In Pittsburgh, the role of a youth baseball umpire is more than a part‑time gig; it is a responsibility that hinges on a set of state‑mandated clearances. Dave Gregory, president of the Pittsburgh Umpire Association, has become a vocal advocate for a system that tracks those clearances, ensuring that umpires meet legal standards before stepping onto the diamond.
The clearance maze
Pennsylvania law requires umpires under 18 to obtain three distinct clearances: Act 34, a background check; Act 151, a child abuse clearance; and Act 114, fingerprinting. Each clearance is issued by the Department of Human Services, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the FBI, and they remain valid for five years before renewal is required.
Gregory’s solution is a simple spreadsheet that logs every umpire’s clearance status. By maintaining this record, he can verify compliance and avoid the third‑degree misdemeanor penalties that accompany lapses. The spreadsheet has become a model for a few leagues that take the process seriously.
One such league is the City of Pittsburgh’s R.B.I. program. The organization not only reimburses umpires for the $60 cost of obtaining or renewing clearances, but it also confirms that every umpire under its banner holds the necessary credentials. This financial support removes a major barrier for many young officials who might otherwise shy away from the paperwork.
Despite these efforts, the majority of youth baseball associations in the region do not track umpire clearances. Without a centralized system, many umpires operate in a legal gray area, unaware that a missing clearance could expose them to fines up to $2,500 and even a year in prison. The inconsistency creates a patchwork of enforcement that varies widely from one league to another.
Gregory notes that the pushback often comes from the umpires themselves. Many are reluctant to spend the $60 required for clearances, preferring to work for associations that do not impose such mandates. This reluctance perpetuates a cycle where safety and legal compliance are left to the discretion of individual leagues rather than a uniform standard.
The broader implication is clear: without a reliable tracking mechanism, the risk of legal trouble looms over a sizable portion of the umpire workforce. While some leagues have embraced the responsibility of ensuring clearances, the lack of a city‑wide or state‑wide enforcement framework means that many umpires continue to navigate a precarious landscape, balancing their love of the game with the threat of penalties.