KPR Umpire Membership Agreement

 

 

This Member Services Agreement (“Agreement”) establishes the responsibilities and duties between the KPRUA Kennewick, Pasco, Richland Umpire Association and the Association Member (“Member”) for the 2026 Membership Year. Each Member that desires to officiate games assigned through the Association must have a current and legally executed Agreement on file with the Association prior to being eligible to receive game assignments.

 

1. RECITALS

Members are persons who provide officiating (umpiring) services to school teams (Customers) as independent contractors;

Members formed the Association to provide access to Customers and enhance their ability to provide officiating services to those Customers while maintaining their independence and impartiality.

As such, for mutual consideration, the sufficiency of which is acknowledged by the Parties, the Member and the Association agree as follows:

1. AGREEMENT

 

1.0 Services Provided By the Association  

For the benefit of its Members, the Association will: (1) contract with Customers to provide scheduling and billing services for assignment of qualified sports officials to the Customer’s contests; (2) maintain its status as a Washington Officials Association/Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WOA/WIAA) qualified local association; (3) provide the Member access to a training program and a ranking mechanism which qualifies the Member, in part, to be eligible for various Customers’ game assignments; (4) enroll the Member as a member of WOA which qualifies the Member, in part, to be eligible for game assignments from schools; (5) inform the Member of any other qualifications required by Customers and the means to obtain such qualifications (e.g. the means to complete the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) baseball rules test, as administered by the WOA, which is required to provide services to school Customers); (6) maintain and administer a game assignment system; (7) bill and collect from Customers a fee for the officiating services provided by the Member and pass the fee collected through to the Member less deductions authorized by the Membership; (NOTE: Member bears the risk of non-payment by customers) and (8) file and provide the Member an IRS 1099 Form reporting Member’s earnings as an independent contractor, to the extent required by law.

2.0 Obligations and Acknowledgements of Member  

2.1 Independent Contractor Status and Compliance with Law. Member acknowledges that Member’s relationship with the Customer and the Association is that of an independent contractor. Member agrees to comply with all applicable laws regarding the provision of services in Washington State as an independent contractor.

2.2 No Guarantee of Assignments. Member understands and agrees that this Agreement does not guarantee Member any specific game assignment, any number of game assignments or any game assignments whatsoever (regardless of whether Member completes training and regardless of Member’s tier ranking), and further, that the Association retains the exclusive right to determine if Member has the necessary qualifications and ability to receive umpiring assignments through the Association at any tier level.

2.3 Adherence to By Laws and Policies. Member agrees to adhere to the By Laws and Policies and Procedures of the Association which are available to the Member through the Association website or any other communications tool as determined by the Association.

2.4 No Supervision or Control / Equipment. Member understands and agrees that, if and when Member accepts a game assignment, Member is solely responsible for the manner in which the umpire performs the service for the Customer in accordance with nationwide-industry and Customer-specific standards without any supervision or control by the Association, provided that Member agrees to provide such services in good faith and in a professional manner, and to meet the association standards and guidelines as communicated in training and formal evaluations to protect the reputation of the Association and further the interest of the overall membership. The Member is responsible for providing all necessary equipment, uniforms and supplies specified in the Policies and Procedures for umpiring of games they are assigned.

2.5 Assumption of Risk. Member warrants that he/she is physically capable to engage in the rigors of baseball umpiring. MEMBER UNDERSTANDS THAT OFFICIATING A BASEBALL GAME SUBJECTS THE MEMBER TO RISK OF PHYSICAL INJURY AND MEMBER WILLINGLY AND KNOWINGLY ASSUMES THE RISK OF SUCH INJURY.

2.6 WAIVER/INDEMNIFICATION. MEMBER HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES HIS/HER RIGHT TO BRING ANY CLAIM AGAINST THE ASSOCIATION, ITS ASSIGNORS, OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, MEMBERS AND ANY ASSOCIATION AFFILIATE, TO RECOVER DAMAGES FOR PERSONAL INJURY TO MEMBER OR DAMAGE TO MEMBER’S PROPERTY OR ANY CONSEQUENTIAL OR SPECIAL DAMAGES OF ANY KIND RESULTING FROM PROVISION OF UMPIRING SERVICES PURSUANT TO THIS AGREEMENT INCLUDING ANY CLAIM FOR LOSS OF INCOME FROM SUCH INJURY OR DAMAGE REGARDLESS OF THE LEGAL THEORY UNDER WHICH SUCH CLAIM IS BROUGHT. MEMBER ALSO AGREES TO INDEMNIFY, DEFEND AND HOLD THE ASSOCIATION HARMLESS FROM ANY CLAIM BROUGHT BY A THIRD-PARTY AGAINST THE ASSOCIATION, ITS ASSIGNORS, OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, MEMBERS AND AFFILIATES, THAT IS BASED ON MEMBER’S PROVISION OF SERVICES PURSUANT TO THIS AGREEMENT REGARDLESS OF THE LEGAL THEORY UNDER WHICH SUCH CLAIM IS BROUGHT, IF THE ASSOCIATION, IN ITS SOLE DISCRETION, DEMANDS THAT THE MEMBER DO SO.

2.7 Member Responsible for Taxes. Member acknowledges and agrees Member will be compensated for services rendered as an independent contractor and as such, the Association will not withhold taxes and/or remit the same to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The Member assumes sole responsibility for payment of any applicable taxes on the income derived from providing services pursuant to this Agreement and agrees to indemnify, defend and hold the Association harmless from any third-party claim to recover such taxes.

2.8 Confidential Information. Member shall not disclose any of the Association’s confidential business information or trade secrets to a third-party. Such information includes, but is not limited to, the Association’s membership list and personal information of its members; the Association’s customer and list; the fees the Association charges its Customers; the Association’s training and evaluation materials and the Association’s policies and procedures. Member acknowledges and agrees that any breach or threatened breach of this provision meets the standard for the Association to obtain a preliminary injunction without posting a bond. This provision survives termination, for any reason, of this Agreement

2.9 Diversity. Member recognizes the importance of diversity in our membership as well as in the contractors and customers with which we are affiliated.  Member will continually strive to bring people of diverse backgrounds and experiences into the association and to help provide opportunities for all to develop their umpiring skills.

3.0 Miscellaneous Terms

3.1 Termination. The Association or the Member can terminate this Agreement at any time with or without cause. The provisions of Paragraphs 2.8 shall survive the termination or expiration of this Agreement.

3.2 Binding Effect. The terms of this Agreement are binding on the successors, heirs and assigns of the Parties, provided that, any accepted obligation of the Member to provide umpiring services are personal to the Member and may not be assigned to a third-party without the express written consent of the Association.

3.3 No Waiver/Severability. Failure of either the Member or the Association to insist on strict performance of any obligation by the other shall in no way constitute a waiver by such party of the right to insist on strict performance of such obligations in the future. In the event any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid or unenforceable in whole or in part, all other provisions will continue to be valid and enforceable.

3.4 Entire Agreement/ Modifications Must Be In Writing: Member understands and agrees that this Agreement constitutes the entire Agreement between the Parties regarding the subject matter hereof and supersede all previous agreements whether written or oral regarding such subject matter. No term of the Agreement may be waived, modified or amended except by written consent of both Parties.

3.5 Governing Law/Jurisdiction. This Agreement shall be interpreted, constructed, governed by and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Washington. Any litigation or other court proceeding with respect to any matter arising from this Agreement shall be conducted in the state or federal courts of Benton and Franklin Counties in the state of Washington.

The Member represents he/she has read and understands the contents of this Agreement, INCLUDING THE ASSUMPTION OF RISK, WAIVER OF CLAIMS AND INDEMNIFICATION PROVISIONS; has had the opportunity to seek advice of counsel before executing the Agreement, and voluntarily accepts and executes this Agreement, in whole and without exception.

Brent Larson

President, KPRUA