Korean baseball seeks umpires: Recruitment for the 17th Baseball Umpire Training Program of 2026

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

Held at Myongji College, this baseball umpire training program is divided into a general course and a specialized course. The general course consists of classes held every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday for a total of 160 hours over 10 weeks, while the specialized course consists of classes held every Saturday and Sunday for a total of 64 hours over 5 weeks.

The general course is open to individuals aged 19 and older who wish to work as baseball umpires. Upon completion, graduates may serve as umpires in recreational sports, Little League, softball, women's baseball, and KBSA provincial branches.

Among the general course graduates, those with excellent grades will be eligible for an advanced course that strengthens umpiring capabilities through training focused on live games. Graduates of the advanced course will receive appointment or hiring qualifications to serve as umpires in national tournaments hosted by the KBSA, college baseball, and the KBO Futures League.

The specialized course is open to individuals with at least two years of umpiring experience (official seal of the organization required) from the Korea Baseball and Softball Association and its affiliated organizations (including provincial branches, the Korea Little Baseball Federation, the Korea Women's Baseball Federation, the Softball Federation, and the Korea College Baseball Federation). Those with excellent grades are expected to be given opportunities to observe advanced baseball overseas.

The recruitment quota is 100 for the general course and 50 for the specialized course. Graduates who meet the completion requirements will receive a certificate of completion jointly issued by the KBO, the Korea Baseball and Softball Association, and Myongji College. 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 course completion.

The certification period for each course's certificate is five years. To maintain and strengthen umpiring qualifications and skills before the certification period expires, continuing education programs are planned to be conducted at the beginning of each year, with specific schedules to be confirmed and announced later.

Admission applications can be downloaded from the notice board on the Myongji College Baseball Umpire Training Program website and must be submitted online along with other required documents. The application period runs from October 1 until 5 p.m. on the 12th, and successful candidates will be notified individually on the 15th after a document review.

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

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original