Thank you for your interest in the Jacksonville Umpires Association (JUA). For new prospects, welcome. The JUA is always in need of those who want to learn the skills of being an official. All training can be obtained within JUA and actual field assignments are tailored to the individual umpire's experience.
For transfers or returning officials, As a fellow official, I look forward to meeting you and hearing a few “what if” stories. If you have not been a member of JUA before, I hope to hit the highlights of things that you may encounter: If you want to join, please contact Randy Hosmer Vice-President (904-389-6034) for further information
THE ASSOCIATION
The JUA membership conducts a business meeting once a month at the
Landmark Middle School Auditorium (schedule). JUA is
sanctioned by many bodies including the Florida High School Athletic
Association and currently has two main classes of
membership: Schools membership division (for FHSAA recognized baseball and
softball) and the Contract membership division (for non-FHSAA contests,
including youth, adult and college level baseball and softball). To join the
JUA, a new member must complete a membership application and pay the $25
annual fee and a $10 initiation fee. A member is then free to join one or both divisions. Although strongly recommended to new
umpires in order that they may gain experience, joining the Contract membership
division in order to officiate FHSAA baseball and softball is not required.
SCHOOLS DIVISION
The JUA Schools Booking
Commissioner,
Glen Seltzer (904-262-2500), negotiates contracts with and schedules members to middle
school, junior varsity and varsity high school baseball and softball. To
join the Schools division, a new member must be accepted to JUA membership, pay
JUA dues plus $5 for the schools membership division, complete a
FHSAA application, and pay registration fees
($34 first sport, $27 additional sports). A FHSAA
on-Line application is available
or it can be obtained
from the association
after membership is accepted. Additionally, each Schools
member pays an booking assessment per game to the Schools Booking
Commissioner as a scheduling fee. FHSAA conducts a mandatory rules clinic
(January) and a mandatory written rules exam (February). The JUA Schools
division provides free field and rules clinics November through January.
CONTRACT DIVISION
Similarly, the
JUA Contract Booking
Commissioner, Curtis Mac Dowell
(904-646-0617), negotiates contracts for and schedules members to contract
games. The level of play goes from T-Ball to College in both sports of baseball
and softball (slow & fast pitch). To join the Contract division, a new member must be accepted to JUA
membership, pay JUA dues plus $5 for the contract division and complete applications and pay dues to applicable sanctioning
organizations such as
ASA,
AABC,
Babe
Ruth, NSA, etc.
A game-by-game assigning fee is also collected by the booking
commissioner. JUA Contract
division provides field and rules clinics for newer umpires every Sunday
starting February and ending in March as well as one in September.
We eagerly look forward to your JUA Application.
If you have any questions or I may be of further assistance, please
contact me at (904) 641-0220, use the links on the
home page or
send Email to ask for other information..
Sincerely,
Bill Franco
JUA
Secretary