Frequently Asked Questions

NCSO is an organization founded with the belief that sports officials are a unique and integral part of athletic competition. NCSO is first and foremost an advocacy group for sports officials. NCSO also provides training, scheduling, and game officials for athletic organizations or clubs.

NCSO is an advocate for sportsmanship, ethical behavior, and education through athletics. We schedule athletic officials for all levels of play, from city recreational programs to collegiate level athletics. Utilizing first-time officials up to some of the best and well-known officials in the country, NCSO is invested in providing a place where officials of any age and any experience level can thrive, succeed, and have a great time.

NCSO provides officials for baseball, football, basketball, wrestling, softball, fast-pitch, and volleyball. We schedule all officials for the City of Fort Collins, Town of Windsor, Town of Wellington, Town of Johnstown, Fort Collins Baseball Club, Greeley-Evans Youth League, Triple Crown Sports, Colorado State University, Loveland Baseball Association, and many other independent teams and leagues.

Umpires must be fourteen years of age by the beginning of the season they want to officiate. Fourteen and fifteen-year-old umpires will attend a separate meeting with their parent(s) so that expectations, travel requirements, etc., can be discussed. These younger umpires may only work recreational and low-level competitive games for twelve-year-olds and younger.

Any umpire sixteen years of age or older may umpire any league that their ability dictates. The only firm rule is that an umpire may not officiate a game involving participants the same age or older than the umpire.

NCSO runs officials all year long. Check our website for meeting dates for each specific sport as the seasons approach.

Any training that meets our high standard is acceptable. If you have umpired in an area other than Northern Colorado, you will be expected to provide the name and number of your former supervisor so that we can contact them.

However, ALL umpires are required to attend annual training sessions, whether through the high school umpires group, their collegiate conference, or the local NCSO training session. Go to the important dates link on the home page for training days and times. Superior training is the backbone of the NCSO, and why northern Colorado officials are so highly regarded.

Game fees generally run from $25.00 to $110.00+ per game, depending on the age and competitive level of play. Your availability determines how many games you can get. Some highly active umpires make significant supplementary income during the busy summer seasons.

No. NCSO will schedule around your availability. Obviously, you will not be allowed to officiate in your own league or division.

For independent league and recreational games, no. Travel costs may be tax-deductible (consult your tax advisor), but you will not be directly reimbursed for travel and/or mileage. However, for high school contests, you will be paid mileage per standard CHSAA guidelines.

Some programs require dues in order to officiate. Due to the many organizations that we contract with, this can vary. In general, anyone working in a sport which NCSO is the sole contractor for will require a dues payment.

Note: Officials who are scheduled and/or compensated strictly for CHSAA or Middle School contests do not pay dues for those specific assignments.

The full membership price is higher due to the sheer volume of games, administration, payroll services, and the extensive training involved in the summer baseball season. For multiple-sport officials, it is actually less than paying each sport individually. The dues are easily justified by the return in game fees.

The NCSO is a professional organization and requires all contracted officials to provide their own equipment and uniform. Each sport has unique uniform requirements to work as a contracted official. In general, regardless of the level of play, officials must dress in a manner commensurate with the collegiate standard of official attire.

While this requires an initial investment, it results in greater professionalism, respect, and compensation from all of our contracted organizations. Specific uniform and equipment requirements will be presented at the pre-season meetings for each sport.

NCSO leadership is heavily invested in high school sports and holds leadership positions on state boards. Simply contact us, and we will be happy to put you in touch with the area director for the sport you are interested in—which may very well be one of us!

The State of Colorado recognizes all amateur sports officials as independent contractors. As such, you should receive a 1099 Miscellaneous Income form at the end of each year from the organizations that have compensated you, provided you meet the IRS reporting threshold.

NCSO furnishes a 1099 form online for all games that we have compensated you for. Depending on your tax status and the amount of income you earned, there may be a tax liability. Please consult your tax advisor for specific details.

No. As independent contractors, all umpires are required to sign a waiver indicating that they are currently covered by a medical policy, or, if not, that they understand any injury incurred while officiating or traveling to/from a game is their own responsibility.

Liability insurance may be purchased through various agencies. National sports officials’ groups, such as the National Federation of High Schools (NFHS) or the National Association of Sports Officials (NASO), offer liability coverage along with many other membership benefits. Officials under eighteen years of age will be required to have a parent sign the waiver form as well.