If you are interested in joining the unit, we always welcome new members. Please download and submit the Member Application and Availability Forms found below and submit them according to the specific instructions on the forms. If you have any questions, feel free to email ibuawebmaster@gmail.com.
2026 IBUA Membership Application
2026 IBUA Member Availability Form
OVERVIEW
The Inland Baseball Umpires Association is actively seeking applicants for membership to begin officiating the sport of Baseball at the High School level. There are no specific requirements for becoming a member of the I.B.U.A., other than an appreciation of the game of baseball, a desire to learn the officiating profession and an interest in helping youth of all ages. Prior experience as an umpire, while helpful, is not required. We generally hold 9 to 10 Meetings a year starting in late January. Clinics and Training for new members will start in January prior to the start of the high school season and will continue through April. Please check our Training page for scheduled dates and times. New members are required to attend all meetings and Training Clinics beginning in late January. Members who participate in the training classes will be eligible to officiate sub-varsity high school games. As new members gain experience, they will be assigned to high school varsity games at various levels. Umpires transferring from other chapters or states may be assigned high school varsity games depending on their level of experience and performance, as determined by the chapter’s executive board.
If you are interested in joining the unit, we always welcome new members. Please download and submit the Member Application and Availability Forms above and submit them to ibuawebmaster@gmail.com
If you have any questions please direct them to Marty Schneider at 909-205-2671.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
DO I NEED TO HAVE UMPIRING EXPERIENCE IN ORDER TO JOIN THE CHAPTER?
No. You only need a desire to work and learn. The IBUA conducts a New Umpire Training Course for all new members. That course is designed to provide you with a working knowledge of the rules and umpire mechanics so that you can begin your development as a baseball umpire.
WHAT ABOUT EQUIPMENT AND UNIFORMS?
Each umpire supplies his/her own equipment and uniforms At the minimum, this should include a mask, chest protector, shin-guards, shoes, Charcoal gray pants that can fit over the shin-guards, navy blue uniform shirt, fitted cap, ball bag, indicator, and a plate brush. Uniform and equipment packages are available from various vendors (See our Links page). The cost of a complete package can run from about $250 to over $1,000 depending on the type and amount of equipment and uniforms you purchase.
HOW LONG DOES THE “SEASON” LAST?
IBUA only assigns games for the area high school season. Meetings will begin in January, High School scrimmages and the regular season games start late February. Regular season play concludes mid May. Playoffs start mid May and conclude first week of June.
I HAVE SEVERAL YEARS EXPERIENCE WORKING AS AN UMPIRE. WILL THAT EXPERIENCE COUNT?
The IBUA assigns games based upon performance and not years of service (seniority). New umpires generally start out calling Freshman/JV games and advance to higher levels based upon their performance. If you have prior experience at higher levels (college, etc.) or are transferring from another CBUA unit or from another state’s organization, the board may approve a schedule of higher level games based upon that experience. The bottom line is that your experience may have some bearing on your assignments, but it really depends on your performance as a umpire.
I WANT TO CALL HIGHER LEVEL BASEBALL. HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE BEFORE I CAN GET ASSIGNED TO THOSE GAMES?
That depends entirely on your skills as an umpire. The IBUA assigns games based upon performance and not years of service. There is no “magic formula” to determine if, or when, you may get assigned higher level games. The general track for getting to the higher level is starting out calling Freshman/JV games, then moving up to small school varsity games, then getting some large school varsity games, then getting assigned consistently to the very good Varsity games.
Inland Baseball Umpires Association 