Little League Baseball World Series 2026 Umpires: Complete Guide
Finally, Little League International announced the 2026 World Series umpires on February 25, 2026. Little League selected nearly 100 umpires for its seven World Series tournaments, recognizing the program’s most experienced volunteer officials. These umpires represent communities from Italy to Australia, Canada to Puerto Rico.
| Selection Announced | February 25, 2026 |
| Total Selected | Nearly 100 officials across all 7 World Series |
| Williamsport Crew | 20 umpires (4 Crew Chiefs) |
| Tournament Dates | August 19-30, 2026 |
| Paid or Volunteer | Volunteer (travel stipend provided) |
| International Representatives | Canada, Italy, Australia, Puerto Rico |
| Official Uniform | Gerry Davis Sports |
This guide covers the full 2026 LLWS Baseball World Series umpire list, how crew chiefs work, whether umpires get paid, what they wear, and how you can become one.
2026 Little League Baseball World Series Umpire List
Twenty umpires take the field at Howard J. Lamade Stadium and Little League Volunteer Stadium in South Williamsport this August. Four of them serve as Crew Chiefs.
| Umpire | Location | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Mark Bernstein | San Diego, California | Crew Chief |
| Colin Campbell | Albuquerque, New Mexico | Crew Chief |
| Jason Kelley | Deerfield, Wisconsin | Crew Chief |
| Dennis Williams | SeaTac, Washington | Crew Chief |
| Cameron Bernard | Bedford, New Hampshire | Umpire |
| Donald Caudill | Hamilton, Georgia | Umpire |
| James Farque | Summerville, South Carolina | Umpire |
| Jason Field | Lubbock, Texas | Umpire |
| Kenneth Fitts | Atlanta, Georgia | Umpire |
| Tyler Malaka | Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada | International |
| Luca Morini | Viterbo, Italy | International |
| Ruben Ramos | Toa Baja, Puerto Rico | International |
| Ben Sprague Jr. | Henderson, Nevada | Umpire |
| Mark Stone | Cleveland, Queensland, Australia | International |
| Richard Strache | Chicago Ridge, Illinois | Umpire |
| Joseph Tignor | Sacramento, California | Umpire |
| Greg Tremblay | Danvers, Massachusetts | Umpire |
| Christopher Van Eerde | Monmouth Junction, New Jersey | Umpire |
| Jason Wetherford | Alta Loma, California | Umpire |
| Gregory Wright | Indianapolis, Indiana | Umpire |
Who Are the 2026 Crew Chiefs?
Four umpires at the LLWS 2026 work as crew chiefs. Little League introduced Crew Chiefs at all seven World Series events in 2025. The program continues in 2026.
A Crew Chief is a veteran umpire who mentors the rest of the crew throughout the tournament. They handle disputes, guide younger officials, and ensure the crew applies rules consistently across both stadiums.
Mark Bernstein
San Diego, California
Bernstein brings West Region experience to the Crew Chief role. San Diego has produced several strong LLWS umpires, and Bernstein represents that tradition at Williamsport in 2026.
Colin Campbell
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Campbell represents the Southwest region and joins the Crew Chief roster for 2026. Albuquerque is part of the Little League Southwest Region, which regularly produces strong tournament officials.
Jason Kelley
Deerfield, Wisconsin
Kelley brings Central Region experience to Williamsport. The Central Region includes states like Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio – all highly competitive Little League territories.
Dennis Williams
SeaTac, Washington
Williams represents the Northwest Region. SeaTac sits in the heart of Washington State’s competitive Little League district, making Williams a fitting choice for the Crew Chief role at the World Series.
What Crew Chiefs do: They lead the umpire crew throughout the tournament. They handle mentor conversations, address rule interpretations, and support newer umpires experiencing their first World Series. Little League Director of Umpire Development Stu Hartenstein confirmed Crew Chiefs’ return in 2026 after a successful 2025 debut.
International Umpires at LLWS 2026
Four members of the Williamsport umpire crew come from outside the United States. Their selection reflects Little League’s global presence, with leagues now operating in more than 80 countries and regions.
| Umpire | Country | City |
|---|---|---|
| Tyler Malaka | Canada | Lethbridge, Alberta |
| Luca Morini | Italy | Viterbo |
| Ruben Ramos | Puerto Rico | Toa Baja |
| Mark Stone | Australia | Cleveland, Queensland |
How LLWS Umpires Are Selected – Step by Step
Earning a spot at Williamsport as an umpire takes years. The process is competitive, rigorous, and multi-stage. Here is exactly how it works.
1- Umpire at a Region Tournament First
Every LLWS umpire must first officiate at a Little League Region Tournament. No one skips this step. It is mandatory before any World Series consideration.
2- Submit an Application Through the Umpire Registry
After the Region Tournament experience, umpires apply through the official Little League Umpire Registry at LittleLeague.org/Umpires. The District Administrator may also submit comments to the Selection Committee at this stage.
3- Attend a Tournament Umpire Identification Camp
Little League holds ID Camps at five U.S. Region locations each year. Umpires attend to get assessed and receive direct feedback on their mechanics and rule knowledge. Attending is optional, but it strengthens an application significantly.
4- Selection Committee Review
The Little League International Selection Committee reviews all nominated umpires. They work alongside each of the nine Region offices to assess candidates for each World Series event.
5- Final Screening
The Selection Committee and Region staff screen all nominees one final time before issuing official invitations. This final screen ensures only the best officials receive the call.
6- Official Selection and Multi-Day Orientation
Selected umpires receive an official appointment. Before the tournament begins, they attend a multi-day orientation covering rules, mechanics, and expectations for the World Series environment.
How competitive is it? Hundreds of thousands of umpires participate in Little League programs worldwide. Fewer than 100 earn a World Series appointment each year across all seven events. For the LLWS Baseball tournament at Williamsport specifically, only 20 umpires make the cut.
Are LLWS Umpires Paid?
No. LLWS umpires at Williamsport are volunteers. Little League International does not pay them a salary or an hourly wage. The organization covers its travel costs through a travel stipend to help offset expenses.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Status | Volunteer Official |
| Salary | None |
| Travel Support | Travel expenses covered by Little League |
| Uniform | Provided by Gerry Davis Sports |
| Accommodation | Covered during the tournament |
| Selection | Earned through Little League’s umpire evaluation process |
Little League relies on volunteers at every level of the program, and umpires are no different. The officials selected for Williamsport are volunteers who have spent years working local and regional games before reaching the Little League Baseball World Series. While they receive travel support during the tournament, they are not paid to officiate the games.
Why volunteer? Being selected to umpire the LLWS is the highest honor Little League can give an official. Most umpires spend years working local, district, sectional, state, and regional games before they ever get this call. For many, it is the goal they have worked toward their entire officiating career.
What Do LLWS Umpires Wear?
All 2026 LLWS umpires wear uniforms provided by Gerry Davis Sports. This agreement covers all Baseball and Softball World Series and Region events.
| Uniform Provider | Gerry Davis Sports – official partner of the LLWS |
| Provided To | All umpires at all seven World Series events. |
| Covers | Polos, caps, and accessories |
| Also Available | Shop at ShopLittleLeague.org for umpire gear. |
How LLWS Umpires Prepare for Williamsport
Getting selected is only part of the journey. Every 2026 LLWS umpire prepares through several official resources and programs before the first pitch on August 19.
How to Become a Little League World Series Umpire
Every LLWS umpire started at a local Little League field. There is no shortcut. The path from local umpire to Williamsport takes years of dedication. Here is how to start.
1-Find a Local League
Visit LittleLeague.org/Umpire to find a league near you. Sign up to umpire local games. This is where every LLWS umpire started.
2- Register in the Umpire Registry
Create a free profile at LittleLeague.org/Umpires. The registry tracks your experience and makes you visible to District Administrators and Selection Committees.
3- Complete Formal Training
Attend an Umpire Clinic or School near you. Study the 2026 Little League Umpire Manual. Subscribe to the Fair Ball Newsletter.
4- Work District and Sectional Tournaments
Build experience at higher-level tournaments. Each level – District, Sectional, State, Regional – brings you closer to World Series eligibility.
5- Umpire a Region Tournament
This is the mandatory step before applying for a World Series. Without Region Tournament experience, no application moves forward.
6- Attend an ID Camp and Apply
Attend a Tournament Umpire Identification Camp for direct feedback. Then submit.
Start now: Visit LittleLeague.org/Umpire to find a local league, access training materials, and register in the official umpire system. Applications for the 2027 World Series open after the 2026 season concludes.
Conclusion
Twenty umpires will take the field in Williamsport this August. They represent communities across the United States and four international locations, from New Hampshire to Australia and Wisconsin to Italy. Each official reached the Little League Baseball World Series after years of experience at the local, regional, and tournament levels.
The 2026 Little League Baseball World Series runs from August 19–30 at Howard J. Lamade Stadium and Little League Volunteer Stadium in South Williamsport, Pennsylvania. The selected umpire crew will officiate every game as volunteer officials after advancing through Little League’s competitive selection process.
