Our History

In 2019 Brian DeVos and Joel Schmidt, the Directors of Southern Star Fastpitch, created the Behind the Mask Umpire Initiative. Brian and Joel are veteran officials who saw the need to develop and retain new officials. The mission of Behind the Mask is to train, equip, mentor and retain new softball and baseball umpires through a mentor training program. The MN Twins Community Fund provided seed funding in 2020 for organizational and website development.

· Identify and Recruit potential umpire candidates through community associations, high school coaches, high school officials and college athletic departments.

· Provide Equipment, Uniforms, Training and Mentoring for new umpires.

· Create funding for community and individual subsidies through partnerships and BTM tournaments.

· Conduct 1st Environment Implementation for all on-field training (Youth 1st).

About Us

Become a Youth Softball/Baseball Umpire

We all want to keep the game of softball/baseball alive and well within our communities in Southern Minnesota. To do so, we need to start recruiting and developing new umpires to add to the allotment we have now. If you are interested in staying involved in the game you love, but no longer want to play, why not try becoming an umpire. We are in search of you interested in trying and will get you the equipment and training needed to start your journey of becoming an umpire.

A Tradition of Umpiring

Since the start of baseball and softball, there has been a need for umpires. Not only can you stay involved in the game you love, but you can also earn some extra spending money doing it.