Resources

Kia ora and welcome to the resources page.  

Here, we hope you will find everything you need to know about umpiring here in Aotearoa.  If you can't find what you're looking for reach out to our website manager Jaiden Bell who will be glad to assist you.  

Happy browsing and if you see something that doesn't look right, let us know!  

NEW SOFTBALL NEW ZEALAND (SNZ) RULEBOOK 2022-2025

The new SNZ 2022-2025 rulebook is now available for purchase from Softball NZ, here is the online version – Click here
 
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

National Fastpitch Tournaments are held throughout the country primarily between October to the end of March.  These comprise of the National Age Grade Tournaments for Under 15, Under 17 and Under 19 which are held in January each year.  The Men's and Women's National Fastpitch Championship (NFC) are held at the discretion of Softball New Zealand to fit around other major tournaments.  Open Men and Women Championships take place in March along with the Secondary Schools' tournaments.

For more details about the draw/venue for each tournament click here to find out more. 

Prior to the commencement of each season, nominations are called from umpires level 2 and above for consideration for national appointment.  Your nominations are considered by the National Umpiring Staff (NUS) for appropriate appointment and communicated back to you via your local Chief Umpire and this website.

The following appointments schedule provides the latest appointments for the up and coming season.  Please note it will change from time to time due to withdrawals, changes in tournament schedules and at SNZ edict.  

2023/24 National Tournament Appointment Schedule
– Click here
  
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP ARCHIVES

The following table provides the national tournament schedules and Field Examinations for past years.
National Tournament Final Appointment Schedule
National Tournament Final
Field Examination Schedule
National Tournament Final
Number of Games Schedule
2022-2023 2022-2023 2022-2023
2021-2022 2021-2022 2021-2022
2020-2021 2020-2021 2020-2021
2019-2020 2019-2020 2019-2020
2018-2019 2018-2019 2018-2019
2017-2018 2017-2018 2017-2018
2016-2017    
2015-2016    
2014-2015   2014-2015


 
 

Rules Tests and Answers
SNZ current and past tests and answer papers.
 
TEST
ANSWERS
Level 1-3 Rules test 2022
Level 4-7 Rules test 2022
Level 1-3 Rules Test 2022 Answers
Level 4-7 Rules Test 2022 Answers
Level 1-3 Rules test 2021
Level 4-7 Rules test 2021
Level 1-3 Rules Test 2021 Answers
Level 4-7 Rules Test 2021 Answers
Level 1-3 Rules test 2020 Paper Version
Level 4-7 Rules test 2020 Paper Version
Level 1-3 Rules Test 2020 Answers
Level 4-7 Rules Test 2020 Answers
Level 1-3 Rules Test 2019 Paper Version
Level 4-7 Rules Test 2019 Paper Version
Level 1-3 Rules Test answers 2019
Level 4-7 Rules Test answers 2019

2018 Rules Test - Level 1 to 3 Paper Version

2018 Rules Test - Level 4 to 7 Paper Version

2018 Levels 1-3

2018 Levels 4-7
2017 Rules Test 2017 Answer Sheet
2016 Rules Test - Level 1 to 3
2016 Rules Test - Level 4 to 7
2016 Answers - Level 1 to 3 (25 Question Test)
2016 Answers - Level 1 to 3 (50 Question Test)
2016 Answers - Level 1 to 4 (100 Question Test)
2015 2015


MERCHANDISE

We run our on and off diamond merchandise through an agent in Canterbury.  Please reach out to Dave Beaumont, Deputy Director of Umpiring at debeau12@gmail.com
 
GRADINGS
2021-2022 2020-2021 2019-2020
2018-2019 2017-2018 2016-2017
2015-2016 2014-2015 2013-2014
TOURNAMENT CHIEF UMPIRE (TCU) TOOL BOX

Listed below are a number of documents Tournament Chief Umpires may require during the period they are assigned to national tournaments as SNZ's Official Tournament Chief Umpire
 
September 2023 TCU Standard Operating Procedures (SOP)
July 2023 SNZ Level Three Workbook
February 2023 Umpire Appointments Template
August 2022 WBSC 2022-2025 Rule Changes
SNZ 2022-2025 Rulebook
Local UIC Reporting Template
Tournament Chief Umpire Reporting Template
July 2022 SNZ Umpires' Pathway Framework
SNZ Level One Workbook
SNZ Level Two Workbook
June 2022 For all WBSC Rules, Mechanics, Bat Protocols and the Case Play Book
September 2021 SNZ Code of Conduct
SNZ Touring Guide Policy 
SNZ Grading System Policy
SNZ Annual Rules Test Policy
SNZ Emergency Contact Form
Evaluation Forms Section SNZ Umpire Evaluation Form - PDF Version
SNZ Umpire Evaluation Form - Word Version
 
TECHNICAL BULLETINS

Technical Bulletins contains information relating to the Rules and Interpretations of the current playing rules of the game.  Any changes from WBSC Congress are reviewed and technical bulletins are created for umpires, coaches, administrators and players to remain current with International Interpretations.

Click on this link to the WBSC Technical Bulletin page for more information.
    
MECHANICAL BULLETINS


Mechanical Bulletins contains information relating to umpire mechanics and rotations.  

Click on this link to the WBSC Mechanical Bulletin page for more information.

RULES AND CASE PLAYS


Click on this link to the WBSC Rules and Case Plays for more information.

Click on this link to the SNZ 2022-2025 Rulebook.

 
STRATEGIC PLAN, POLICIES AND GUIDELINES

The following documents set out the policy and guidelines for all SNZ Umpires.  Familiarisation with these documents is paramount ensuring umpires understand the impact the sport has on sports officials.
 
August 2022 SNZ Umpires' Pathway Framework
SNZ Umpires' Strategic Plan 2016 - 2021
SNZ Umpires' Strategic Plan 2022-2026 To Be Confirmed
 
September 2021 SNZ Code of Conduct
SNZ Touring Guide Policy 
SNZ Grading System Policy
SNZ Annual Rules Test Policy
May 2009 National Distinguished Service Award Policy

EDUCATION AND TRAINING
This part of the Education and Training section provides articles from some of the best umpires in the game.  Browse through the many articles that have assisted many umpires in their umpiring careers. 
 
An Umpires Road
to the Olympics
Back to Basics Covering The Bases Don't let Competition Anxiety
get the Better of You
Effective Speaking -Oscars Everyone loves to Win - But How Many Love to Train Fans and the Umpire Imagination is more important
than knowledge
Lighting can Kill Lineup Cards Managing the Fortune Teller The Fastpitch Plate Umpire
Through An Umpires Eyes Umpires must have
Game Management Skills
Umpiring Is About Relationships Umpiring Myths
When and How to get help from
your Partner
When and how to use the power of Ejection    
 
 
TRAVELING UMPIRES' REPORTS


Welcome to the Traveling Umpires' Report section.  In this section you will read about the many experiences SNZ Umpires have had whilst traveling abroad.  Umpires that are selected to travel abroad must provide a report to the General Manager SNZ and the Umpire-in-Chief three weeks after the conclusion of their tour.  For further information about traveling abroad click here to read about SNZ's Touring Umpire Guide.
                                                      
December 2022 Men's World Cup, Auckland, New Zealand - Mark Porteous
August 2020 Mark Porteous Tokyo Olympics
March 2020 Andy McManus u18 Worlds - Palmerston North, New Zealand
September 2019 Mark Porteous Olympic Qualifier
June 2019 Mark Porteous  Senior Men's Worlds - Prague
July / August 2018 Lance Brown - Senior Women's Worlds - Chiba, Japan

Tony "TK" Kaiaruna - Senior Women's Worlds - Chiba, Japan
 
July / August 2017 Tony "TK" Kaiaruna - Senior Men's Worlds - Yukon, Canada

Mark Porteous - Senior Men's Worlds - Yukon, Canada

Dave Fortin - Junior Women's Worlds - Florida, USA

Glen Nalepa - Canadian Exchange
June / July 2016 Tony "TK" Kaiaruna - Junior Men's - Michigan USA

Dave Fortin - Junior Men's - Michigan USA

Tara Harris / Gavin Shepard - Women's World Series, Vancouver Canada.

Robbie Sadgrove / Dennis Ormsby - International Youth Cup, Sydney Australia
August 2015 Tony "TK" Kaiaruna / Tara Harris - Junior Women's - Oklahoma, USA
June / July 2015 Shaun "Bob" Poata - International Friendship Series - Sydney, Australia

Lance Brown / Mark Porteous - Men's World Series - Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
August 2014 Gavin Shepherd - Junior Men's World Series - Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada

Nicola Ogier, Glen Nalepa - Women's World Series - Harlem, Holland

Jeremy England - ISC Men's World Tournament - Kitchener, Ontario, Canada
July 2014 Ben Horn - International Friendship Series - Sydney, Australia
January 2014 Tony "TK" Kaiaruna - Trans Tasman Exchange
August 2013 Riki Tourangi - Junior Wormen's World Series - USA
March 2013 Lance Type, Wiremu Tamaki, Lance Brown, Mark MacFarlane - Men's World Series - Auckland, New Zealand
November 2012 Darrel Paul - 2012 Gillies Shield - Adelaide, Australia
November 2012 Jeremy England - 2012 Junior Men's World Series, Parana, Argentina
November 2012 Mark Porteous - 2012 Junior Men's World Series, Parana, Argentina
October 2012 Andrew McManus - 2012 Gillies Shield - Perth, Australia
July 2012 Nicola Ogier - 2012F ISF Senior Women's World Series, Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada
July 2012 Andrew McManus - International Youth Cup 2012, Sydney, Australia
June - July 2012 Wiremu Tamaki - 2012 Black Sox Tour to North America
December 2011 Dave Shedlock - 2011 ISF Junior Women's World Series, Cape Town, South Africa
December 2011 Mark Porteous - 2011 ISF Oceania Qualifier, Canberra, Australia
January 2011 Mark Porteous - 2011 ISF Certification Clinic, Brisbane, Australia
November 2010 Mark Porteous - Gilley's Shield - Sydney, Australia
August 2010 Wiremu Tamaki - ISC World Tournament - Michigan, USA
July 2010 Jeff Weber - Friendship Games - Sydney, Australia
December 2009 Mark Porteous - Gilley's Shield - Victoria, Australia
July 2009
 
Gavin Shepherd - Friendship Games - Sydney, Australia
June - July 2009 Mark McFarlane - North American Tour, Ontario and Vancouver, Canada. ISF Mens' World Series, Saskatoon, Saskatchean

Wiremu Tamaki - North American Tour, Ontario and Vancouver, Canada. ISF Mens' World Series, Saskatoon, Saskatchean
February 2009 Lance Brown - Pacific Series - Apia, Samoa
August 2008
 
Wiremu Tamaki - Olympics - Beijing, China
July 2008 Mark McFarlane - ISC World Tournament - Wisconsin, USA
June 2007 Wiremu Tamaki - ISF Junior Women - Netherlands
July 2006 Wayne Saunders - ISC World Tournament - Ontario, Canada
July 2004 Lindsay Edwards - ISC World Tournament - North Dakota, USA
January to August 2004 Wayne Saunders - ISF Men's World Series - Christchurch, New Zealand. Canada Cup - Vancouver, Canada. Prague Cup - Czech Republic. Olympics - Athens, Greece
June - July 2003 Wayne Saunders - Canada Cup - Vancouver, Canada. Olympic Qualifier - Italy
 

National Umpiring Staff (NUS) MINUTES

 
June 2023 NUS Minutes
June 2022 NUS Minutes
June 2021 NUS Minutes
June 2020 NUS Minutes
July 2019 NUS Minutes
July 2018 NUS Minutes
June 2017 NUS Minutes
July 2016 NUS Minutes
July 2015 NUS Minutes