaluation form was established; selection guidelines were established for assignment to both Division I regionals and the Women’s College World Series (WCWS); a web site was created for umpires; and an annual conference coordinator meeting was planned to kick off the 2003 season. The Softball Umpire Improvement Program (SUIP) was given the responsibility of selecting umpires for Division I postseason play beginning in 2002.

In 2003 the SUIP introduced a comprehensive umpire mechanics manual, reduced the staff of regional coordinators to two, and established an observation program consisting of the national staff and six national observation team members. In 2004, the SUIP held a series of three regional clinics across the country. In 2005 the SUIP assumed responsibility for selecting umpires for all Division II postseason play as well as for the newly added format of super regionals at the Division I level.

Jeff Hansen resigned as national coordinator at the end of the 2005 season, and Kathy Strahm, a former regional coordinator, took the helm beginning with the 2006 season. A new regional coordinator was hired to fill the vacancy left by Strahm. In 2006, the SUIP was given the responsibility of selecting umpires for Division III postseason play, thus making the SUIP responsible for selecting umpires for all NCAA postseason play. Regional clinics jumped to four in 2007 and five in 2008 and 2009.

From 2003 through 2007 this manual was published and distributed by the NCAA. In 2008, the Collegiate Commissioners Association (CCA) in cooperation with Referee Enterprises Incorporated (REI) became the publishers and distributors of this manual.

In 2009 Division I opted to use progressive selecting from the regionals on. Thus, umpires were selected for the Division I super regionals at the conclusion of the regionals and for WCWS at the conclusion of the super regionals. This same year Division II added super regionals to their postseason format. All postseason communication in 2009 was done entirely online. This included recommendations, consideration and selection letters, availabilities, assignments and reports. Assignments were made through theArbiter.net.

If you are an umpire who is serious about your responsibilities in this game, then the SUIP has been created to provide the framework for you to enhance your performance level much as the teams have been able to do. This program will provide you with the tools to reach your goals. By adopting and embracing the philosophy, standards, expectations, objectives and mechanics of this program, you will discover a better way to umpire, and we will provide a better product for every institution we serve.

National Observation Team