Behind every great baseball game is an umpire making the calls, managing the contest and helping create a positive experience for players, coaches and families.
Throughout the 2025/26 season, Queensland’s umpiring community once again demonstrated its importance to the game, with community volunteers, developing officials and experienced representatives all playing a vital role across local, state and national events.
In a historic effort, the Baseball Queensland State Championships, drew on an incredible 52 umpires to cover the sheer number of teams competing across multiple divisions and locations.
According to State Director of Community Umpiring (Little League Umpires) Barry Foat, the effort from community umpires and parent volunteers was one of his highlights of the year.
“In most cases these were parents and community-level umpires who stepped forward and did an outstanding job,” Foat said.
“Without those people being willing to help, tournaments of that size simply don’t happen.”
The championships also highlighted the strength of Queensland’s umpire development pathway, with experienced Queensland Baseball Umpires Association (QBUA) members mentoring and supporting emerging officials throughout the season.
Foat said it had been particularly pleasing to see younger umpires continue to take opportunities and progress through the ranks.
“QBUA continues to provide highly experienced panel members to tournaments, but we’re also seeing a number of younger and up-and-coming umpires stepping forward and gaining valuable experience,” he said.
That development will continue next month, with Queensland supplying eight officials, including three junior umpires, to the Australian Little League Girls National Championships at Redcliffe.
More Than Just Making Calls
For Foat, who has been involved in baseball for more than 35 years, umpiring remains one of the most rewarding ways to stay connected to the game.
“When I first started umpiring, all I wanted to do was learn more about baseball so I could better understand what was happening when my son played,” he said.
“What I discovered was that the umpire really does have the best seat in the house.”
As baseball continues to grow across Queensland, Foat believes there is a significant opportunity for more parents and community members to become involved.
One of the most common responses received when clubs ask for volunteer umpires is, “I don’t know enough about the game” or “I couldn’t do what you do.”
The reality is that community umpiring is designed to help people learn.
Community Umpire Accreditation provides the foundation required to officiate junior baseball, with QBUA delivering courses throughout the year that cover basic mechanics, positioning and rules knowledge.
“Baseball is a game of throwing, hitting, catching and running,” Foat said.
“We can teach people the mechanics and rules. What we need are people who are willing to get involved and support the game.”
Community umpire courses will recommence ahead of the 2026/27 season, while QBUA’s annual Association Umpire Course will again provide opportunities for officials looking to advance through higher levels of competition.
Queensland Representation Across Australia
Queensland umpires once again featured prominently on the national stage throughout 2026.
The year began with Brad Donald and Mark Stone representing Queensland at the Australian Youth Championship in Melbourne.
At the Australian Women’s Championship, Carla Pinder and Alisha Jewry were selected, while Cassandra Hall and Liliana Ostara attended the Australian Women’s Youth Championship. Earlier in the year, Alisha Jewry and Eton Calder also travelled to the United States to attend the renowned Wendelstedt Umpire School.
Queensland officials continued their strong presence at Little League events across the country, with Alisha Jewry, Cameron Montague, Carla Pinder, Cassandra Hall and Kevin Ryan all receiving appointments to national tournaments.
Queensland also provided tournament coordinators Mark Bramwell, Paul Latta and Tom West to support event delivery.
The season culminated with the Australian Little League Championship in Sydney, where Mark Stone and John Proper represented Queensland.
Stone’s appointment to the 2026 Little League World Series in Williamsport is among the highest honours available within the Little League system and continues Queensland’s proud history of international representation.
He joins previous Queensland representatives Dan Del Nido and Cassandra Hall as officials selected to umpire at Little League World Series events.
For Foat, the continued success of Queensland umpires at all levels reflects the strength of the state’s development pathway and the commitment of volunteers who continue to give back to the game.
“Most umpires won’t go on to national or international appointments,” he said.
“But every umpire plays an important role. Whether you’re helping at a local junior game or representing Australia overseas, the most important thing is that you’re enjoying the experience and helping young people play the game.”
Interested in becoming an umpire? Contact your local club or Barry at [email protected] to learn more about upcoming Community Umpire Accreditation courses before the start of the 2026/27 season.
