If You Love Baseball, Take on the Challenge of Umpiring! Recruiting 100 Applicants Aged 19 and Over; Top Performers May Advance to the Futures League

*This content was translated by AI.

A specialized training program for those aspiring to become professional baseball umpires is reopening its doors.

The Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) announced on the 1st that the "2026 17th Baseball Umpire Training Program," jointly hosted by the Korea Baseball and Softball Association (KBSA) and Myongji College, will commence on November 20.

The baseball umpire training program launching at Myongji College will be conducted in two tracks: a general course and a specialized course.

The general course targets applicants aged 19 and over who wish to engage in umpiring activities, recruiting 100 participants. Over the course of 10 weeks, participants will receive a total of 160 hours of education every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. However, students currently enrolled or on leave from high school are ineligible to apply.

The curriculum is also focused on practical application. Of the 160th hours in the general course, 138 hours are dedicated to baseball rules and umpiring practice, while 18 hours cover major-specific competencies and 4 hours cover sports marketing. Upon completion, graduates may serve as umpires in community sports, Little League, softball, women's baseball, and KBSA provincial branches.

Top performers will also be given the opportunity to advance to a higher level. An advanced course centered on live games will be operated for outstanding graduates of the general course. Upon completion, participants may be appointed or hired as umpires for national tournaments hosted by the KBSA, college baseball, and the KBO Futures League.

The specialized course targets 50 individuals who already possess umpiring experience. Applicants must have at least two years of experience as an umpire with the KBSA or its affiliated organizations (including provincial branches, the Korea Little Baseball League, the Korea Women's Baseball League, the Softball Federation, and the Korea College Baseball League), among others, and must submit a stamp from the head of the organization. Participants will receive a total of 64 hours of education every Saturday and Sunday over five weeks. Classes on Friday will also be held during the first week only.

The specialized course is likewise largely composed of baseball rules and umpiring practice. Of the total 64 hours, 60 hours are dedicated to related training. Top performers are expected to be provided with opportunities for overseas study tours of advanced baseball.

Completion criteria are also clear. Participants who complete at least 80% of the curriculum and pass written and theoretical examinations will receive a certificate of completion jointly issued by the KBO, KBSA, and Myongji College. The certification period is five years, and separate training will be conducted annually in early spring to help maintain umpiring qualifications and skills through continuing education before the expiration of the period. To foster a clean baseball environment, individuals with records of serious crimes, such as violations of the National Sports Promotion Act or sexual offenses, may be excluded from enrollment and completion eligibility.

Applications will be accepted from the 1st until 5 p.m. on the 12th. Applicants can download the application form from the notices section of the Myongji College Baseball Umpire Training Program homepage. They must fill out and submit the application form and complete payment of tuition fees. Applicants for the specialized course must attach an umpiring experience certificate stamped by the head of their organization. Successful candidates are scheduled to be notified individually via text message at 3 p.m. on the 15th.

For further details, please refer to the Myongji College Baseball Umpire Training Program homepage.

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*This content was translated by AI.