There will be an orientation meeting on Thursday Jan 27th at 7pm at the Ramada Hotel on Menaul at University.  At this meeting the general program will be explained and cover:

1.  The new Game Source availability, scheduling and direct deposit payroll process.

2.  The 2 day Training Clinic on Feb 12-13th (weather permitting) in Rio Rancho at the Rio Rancho Sports Complex.  Lunch will be provided.  

3.  Uniform Program (for those that need it)

AAD/USSSA Baseball welcomes all current as well as novice umpires (*ages 16 and up or 14/15 year old working with their father/mother) or anyone who is interested in working in an enjoyable work environment.

AAD/USSSA Umpires are TRAINED PROFESSIONALS officiating the game of baseball in the Albuquerque/Rio Rancho Metroplex competitive environment. As an AAD/USSSA Umpire you will be expected to.

·       Attend two (2) Mandatory Clinics per year, Spring and Fall

·       Complete and submit the current Officials Registration Paperwork

·       Read and apply the current AAD / USSSA Officials Handbook - Hard copies will be provided at the clinic. 

·       Purchase a NFHS case book and Umpire manual (read these as well)

·       Purchase the proper uniforms and plate equipment

With Gardenswartz Team Sales closing their retail space, Officials will need to email Matt Levi at matt@gtsteamsales.com to place the order and he will contact you when the order is in and ready for you to pick up.  

Clinics

The mandatory clinics give our expert instructors the opportunity to teach new (and refresh returning) umpires on the proper mechanics to become a successful official.
 
The AAD/USSSA Season kicks-off with the Umpire Training tournament  February and concludes with our annual Veteran’s Day Weekend Tournament in November.  In addition to these tournaments, AAD/USSSA also hosts a Cinco de Mayo Tournament, The USSSA State Championships as well as a Dog Days tournament the first week of August and Labor Day Weekend Tournament, Balloon Fiesta Tournament and Veteran's Day Tournament in the fall.
 
In between tournaments, Officials have an opportunity to hone their skills during league play. League play runs from the last weekend of March thru the middle of June and then picks up again in August and concludes in October.
 
All umpires in good standing have an opportunity (but not required) to officiate a minimum of  60-90 games per season.

To become an AAD/USSSA Umpire, please text "umpire" to 505-278-6782 or contact Scheduler Amanda Coe - aadofficials@gmail.com or UIC Richard Sanchez - amcsteelers1215@gmail.com.

PRESS RELEASE: AAD/USSSA UMPIRE IN CHIEF

Dec 2021

Hello and welcome to the 2022 season of AAD/USSSA baseball.  My name is Richard Sanchez and I am in my second year as AAD/USSSA Umpire in Chief.  I am looking forward to working with every official while supporting Mr. Dana Gilmer (President) and Amanda Coe (Assigner) with the upcoming season. My first priority is to work with each of you and assist all my new officials, while also getting to know my veteran officiating crew and the experience they can provide to the team.

For those of you who don’t know me here is a brief background of my officiating experience.  I am in my 15th year of being an NMAA high school baseball official. I officiated AAD/USSSA the last 5 years. I was nominated and selected as the 2018-2019 NFHS Baseball Umpire of the Year for the New Mexico Officials Association.

Here is a little personal background.  I own a very successful business for the last 18 years, have coached multiple years with Little League, USSSA and YAFL football.  Strong supporter to the local community by sponsoring youth teams and military veterans.

We will be holding 2 mandatory clinics this year to train new officials, and work with any veteran officials to improve their mechanics. During the year myself, along with veteran officials, will continue training new incoming officials and work with veteran officials who would like to progress their career as a baseball official to the HS levels. There are many opportunities to move up the ranks as an official and this is a great starting point in starting a very successful career if you so choose to continue up the ranks. With the help from myself and other veteran officials we as a team can make this happen. We have a unique comradery of experienced officials that are willing to work with all officials on and off the field. Along with games assignments on the field, all officials will get evaluated to help improve their umpire mechanics, game management, personal appearance, and rule interpretations. I am open to ideas from both new and veteran officials to help with the current training program and make our program the standard across the state. I am committed to give you the tools and training necessary for success, but it will be up to you to apply them along with the work ethic for success. Remember, you are a special breed that has chosen a career to serve and develop our future HS baseball players. 

I am very excited and humbled for being the UIC and will do my best to provide the best leadership and customer service to AAD/USSSA staff, officials, parents, coaches and most importantly OUR players. If you have any questions or ideas, you can call/text me at 505-553-4187, or email at amcsteelers1215@gmail.com (Yes, I am a STEELERS fan).

Again, “Thank You and I look forward to working with a Great Team”.

Signed,

Richard Sanchez

Baseball Officials Frequently Asked Questions

Q.  What insurance coverages are provided when I register as a USSSA officials?

A.  Baseball Officials Insurance Coverage

Q.  What and where are the forms that need to be completed to register with AAD/USSSA

A.  Officials will need to complete the below forms (click on each link):

USSSA.com Umpire Registration

      Those umpires that met the minimum game requirement, from the previous year, will have the cost of registering reimbursed to them.  AAD/USSSA can not register officials anymore because part of the process is a background check that must be completed by the umpire.

Once you have completed the above:

• You will receive an email with 2 links. One for umpires that are already registered with Referee Schedule and one for those who are not. Click on applicable link.
• A screen titled New User Registration will come up with your authorization code already in the box. Click on continue.
• Choose to join AAD/USSSA
• Create username and password and fill in all required information (indicated by red dot). Choose to continue.
• Referee Schedule will send you a validation email. You will need to open that email and click on the link to validate.

Q.  What are the general playing rules for USSSA baseball?

A.  2021 USSSA By-Laws and Playing Rules

Q.  What are the unique AAD/USSSA specific playing rules?

A.  2021 Baseball Officials Handbook 

Q.  What are the bat restrictions and where is the list of Withdrawn/Disallowed bats?

A.  USSSA Bat Restrictions and withdrawn/disallowed bats 

Q.  What is the compensation scale for AAD/USSSA Officials?

A.  Officials are paid a per game rate based on a $28.00 per hour rate.  Each game (league and tournaments), except championship tournament games, will have a “no new inning time limit” that establish the rate.  If a game ends in a run rule prior to the time limit being reached there is no deduction in the compensation rate.  Below are examples:

1 hour and 20 minute time limit = $37.50

1 hour and 30 minute time limit = $42.00

1 hour and 40 minute time limit = $46.75

1 hour and 45 minute time limit = $49.00

1 hour and 50 minute time limit = $51.50

2 hour time limit = $56.00

Q.  What are the uniform requirements for AAD/USSSA officials?

A.  Refer to the current years Work for Hire Agreement.

Q.  Will officials be 1099’d for any monies earned with AAD/USSSA?

A.  Yes