Some of the high school umpiring classes may have already begun (I know that the ones for the central district are already in about their third week). Any of the instructors on the OHSAA website should be able to fill you in on details for getting registered in your area.
Please check out this link:
http://www.swdab.org/2012SoftballUmpireSchool.pdf
This special class is a unique umpiring opportunity for new umpires to become certified for both OHSAA softball and ASA softball in one weekend. At this point of year, it might be your best bet.
Yes, there is a cost involved to take the class. But the cost includes all instructional materials, rule books, case books, umpire manuals, plus your annual OHSAA and ASA dues (which you would have to pay anyway to become certified with them). Minus all those expenses, you are really paying about $40 to take the class.
One note to anyone looking to "strike it rich" in their first year of umpiring: Baseball and softball are probably the two most expensive sports to get into. A decent set of protective equipment (mask, chest protector, shin guards, etc.) and all of the required uniforms (hats, shirts, pants, shoes) might set you back at least $400.
If you can average, say, a $35 game fee per game, it is only going to take you about 12 games to "break even". After that...it's all profit!
The money can be a nice incentive to give up some of your free time and family time to officiate a sport. If you can put up with the initial expense, the travel, the arguments from coaches and the derision from fans, then you may enjoy having "the best seat in the house" to watch a softball game.
What I'm saying is...if you go into umpiring looking for the big bucks, you might be disappointed. But if you're there because you love the game...you might not be!
