KSOA Softball Member Update
Each month, the KSOA Softball Committee will be publishing a member update linked through our member newsletter and published in full here. Please click the "Softball Update" box to see the latest with KSOA Softball.

About KSOA Softball
The Kansas Sports Officials Association provides a path for excellence in officiating for our softball umpires through recruitment, training, evaluation, and networking. If you are not currently a KSOA softball umpire, we encourage you to take a look around our website, specifically at our Member Benefits, Bylaws and Frequently Asked Questions.

Becoming a KSOA member is easy and can be done completely online. The application to become a member can be found under Join Now and your options to pay annual dues are clearly laid out under Pay Dues. Annual dues are $35 for one sport, $45 for two sports, and $55 for three or more sports (a $2 transaction fee is charged for PayPal and credit card payments). If you have any questions about membership in the KSOA, don't hesitate to email our Membership Committee at [email protected].

Below you will find information on how to become a KSHSAA registered official as well as links to NFHS publications and information about our partner assigning organization, Call the Game. Along with KSHSAA administrator Tom Drake ([email protected]), new officials are welcome to reach out to the Call the Game softball sport coordinator R J Wilson ([email protected]) and the Call the Game Director of Officials John Dehan to answer any questions

Kansas State High School Activities Association (KSHSAA)
In order to officiate high school softball, umpires must be registered with the Kansas State High School Activities Association (KSHSAA). Click on the KSHSAA logo to learn more and to register as a KSHSAA official. The KSHSAA administrator for softball is Tom Drake ([email protected]).

KSHSAA Requirements to Officiate High School Softball
- Register with and pay KSHSAA dues
- Successful completion of a NFHS Softball rules test (a score of 90 or higher to be eligible to officiate post season contests)
- Attend a KSHSAA rules meeting (in-person meeting required this year)
Please note the following important 2026 KSHSAA Softball dates:
Beginning Practice Date: March 2nd
Earliest Possible Competition: March 19
Regional Tournaments: May 18th - 21st
State Tournaments (Quarterfinals): May 25th - 26th
State Tournaments (Semifinals, Finals): May 27th - 29th

2025 State Champions
2-1A: Oskaloosa
3A: Frontenac
4A: McPherson
5A: St. Thomas Aquinas
6A: Olathe West

National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS)

The National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) is the overarching governing body of high school softball. Below are links to NFHS Softball publications.

2026 Softball Rule Changes

Call the Game (CTG)

Call the Game (John Dehan) is the Director of Officials, assigning softball officials for the following high schools:
Eastern Kansas
* St. James, Blue Valley, Blue Valley North, Blue Valley Northwest, Blue Valley Southwest, Blue Valley West, St. Thomas Aquinas, Bishop Miege
Kaw Valley
* Bishop Ward, Heritage Christian, Kansas City Christian, Maranatha Christian
Meadowlark
* Atchison, J C Harmon, F L Schlagle, Sumner, Washington, Wyandotte, Highland Park
Sunflower
* Gardner Edgerton, Lawrence, Free State, Olathe East, Olathe North, Olathe Northwest, Olathe South, Olathe West, Shawnee Mission East, Shawnee Mission North, Shawnee Mission Northwest, Shawnee Mission South, Shawnee Mission West, Mill Valley
United Kansas
* Basehor-Linwood, De Soto, Piper, Turner, Lansing, Leavenworth, Spring Hill, Shawnee Heights, Topeka West, Seaman
NOTE: All schools sans Heritage Christian and Kansas City Christian sponsor softball.
Those schools are within the following counties: Atchison, Douglas, Johnson, Leavenworth, Miami, Shawnee, Wyandotte.
The Call the Game Sport Coordinator for softball is R J Wilson ([email protected]).
The KSHSAA Area Supervisor for softball is Tom Drake ([email protected]).