How to Join Tara
To become a member of Tara, applicants must:
- Be of good moral character and reputation.
- Be at least eighteen (18) years of age (to officiate GHSA events).
- Submit a Tara Application.
- Pay Tara dues & any fees required by the GHSA or any other organized program requiring fees.
- Purchase and/or maintain the necessary equipment and uniforms to officiate baseball & softball.
- Attend required meetings and training classes as scheduled.
Applications
Tara Application for membership:
- All members (new & returning) are required to submit a Tara application every year. Tara members are considered independent contractors and, as such, services of an independent contractor extend for a period of one (1) year.
Georgia High School Association (GHSA) application:
- The GHSA requires all new members to complete a GHSA application for each high school sport you desire to officiate. Members that officiated high school sports with Tara in the previous year are exempt from completing the GHSA application. However, should a member miss a year, they also will be required to complete a GHSA application. This requirement applies to both baseball and softball.
Game Fees & Payment
- Game fees for games worked are paid to the members after payment is received from the league or school. Ten percent (10%) is withheld from every game fee for administrative fees. No administrative fees are withheld from travel pay. Travel pay for high school games is accrued on a per-day basis, ie; if you work one game in one day you will get one travel payment. If you work 2 or more games on one day, you receive one travel pay for that day. Game pay is mailed to the members via U.S. mail. It is therefore important to make sure the Secretary-Treasurer andthe Booking Agent have a current mailing address, email address and phone number(s).
- Members that earn more than six hundred dollars ($600.00) in a calendar year will receive an IRS form 1099 from Tara. An IRS Form W9 form must be submitted with the application and is available to download on the FORMS & LINKS page on this web site.
Game Assignment
- Members are assigned games using a computer-based assignment system that is maintained by the booking agent. Members are required to monitor their email and respond in a timely manner to assignments from the Booking Agent. A link to this program, (known as ARBITER) is on the FORMS & LINKS page on this web site.
- All members are required to submit a BLOCK OUT SHEET to the Booking Agent. This form indicates the days that you are available to umpire games. Members that do not submit a BLOCK OUT are expected to be available to work on that particular date. The BLOCKOUT form is available on ARBITER under the BLOCK tab.
Training & Testing
- Each January, a meeting is conducted for all Tara members. At this meeting, all members will submit an application for Tara, GHSA required paperwork and pay dues and fees. Baseball training will begin in January and extend through January and February. GHSA rule books will be distributed to all members after they submit their application and fees. Training for softball will begin prior to the softball season.
- Training is conducted by a staff of trainers under the direction of the Umpire-in-Chief of the respective sport. Training will be conducted in a classroom and on the field. Attendance at training sessions is required for all members.
The GHSA requires all umpires that work high school games to take a written test and complete a rules clinic:
- Both the rules clinic and written test are offered online by GHSA. You must be registered as a GHSA official to take an online test. An umpire must score no less than 85% on both test. Testing dates are governed by the GSHA and will be announced several weeks prior to testing.
Have more Questions?
Additional information is available at Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it cost to join Tara?
Tara members pay annual dues that are approved by the membership. The current dues are $25.00 per year. This annual fees represents membership in Tara for one fiscal year as applied by the Tara Constitution. Dues are paid at the time an applicant submits a Tara application.
What uniforms & equipment will I need?
The specific uniform requirements can be found on the Tara web site (UNIFORMS). All umpires are required to wear the approved uniform. Most of the uniform is specialty apparel, meaning that the uniform piece would be worn only for umpiring such as the pants, shoes, shirts and hats. Umpires are also required to have all of the necessary equipment for officiating the sport in which they are registered. Umpires are required to have a facemask, inside chest protector, shin guards, ball bags, indicator and protective cup. Uniforms and equipment for both baseball and softball can be purchased at Four Seasons Sporting Goods in College Park. It is strongly recommended that you keep your equipment and a set of uniforms in your car as you could receive a last-minute assignment.
Obtaining your rule books
Rule books for baseball and softball are issued by the GHSA and distributed by Tara. You will receive your rule book(s) at the first training meeting (baseball/softball) and after all dues and fees have been paid. Extra rule books can be purchased from the GHSA and/or NFHS.
How are games assigned?
The decision as to which games you are assigned to is made by the booking agent. Your game assignments will, under normal circumstances, be sent to you via email through the Arbiter program. There are many factors involved as to which umpire gets which game such as umpire availability (dates you have indicated you are available), location of the game-site, level of play, experience of the umpire(s), eligibility of those umpires available, etc. The booking agent makes the final assignment decisions.
How will I know who my partner is?
The majority of the time, the partners will both be listed as to assignments and you will have that information available to you when the game assignments are published on Arbiter. In some cases, such as cancellations and inclement weather, changes are made that precludes that information being available. Tara has a policy that requires one umpire to call his/her partner within 24 hours of game-time, and in the event of changes, you should know who your partner is 24 hours before the game. When last minute assignments are made, the booking agent will tell you your partner's name if that assignment has been made. If you are assigned a game and your partner is not listed, frequently check the game listing on Arbiter for game updates. You are required to contact your partner within twenty four (24) hours before the game date.
Can I cancel a game assignment once I am assigned?
Cancellations are permitted only in case of an emergent or unforeseen event. It is important for an umpire to carefully plan their time during the season making the necessary "block-out" of unavailable dates prior to the start of the season. Due to the drastic schedule alterations that are required when an umpire cancels or "turns-in" a game, cancellations are strongly discouraged. It is understood that emergencies and unforeseen events will occur that require an umpire to turn a game assignment back to the booking agent, however, an umpire that unnecessarily turns a game in, refuses to accept a game or fails to appear for a game can thereafter be fined and/or issued a restricted schedule.
What level games can I expect?
The level of your game assignments depends entirely on your level of experience, training and availability. Some umpires expect assignments to high-level games in their first, second or third year of officiating. It takes time and experience to work towards the high-level games.
Are there different game fees for different levels of play?
The game fees are established well before the season begins and, in the case of high school games, the game fees are set by the GHSA. Tara contracts with the other leagues and/or association for set game fees such as American Legion, USSSA, and other summer/fall leagues to which you may be assigned. A list of game fees are published every year and made available to the members.
How will I get my game assignments?
A member will, before a season starts, submit their availability to the booking agent. This is accomplished on the Arbiter system by blocking out dates that you are not available.
Games to which you are assigned are entered into Arbiter and you will be notified by email once the games are posted. In some cases, such as last minute assignments due to game rescheduling, you will be notified by phone by the booking agent.
What if I join Tara and later decide not to umpire?
If you join Tara and decide not to umpire before you have been assigned any games, your Tara membership fees for the current year will be returned to you. Fees paid that go to GHSA are not refundable. If you join Tara, work one or more games, and decide to resign as a member, your dues are not refundable.
Where are the schools located and do I have a choice of selecting where I am assigned?
Tara has contractual obligations with high schools throughout the south metro Atlanta area. Most are south of Atlanta and a few are located closer to the downtown area. A list of the schools you could be assigned to is listed on the Tara website. All Tara members are required and expected to be available for an assignment at any of the schools we serve. By virtue of scheduling practices and GHSA policy, restricting yourself to a select choice of schools would extremely limit and reduce your assignment of games.
I am new to the Atlanta area? Are directions to my game sites provided?
The Arbiter program has the ability to provide you with the address, location and a map to the schools where you are assigned. If you are assigned to a field not located on Arbiter, first contact your assigned partner, then contact the booking agent, the UIC or any member of the board.
I have a criminal record. Will that prevent me from officiating?
It is possible that a criminal conviction could prevent a prospective umpire from officiating. The GHSA has a policy that is handled on a case-by-case basis as a result of answers provided on the GHSA application. Tara also makes a determination as to eligibility based on a case-by-case basis. There are some government recreational programs that require officials to submit to a criminal history background search to establish eligibility of an umpire. An applicant/member of Tara that has a criminal record should contact a member of the Board of Directors so that the opportunity to review the situation is initiated. Failing to truthfully declare a criminal conviction(s) in the completion of required application-paperwork could result in a person being denied membership and/or the opportunity to officiate sports.
I have additional questions. Who may I contact?
Any member of the Tara Board of Directors is available to answer and/or respond to any questions you may have or the board member will make the necessary referral to the appropriate person to respond. Do not hesitate to ask questions.
How do I get paid?
Tara sends an invoice and/or collects monies due for the game fees from the schools or leagues. The booking agent sends a report to the Secretary-Treasurer as to who worked and the number of games due each umpire. Once all of the funds have been paid to Tara by the school or league, the umpires receive a Tara check mailed to the address of their choice, usually their home address.
Games are grouped into a "Run". A tournament could be a single run or a season could be a single run. Games simultaneously played at different locations could be grouped into a single run. The entire baseball regular season is a separate RUN as is entire softball season. The post season series for each HS sport is a separate run. The number of games grouped in a RUN are determined by when the games are played and when the funds are collected. Game Fees (RUNS) are paid to the members within 24-48 hours after collection. A report of the games represented in the check total is printed on the back of your check stub or on a separate sheet of paper enclosed with your check. It is very important that you keep your address and contact information up-to-date and current with the Secretary-Treasurer (for payment) and the Booking Agent (for the assignment of games).
Ten percent (10%) is withheld from each game fee for administrative costs. There are no administrative fees withheld from pay designated as "travel pay". Travel pay is listed separately on your game pay report.
What is Arbiter?
Arbiter is a web-based program used to assign umpires to their games. Basically, here's how it works:
- The booking agent obtains the schedules for games from the schools or leagues and enters the games into Arbiter. The Booking Agent also assigns new umpires a "slot" in the program for you to enter your information and begin using Arbiter.
- The Tara member goes into Arbiter on their personal computer and enters their personal information, contact information, email and password. You must also block-out any date(s) that you cannot work. Arbiter also give you the option to post a picture of yourself.
- Once you have entered your information and become part of the system, the booking agent will use the information you have entered to assign you games. When you are assigned to a game(s) you will automatically be notified via the email address you provided. Using Arbiter, umpires are required to ACCEPT the games to which they have been assigned. Failure to complete any portion of your Arbiter responsibilities could result in your game being reassigned to another umpire. It is very important to carefully monitor your email during the sporting seasons and keep your contact information up-to-date.
- Once you have accepted your assignment(s), the Booking Agent will automatically be notified that you have done so. If you fail to accept your game(s) within a reasonable time, you will receive another email indicating that you have games pending. Arbiter will display all of your game assignments: date, time, location, home team, visiting team, field location and your partner's name and email. You can also click on the assigned school location to get a detailed display listing the address and a map of the school.
What if I umpire only summer baseball or summer softball or another level that is not associated with GHSA?
Tara requires that ALL members make time for and attend training. Some summer programs require additional training and a seperate registration process such as USSSA. There are also uniform requirements for those programs and games not affiliated with GHSA regulations. You do not have to be registered with GHSA to work USSSA, American Legion or any other sport that is not regulated by GHSA , and as such, you are not required to attend/complete the mandatory GHSA training and certification.
You are, however, always a Tara member and you are expected to conform to the uniform requirements of the level you umpire and practice the professional conduct code at all times.
How to Join Tara
For New Members &
Information on How to Join
To Submit a Tara Application or a Renewal
