Courtesy USA Softball....This award program is the highest honor a USA Softball umpire can obtain other than selection to the National Softball Hall of Fame. The program was launched in 2003, with 153 umpires approved in February of that year.  Members who are approved as "Elite" umpires can apply for their international certification (WBSC), and are the only umpires selected for the National Championship Series (SP) and the Armed Forces Slow Pitch Championships.  To become eligible for this program, an umpire must have been a USA Softball registered umpire for at least seven (7) years and a current member in good standing. The umpire must have participated in at least four (4) National Championships, and umpired in two (2) in the same category of play and from the championships listed below:

FAST PITCH: Men’s Major, Women’s Major, Men’s Master 40-Over, Girls 18-Under GOLD, Men’s A or Women’s A, Men's Open and USA Softball JO Cup National Invitational Tournament (NIT). Effective 2016: the Men's Open is a qualifying Championship provided the other championship is a Men's Major, 18 Under GOLD or USA Softball JO Cup.

SLOW PITCH: Men’s Super, Men’s Major, Women’s Open, Men’s A, Men’s B, Men’s C, COED Major, Men’s Masters 35-Over. Effective 2015: Men's C is a qualifying Championship provided the other qualifying championship is a Men's Super, Men’s A or Men’s B.

MODIFIED PITCH: Men's 9 Man Major, Men's A or Women's 9-Player, or Men's 10-Player. 

The USA Softball "Elite" umpire application fee is $65.00 and is non-refundable. 

The umpire will receive a lapel pin, a navy USA Softball "Elite" cap, membership card, framed certificate, and name listed in the National Softball Hall of Fame and that years umpire manual. Three passport size photos should be attached to the application. Deadline each year is September 15. Applications will be reviewed at the November Council Meeting and applicants will be notified shortly thereafter.