Resources
Kia ora and welcome to the resources page.
The SNZ 2022-2025 rulebook is now available for purchase from Softball NZ, here is the online version – Click here
For rule books please contact snz@softball.org.nz
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.
2023/24 Archived
The following table provides the national tournament schedules and Field Examinations for past years.
SNZ current and past tests and answer papers.
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
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
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.
NEW BULLETIN: Illegal substances (Rule 4.3.5 a)
WBSC have clarified the rules around illegal substances and the effect of it take a read of the bulletin: Click Here
Mechanical Bulletins contains information relating to umpire mechanics and rotations.
Click on this link to the WBSC Mechanical Bulletin page for more information.
Click on this link to the WBSC Rules and Case Plays for more information.
Click on this link to the SNZ 2022-2025 Rulebook.
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.
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.
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.
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 Jay who will be glad to assist you.
Happy browsing and if you see something that doesn't look right, let us know!
SOFTBALL NEW ZEALAND (SNZ) RULEBOOK 2022-2025
The SNZ 2022-2025 rulebook is now available for purchase from Softball NZ, here is the online version – Click here
For rule books please contact snz@softball.org.nz
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.
2024/25 National Tournament Appointment Schedule
– Click here2023/24 Archived
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.
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
| 2024-2023 | 2022-2023 | |
| 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 - Updated 23 June 2024 |
| 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.
NEW BULLETIN: Illegal substances (Rule 4.3.5 a)
WBSC have clarified the rules around illegal substances and the effect of it take a read of the bulletin: Click Here
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.
| June 2024 | SNZ Annual Rules Test Policy SNZ Grading System Policy SNZ Touring Guide Policy SNZ Umpires Distinguished Service Awards Policy |
| 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 Outdated refer to the June 2024 Policy SNZ Grading System Policy Outdated refer to the June 2024 Policy SNZ Annual Rules Test Policy Outdated refer to the June 2024 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. 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 |