Umpires can be rewarded for registering and officiating USA Softball without being assigned to regional or national championships. This rewards the local umpire who supports the USA Softball program, and can be relied upon for local assignments.
There are four levels for this program – the Blue level for those who have been registered for three (3) years, the Bronze level for those registered for five (5) years, the Silver level for those registered for seven (7) years and the Gold level for those registered for seven (7) years. Umpires can reach these levels quicker if they have umpired in national championships, or attended National Umpire Schools.
The program was instigated in 1999 and currently there are 5536 umpires registered in the program at various levels. The cost is $20 for each level, and the umpire receives a cap, certificate and pin symbolic of the level achieved. An umpire could register for all four levels if he/she desires and receive caps, certificates and pins for each level paid. In addition, there are various leisure wear items, jewelry items and trophies for each level if the umpire or association desires to purchase these.
https://usasoftballsouthms.com/umpire?2012MedalsApplication.pdf
The Medals program is a very popular program for the USA Softball umpire, with the caps and shirts being seen all across the U.S. USA Softball umpires take pride in their program and as more umpires are becoming aware of this reward program, more registrations are received. When submitting the application, local association commissioners must approve, indicating the umpire is in good standing. Names are printed annually in the USA Softball Code Book.