Umpires actually show up.

What gets sent

When you assign an ump to a game — manually, via auto-suggest, or because they self-claimed — they get an SMS within seconds. The message is short, structured, and carrier-friendly:

UmpCrew - Riverside Church Softball
New assignment: plate
Eagles @ Lions
Sat, May 3 · 9:00 AM
Field 2 · Riverside Park
Details: app.umpcrew.com/c/abc.xyz

The "Details" link opens a one-page landing with Add-to-Google-Calendar, Apple/Outlook calendar (.ics), driving directions to the field, and a deep link into the mobile app — all without making the ump install anything.

Unassignment also triggers a notification so umps know if they're no longer needed.

Reminders before game day

A second SMS goes out automatically before each game. The reminder window is set per league (default 24 hours) and the scheduled job runs every 15 minutes, so reminders fire on time without you doing anything. De-duplication ensures one reminder per (game, ump) pair — no double texts if crews change.

Push notifications too

Umpires who install the iOS or Android app also receive native push notifications alongside SMS. Tap the push and you jump straight to the game in the app — assignment details, directions, calendar links, all one tap away.

Queue mode for batch announcements

Some commissioners want to review a week's worth of assignments before umps see anything. Flip the league to Queue mode and assignments collect in a pending tray. Send them all at once when the schedule is final, or discard changes you're not ready to commit. Reminders always send on time regardless of mode.

Opt-out controls

Standard US carrier keywords (STOP, UNSUBSCRIBE, etc.) opt a number out at the carrier level via Twilio. Umpires can also flip an SMS toggle in their mobile profile to pause texts without taking themselves off the roster. The league inbox still reaches them via push and email.