Join Us
Prospective Cadet,
Thank you for expressing an interest in joining the Bergen County Umpires Association. Each year, the BCUA conducts a Cadet Training Program for individuals, 18 years of age (by April 1, 2025) or older wishing to become members of our organization and registered NJSIAA interscholastic baseball and/or softball umpires.
To accomplish this, we have designed a program to train individuals with a comprehensive knowledge of the rules, to prepare our cadets for the Final State Certification Examination(s), as well as the proper mechanics of umpiring. Once our cadets have successfully completed our program; received a passing grade on the certification examination(s) & met their Mentor Observations, they will be entitled to membership in our organization and will be certified to officiate varsity level baseball and/or softball games within the State of New Jersey. PLEASE NOTE THAT PASSING THE STATE EXAMINATIONS DOES NOT GUARANTEE THAT YOU WILL OFFICIATE ANY VARSITY LEVEL GAMES. OUR ASSOCIATION DOES NOT ASSIGN GAMES.
The requirements for enrolling in and successfully completing our cadet program are detailed in this letter. Please make sure that you read this information carefully. Should you have any questions, please feel free to call or email BCUA Cadet Supervisor, Peter Zubiaurre; 201-906-5127; pzlaker@gmail.com
Our 2025 Cadet Program will consist of 18 classroom instruction sessions (BOTH baseball & softball), each approximately 2-hours in length. The first session, an Orientation Meeting…January 6, will serve as a general introduction to the program. All rule books and materials will be distributed at that meeting. In order to be eligible to take the NFHS Exam, you will need to attend three (3) of five (5) ‘Rules Classes’ in your respective sport. You may participate in either OR both certification programs (baseball and/or softball). Application fee for one sport (baseball OR softball) is $200 and for dual sports (baseball AND softball) is $270. There will be NO REFUNDS AFTER the 1st INSTRUCTIONAL CLASS for EACH SPORT…January 7; BASEBALL; and January 9; SOFTBALL. All refunds requested BEFORE the 1st INSTRUCTIONAL CLASS will be accessed a ‘cost of materials’ fee & a $25 Administrative Fee.
In addition to your classroom instruction, you will also be required to participate in our MENTORING PROGRAM for each sport you are registered. You will be expected to attend mentoring sessions OBSERVING HIGH SCHOOL GAMES (PREFERABLY SCRIMMAGES). You will be assigned a “MENTOR” in each sport and will be required to observe a MENTOR umpiring three (3) times for each sport you register. CADETS WHO DO NOT FULFILL THEIR MENTORING REQUIREMENT WILL REMAIN A CADET FOR THE FOLLOWING YEAR until they have completed this requirement. If you do NOT complete your requirements by the end of year 2, you will be removed from the BCUA Association.
You must also attend one (1) CLASSROOM ‘INDOOR’ MECHANICS SESSION for each sport, in which you are registered. If you are ABSENT from the CLASSROOM ‘INDOOR’ MECHANICS SESSION, YOU WILL BE REQUIRED TO ATTEND AN ADDITIONAL MENTOR SESSION FOR THAT SPORT.
There will be two (2) ‘OUTSIDE’ MECHANICS SESSIONS. If you are ABSENT from any of the ‘OUTSIDE’ MECHANICS SESSIONS, YOU WILL BE REQUIRED TO ATTEND AN ADDITIONAL MENTOR SESSION FOR EACH SESSION MISSED FOR THAT SPORT.
All cadet classes will begin promptly! There is a listing of the dates, locations and starting times. Please check the website for scheduling updates. Classes are held twice a week (one for each sport), beginning in early JANUARY and continuing through mid-MARCH. The State Certifying Examinations are given at the end of each sport session.
Our cadets are expected to be properly uniformed when umpiring interscholastic games at any level. You are responsible for purchasing all equipment and items necessary for the upcoming season. Many sporting goods stores carry the equipment you will need to get started; however, if you wish to wait until our cadet program begins, we will have a vendor at the orientation meeting to offer these items.
As much information as possible will be transmitted via our website, www.bcua.info or through
email communication. It is required that you provide an email address to receive such communications. In addition, as per the NJSIAA, the cadet “must provide at least TWO LETTERS OF REFERENCE attesting to his/her character.” This can be done via email: to Peter Zubiaurre; Cadet Supervisor; pzlaker@gmail.com
YOU MUST REGISTER ON-LINE.
https://bcua.refsec.com/web/CadetRegBaseball.aspx
PLEASE NOTE THAT THE APPLICATION FEE MUST BE RECEIVED BY DECEMBER 15, 2024.
Once you pass the National Federation Exam, you will be required to Register with NJSIAA & undergo a ‘Background Check’.
*****ATTENDANCE…Cadets must attend three (3) of five (5) of the Instructional/Rules Classes in order to be eligible to take the NFHS Exam(s).
PLEASE NOTE NJSIAA POLICY
Registration will not be issued for anyone convicted or adjudicated with a finding of fault, guilt or violation, in regard to an offense against a minor or any sexual offense unless/until such offense has been reversed by proper authority with jurisdiction over the matter; or convicted, or adjudicated with a finding of fault, guilt or violation, in regard to an offense involving any illegal/illicit drug or controlled substance as prescribed by federal or state law or regulation, prior to five (5) years following the completion of any sentence/parole/probation period imposed for the offense.
BERGEN COUNTY UMPIRES ASSOCIATION
2025 CADET SCHEDULE
Monday, January 6: ALL SOFTBALL and BASEBALL Cadets Orientation Meeting; 7pm
RIVER DELL HIGH SCHOOL
Tuesday, January 7: Baseball Rules
Thursday, January 9: Softball Rules
Monday, January 13: Baseball Rules
Wednesday, January 15: Softball Rules
Tuesday, January 21: Baseball Rules
Wednesday, January 22: Softball Rules
Monday, January 27: Baseball Rules
Wednesday January 29: Softball Rules
Monday, February 3: Baseball Rules
Wednesday, February 5: Softball Rules
Friday: February 7: Rules Differences; (‘DUAL’ Cadets ONLY) ZOOM MEETING 7:30pm
Monday, February 10: Baseball Review Preliminary Exam
Wednesday, February 12: Baseball: Administer Exam
Monday, February 24: Softball Review Preliminary Exam
Wednesday, February 26: Softball: Administer Exam
Thursday, February 27: NJSIAA REGISTRATION; ZOOM MEETING 7:30pm
Monday, March 3: Baseball Mechanics
Wednesday, March 5: Softball Mechanics
Saturday, March 8: On Field Mechanics Clinic; Location-TBD
(Softball 10am-11:30am; Baseball 12noon-1:30pm)
Saturday, March 22: On Field Mechanics Clinic; Location-TBD
(Baseball 10am-11:30am; Softball 12noon-1:30pm)
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- ALL BASEBALL MEETINGS; 7pm; RIVER DELL HIGH SCHOOL
55 Pyle Street; Oradell, NJ 07649 Room #809
- ALL SOFTBALL MEETINGS; 7pm; DUMONT HIGH SCHOOL
101 New Milford Avenue; Dumont, NJ 07628 Media Center
