Umpire Agreement & Policies

Official review page for PYA umpire expectations, pay policy, training requirements, volunteer credits, conduct standards, and independent contractor terms.

Review Notice

This page is for review and transparency. Umpires must still complete the official signed PYA umpire agreement, W-9 paperwork, and required onboarding steps before becoming eligible for training, evaluation, or assignments.

PYA / STLWEST Official Umpire Contract

By signing the official agreement, the umpire acknowledges understanding and agreement to all policies, procedures, expectations, compensation terms, volunteer requirements, incentive opportunities, training obligations, scheduling standards, conduct requirements, and independent contractor terms for officiating games at Pacific Youth Association.

Quick Navigation

1. Training Requirements

STLWEST Training: Umpires who wish to officiate games at additional STLWEST member parks beyond PYA must complete official STLWEST registration, rules testing, and required league certifications.

STLWEST member parks may include: Eureka, Ballwin, Ellisville, and Valley Park.

• Completion of STLWEST requirements expands assignment eligibility across STLWEST associations.
• Failure to complete STLWEST certification may limit assignments to PYA only.
• Additional parks may have their own scheduling procedures.

Late Hire Policy: If hired after STLWEST preseason deadlines, temporary PYA qualification may apply for the current season only. Full STLWEST compliance may be required moving forward.

2. PYA Local Training

PYA local training may include:

• Pack the Park / Path to Power participation
• Live field training
• Rule reinforcement
• Operational procedures
• Game management
• Communication expectations
• TeamSideline app training
• Payroll and umpire card procedures
• Performance evaluations

Training completion does not guarantee assignments. Assignment levels may change based on competency, reliability, and organizational needs.

3. Pack the Park Volunteer Training & Evaluation Program

Pack the Park / Path to Power is designed as a volunteer training, live field experience, operational onboarding, division placement, raise evaluation, and umpire development system.

• Multiple division exposure
• Plate and field evaluations
• Rule assessments
• Confidence reviews
• Raise consideration
• Ongoing season evaluations

PYA may offer approved volunteer credit opportunities connected to Pack the Park / Path to Power. Credits may be used toward approved umpire gear purchases through the official PYA store when allowed by current policy.

4. Standard PYA Pay Scale

The pay scale is a guideline only. Compensation is not automatically determined by years of service alone.

• Ability
• Rule knowledge
• Performance evaluations
• Reliability
• Professionalism
• Communication
• Game management
• Division competency
• Board discretion

5. Pay Review Request Procedure

• Requests must be submitted directly to the UIC in writing.
• The request should explain experience, contributions, skill growth, and justification for the requested increase.
• The UIC may determine whether the request should be presented for board consideration.
• No same-day decisions will be made.
• Only one pay increase may be granted per fiscal year.
• Raises remain subject to board approval, budget availability, organizational needs, and performance merit.

6. Pay Periods, Availability Blocks & Deadlines

Availability blocks must be entered into TeamSideline three days before each new pay period begins.

• Block = Busy / Unavailable
• No block = Available
• Availability must be accurate and updated.
• Last-minute unreported conflicts may affect scheduling priority, reliability evaluations, assignment opportunities, and raise eligibility.

2026 Pay Period + Availability Deadlines

7. Assignment Confirmation Policy

• All assignments must be confirmed or declined within 24 hours through TeamSideline.
• Failure to respond may result in automatic rejection and reassignment.
• Umpires are responsible for checking the TeamSideline website and app regularly.
• Notification delays do not excuse missed confirmations.
• Repeated noncompliance may reduce future scheduling priority.

8. Postgame Report Requirements

All umpires must complete the official postgame report immediately after each game through TeamSideline or another approved reporting system.

No digital postgame report = no pay until resolved.

• Attendance confirmation
• Final score
• Division/game details
• Coach disputes
• Parent behavior concerns
• Rule disagreements
• Ejections
• Injuries or safety concerns
• Field or equipment problems
• Any unusual situations

9. Umpire Card Submission Requirements

All umpires must complete a physical umpire card for each game worked. Completed cards must be placed in the black mail safe/drop box inside the concession stand immediately following assignments.

No physical umpire card = no pay until resolved.

• Umpire name
• Date
• Division
• Field
• Game details
• Plate or field position
• Required signatures or notes when applicable

Digital postgame reports do not replace physical umpire card submission. Physical umpire cards do not replace digital postgame reports. Both are required after every game.

10. Volunteer Credit Program, Rewards & Incentives

• Volunteer credits may be earned through approved Pack the Park participation, scrimmages, training assistance, special events, or board-approved service.
• Credits may be used toward approved PYA purchases such as registrations, merchandise, umpire gear, PYA online store purchases, and field rentals when allowed by policy.
• Credits may help offset the cost of umpire gear through the PYA store.
• Credits may be viewed through the PYA website under account/order history, not through the app.
• Volunteer credits are a benefit, not guaranteed compensation.

11. Attendance Policy

• Umpires must arrive on time and ready to work.
• Assignments must be properly confirmed.
• Emergencies must be communicated promptly to the UIC, scheduler, or appropriate PYA leadership.
• No call / no show incidents may result in warnings, reduced assignments, removal from scheduling, or termination.
• Repeated attendance concerns may trigger retraining, scheduling reductions, division reassignment, or program removal.

12. Game Management Expectations

• The plate umpire serves as crew chief.
• The plate umpire has final authority over rule interpretations, field decisions, game flow, behavioral management, and official rulings.
• Field umpires support the plate umpire, maintain positioning, assist with calls, and communicate clearly.
• Scores should be verified at every half inning with the umpire crew and scorekeepers.
• Major concerns must be documented through postgame reports, umpire cards, UIC communication, or board review when necessary.

13. Professionalism Standards

• Arrive on time.
• Dress appropriately in required uniform.
• Communicate professionally.
• Enforce rules fairly and consistently.
• Treat players, coaches, families, and staff respectfully.
• Avoid retaliation, favoritism, abusive language, misuse of authority, and unprofessional conduct.
• Accept evaluations and feedback.
• Represent PYA and STLWEST positively.

14. Independent Contractor Status

All PYA umpires are classified as independent contractors, not employees.

• PYA does not withhold taxes from umpire payments.
• Umpires are responsible for personal tax obligations and filings.
• Game assignments are not guaranteed.
• Scheduling is based on availability, reliability, performance, professionalism, league needs, and board/UIC discretion.
• Independent contractor status does not exempt umpires from PYA standards, reporting requirements, safety expectations, or conduct expectations.

15. Equipment Policy

Required umpire gear is the responsibility of the umpire. PYA may offer approved volunteer credit opportunities, including Pack the Park / Path to Power, that can be used toward approved umpire gear purchases through the official PYA store.

PYA may also maintain shared protective gear when available, but shared equipment is not guaranteed.

• Personal gear must meet safety standards.
• Gear must be clean, professional, and appropriate for assigned divisions.
• Improper care, misuse, or unsafe gear may impact assignment opportunities.
• PYA may require equipment upgrades for safety.

16. Discipline, Performance Management & Policy Enforcement

Disciplinary review may result from attendance violations, no call/no show incidents, repeated lateness, failure to submit availability, failure to confirm assignments, failure to complete reports or cards, rule deficiencies, safety concerns, professionalism violations, poor communication, or repeated operational noncompliance.

• Level 1: Verbal warning, coaching, additional training, or performance monitoring.
• Level 2: Written warning, reduced assignments, scheduling priority reduction, division reassignment, or delayed raise eligibility.
• Level 3: Temporary suspension, significant assignment reduction, board review, or formal probation.
• Level 4: Termination from the PYA umpire program, removal from scheduling, or contract discontinuation.

Severe violations may result in immediate escalation.

17. Acknowledgment & Signature Agreement

The signed version of this agreement includes acknowledgement of training requirements, compensation policies, scheduling and availability, reporting responsibilities, volunteer programs, professional standards, policy enforcement, independent contractor status, and agreement to represent PYA and STLWEST professionally.

This page is for review only. The official signed agreement must be completed during onboarding.

Complete Required Onboarding Documents

Reviewing policies alone does NOT complete onboarding. All umpires must complete required contract documentation and tax paperwork before activation, scheduling, training progression, or payroll eligibility.