FARMINGTON – The West Central Maine Umpires Association is seeking men and women who want to become certified softball umpires. The board covers high school and middle school games in the region from Rangeley to Livermore Falls, including the greater Rumford area. Most games are played on weekday afternoons at 4 o’clock. National Federation and ASA certified officials qualify to umpire in the summer for recreation men’s or women’s fast or slow pitch leagues, as well as coed programs.

The Farmington area board conducts 8 meetings during the month of March for prospective and veteran umpires to review the rules of the game. Trained instructors discuss important rules, and experienced clinicians cover typical situations that might occur in a game. Meetings ae scheduled for Sunday and Wednesday evenings for 4 weeks starting Sunday, March 5 at 7 p.m. in Room 15 of Ricker Hall at the University of Maine at Farmington.

There is a live pitching practice session inside the gym with catchers and batters, as well as an opportunity to learn position and mechanics for the field umpire.

The local board currently consists of 20 umps, male and female, who call balls and strikes for about 20 games each, from late April through the month of May.

To register for the upcoming clinics, or for more information, call Gary Knight at 897-2489; Ken Ellingwood, 897-5289; Mike Simoneau, 897-5249; Bob Bourassa, 778-5033; or Brian James, 491-3366. The Web site is www.asaump.com.