USPA Umpires, LLCStrategies / Initiatives

Accomplishments & Goals

Board of Directors

Britt Baker ChairmanStewart ArmstrongThomas BiddleThomas GoseDuncan HuylerDale Smicklas

Staff

Charles Muldoon Executive Director è

Steve Lane Head Umpire Instructor

Maggie Mitchell Umpire Manager

Bradley Biddle I/I Head Umpire & Roving Umpire

Deborah Ferro Assistant

Overall…

• There is a great need and demand for more, highly-qualified umpires.

• Umpires, LLC understands the complexities of providing umpire services & understands the solutions.

• Build upon existing systems, standards & image to develop a package to recruit and retain umpires.

STRATEGIES & INITIATIVES2014

HR/benefits package

• Design and develop a HR/benefits package to recruit, hire, and retain professional umpires

• Include umpire qualifications, workman’s compensation and levels of health insurance

Accomplishments

• Beginning January 2016 all professional umpires are covered under Workers Compensation

• Labor attorney in the process of collecting data:independent contractor vs. full-time employee

• Currently there are 22 professional umpires

• Year to date: 65 umpire addendums have been signed

• Foreign Umpire Program

Training & Evaluation System

• Establish performance standards for umpires

• Content is set for training, including rules & guidelines

• Clinics & training for certified umpires

• Performance review system for professional umpires

Accomplishments

• Average 12 umpire clinics per year

• All certified umpires must pass online test annually

• Videos have been added to the online tests

• Completed first Boot Camp/planning 2 additional Boot Camps by year end

• Currently there are 300 certified rated umpires: 209 outdoor & 91 arena

Technology Support

• Develop a plan to use technology: video, drone & iPads

• Video and aerial will be integral to games and on-field calls (instant replay) and umpire replay for development

• Technology improvements to be budgeted through the USPA

Accomplishments

• Drones are now used at 90% high goal games • Ariel footage is now an invaluable learning tool• Contracted with Dartfish to break down games: calls and non-

calls, foul reports and stats • Umpires and members are able to download the UMP app &

watch on their iPads, iPhone and/or computers• Completed testing on requirements of camera placements for

Instant Replay• IRO (Instant Replay Official) now at majority of high goal

games• Umpires wear radios in all high goal games and at many

medium and low goal games• USPA budgeted these technical advancements

Expand Umpire Services

• Provide 2 professional umpires for qualified Arena & Outdoor events

• Expand to all levels of polo to include I/I and Jr. polo

• Expansion coordinated with all USPA entities (marketing, development & services)

Accomplishments

• PUMP/6 – 2016

• PUMP/8 – 2017

• Umpires, LLC provided umpires for 125 I/I games Provided umpires to PTF tournaments at a reduced rate & included NYTS in the PUMP/8 program

• UMP Reimbursement Program:2015 -$127,000 2016 - $92,770 2017 - $78,000

Accomplishments

• Professionally umpired games: 2015: 1,450 games 2016: 2,252 games 2017: 1,125 games as of June 1

• Increased customer satisfaction is proven by having repeat customers (clubs) using professional umpires in more events

• Working with the Rules & Tournament Committees, it is now mandatory in 20 goal polo to have 2 USPA professional umpires

• Constant training of professional umpires to give Rules Review at USPA clubs & events

• Changed umpire certification status for professional umpires (P1 – P4)

GOALS

Future Goals

• Raise member awareness of the professional umpire programs• Bring more military families out to polo games through the

TAPS organization• Scout potential professional umpires for the program / increase

roaster from 22 umpires to 26 umpires• Find new motivational speakers for the umpire meetings• Start a winter physical fitness / team building program for the

umpires• Transparency – communication and accountability; have hired

independent players to evaluate the officiating • Continue to work with the AAP & HPA improving Int’l Rules • Strive for a level of umpiring consistency across the country• Training 2 more umpire clinic instructors

2017 CLUB VISITS

Staff Visits Jan 1 – June 1: 40 clubs

Florida Pacific Coast Central Eastern IPC Eldorado Des Moines CapitolSarasota Empire PotomacGrand Champions Santa Barbara Southeastern SenecaPalm City Aiken VIPPort Mayaca Hawaiian Islands New Bridge Middleburg PoloVillages Maui Wagener Great Meadows

Hawaii CongressionalNortheastern Honolulu Border Banbury CrossSugarbush Arizona

I/I Rocky Mountain13 locations Denver

Umpire Assignments Jan – Jun: 60 clubs

Being the Change Arizona Haviland Hollow Willow Bend Sugarbush

Las Canchas San Antonio El Conquistador Des Moines Tryon

Flying Cow Palm City St. Croix Sioux Falls Lakeside

International Santa Clara Congressional St. Louis Virginia Polo

Port Mayaca Vero Beach Maui Banbury Cross Yale

California Villages Cedar Valley Maryland Central Coast

Sarasota Aiken Santa Barbara VIP Cornell

Vero Beach Heart of TX Atlanta Regional Acoaxet ERG

Eldorado Houston New Bridge Greenwich Garrison Forest

Empire Midland New Orleans Denver Toronto

Manila Point Clear Mashomack Texas Military Poway

Grand Champions Wagener Southampton Michigan State Gardnertown

Any questions???

USPA UMPIRES, LLC“Image plays a powerful role in our perceived

successes and our perceived failures."