Facing a growing shortage of sports officials, the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District has partnered with Umps Care to introduce a new training and leadership program aimed at preparing students to step behind the plate.
The initiative, open to students ages 13 to 18, combines on-field umpire training with classroom instruction in leadership and life skills. The six-week program is designed to create a pipeline of young officials while helping students stay connected to sports in a new role.
Superintendent Michael Harrington said the program was launched in response to recent challenges scheduling games due to a lack of available umpires.
“Over the past several years, we’ve had to cancel or combine games,” Harrington said. “This is an opportunity for students to stay part of the game in a different capacity.”
Participants learn the mechanics and rules of officiating baseball, while also taking part in sessions focused on financial literacy, communication, professionalism, conflict resolution and developing a growth mindset.
The program is part of Umps Care’s broader Official Leadership Program, which was developed during the COVID-19 pandemic by a team that includes Joe Iglio, Tom Dolan, Jennifer Jopling and Leon Kruset. The initiative has been introduced in school districts and community organizations across the country as a way to address nationwide shortages of youth sports officials while promoting leadership development.
Umps Care Charities, the charitable arm of Major League Baseball umpires, is known for its community outreach efforts, including hospital visits, youth engagement programs and scholarship initiatives. In addition to its leadership training program, the organization hosts events such as “Blue for Kids,” where professional umpires visit children’s hospitals, and “All-Star Scholarships,” which support college-bound students pursuing higher education.
Through its partnership with local schools and officiating groups, Umps Care’s leadership program aims to equip students with practical skills they can use both on and off the field — and potentially turn into a long-term source of income.
“Your perspective shifts — you start thinking about saving money,” Iglio said. “It teaches young people responsibility while giving them a skill they can use for the rest of their lives.”
In Bellmore-Merrick, students practice game scenarios, learn proper positioning and signals, and build confidence in making calls during simulated play. District officials say the program not only addresses an immediate need for officials, but also fosters independence and leadership among participants.
The program is currently underway, with district leaders hopeful it will expand opportunities for students while helping ensure local games can continue without disruption.
