Covington County’s Baseball Umpires Association is looking for umpires.

Baseball season starts on Feb. 18, and association president Ken Helms said there always seems to be a shortage each year.

“We usually have 12 or 15 umpires every year,” Helms said. “I would love to have 20 umpires. I’ve never had that many. The most I’ve ever had was 17 one year.

“I’ve never had too many umpires,” he said.

Helms said he doesn’t really know the real reason why there seems to be a shortage.

“If you love the game of baseball, it’s a good way to stay involved,” he said.

For Helms, who has been a long-time umpire in the area, the experience of being the man in blue has helped him make a lot of life-long friends.

The ideal number of umpires each season outweighs the number of ball games, Helms said.

Those who are interested in umpiring or those who have experience calling games and would like to be an official, contact Helms at 334-504-3162, Shane Cook at 334-343-5848 or Michael Cassaday at 334-504-0906.

“If I get one to sign up, then I get happy,” Helms said. “If I get more than one, then I’ll be ecstatic.”

Additionally, those who are interested in officiating during summer baseball season, Helms said he’s looking for umpires in that league as well.