About Us

About WSUA The spark for the creation of our organization came in April of 1999 when the Hopkins-Minnetonka Babe Ruth League found itself without umpires two weeks before the season opener. A group of concerned parents and community leaders banded together to review the basics of baseball umpiring so they could officiate league games. Our Executive Director, Rick Uebler and our Vice President, Bob Pieper were members of this group. Both had significant coaching experience and Bob had been a high school hockey official for some time. One of the others in the group knew an experienced baseball umpire, Bob Livingston, and asked him to conduct a training session for the volunteers--which he did. The season opened and the small group together with several high school baseball players covered every game and, according to coaches and league officials, did a good job especially considering the little time they had to prepare. From that humble and hasty beginning has evolved an organization of over 30 umpires chosen first as people of good character, love of the game and a committment to the youth we serve. Both veterans and new umpires receive extensive basic training in mechanics, rule interpretation and game management and are assigned to youth and high school leagues with players between 13 and 19 years old. Our members are tested annually on rules and are evaluated on a regular basis. Many of our members hold certifications from the Babe Ruth National Umpires Association, the Minnesota State High School League, the Amateur Baseball Umpires Association and other bodies. Our members will officiate over 700 games in 2005.