Officials

SPNY is using officials provided by SORA (Sports Officials of the Rochester Area) this year. Here's why...

In 2008, SORA is beginning its 19th season of providing professionally-trained officials to the Rochester area. SORA initially began as an independent umpire’s organization officiating only for slow pitch softball games. At that time, SORA consisted of 15 umpires and officiated in two leagues (Ogden and Penfield Recreation).

Today, SORA has over 200 members and officiates dozens of leagues in a variety of different sports. The organization is proud of the service it provides its customers and of the fact that it has continued to grow steadily in each year of its existence.

Presently, SORA continues to service 20 softball leagues and may be adding new leagues in 2008. SORA officiates for three of the largest Recreation Departments in the area - Henrietta, Chili, and Penfield. Additionally, they have umpires at Xerox, Wegmans, U of R, Total Sports Experience, CYO, and Capizzos Softball Park in Ontario. They officiate for Firemens Leagues and Church Leagues and for leagues at Phelps and in Pittsford.

SORA is a USSSA (United States Specialty Sports Association) affiliated organization. SORA joined forces with the USSSA in 1998, officiating in only a couple of leagues and, in 2001, began to officiate for all USSSA events and leagues. SORA is proud of the fact that Frank and Al Ciacia, two of the founding fathers of the USSSA, are originally from Rochester, New York. Both are honored in the USSSA National Hall of Fame.

SORA is at the top of its class for USSSA officials - both in Rochester and in the country. Several SORA umpires currently travel the country, officiating in high-level tournaments. Last year, over 20 SORA umpires traveled to tournaments, with 15 umpires officiating the Men’s “B and E” World Series and the Women’s “A,B,C,D” at Disney World’s Wide World of Sports Complex.

All SORA-officiated leagues must be USSSA sanctioned. Upon paying its $20 sanction fee (included in the cost of SPNY league fees) each team will receive a rule book and a scorebook as part of their sanction. All USSSA-sanctioned officials will have the benefit of receiving liability and medical insurance protection. Additionally, USSSA-officiated leagues are able to purchase the best in liability insurance protection at a reduced cost. Team insurance is also available, but not required.

Other services, such as team clinics and rule interpretation meetings, are conducted with leagues as needed and at no additional cost to them.

Because SPNY is using SORA to officiate games, leagues will be eligible to compete in USSSA-officiated tournaments. We will be hosting some of these tournaments at the park both this year and in the unforeseen future.

Interested in becoming a SORA official? Please contact us.