Where Doug Sirmons may be going in his next career is what makes his story so compelling.
46 DEAN OF NFL REFEREES
Referee remembers Jim Tunney, whose influence on the officiating avocation is second to none.
58 ON THE FAST TRACK
These days, officials rise through the ranks quickly. How can we help ensure they’re ready?
78 YOU ARE THERE: ASS IN THE JACKPOT
Audio from an argument in an MLB game made it into the mainstream.
ON THE COVER
Age: 67
Occupation: Vice president for a group purchasing organization
Officiating experience: Baseball umpire for 13 years at the youth, high school and adult levels. Has worked in California, Arizona, Nevada, New York and Florida. Worked the California Interscholastic Federation-Southern Section quarterfinal playoffs in 2024. Also a three-year high school football official.
SPORTS
18 BASEBALL
Pick Your Battles: This Mechanic Can De-Escalate Conflict; Get a Grip; Your Dead-Ball Role; The Rule Set Matters
34 BASKETBALL
What Are We Waiting For? Bench Bad Bench Behavior Early; A Detailed Dive Into Data; What Can You Do With 0.3 Seconds?
40 FOOTBALL
Three ‘I’s’ On the Play: Intentional Grounding, Illegal Touching and Ineligible Downfield; Straight Side-Lined; Goalline Extended?
50 SOCCER
Charge! When Charging Is Fair or Foul; Eyes in the Back of the Referee’s Head; Setting the Stage
64 SOFTBALL
High and Tight: Guidance to Accurately Rule on Up-and-In Pitches; Step and a Reach; You Can Count on Me
70 VOLLEYBALL
Things That Make You Go Hmmm: Common Sense
Applied to Uncommon Plays; Foot Fault; Hands Off
80 ALL SPORTS
Seven Up: Takeaways From Every Game You Work; Clear Communication Beats the Heat; Captain Obvious? Dealing With Team Leaders
COLUMNS
4 PUBLISHER’S MEMO What’s the Difference? 12 THE GAG RULE Snap Shot: Helping People Is an Easy Call; They Said It
14 THE NEWS
MLB’s Hoberg Fired Following Gambling Probe; Woman Accused of Assaulting Hockey Officials; Horizon League Disciplines Men’s Basketball Referee
56 PROFILES
Retiring From the Ring; Authority of an Official; Keeping Calm 7
Roadside Assistance; Byron Was Beloved; Heartfelt Response
Bow Out; Remember Where You Are and Why You Are There; By the Numbers
87 CLASSIFIEDS Camps/Clinics/Schools; Equipment/Apparel; Leadership Resources; Training Resources
88 LAST CALL
An American Teenager in Paris: “Refereeing games in which I didn’t speak the language was difficult, but it taught me to be resourceful and, in some cases, to find other ways to get my point across.”
SOFTBALL HIGHLIGHT THIS MONTH
One of the most difficult calls for plate umpires is handling the up-and-in pitch. Umpires such as Daniel Grupenhagen, Garden Grove, Calif., must use all available information on these type of pitches to make an accurate decision.
Marty Davis Huntington Beach, Calif.
PUBLISHER’S MEMO
What’s the Difference?
If you are going to work hard at something for decades, it probably makes some sense to wonder if all that work has made some difference. A difference to the people who you intended to serve and service. In our case, here at Referee (REI) and the National Association of Sports Officials (NASO), that audience would be sports officials and those who employ, assign and rely upon their services.
We began this support trek in the middle of 1975, with the first issue of Referee being published in January 1976. Four years later, we launched NASO. The magazine will be 50 years old in 2026 and NASO will be 46. Wow! Anyway, have we made a difference? When I am asked that question, here is my bullet-point reply — not listed in any particular order, with the exception of the first two points. (And, allow me to boast just a little!)
1. We are approaching publication of our 600th issue. ‘Nuf said.
2. NASO now has more than 32,000 dues-paying members.
3. Both organizations have been instrumental in helping 23 state legislatures enact legislation bringing critical protections to officials.
4. In partnership with the NFHS, we produce educational materials for officials in 15 different sports.
5. We are now in partnership with 48 of the 51 state high school associations, producing publications in support of officiating knowledge and practice.
6. All NFL officials are members of NASO — and have been for more than 20 years — through the NFLRA’s group program.
7. The officiating assignments for the first year of the 12-team College Football Playoff (CFP) were all covered by officials who are members of NASO.
8. Seventy percent of the officials who worked the 2024 NCAA Final Four in basketball (men’s and women’s) were NASO members.
9. NASO’s Gold Whistle Award, presented for shining a positive light on officiating, remains the preeminent award in our industry
10. The best-known TV rules analysts being showcased today are/have been members of NASO.
11. In partnership with the Collegiate Commissioners Association, REI designed, edited, illustrated and built CCA’s officiating manuals.
12. We created the Officiating Development Alliance (ODA) in 1998. It is a by-invite-only group of officiating leaders (coordinators, VPs, supervisors, etc.) who meet privately twice each year.
13. We have been full-on duty providing literally thousands of TV/web/ radio/newspaper interviews, asking us for insights into officiating or into particular situations that had occurred during a game. Phew!
14. We have served as the de facto “go-to” organizations when an official feels a need to send up an SOS flare. We have done that for any official who has come to us — member, reader or not.
15. NASO/REI MICP: Member Information & Consultation Program. Through this program, our team has provided legal, administrative, operational, insurance and even personal support to officials.
16. We have conducted national officiating surveys — the most widely cited and respected such surveys in the world. More than 36,000 officials participated in our most recent one.
17. The NASO Association Advantage program is the premier program providing support and protection for local officials associations.
18. And finally, the annual Sports Officiating Summit. The Summit, presented by NASO, has become the industry event of the year. Last year in Atlanta, the Summit was supported by 100 organizations and companies. That is called: “Making a difference!”
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Baseball • Basketball • Football • Lacrosse • Soccer
Softball • Volleyball • Wrestling
Dowagiac Superintendent Continues Connection to Hoops as MHSAA Official
By Scott Hassinger
It was about three years ago that Greg Blomgren, a former high school boys basketball coach, realized he needed to find a niche that allowed him to stay connected with the game he grew up loving. Blomgren, who took over as Dowagiac Community Schools' superintendent July 1, has found the perfect way to fill that void as a registered basketball official for the Michigan High School Athletic Association.
Now in his fourth season working varsity boys and girls games in the Southwestern Michigan area within a 45-mile radius of his home in Sister Lakes, Blomgren enjoys the opportunities officiating has provided him to help bridge the gap
between coaches and game officials and continue improving the game of basketball.
“Having been a coach in the past, I am able to better understand things from the coaches' perspective, and that is an advantage for me. I really believe that all coaches should officiate and all officials should coach,” Blomgren said. “It brings about a better level of communication and understanding because you've experienced both sides.
“Back when I was coaching, I know I was sometimes tough on officials. My appreciation of officials grew though in my latter years of coaching. I just really enjoy being part of this game again.”
In January 2021, Blomgren contacted Kalamazoo Officials Association assigners Rob King
and Chuck Rawsthorne regarding the process to become a registered MHSAA basketball official. The KOA is responsible for assignors for primarily the Southwestern Michigan Athletic Conference, Wolverine Conference and the Southwestern Athletic Conference.
After completing his training and necessary exams, Blomgren was assigned four games during his first week that January. He officiated mostly freshman and junior varsity contests in 2021 but was assigned one varsity girls game between Lawton and Vicksburg that season.
"I was really nervous calling my first varsity game, but it went pretty well," Blomgren recalled.
Blomgren steadily increased his officiating schedule to 35 games his second season, then 85-90 games
(Left) Dowagiac superintendent Greg Blomgren addresses an audience during his first day in the position, July 1, 2024. (Right) Blomgren officiates a girls basketball in December between host Cassopolis and White Pigeon.
during the 2023-24 campaign at various levels. Since taking the superintendent's job in Dowagiac, Blomgren has reduced his schedule for this season to around 55 games.
"I'm really thankful to Rob and Chuck. They have both done a great job working with me and finding a schedule that works with mostly varsity games that take place later in the evening," Blomgren said.
Blomgren is a 1991 graduate of Des Moines Lincoln High School (Iowa) where he played multiple sports, with a passion for basketball, at the largest school in the state.
He also grew up during the explosion era of the AAU basketball circuit. From age 11 through his high school years, Blomgren had the opportunity to compete on several Iowa state title teams in national tournaments.
"Those teams were a fun and rewarding experience. We went to nationals and faced some competitive teams, including the Michigan Super Friends, a team with future Michigan and NBA standouts Chris Webber and Jalen Rose," Blomgren said. “There were other star players on other teams from various states we faced like Grant Hill, Penny Hardaway, Eric Montross and Damon Bailey.”
After graduating high school, Blomgren attended the University of Nebraska-Kearney before transferring to Grandview College, an NAIA school, in Des Moines where he earned a bachelor's degree in biology in 1996.
Upon moving to Milwaukee in 1997, Blomgren began substitute teaching and got into coaching basketball at the middle school level. He returned to school around that time and completed his teaching certification from Wisconsin University-Parkside.
Blomgren began his coaching career as a volunteer assistant at Kenosha St. Joseph (Wisconsin)
Dowagiac assistant superintendent Michael Dunn, left, and Blomgren present Dowagiac Middle School science teacher Pat Lyle with a pin for 30 years of service.
followed by a similar job at nearby Wilmont High School. Shortly after those two stops, Blomgren landed his first head coaching job at Clear Lake High School in Iowa, where he spent two years.
Blomgren and his wife Angie, a Niles native and daughter of former Niles Brandywine band director Jay Crouch, moved to Michigan after Greg was hired as a science teacher and replaced Al Westendorp as Dowagiac's varsity boys’ basketball coach. Blomgren served as Dowagiac's boys coach from 200209 and spent three years as the head girl’s basketball coach as well.
Blomgren accepted the position of Dean of Students in St. Joseph, where he replaced Greg Schaffer as the Bears' varsity boys coach and served from 2009-16. Blomgren resigned after the 2015-16 campaign to concentrate on his administrative duties as the assistant high school principal before eventually taking over as the district's high school principal.
"Eventually I had to resign from coaching. There are too many evening activities that you have to be present at and supervise, so I stepped down," Blomgren said. "People don't understand the amount of time you must spend to do it right with practice planning, scouting, watching film and all the time you spend in
the offseason trying to give the kids the best opportunity to compete. It’s more time spent than what you become accustomed to seeing from coaches on Tuesday and Friday nights. I don't think I'll ever return to coaching. Right now, it just doesn't fit my schedule."
Blomgren and his wife have three grown children – daughters Alyssa (24) and Avery (20) and 22-year old son Andy, along with one granddaughter Aria.
Blomgren is enjoying his new role as Dowagiac's superintendent and is pleased with the positive things that have taken place during his first few months leading the school district.
"The time we spent here a few years back when I was at Dowagiac helped us develop a lot of good relationships," Blomgren said. “There's a lot of pride that people take in small towns like ours. I knew the people here, and I believe they thought I was someone who could bring some of that culture back to the district. I'm looking forward to the opportunity to do that and make this a district everyone is proud to be a part of.”
The MHSAA has seen a decline in recent years in the number of registered game officials, due in part to poor sportsmanship particularly among adult spectators. But the
See “Superintendent” p.10
From the Desk of Sam Davis … Bias and Sentiment in Officiating
Officiating is a tough job, and personal biases and sentiments can be a challenge to set aside, especially when emotions run high during a game. However, there are critical reasons why it is essential to remain impartial and enforce the rules strictly:
1. Fairness to All Participants:
Officiating without bias ensures that every player, team, and coach is treated fairly. When officials allow personal sentiments to influence their calls, they risk favoring one side over the other, undermining the game's integrity. Fairness is essential for maintaining the spirit of competition, where the outcome is determined solely by the athletes' performance.
2. Respect for the Rules:
High school sports are governed by the NFHS and MHSAA rules, which provide a standardized framework for all contests. If officials do not strictly enforce these rules, inconsistency will result, leading to confusion and injustice. The rules are designed to maintain safety, fairness,
and consistency, so adherence is essential.
3. Building Trust:
When officials are unbiased and consistent, they build trust with coaches, players, and spectators. If the calls are influenced by personal feelings or allegiances, they undermine the credibility of the officiating team, which can lead to resentment, frustration, and questioning of the integrity of the competition.
4. Positive Influence on Players:
Young athletes are learning life lessons through sports, including how to manage victory and defeat. When officials allow bias or personal sentiment to affect their calls, it teaches players that outcomes can be influenced by factors outside their skill set and preparation. This could undermine the value of hard work, discipline, and fair play, which sports are meant to instill.
5. Impact on the Outcome of the Contest:
Officiating errors due to bias can directly affect the outcome of a game, leading to unfair advantages or disadvantages for one team over
Turn a Lapse Into a Lesson
By the Referee editors
Pass interference that wasn’t there?
Out-of-bounds that was actually inbounds? Block that was actually a charge? Offside call that upon second thought was clearly not? We’ve all been there. You get that feeling deep in the pit of your stomach that you really just kicked the call. Sometimes it comes at a critical time in a game and other times not, but there are things you can do to deal with your mistake.
Don’t let your body language show it.
After a missed call it’s easy to allow a quick moment of disappointment to manifest itself. While it is easier said than done, you have to make every conscious effort to not allow the emotions to get the most of you after you have blown a call. Putting your head down, grimacing or slouching your shoulders are surefire ways to let everyone know that you agree with their disapproval of the call. Your credibility will be quickly lost.
another. Even if unintentional, these misjudgments compromise the result of the contest and can leave players and fans feeling the game was not decided by fair play but by subjective calls. By maintaining neutrality, officials ensure the contest remains an accurate reflection of the teams' abilities, not an influence of external factors.
In the end, officiating is about ensuring the integrity of the game and ensuring that every player has an equal opportunity to succeed. By focusing solely on the rules and applying them consistently, officials help maintain a level playing field. That is what every athlete deserves and should receive!
Thanks for all you do to make sports safe and fun for our student athletes.
Sam L. Davis MHSAA Director of Official Services
Admit your error if the opportunity presents itself.
Certainly human errors are a part of the game. Coaches make bad substitutions and players will drop the ball (literally or figuratively) so it only makes sense that officials will from time to time make an error in judgment. While you don’t want to be apologizing multiple times a game, there are times when a kicked call can be discussed and admitted with the coach if done so professionally. The coach more often than not will appreciate the honesty.
Stay positive.
There is nothing like a missed call to let self-doubt begin to creep in on you. Don’t let those thoughts weigh you down. It always feels and appears to be a much bigger deal than it really will end up being in the relative scheme of things. Don’t forget that for every one call you get wrong, there are tens and even hundreds of other ones that you get correct. Fans, players, coaches and even officials fail to remember that a lot of times.
Focus on the next play.
Frustration often sets in pretty quickly after a missed call. You keep thinking about it. Your focus shifts from the game to that one call. Don’t forget about it. Don’t forget that feeling because it will propel you to work twice as hard to prevent that from happening again. However, you must force yourself to continue officiating. Don’t think about the impact that call may or may not have
had on the game or match. Focus on the next play and be ready to get the next call right.
There’s no such thing as a makeup call.
If you sense that you have really screwed up there will be a natural inclination to “make it right.” You can’t make calls that aren’t there for the sake of bandaging the wound you created. You will greatly compromise your credibility and the integrity of the game. Attempting to create a make-up call is a slippery slope. Don’t go down it.
You’re not the first official to make a mistake.
Sadly for the avocation, you certainly won’t be the last. It’s easy to feel alone at times in sports officiating. Don’t. You are in a constant state of learning. Mistakes are a part of that learning curve.
The Difference Between 'Hearing' and 'Listening'
There are essentially five reasons why people listen: to gain information, to empathize, to anticipate responding, to make judgments and to enjoy the reception (entertainment). Those are also the reasons that officials need good listening skills.
Much of what an official learns is gained through paying attention to what others impart. In learning about a sport, you will want to take in the customary procedures for the way games are conducted. Rulebooks may specify formal practices, but actual operating conditions in your area will be passed on by word of mouth. Many onfield or oncourt tactics for handling games will be told to you in person by other officials. Information that comes to you verbally about how to work a game is likely to include suggestions for conducting pregame rituals, such as talking to coaches at the lineup exchange or pregame meeting.
In addition to learning about ways to start a game, listening carefully to
advice from veteran officials will help you acquire special knowledge about anticipating unusual game situations, dealing with controversy and working with game attendants, such as ball and bat persons, timers, scorers, line judges and chain crews. Listening to learn is one of the most important functions of absorbing data.
Listening to empathize is another important purpose for paying attention. The idea of putting yourself in someone else’s shoes means being aware of another person’s emotions and understanding what their expressions signify — words as well as facial contortions, grimaces, smiles, frowns and gestures of dismay, puzzlement, anger and resignation. Listening carefully in many instances means more than processing sounds. It means listening with the eyes and heart as well. An official may try to remain neutral, but that doesn’t forbid one from being receptive to the anxieties and frustrations of others. Good listening skills will help
Learn from it.
You owe it to yourself and the game to always be improving. Remember the adage, “If you’re not ripening, you’re rotting.” After the game is over, take some time to analyze the play that caused you such angst. If you can get your hands on game video, even better. Why did you make an error in judgment? Were you out of position? Did you not know the rule? Those things can be easily remedied. Whatever the reason, make a note of it and use it as an instrument for pregame discussion. Finally, do your best not to let it happen again!
Admitting you made an error is an important part of self-assessment in officiating. Some of the best officials are their own worst critics. They analyze and then over-analyze and work twice as hard to make sure they don’t make the same mistake twice. Instead of looking at mistakes as death sentences to your career, see them for what they are: learning opportunities
you understand why you are being challenged, helping you to empathize with those who do the challenging. Officials often say they must tune their antennae in order to pick up all the nuances of discord.
Once a coach or player explains an objection completely, the listening official must weigh the information, keeping a firm grasp of the other person’s reason for making the objection. Often the reason may appear obvious: The complainant wishes the call to be reversed. But behind some objections are other factors, such as a coach trying to protect a player, trying to save face after a strategic move goes wrong, or even seeking to obtain an edge on future calls through intimidation. Just as officials should “see the whole play,” another piece of advice could be, “hear the whole story.”
Officials can separate the possible motivations of a verbal challenge by taking in the entire context of the message, analyzing the hidden
messages and trusting their instincts, as vague as those may be. The official’s response usually takes one of two forms: to deny the challenge, which takes special skills in verbal diplomacy, or to offer a solution to the perceived problem. A solution may include consulting with a crewmate or partner or explaining a rule in clear and pointed terms. The key is to hear the problem in its entirety. Trying to solve problems by slipping into the viewpoint of an antagonist is a very hard part of officiating and it doesn’t come easily. Many judgments are based on what one sees, naturally, but sometimes they are based on what one hears. Let’s consider a difficulty in a baseball game already underway. A coach calls out, “That pitcher is throwing at my batters!” The context of the listening experience is perhaps the most vital element. All the following questions need
Superintendent continued from p.7
organization has worked hard in recent years to change that, and participation is on the rise once again.
As an administrator and basketball official, Blomgren sees himself playing a major role in promoting good sportsmanship.
"Good sportsmanship in a school district depends on the leadership in the building. A good athletic director will make sportsmanship a top priority. He or she will make sure their school is going to represent themselves and the school district
to be considered: What inning is it? What is the score? What are the previous game circumstances that affect the present moment? How have you reacted to previous events? Those central questions should pass through your mind while taking in the message and before arriving at a judgment.
Sometimes taking a deep breath before offering a response can help your mind process the entire context and permit you to arrive at a sensible determination. An enemy of effective listening is impulse, because impulse is often triggered by anger. Pause before talking and try adhering to the adage, “Engage brain before opening mouth.” To monitor your own listening tendencies, keep track one day of how often you interrupt the talk of others. If you do it a lot, it means that you are in the habit of not waiting for the whole story.
appropriately," Blomgren said. “If you do that it sets an expectation and tone with the parents, players and people in the community.
“Good sportsmanship is something I believe needs to constantly be improved upon in every district. The $7 you pay at the gate doesn't give you the right to say whatever you want after you walk into the gym. That isn't what high school athletics are about. When I was coaching in St. Joe and Dowagiac, it was always about how we conducted ourselves on the court rather than the number of wins or losses.”
Listening for pleasure is another dimension of the aural sense. It may seem odd that officials would listen for pleasure. Although you are not likely to take in the chirping of birds or a melodious symphony while working a game, some of the things you hear can be entertaining. Listen to what players say while in action; sometimes their remarks in the heat of battle are very funny. Many an official has also been moved by stirring renditions from the school band.
You can console players on occasion with a kind word. You can smile in amusement if their antics are humorous without upsetting the continuity of the game. You can also empathize with their celebrations as much as you do with their disappointments. Officiating need not be an entirely impersonal role. People play games for fun or satisfaction; officials should have expectations of the same payoff
Even in today's age of high technology, Blomgren believes high school athletes still desire to work hard and succeed as a team.
"Kids today want to be good, but they need to realize the time and effort you must put in to be successful," he said. “Schools that win consistently are the ones where everyone on the team shows up and puts in the work both during (the season) and in the offseason. The successful programs have good feeder programs with at least three or four good players in each class who have played a lot of games with one another. Those factors are what breeds success.”
Scott Hassinger is a contributing sportswriter for Leader Publications and previously served as the sports editor for the Three Rivers Commercial-News from 1994-2022. He can be reached at hassingermitchell@gmail.com with story ideas for Berrien, Cass, St. Joseph and Branch counties.
Blomgren, far right, is pictured with members of the Dowagiac Board of Education before the start of the 2024 Homecoming Parade.
THE GAG RULE
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING
“Those people that say that don’t know a damn thing about officiating. And until you actually put the uniform on and until you have to make those quick judgments, and that includes people in the media who can be quick to criticize, if you haven’t done it and you don’t recognize how hard it is in real time and how easy it is in super slow motion, then get off my train.”
–Fox Sports football rules analyst Mike Pereira, during an appearance on The Rich Eisen Show, speaking out against the unfounded hysteria surrounding preferential treatment for the Kansas City Chiefs during the 2024 NFL season
SAY WHAT?
mike pereira
“But we’re now through the looking glass into the world of celebrity referees on salaries and matchday bonuses that’d make a senior civil servant blush. Brash, coke-fueled (allegedly) alpha-males; matey with all the players. Center stage, heroes of their own story in a world where they are, at best, the 23rd-most important player.”
— Chris Bridgeman, writing about the English Premier League for football365.com in an article titled “Has Referee Scrutiny Produced a Generation of ‘Egotistical’ Sociopaths?”
THEY SAID IT THEY GET IT
“This memo is a reminder that the NFL standard of sportsmanship will be strictly enforced during the playoffs. Please assist game officials by encouraging sportsmanship, respect and high standards of excellence as the competition escalates on the most visible platform in the world.”
— Perry Fewell, NFL senior vice president of officiating administration, in a memo to NFL teams following the 2024 regular season
SNAP SHOT
HELPING PEOPLE IS AN EASY CALL
MLB umpires (from left) Alfonso Márquez, Mark Ripperger and Roberto Ortiz show Kristian Beadles some basics about calling a runner out during a visit to St. Louis Children’s Hospital during the 2024 season. The umpires were representing UMPS CARE Charities, the recipient of the 2020-21 Gold Whistle Award, the highest honor in officiating.
GIVE US A BREAK
“A recent Ontario kids’ hockey game between 7- and 8-year-olds was halted after parents and at least one coach started brawling in the stands.”
SOURCE:
SURVEY SAYS Should the officiating perspective have more of a voice in the rulesmaking process across youth, high school, collegiate and professional sports?
94 %
6 % YES NO
Tell Us What You Think Send email to
THE NEWS
MLB’s Hoberg Fired Following Gambling Probe
NEW YORK — MLB announced Feb. 3 that umpire Pat Hoberg, who missed the entire 2024 season during an investigation into violating the league’s gambling rules, was fired from the umpiring staff.
MLB originally made the decision to terminate Hoberg, 38, last May. That decision was upheld following an appeals process required by the league’s collective bargaining agreement with the MLB Umpires Association (MLBUA).
The investigation began in February 2024, when MLB was informed by a licensed sports betting operator that Hoberg had opened a sports betting account in his own name and the personal electronic device associated with the account was also associated with the legal sports betting account of an individual not covered by MLB’s policies who had bet on baseball.
MLB umpires are allowed to place legal bets on sports other than baseball. Hoberg denied betting on baseball, and the MLB investigation found no evidence he placed bets on baseball or took any action to manipulate the outcome of any games. However, the investigation revealed Hoberg shared legal sports betting accounts with a professional poker player and friend who did place bets on baseball (including games Hoberg worked) and Hoberg also
THE WIRE
Two-time Super Bowl
Official Creed Dies
Former NFL official Richard “Dick” Creed, 93, died Dec. 28, 2024, in Struthers, Ohio. Creed worked as a deep wing for 22 years and was assigned to 25 playoff games, including Super Bowls XXVI and XXX. He retired from the field in 1998, then moved to
impeded the MLB investigation by deleting text messages with the same friend.
That was enough for MLB to rule Hoberg had failed to uphold the integrity of the game and seek his termination.
“The strict enforcement of Major League Baseball’s rules governing sports betting conduct is a critical component of upholding our most important priority: protecting the integrity of our games for the fans,” MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred said in a statement. “An extensive investigation revealed no evidence that Mr. Hoberg placed bets on baseball directly or that he or anyone else manipulated games in any way.
“However, his extremely poor judgment in sharing betting accounts with a professional poker player he had reason to believe bet on baseball and who did, in fact, bet on baseball from the shared accounts, combined with his deletion of messages creates at minimum the appearance of impropriety that warrants imposing the most severe discipline. Therefore, there is just cause to uphold Mr. Hoberg’s termination for failing to
See “Hoberg Fired” p.11
the replay booth for 15 years.
In 2013, Creed received the Art McNally Award, presented to an official who exhibits exemplary professionalism, leadership and commitment to sportsmanship on and off the field.
Soccer Referee Kibritjian Dies
Longtime soccer referee Toros Kibritjian, 90, died Jan. 20. After emigrating to the U.S. from
Woman Accused of Assaulting
Hockey Officials
TAUNTON, Mass. — Two high school hockey officials were allegedly assaulted by a woman who waited five minutes after a game to accost them.
The incident was described in a press release issued by the National Ice Hockey Officials Association (NIHOA) Massachusetts Chapters. According to the release, the assault occurred Jan. 4 at the Foxboro (Mass.) Sports Center after a game between Taunton and Mansfield high schools. A woman who loitered at the edge of the ice well after the game ended was captured on video confronting the officials as they attempted to leave the ice. Foxboro police were called, but the woman allegedly left before she could be questioned.
Police said a Taunton man was also ejected from the rink for verbal abuse.
“Nobody was injured in this situation, thankfully,” NIHOA spokesman Mike Ober told Boston’s NBC 10. “It could have turned out much differently.”
The incident remains under investigation by the Foxboro Police Department, which determined “one person will be
See “Assault” p.10
Armenia, Kibritjian, a FIFA official, also worked in the North American Soccer League and Major Indoor Soccer League. He was the referee of the 1977 Soccer Bowl between the New York Cosmos and Seattle Sounders, which was Pele’s final competitive match. Kibritjian, a USSF National Assessor Referee Instructor, won
the John O. Best Award and Eddie Pearson Award and was inducted into the California South Hall of Fame.
Swanner Named Director of Match Officials
The Women’s Premier Soccer League (WPSL) announced Jan. 20 the hiring of Karen Swanner
Join the brightest officiating administrators, supervisors, leaders and officials as they all come together at the 43rd annual Sports Officiating Summit, hosted by the National Association of Sports Officials. Be a part of sharing ideas, networking and exploring solutions to the critical issues facing the industry. Delivering unmatched resources to state and local associations and providing critical analysis to officiating leaders everywhere, the Summit is the only event of its kind in the world, servicing the officiating industry at all levels and for all sports.
Referee’s Apology Brings Dismissal From Lawsuit
BOW, N.H. — A New Hampshire high school soccer referee was dismissed from a First Amendment lawsuit after issuing an apology as part of a settlement agreement.
Referee Steve Rossetti, who officiates for the New Hampshire Interscholastic Athletic Association, was initially named as one of the defendants along with the Bow School District; Marcy Kelley, superintendent of Bow Schools; Michael Desilets, athletic director of Bow High School; Matt Fish, principal of Bow High School; and Phillip Lamy, lieutenant of the Bow Police Department.
A group of parents — Kyle Fellers, Anthony Foote, Nicole Foote and Eldon Rash — filed suit alleging the defendants violated the plaintiffs’ First Amendment rights by banning them from school grounds and events for wearing pink wristbands with “XX” symbols — a reference to the female chromosome structure — as a form of silent protest against transgender participation in girls’ sports. The dispute happened Sept. 17 during a Bow High School girls’ soccer game against Plymouth. One of the Plymouth players is openly transgender.
Lamy was also dismissed from
THE WIRE
as its director of match officials ahead of the 2025 season. Swanner, who has more than 40 years of experience as a soccer official, assigner, educator, researcher and executive, succeeds Dave Simmons, who directed WPSL referees since the league’s inception in 1998. Swanner started officiating in 1979 and has since worked 19 college Final Fours (seven Division I, three D-II, eight NAIA and one NJCAA) and more than 40 conference tournaments. She was one of the first female floor
the suit as he acted to remove a parent at the direction of school officials. The lawsuit against the other defendants continues in federal court with the parents seeking the ability to engage in protest at future events.
The complaint stated that Rossetti stopped play amid a dispute between parents and school officials. It alleges he threatened to forfeit the game if the wristbands were not all removed and later had words for one of the parents after the game.
“As the spectators and teams left to go to their vehicles, some expressed support for Fellers’ message while others criticized him. Rossetti … called Fellers a ‘f***ing a**hole’ and told him that his daughter would hate him,” the complaint stated.
As part of an agreement reached with the parents, Rossetti wrote a letter of apology to Fellers.
“I did not choose my words very carefully during our exchange, and I regret any offense I may have caused you,” Rossetti wrote, according to the NHJournal.com.
The parents are seeking an injunction that allows them to wear the wristbands and silently protest at school events and games.
officials in professional indoor soccer and served as director of officials for the Premier Arena Soccer League.
NHL Referee Rooney Works 1,500th Game
NHL referee Chris Rooney officiated his
Assault continued from p.8
summoned to Wrentham District Court at a later date to face several criminal charges.”
The NIHOA release noted, “Spectator misconduct significantly affects the ability to recruit and retain officials, and sets a poor example for the student spectators of high school athletics. These incidents, whether verbal or physical, have no place in sports, and threaten the future of our game given the already significant shortage of officials.”
Ober said abuse of officials is hurting efforts to retain newer officials. “Not too long ago, I saw a video of a coach absolutely berating a 16-year-old referee, a brand-new referee, and we’re not getting these kids back when these incidents happen,” he said. A statement issued by the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) joined the NIHOA in urging passage of legislation to protect sports officials: “The MIAA has been engaging elected state officials relative to proposed legislation currently before the Massachusetts House of Representatives.”
The NIHOA said the bills have been awaiting government action for 15 years.
the Edmonton Oilers and Boston Bruins. The Bruins recognized Rooney’s achievement with an announcement on the video board during the first period. Rooney worked his first NHL game in 2000 and became a fulltime member of the league’s staff in 2002. He officiated the Stanley Cup Finals in 2012, 2013, 2018, 2019 and 2022.
7 during a matchup between
International Soccer Referee Subject to Abuse Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) has
launched an investigation into threats and abuse toward referee Michael Oliver. Fans threatened Oliver and his family after Oliver gave Arsenal midfielder Myles Lewis-Skelly a red card Jan. 25 during Arsenal’s 1-0 win over Wolverhampton. Oliver’s decision was supported by VAR but still drew widespread criticism. Oliver and his family were subject to “threats and abuse” as a result, according to PGMOL.
“The police are aware, and a number of investigations have commenced,” a statement
Horizon League Disciplines Referee
INDIANAPOLIS — NCAA men’s basketball official Josh White was disciplined by the Horizon League following a disputed ruling near the end of the Jan. 25 game between Oakland and Robert Morris.
Video of the game shows White ruling a shooting foul against Oakland’s DQ Cole on a three-point shot attempt by Robert Morris’ Kam Woods with one second remaining. Woods made two of the three free throws to secure a 73-71 victory. Immediately following the game, Oakland coach Greg Kampe confronted White on the playing court.
Three days later, the Horizon League released a written statement
Hoberg Fired continued from p.8
conform to high standards of personal conduct and to maintain the integrity of the game of baseball.”
Hoberg first umpired MLB games in 2014 and the league hired him to its full-time umpiring staff in 2017. He umpired postseason games every year from 2018-22, including the 2022 World Series, where he earned accolades when the website Umpire Scorecards gave him a perfect ball/strike grade for his performance behind the plate in
announcing a one-game suspension for Kampe based on his actions at the conclusion of the game. However, the statement, attributed to Horizon League Commissioner Julie Roe Lach, also included the following: “A significant officiating error occurred near the end of the game. The responsible official will no longer work Horizon League games.”
The statement did not reveal the ruling in question, leaving open the possibility a game official had effectively been fired on the basis of a judgment call in a close game. When questioned about the decision, Donnie Eppley, the Horizon League’s coordinator of men’s basketball officials, wrote in an email to Referee:
“We do not have any additional information to provide beyond what is noted in the public comment.”
The statement did not name which of the three game officials — White, Tariq Lucas or Billy McClatchy — had been removed from the Horizon League staff. However, Lucas worked two Horizon League games in the two weeks following the announcement, while McClatchy worked the Horizon contest between Wright State and Youngstown State on Jan. 30.
As of press time, White had worked five Division I games across the Mid-American Conference and the Summit League, but not in the Horizon League.
from PGMOL read. “We are supporting Michael, and all those affected, and are determined to tackle this unacceptable behaviour.”
City Board Member Fined for Arguing With Referee
A city board member was fined $100 on Jan. 7 after he violated a city ordinance in June when he got into an argument with a 17-year-old referee. Hanover Park District board president Mark Elkins was found guilty of violating a Carol Stream (Ill.)
Game 2 between the Houston Astros and the Philadelphia Phillies.
According to rule 2(c), Hoberg is eligible to apply for reinstatement no earlier than the start of spring training in 2026.
“I take full responsibility for the errors in judgment that are outlined in today’s statement,” Hoberg said in a statement through MLBUA. “Those errors will always be a source of shame and embarrassment to me. Major League Baseball umpires are held to a high standard of personal conduct, and my own
ordinance and is also required to perform 25 hours of community service and complete six months of court supervision.
Elkins, who is also running for mayor in Hanover Park, defended his actions and noted that he committed an ordinance violation, which is not a criminal matter. A police report cited video evidence that showed Elkins run onto the field during a U-14 soccer game June 25 to yell at a referee for not giving a foul call. “It’s a ticket,” Elkins said. “It’s not a crime. I was
conduct fell short of that standard.
“That said, to be clear, I have never and would never bet on baseball in any way, shape or form. I have never provided, and would never provide, information to anyone for the purpose of betting on baseball. Upholding the integrity of the game has always been of the utmost importance to me. I apologize to Major League Baseball and the entire baseball community for my mistakes. I vow to learn from them and to be a better version of myself moving forward.”
SOURCE: MLB.COM
fighting it because I thought it should be fought. I yelled at a referee. That’s exactly what happened.”
Fired Soccer Referee Comes Out as Gay
David Coote, the former Premier League referee fired after making derogatory comments about exLiverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, came out publicly as being gay in late January and said hiding his sexuality contributed to the behavior that led to his dismissal. “
My sexuality isn’t the only reason that led me to be in that position,” Coote told The Sun
“But I’m not telling an authentic story if I don’t say that I’m gay, and that I’ve had real struggles dealing with hiding that. I hid my emotions as a young ref and I hid my sexuality as well — a good quality as a referee but a terrible quality as a human being. And that’s led me to a whole course of behaviours.”
EDITOR: SCOTT TITTRINGTON stittrington@referee.com
COORDINATOR: PATRICK FAERBER pfaerber@referee.com
PICK YOUR BATTLES This Mechanic Can De-escalate Conflict
By Patrick Faerber
Effective game management is a hallmark of successful umpiring crews, and the pick-and-roll mechanic is a valuable tool for handling tense situations with coaches. By strategically positioning and cooperating, umpires can maintain control, de-escalate conflicts and keep the game moving smoothly. Here’s a breakdown of how to execute and utilize this mechanic before and after an ejection.
The Basics
The pick-and-roll mechanic involves one umpire (U1) engaged in a prolonged discussion with a coach, while another umpire (U2) positions himself to set a “pick.” The goal is for U1 to disengage from the conversation while U2 steps in to block or redirect the coach, making it difficult for the coach to pursue U1. Unlike basketball, the pick can be a moving pick, but it must always be professional and non-restrictive — never physically grab or restrain a coach.
To do this, positioning is key. U2 should set up in a direction that naturally guides the coach back toward his dugout or away from the field of play. When U1 takes the opportunity to disengage by using the pick, U2 steps into the space to create a natural barrier, ensuring the coach cannot easily follow.
When to Use
The timing of the pick-and-roll depends on the situation:
1.Before an ejection: This is the trickiest time to implement the mechanic. We need to recognize the relationship between the coach and the umpire and if U1 is ready to handle the situation properly on his own. For example, if U1 is a newer umpire with less experience and familiarity, a crew chief may try to
If plate umpire Martin G. Ramirez (left) Santa Ana, Calif., finds himself in a prolonged discussion with a coach that is not coming to a resolution, it’s imperative his partner, Tim Glastetter, Orange, Calif., step in and “pick off” the coach, allowing Ramirez to remove himself from the situation and de-escalate any potential conflict.
step in earlier to handle the brunt of the conversation. But if U1 is a crew chief with years of experience with this coach, U2 should stay out of the way until U1 ejects.
Either way, a thorough pregame with your partner(s) before the game should include reviewing our experience and relationships as a crew, as well as any special game management goals. For instance, we may want to handle these situations differently in postseason games, where crews may work diligently to avoid ejections. Where in a regularseason game U2 should wait for an experienced crew chief to eject before setting a pick, that may change in the postseason, where U2 may set a pick to help end a confrontation before it becomes worthy of an ejection.
2.After an ejection: In regularseason games, U2 should generally wait until after an ejection to step in. Once a coach is ejected, the pick-androll can help to end the conversation while helping transition the coach away from the field.
3.Multiple arguers: If multiple individuals are attempting to argue with U1, the pick-and-roll becomes essential as soon as possible. U2’s primary goal is to separate the players and assistant coaches, creating a one-on-one discussion between U1 and the head coach. This can involve wedging between other individuals or redirecting them away, ensuring U1 and the coach have space to resolve the situation.
Techniques and Tricks
The pick-and-roll mechanic is as much about psychology as it is about positioning. Here are some practical strategies:
1.Getting the coach’s attention: U2 can engage the coach by saying phrases like, “Talk to me,” or “You have to talk to me now.” This distracts the coach, providing U1 an opportunity to disengage. While interacting, U2 should remain neutral, using phrases like, “I hear you,” or “Gotcha,” to make the coach feel heard without undermining their partner. The goal is to get them talking to U2, and no longer to U1.
This MechaniGram illustrates how a second umpire should step in and set a pick on a coach to help maintain control during a prolonged discussion, allowing the original umpire involved to “roll” away from the situation.
BY THE NUMBERS
The percentage of umpires who took the 2025 NFHS Rules Changes quiz created by Umpire Classroom and voted in favor of the NFHS balk rule being changed to a delayed-dead ball, similar to the rule at the NCAA and professional levels. The change is being tested as an experimental rule with NFHS approval for multiple states in 2025.
QUICKTIP
2.Guided walk to the dugout: Either umpire can employ the guided walk technique to end a discussion. By slowly turning toward the coach’s dugout and walking in that direction, the coach will often follow. Avoid saying anything argumentative during this walk — keep responses neutral and brief but let them know you have heard them. You shouldn’t be defensive and can even say phrases like, “Sorry but that’s what we are going with.” Momentum is powerful; once the coach starts moving, they’re more likely to return to the dugout.
3.Adjusting the pick: If the coach tries to go around the pick, U2 may need to shuffle or reset the mechanic. Subtle arm movements, such as extending arms out to the side to create a bar, can help without physical contact being initiated by the umpire. But even then, if the coach remains persistent, U1 may need to re-engage, which should lead to further disciplinary actions, such as a dugout restriction or ejection.
Preparation and Communication
The pick-and-roll mechanic requires situational awareness and solid teamwork between umpires. Crews should discuss this
A clear signal of an inexperienced plate umpire is long straps hanging off the mask behind the ears. The straps are made long so that umpires can fit the mask to their head but should be removed. Once the mask is properly fit, the excess should be trimmed to no more than an inch. And, on that note, umpires should also trim the strap on top of the mask, which when left on, stands up like an antenna.
DID YOU KNOW?
In 1956, Ed Rommel and Frank Umont broke a long-standing taboo by becoming the first MLB umpires to wear eyeglasses on the field.
SOURCE: THE SABR BOOK OF UMPIRES AND UMPIRING
TEST YOURSELF
In each question, decide which answer is correct for NFHS, NCAA or pro rules. Solutions: p. 81.
1. With a runner on first base and less than two outs, the ball is immediately dead when:
a. An infielder intentionally drops a fair bunt.
b. An infielder intentionally drops a fair fly.
c. A runner on base deliberately removes his helmet with a play being made as he slides home.
d. Both A and B.
2. To start a game each team must have:
a. Nine players.
b. Eight players.
c. As many players as the coaches agree upon.
d. As many players as specified by the governing body.
3. Jones, advancing from first to third, fails to touch second base and is standing on third when the throw from the outfield goes into the dugout.
a. The umpire is to immediately declare Jones out for missing second base.
b. Because Jones missed second base, he cannot be awarded home from the errant throw to the dugout.
c. If Jones attempts to return to second base, the defense cannot appeal his missing second until Jones has completed his opportunity to correct the mistake.
d. Jones cannot legally return to his missed base and is subject to being declared out upon proper and successful appeal.
4. Smith, the No. 5 hitter, strains his knee sliding into second base on a double. He is not able to continue and the team does not have a substitute available.
a. Smith is declared out.
b. The on-deck batter will run for Smith.
c. The most recent batter not on base is allowed to run for Smith.
d. The game is forfeited to the opposing team.
5. A ball is determined as a lodged ball if it is:
a. Stuck.
b. Wedged.
c. Unreachable.
d. All of the above.
strategy during pregame meetings, particularly before high-stakes games like postseason matchups. Key points to cover include:
1.How and when to execute a pick.
2.Positioning and movement strategies.
3.Who will set the pick if the crew chief is the calling umpire.
4.How dugouts, players and assistant coaches will be handled.
5.The tone and language to use when interacting with a coach.
In this pregame, the crew chief should lay out the body language and phrases the crew should use to signal they are ready to set the pick and end the conversation. In the same conversation, the crew chief should give his partners an idea of what he’ll do to take the coach’s attention away, when he wants the calling umpire to disengage and walk away.
Game Management in Action
The pick-and-roll is most effective when executed calmly and professionally. It’s especially important U2 doesn’t get into an
Get a Grip
Whenit comes to baseball, even minor details like the application of pine tar on bats have specific rules and penalties across all levels. A recent NFHS rule modification, found in 1-32c1, clarifies that players can use resin, pine tar or drying agents on non-wood bats, provided the substance does not extend beyond 18 inches from the knob. While this aligns NFHS rules with MLB and NCAA guidelines on using pine tar, the penalties for violations differ significantly between the professional, collegiate and high school rules.
Let’s explore how these rules compare, beginning with one of the most infamous incidents in MLB history.
argument or confrontation with the coach, but simply serves as someone with the job of ending the delay to the game. Simple sayings like “We gotta keep moving” and “I hear you but we have to go” help the coach to understand the conversation is over.
If tensions escalate and the head coach is ejected, U2 can step in to help redirect the coach back to the dugout, using the guided walk technique or setting another pick to prevent further disruptions.
Conclusion
The pick-and-roll mechanic exemplifies the teamwork and professionalism expected of highlevel umpire crews. When done correctly, it can defuse heated situations, maintain game flow and prevent unnecessary ejections. With preparation, clear communication and effective positioning, umpires can master this tool and elevate their game management to the next level. Patrick Faerber, Alpharetta, Ga., is a former professional umpire who now works high school baseball and football. He is Referee’s baseball coordinator. *
The George Brett Incident: MLB’s Approach to Pine Tar
On July 24, 1983, in the top of the ninth inning at Yankee Stadium, the Kansas City Royals trailed, 4-3, with two outs and a runner on base. In the game’s most critical moment, George Brett hit a dramatic two-run home run, only for Yankees manager Billy Martin to appeal to the umpires that Brett’s bat had excessive pine tar.
Under MLB’s Official Baseball Rules (OBR), pine tar must not exceed 18 inches from the knob of the bat. To test if the bat complied, umpires used a simple technique: the front edge of home plate, which measures 17 inches, served as a baseline to estimate the 18-inch mark. From this visual inspection, Brett’s bat was found to have pine tar beyond the 18-inch mark, violating
18 INCHES
All three rule codes agree that pine tar and other drying agents are allowed below 18 inches from the knob of the bat. However, the penalty for violating this rule is much stricter in NFHS play than in NCAA or professional baseball.
This is now codified in OBR rule 3.02(c): “The bat handle, for not more than 18 inches from its end, may be covered or treated with any material or substance to improve the grip. Any such material or substance that extends past the 18-inch limitation shall cause the bat to be removed from the game.
“NOTE: If the umpire discovers that the bat does not conform to (c) above until a time during or after which the bat has been used in play, it shall not be grounds for declaring the batter out or ejected from the game.”
NCAA: A Slightly Stricter Approach
The NCAA rulebook adopts a similar stance but adds an enforcement mechanism. According to 1-12(e-f): “If the bat … has pine tar or a foreign substance beyond the 18-inch mark, the bat must be removed from the game and the player warned. If the practice continues, the player is to be ejected from the game … [this infraction is not] cause for calling the batter out.”
result in the batter being called out immediately upon entering the box with an illegal bat. If the violation is discovered after the ball is hit but before the next pitch, the defense can choose to enforce the penalty or accept the play’s outcome. Additionally, all runners would be returned to their positions at the time of the pitch.
Key Takeaways for Umpires
Understanding the differences in enforcement is critical for umpires officiating at various levels:
MLB and NCAA: Focus on removing the bat and preserving the integrity of the game’s outcome. No outs are called, and plays remain unaffected.
NFHS: Enforces a stricter penalty, treating the bat as illegal and potentially calling the batter out while negating any playing action caused by the bat. This rule ensures adherence to equipment and safety standards that are more of a focus in youth sports. Ultimately, that directly impacts game outcomes with the more severe penalty.
the rules. The umpires called Brett out, erasing the home run, and Brett famously erupted in protest.
However, Kansas City protested the ruling, sending the decision to be reviewed by then-AL President Lee MacPhail. The result was an overturned decision that didn’t change the legality of the pine tar but instead altered the penalty for its excessive use. His reasoning? Pine tar exceeding 18 inches didn’t alter the bat’s performance; the rule existed to prevent baseballs from discoloration. As a result, Brett’s home run stood and the game resumed at a later date.
Under MLB rules today, the penalty for excessive pine tar remains consistent: the bat must be removed from the game. No outs are called and the results of the play stand.
Like MLB, the NCAA rules do not penalize the players, ensuring no outs are called for pine tar violations. The results of the at-bat remain intact, but the batter receives a warning. Continued violations by the same batter lead to ejection, ensuring players and coaches address the issue moving forward in the game.
NFHS: A Stricter Penalty System
At the high school level, the NFHS rules diverge significantly in the penalty. While 1-3-2c1 specifies the 18-inch pine tar limit, just like the other levels, the NFHS imposes harsher penalties for violations. Under rule 7-4-1(a): “A batter is out when: the batter enters the batter’s box with an illegal bat (1-3-5) or is discovered having used an illegal bat. If the infraction is discovered before the next pitch following the turn at bat of the player who used an illegal bat, the defense may take the penalty or the result of the play.”
This rule means that in an NFHS game, a situation like Brett’s could
Using tools like home plate to measure the 18-inch limit is a practical method for umpires across all levels.
Using tools like home plate to measure the 18-inch limit is a practical method for umpires across all levels. However, being aware of each rulebook’s unique penalties and nuances ensures consistent and fair umpiring. Whether working a professional, collegiate or high school contest, clear communication and knowledge of the rules are your best tools for managing pine tar situations. Especially when you run into a coach in amateur baseball who believes the rule in his game is the same as the ultimate outcome from the George Brett incident over 40 years ago. *
CASEPLAYS
Not Close Enough?
Play: R2 is on second and R1 is on first, with no outs. Suspecting a bunt, F5 and F3 are playing several feet in front of their respective bases. Both runners are advancing on the pitch. F6 moves to cover second base. B3 squares to bunt, then swings at the last moment and slashes the ball down the third-base line. F5 dives to his right but misses the ball by several feet. The ball rolls into R2, who is now standing on third base. Ruling: In NFHS and NCAA, the ball remains live and in play because the ball passed a fielder and no other fielder had a play on the ball. In pro, although no other infielder had a chance to make a play on the ball, F5 did not have a legitimate chance to field the ball. Thus, it is not considered to have passed a fielder. R2 is out, B3 is awarded first and R1 is forced to second (NFHS 8-4-2k, interp.; NCAA 6-2e, 8-5k; 5.06c6, 6.01a11).
Yes, You May, But …
Play: With the weather being very cold, the relief pitcher entering the game asks for more throws to warm up. Ruling: The plate umpire may grant the request if he deems it to be a special circumstance, but the pitcher being replaced may not return to pitch for the balance of the game (NFHS 3-1-2, 6-2-2c Exc; NCAA 9-2i; pro MLBUM II-26).
Reverse Gear
Play: With one out, R2 on second, and R1 on first, B4 bunts hard down the first-base line and the ball is fielded by F3. In order to avoid a tag, and reduce the chance for a double play, B4 retreats toward home. Ruling: The ball remains live. B4 is declared out only if he touches or passes home or he leaves the baseline (NFHS 8.1.1A; NCAA 7-11p Note 3; pro MLBUM II-63, 1 Note).
What’s the Award?
Play: R1, R2, one out. B3 hits a ground ball to F5, who steps on third base to retire R2, then throws wildly to first base. The throw gets past F3 and goes into the dugout. At the time of the throw, R1 had reached second, and B3 had not yet reached first base. Ruling: R2 is out. R1 is awarded home. B3 is awarded second. The force out at third was the first play by an infielder. This results in the base award being from the time of the throw (NFHS 8-3-3c; NCAA 8-3o3; pro 5.06b4g).
Your Dead-Ball Role
Baseball umpiring isn’t just about making calls on close plays — it’s also about how umpires manage themselves during the quieter moments, including between innings. These brief intervals are an opportunity to reset and refocus, but they’re not a time to relax or lose situational awareness. Professionalism during these moments reflects an umpire’s commitment to the game and helps maintain authority on the field.
Positioning Between Innings
To maintain focus and a steady demeanor, umpires should avoid congregating as a crew after every half-inning. Instead, proper positioning between innings (see MechaniGram A) ensures umpires maintain a professional appearance while covering their administrative responsibilities.
players, coaches or other team personnel. If hydration is needed, the plate umpire should not leave their position but instead request that water be brought to them by a bat boy or team staff.
Side Selection
While there is no hard-andfast rule about which side of the field to stand on, there are strategic considerations:
•Crew coordination: In a twoperson crew, position yourself on the first-base line if your base umpire may need to approach you. This minimizes how far they need to go before and after the discussion while also avoiding them having to awkwardly cross past the pitcher and catcher warming up.
•Game dynamics: Adjust positioning based on game context. Avoid standing on the side of a team that just experienced a tough inning, such as giving up multiple runs or ending the inning on a called strikeout. If a player or coach has been particularly upset, steer clear of standing with your back to a dugout. When you are on the opposite foul line, you can see into the dugout and they aren’t able to complain behind your back.
The plate umpire can maintain neutrality and avoid unnecessary tension by alternating sides each inning while being mindful of game dynamics.
For the Base Umpire
For the Plate Umpire
The plate umpire’s ideal position is in foul territory near the plate area, never more than 20 feet from the dirt circle around home. From this vantage point, the umpire can effectively:
•Manage the pace of play by promoting hustle on and off the field while counting pitches.
•Monitor substitutions and track other administrative duties.
•Request baseballs from the dugouts as needed.
This positioning also prevents unnecessary fraternization with
The base umpire’s position between innings is in the shallow outfield, regardless of whether the crew has two, three or four umpires. Staying in fair territory minimizes opportunities for prolonged conversations with dugouts or fans. However, exceptions can be made for getting water as long as the base umpire quickly returns to their position.
When to Meet as a Crew
There are times when the crew will need to meet between innings,
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and these should be approached with discretion. Some reasons for meeting include:
•Discussing a previous play: Clarifying or aligning on a controversial or complex call.
•Checking in during hot weather or after getting hit: Ensuring the plate umpire is feeling well and capable of continuing, especially during summer games.
•Addressing logistical needs: Communicating restroom breaks or other personal needs.
For base umpires, initiating a meeting is straightforward. They can approach the plate umpire on the first-base line as soon as the halfinning ends. However, it’s crucial to avoid this immediately after a controversial call, as it may appear that the crew is seeking confirmation or doubting the initial decision.
Discreet Communication for the Plate Umpire
It’s more challenging for the plate umpire to initiate a meeting since base umpires typically move directly to the outfield after a half-inning and may not look back toward the plate. To avoid shouting or waving — both of which can appear unprofessional — the crew should establish a signal for such situations in their pregame.
The Three and Down Signal
During pregame, the crew should agree on a discreet mechanic. The mechanic is that the plate umpire holds up three fingers in front of their chest and then points toward the ground (see PlayPics A and B). This indicates to the base umpire that once there are three outs, they should come to the plate area for a meeting. The mechanic should be given with the same discretion as we might use to signal the number of outs, rotations or infield fly situations. This subtle gesture ensures communication without drawing undue attention.
Maintaining Professionalism
Professionalism between innings is critical for establishing credibility
The Rule Set Matters
By Jesse Fagan
Let’s start with this situation: R3, R1, no outs, 1-1 count. F1 never comes set but proceeds to pitch. The plate umpire yells, “That’s a balk!” while remaining crouched. The batter hits the pitch into center field and begins running, but nobody else moves. Instead of cheering for a base hit, the crowd grows quiet. As F8 picks up the ball and the batter-runner approaches first, neither R3 nor R1 have moved from their leadoff locations. F8 doesn’t know where to throw the ball as neither F6 nor F4 turn around.
A coach shouts from the dugout,
“He called a balk! It’s a dead ball!”
To avoid confusion, the plate umpire announces, “No! Live ball!” and the baserunning chaos begins. Ultimately, the result is that R3 is ruled safe at home, while R1 is thrown out at second.
The umpires on the field are ready for this and do not rule “out” or “safe” on the play at second. Instead, the base umpire properly raises his hands and proclaims, “Time! I have R1 tagged before reaching second, so the balk is enforced.” He awards R3 and R1 their bases, then explains the batter must return to bat, resuming with the same count as before the balk. All
and authority on the field. A few tips to reinforce this include:
•Stay engaged: Keep your eyes on the field. You should monitor player interactions, ensure players are properly equipped and encourage a speedy transition.
•Avoid unnecessary interactions: Conversations with players, coaches or fans can create an appearance of bias or distraction.
•Be ready to respond: You are responsible for administrative duties like substitutions or requesting baseballs. Being in the right position allows you to handle these tasks promptly.
Conclusion
Between innings may not be as action-packed as during play, but these moments are just as important for maintaining focus, professionalism and control. By positioning ourselves correctly and presenting ourselves as focused, engaged and in control, umpires demonstrate their commitment to the game. Whether managing a routine inning transition or a more contentious situation, these practices ensure that the crew remains sharp and ready for whatever the game brings. *
runners understood the instructions, but the offensive coach did not.
The coach’s struggle to understand the rules is evident. The conversation starts calmly but escalates as the coach grapples with the difference between a runner being “tagged before the next base” and being ruled “out.” He questions why the play continued after the balk and argues his case. It’s not until an assistant coach intervenes and explains the situation that the head coach finally relents.
For umpires, coaches, players and fans, the message is clear: Rule sets matter. Understanding the slight variations from one rule set to the
next is critical for properly managing a game.
In this particular situation, under NFHS rules, when working from the set, “the pitcher shall come to a complete and discernible stop (a change of direction is not considered an acceptable stop).” The penalty for not doing this is a balk with runners on base (6-1-3), and the play becomes immediately dead (5-1-1k). However, this game modified the rules to make balks a delayed-deadball situation; the rule defers to the OBR interpretation: “The ball is dead, and each runner shall advance one base without liability to be put out, unless the batter reaches first on a hit, an error, a base on balls, a hit batter, or otherwise, and all other runners advance at least one base, in which case the play proceeds without reference to the balk” (6.02(a) Pen.). Since a batted ball was hit fair in this play, the umpires needed to wait for the result of the play before enforcing or ignoring the balk. The balk must be enforced since R1 did not reach second base safely on the batted ball.
Fundamentally, all existing rule sets are, at some level, a derivative of OBR, which was created first. The others drew from those rules to create their own. Over the years, four different standalone rule sets have developed the game we know today. I define a standalone rule set as one that does not refer to some other set to cover rules “not otherwise covered” in their own rules. Those four are: OBR, NCAA, NFHS and Little League.
Here are a few example rule topics that change not only between the baseline rule sets but within the language of some of the individual sets listed above:
Pitching requirements: Even OBR now has a rule where pitchers must “pitch to a minimum of three consecutive batters” (5.10g), while others have inning and/or pitch counts.
Obstruction: The most critical difference is when the fielder is protected in the act of fielding a throw, which changes based on the rule set.
Collisions at the plate: While this ties to obstruction, some language is different. Where the catcher can/ cannot set up varies based on the rule set.
Force play slide rule/illegal slide: While no baseline rule set has a “must slide” rule, they all have an interpretation of how runners must legally slide if they choose to do so.
Detached equipment: Most rule sets award one base when this violation happens after a pitch, while NFHS keeps this a two-base award (8-3-3c).
Batter hitting baseball with foot touching plate: No rule prohibits this under OBR (6.03a1, 5.06c4) or Little League (5.09d, 6.03, 6.06a), but it’s an immediate dead ball out under NFHS (5-1-1b, 7-3-2) and NCAA (7-10a).
Pitcher coming “set” with no runners on base: Mandatory to come set under NFHS (6-1-3) and Little League (8.01b, c; 8.05m), but no other rule sets.
Done properly, umpiring takes a tremendous investment of time and effort. The same can be said of coaching and playing. Still, one critical difference is that while coaches and players only need to prepare for their games, umpires have to prepare for games using different rule sets. From a high school game Friday night to a Little League game Saturday morning, followed by a travel game Sunday afternoon.
All of these games will likely have different rules that are critical for the umpires to know. This is why, at all levels, it’s essential to have a thorough and structured pregame, emphasizing the parts of the game we reviewed earlier. To do this, umpires must study the four rule sets and their differences. From that, umpires can break into the more minor differences within the modifications. This way, no matter what happens in their game, the umpires know the rule set and are ready to make the correct call.
Jesse Fagan, St. Louis, is a college and high school umpire focused on developing training for umpires at the youth level. *
SIRMONS ON THE MOUNT
DOUG SIRMONS’ JOURNEY ON AND OFF THE COURT IS REMARKABLE AND WHERE HE MAY BE GOING IN HIS NEXT CAREER IS WHAT MAKES HIS STORY SO CO MPELLING.
Ask any aspiring NCAA basketball official what the greatest assignment could be and 100% of them will tell you it is tossing the ball up Monday night in the championship game at the Final Four. On April 2, 2018, that assignment was given to Lester Douglas Sirmons. Nearly 68,000 souls filled the Alamodome that night in San Antonio to witness Villanova rout Michigan, 79-62.
“I was named after a grandfather I never met,” Sirmons said. “He passed away before I was born. My parents settled on Lester but chose for me to go by my middle name, as that is what I was called from infancy.
“My father, Doug Sr., did the same thing as well, going by his middle name, Douglas. I had never thought of going by Lester as it was foreign to me since everybody called me Doug.
“Truth be known, though, I never really liked the name
Lester. When I was in school teachers would announce my name and kids would tease me and give me grief because it was easy to rhyme with a word I would prefer not to say.”
Five hours before that pinnacle moment in his illustrious career, Sirmons was standing alone in front of a mirror at a local movie theatre … crying.
“We went to see the movie, ‘I Can Only Imagine.’ I had heard the song but had no idea what the movie was about.”
The movie tells the story of Bart Millard, lead singer for the band Mercy Me, focusing on his relationship with an alcoholic father and absent mother.
BY MICHAEL CLARK
basketball game was the last thing on my mind.”
What could cause the man who has worked 20 straight NCAA tournaments, nine Final Fours and nine Elite Eights to have such a reaction?
“By the time I had turned 8 years old my biological parents, Doug Sr. and Brenda Sirmons, had seven divorces between them,” Sirmons said. “My father was an alcoholic. He was unfaithful. I remember when I was almost 7 my mother took me and my siblings to visit my dad, and she never came back to get us. I lived with him for the next 2½ years.”
“Halfway through the movie I had to get up and leave. This was supposed to be the happiest day of my life, and I am bawling my eyes out telling myself, ‘You’ve got to be better.’ That championship
Some of you reading this story are familiar with the pain Sirmons is describing. Perhaps you can recall the eerie silence as you lay in bed hoping to fall asleep before the alcoholic starts to raise his voice leading to cursing, abuse and often the sound of broken glass.
“When I was 6, my grandfather came to the house with a gun and was visibly upset and my mom had him arrested,” Sirmons said. “That same year I can remember sitting next to my mom, who was crying at
NCAA official Doug Sirmons has become a fixture on the lateseason men’s basketball calendar, having been assigned to work nine Final Fours.
the police station because my stepfather had been killed by the police.
“When I was 8, I remember going to court for a custody battle,” Sirmons continued. “My dad ended up marrying his best friend’s wife, who he had been cheating with. The judge ruled that my younger sister, Lisa, and I had to stay with my dad, but my older sister, Kim, got to go with my mom. I left the courtroom crying not understanding why my younger sister and I had to stay but my older sister got to go.”
Several months later Sirmons and his mother, along with his sister Kim, were reunited.
“My dad, to his credit, realized he was not in a good season of life as he was in the middle of a divorce,” Sirmons said. “He asked Brenda to come get these kids. ‘It’s best for them to be with you.’ We felt like we had been rescued. We were excited.”
Sirmons’ mom got remarried to Dale Smith, a police officer and veteran of the United States Air Force, a man she would spend the remainder of her life
Doug Sirmons and his wife, Tiv (left), are shown with his family during a reunion. Front and center in the photo are Dale and Brenda Smith, Sirmons’ stepfather and mother.
with until his death in 2023.
“Dale Smith was 34 years old when he came into my life,” Sirmons said. “He didn’t know me or my sisters and yet he took on three kids.”
It was an act Sirmons would not completely understand until, thanks to some help from above, he finally fully accepted a similar situation himself.
“I met my wife, Natividad, Tiv for short, when I was 28. She had two children ages 6 and 9 and I wasn’t mature enough to handle that. It was not until I was 50 and found the Lord that I thought, ‘How in the world could he manage three kids, and a wife divorced four times prior to that, but I could not?’”
“Meeting Doug marked the beginning of a complex journey for me,” Tiv Sirmons said. “We were engaged at one point, but we canceled our wedding because deep down, I understood that true commitment required a different foundation, one that we did not have at the time. Life led us apart, and though
we eventually reconnected, marriage was no longer my main focus. I believed wholeheartedly that if we put the Lord first, everything else would fall into place.
“I prayed for Doug’s heart to be filled with the Lord, not for my sake, but for his, so that he could find peace and fulfillment, even if it were not with me.
During that time, I struggled with the reality that his focus was primarily on work and basketball, and I often felt like I came last. Yet through it all, I trusted that God had a greater plan, and this understanding kept me going.”
Reading his story, one can clearly understand why Sirmons would have a fear of commitment. He was postponing his relationship with Tiv, while at the same time dealing with an unresolved issue with his mom.
The defining moment in Sirmons’ relationship with his mother came in 1987 when he had just graduated from Princess Anne High School in Virginia Beach, Va.
“I remember Dale and my mom had a bad argument,” Sirmons said. “My mother and
I were tight. I was her favorite. The day after the argument I told her, ‘Leave. I will not go to college. We can get an apartment.’”
Brenda was against that idea. She assured her son she would be OK and that he should pursue his dream of attending college.
Some weeks later, while Brenda was out of town attending a funeral, Sirmons and his sister came across the mail and found out the family was receiving Social Security death benefit income for one of his previous stepfathers, who had been shot by the police.
“I became angry at my mom. She had been receiving money, it was not a lot of money but to me it was,” Sirmons said.
For the next week Doug and his sister refused to speak to their mother. Eventually, Dale Smith had enough and told him,“I want you out of my house.”
“I remember very vividly walking in the house, my clothes were all on the floor,” Sirmons said. “I walked into my mother’s bedroom, she was crying, and I said, ‘Is this what you want or (pointing at Dale) what he wants?’”
“I think it is what you want,” Doug remembers Brenda saying. “You will not talk to us. You are 18.You can go out on your own.”
“I had just turned 18,” Sirmons said. “I was mad. I looked at her and said, ‘If I walk out that door I will never come back.’
“It was 33 years before I walked back through that door. I only spoke to my mom twice over that period. Once when I was 21, the other time when I was 28. I had no interest in reconciliation.”
“Unforgiveness imprisons people in their past. As long as you refuse to forgive, you keep the pain alive. You’re sentencing yourself to go through life feeling as bad as you do now, and likely worse, because you fuel a lack of forgiveness.”
Pastor John MacArthur
Doug Sirmons first met his wife, Tiv, in 1998, but it wasn’t until he underwent a significant faith journey that the two finally married on Aug. 22, 2020.
“The first time I ever heard anybody talk about the Lord I was at the SEC tournament around 15 years ago, when Tony Greene stood up and said, ‘We must understand how grateful and thankful we should be. We need to give thanks to the Lord,’” Sirmons said. “I was thankful but I did not know to whom I was thankful. God was not on my radar.
“The other time was with fellow official Darron George. Darron’s dad, Dennis,
“THE ONLY PERSON I TRUSTED WAS THE GUY IN THE MIRROR. I WAS GOING TO DO IT MY WAY SO NOBODY COULD HURT ME.” ME.”
is a pastor. Each night I worked with Darron he would say, ‘Hey man, my dad’s praying for you.’” Sirmons would simply smile and share, “That’s good. I need those prayers.”
“Three years after meeting Tiv, we got engaged in 2001, but called it off because of me and my commitment issues and baggage I was carrying; because I did not know who to give it to. The only person I trusted was the guy in the mirror. I was going to do it my way so nobody could hurt me.”
At one point in their relationship Tiv challenged Sirmons when she said, “Am I not worthy to be your wife?”
“It was not because I doubted my own worth. Deep inside, I knew my value and the love and commitment I was capable of giving,” Tiv Sirmons said. “The question came from a place of wanting to understand what was holding him back, why he seemed unable to see me as a priority. It was less about seeking validation and more about trying to uncover why he might believe I was not deserving of that commitment or why he felt uncertain about building a life together. I needed to understand his perspective to make sense of the distance between us and his choices.”
Sirmons, who graduated from Virginia Wesleyan in 1991 with a bachelor’s degree in business management, said, “Truth was I wasn’t worthy to be her husband.”
In June 2019, Sirmons’ biological father, who had been suffering from Alzheimer’s for
SIRMONS ON THE MOUNT
several years, was placed in hospice care.
“I was always able to have a normal relationship because dudes do not talk about issues. We talk about golf, sports, whatever. We could talk around stuff and did not have to address relationship issues,” Sirmons said. “I had completely forgiven him; I had no issues with him. I did not really want to go to the hospice facility, but I did. He married a wonderful woman, Kathy Sirmons, and she encouraged me to be there.”
His dad died a few days later.
“Kathy and I sat down and had wonderful conversations. She told me stuff about my dad which I did not know. My grandfather, who I was named after, was an alcoholic. My dad had a rough childhood; he had a rough life, too,” Sirmons said.
In sports and in life, so much of our success or failures can be traced to our mentors or lack thereof. Like running a relay race, the baton needs to be handed off cleanly for us to be in a position to win. It is difficult to be a role model when our own examples have put our families through many challenges. Somebody needs to break the chains of pain.
During the conversations Kathy would talk about some of
Bottom left: Doug Sirmons is shown with close officiating friends Keith Patterson and Nomi Kidwa. Right: Sirmons credits Pastor Dennis George with playing a significant role in his faith journey.
the challenges they faced, and Doug would end up finishing her sentence for her. Kathy would quip, “How did you know that?”
“Because I do the same thing,” Sirmons said, realizing then that the man he had been judging was himself. “God was smacking me over the head, ‘You’re no better than your dad. You are him!’”
In 2013, Sirmons met officials Keith Patterson and John St. Clair.
“They were different. They had a peace and tranquility about them and their life. Not me,” he said. “One of my coordinators said to me one time, ‘I do not understand you. You officiate with a chip on your shoulder. You referee angry.’ Truth is, he was right. The other truth is he never took the time to get to know me as a person and find out why.”
“Last year, Doug didn’t get selected to work the Final Four,” said Patterson, who has remained an influence in his life and is a close friend today. “Ten years ago, he would have been so upset. Today he is humbled. He has peace through disappointment.”
“Forgiveness is a strange thing. It can sometimes be easier to forgive our enemies than our friends. It can be hardest of all to forgive people we love.”
Fred (Mr.) Rogers
Through friends like Patterson and a stranger on an airplane, Sirmons’ life was soaring in a new direction.
“In the summer of 2019 I went to a faith-based officiating conference. I did not know what to expect but during the conference I could not stop crying. Even as I returned to my room that night I was crying,” Sirmons said.
The next morning as he left for home nothing changed. “I boarded that flight and was still in tears,” he said.
He describes not wanting other passengers or staff to notice his condition. “I sat in my chair and put my arm over my face as I put my head against the window still crying.”
Sirmons then heard an inaudible, peaceful voice. “Stop crying. Stop. You did not get kicked out of your house at age 18.I took you out. That was my plan for you to have a relationship with me. I have been your father the whole time, I have been standing right here. Stop crying.”
“I walked into my home; my
family was gone. I fell on my knees and said, ‘Lord, I surrender. Please forgive me. Take me and do with me what you want,’” Sirmons said.
Moments later Tiv arrived and Sirmons explained the change in his life and asked for her forgiveness.
After speaking with Tiv, “I had to tell somebody. I called Dennis George and announced I need to get baptized. I would like to do it at your church in Dallas before my game, but I want to surprise Tiv.”
Dec. 7 in our nation is a dark reminder of infamy. For Sirmons, that day in 2019 will forever be remembered as the day he turned from darkness to light and declared his faith in Jesus Christ.
Sirmons had a game later that Saturday night at Southern Methodist University and asked George if he could accommodate his schedule.
“We typically don’t do baptisms on Saturday, but our staff worked it out,” George said. “Before I put him under the water he announced to the crowd, ‘Basketball is just a game. I don’t care about my status as an official. I want to be a better man.’”
George, who Sirmons describes as a modern-day Mr. Rogers, performed the baptism and proceeded to tell him, “You’ve got to forgive your mom.” The last time they spoke was 1997.
Twenty-two years. Twentytwo Mother’s Days. Twenty-two
Left: Doug Sirmons reconciled with his mom, Brenda, in 2020 following a lengthy estrangement.
Right: Sirmons surprised his wife, Tiv, and her family on her 55th birthday when he announced they were also having their wedding that same day.
birthdays. Twenty-two years of silence.
Sirmons thought he would write her a letter to bring healing and forgiveness. He signed the letter simply, “Doug.” To this day, with a look of regret and tears in his eyes, Sirmons admits, “I couldn’t even say, ‘Love, Doug.’ We got married the following year and I did not invite her. I wanted to hurt her.”
Another surprise for his future wife was when Sirmons threw a party for her on her 55th birthday. Little did Tiv know this was also going to be her wedding day.
“Here’s the deal,” he said, a phrase he uses often. “I didn’t want to have a long engagement, didn’t want to deal with selecting four or eight people to stand up with us, all the pre-wedding drama, etc. I was 50 years old. All we needed was me, Tiv, Pastor George and the Lord.”
“When I found out I was getting married, my emotions were a whirlwind,” Tiv Sirmons said. “What was supposed to be a birthday party with playful roasts and laughter turned into the most beautiful surprise of my life. Shock washed over me as I stood there, stunned and speechless, trying to process that this was not just a celebration for another year around the sun, but the beginning of a lifelong commitment.
“It was overwhelming in the best possible way. My heart raced with disbelief, joy and a touch of nervousness as I realized that, surrounded by friends and family, I was about to marry Doug Sirmons. It was a moment I will never forget: the perfect blend of surprise, love and sheer happiness.”
Not long after the wedding Tiv pleaded with her new husband, “You’ve got to make up with your mom.”
“All I kept thinking about was what kind of example was I setting for my kids and grandkids,” Sirmons said.
A few days later he did go visit his mother and make things right. “There was a lot of crying, and she hugged me so tight. ’You can let go, Mom. I am coming back; I promise you I am coming back.’”
“God answers prayer. I said, ‘Thank you, Jesus. Thank you for sending him back to me,’” Brenda said.
“I have seen Doug go from the man who did not want anything to do with his mother, to doing everything he can to keep his family together,” Patterson said. “He is always honest, and he works hard every night. How many guys do you know that have worked nine Final Fours that would go back and work a D-II game to encourage another official?”
That official was Gabe Tucker.
The 2012 camp “was my very first camp at Middle Tennessee,” Tucker said. “I had
drawn Doug’s floor. He was my evaluator. And the only thing that I remember Doug telling me was I needed to do something about my hair. I had it bleached white, and he called me ‘The Nature Boy.’
“Doug was a straight shooter. He told you what you needed to hear, not what you wanted to hear. Not knowing him, one could have drawn the conclusion that Doug was a standoffish kind of a guy. A guy that was arrogant, that would not take the time to somehow become friends with a young official.
“After that camp, I stayed connected with Doug throughout the following season, calling or texting from time to time, just to say hey or ask about a specific play. I suppose in my mind, he was answering politely. That was not the case at all. In fact, for the next several seasons and camps, the conversations happened more frequently, and we talked about a lot of other things than just officiating. A true friendship had formed. Doug became like part of my family.”
Proverbs says, “Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but deceitful are the kisses of an enemy.”
Your best friends are the ones who will tell you the most truth. Tucker is hardly the only
Top left: Doug Sirmons has been a mentor to many fellow NCAA officials, including Gabe Tucker, whom he befriended at a camp in 2012.
Top right: Sirmons finds himself part of a heated exchange with former Kentucky coach John Calipari.
fellow official to speak highly of Sirmons’ willingness to help a brother in stripes.
“Doug Sirmons has been an incredible blessing in my life, both as a friend and a mentor,” said NBA official Mitchell Ervin. “I affectionately call him Uncle Dougie Fresh, not because he has a soul — he does have some swagger — but because I know he possesses a genuine care for people and a deep commitment to the profession of officiating.”
“Doug Sirmons is more than a good partner on the floor. He is a tremendous friend and partner off the floor as well,” said NCAA D-I official Brooks Wells. “Doug is very thoughtful, always the first text message I receive on my birthday every single year, and I did not even know he knew when my birthday was years ago. When I was just starting in Division I basketball, we would go to breakfast, lunch or dinner and Doug always made the ‘young guy’ feel included and take care of everything.”
Nomi Kidwai, another D-I official, said of Sirmons, “Doug has been a huge influence on me and my life. I learned quickly that his teaching style is old school. He is very direct and does
not pull any punches. However, he will help you if you are willing to listen and put in the necessary work. If you ask for his opinion, he will give it to you straight whether you like it or not. That is exactly what I needed to hear, which helped me realize what I needed to work on if I wanted a future in this profession.”
Sirmons has a heart of gratitude today. On the basketball side he is quick to mention the late John Guthrie and Dick Bowie, two men who successfully passed the baton to Sirmons.
“Dick Bowie was ahead of his time and did not hold my age/youthfulness against me,” Sirmons said. “He took great interest in my development and constantly provided me feedback and instruction along with giving me games to work. He was teaching our high school staff the NBA three-official mechanics before college instituted it — so when they did, I already knew how to work it. He fast-tracked my development because he could see the future of officiating and was years ahead of any other high school association in the country. Because of this, I was five years ahead of everybody else in my training, even though I was younger than everybody else.
“If it were not for John Guthrie, I would not be where I am in officiating today. He saw the training I had when I attended his camp and was able to project me as a future crew chief at the age of 21. Even when I did not see it, he saw what I could be in the future and was the first coordinator to go to bat for me by calling small-college supervisors to hire me while I was still in college. He then hired me at 24 in my first D-I league and hired me in the SEC at the age of 28 while also being my advocate for other major D-I coordinators.”
Away from basketball, Doug and Tiv are now focused on being positive role models for their children and grandchildren.
“I never had biological children of my own. When I met Tiv, her kids were ages 9 and 6. I never saw them as infants or toddlers,” Sirmons said. “With our grandkids, it is as if they were my very own kids. I have been blessed to see them on arrival and watch all of them grow. The unconditional love they show me has no boundaries and I find immense joy in helping them shape their values. I would protect them with my life.”
“When Doug and I are with my kids and grandkids, I prefer
not to say mine but really, they are our kids and grandkids, it fills me with such happiness,” Tiv Sirmons said. “He treats them like his own, even though he never had children himself. He is confident in thinking he knows how to raise them, and it is funny at times. Of course, he skipped out on the tough stuff — no late-night feedings, diaper changes or dealing with sick kids for him. He definitely gets the fun parts, all the smiles, games and good moments.
“But what matters most is that I can see how much he absolutely loves them. And now, with his newfound faith, that love feels even deeper and more meaningful. It is a blessing to have someone in my life who embraces my family with so much love and joy.”
“The grandkids call me Papa. One of the greatest joys I have received is when my 11-year-old granddaughter, Addison, asked me to baptize her. She could have asked anybody, but she chose me,” Sirmons said. “This gave me confirmation that I was shedding God’s light in my walk and faith — that was evident with my grandchildren.”
“He wants to do the right thing every single day when it comes to his faith walk and being a believer in Jesus Christ,” Patterson said. “His faith is his prime mission. He’s realized basketball has given him a platform. His success on the court has led to opportunities off the court.”
Have you ever seen a turtle on a fence post? You know he had some help getting there.
“Early in his career he thought his success was all him and today he recognizes it was God’s plan all along,” Patterson continued. “Basketball used to be his life and today he is using his platform to glorify Christ through officiating college basketball.
“His walk is so important; he wants to be an example to his grandkids in their faith. That movie, ‘I Can Only Imagine,’ was the centerpiece that put the puzzle together.”
What does that puzzle look like? His mom describes it
“We have a very close relationship,” Brenda said. “The past is forgotten. The future is filled with love and closeness.”
Forgiveness.
Michael Clark, Charlotte, Mich., is a veteran of the United States Air Force and officiates high school football, basketball and baseball. *
Bottom left:
Doug Sirmons converses with Central Florida coach Johnny Dawkins during an NCAA Division I basketball game. Bottom right: Sirmons took the court with Jeffrey Anderson (left) and Terry Wymer to work the 2018 NCAA title game between Michigan and Villanova.
SCOTT TITTRINGTON
WHAT ARE WE WAITING FOR?
Bench Bad Bench Behavior Early
By Vlad Figueroa
Often in our games we face challenges to our authority as officials, our calls or even our no-calls.
Fans will always do that, because that is what they do: support their
team at all costs, and if something goes wrong it will always be the officials who take the blame. When you first start as a newer official, you are told by your instructors and mentors that you need to develop a “thick skin” to all of this. As long as they don’t get personal and it
does not get dangerous to you and/ or your crew, we must develop some tolerance for whatever the fans are saying. As a newer official it is sometimes hard to ignore these comments that come from the stands and focus on the game at hand, but it is necessary if we want to be around
When the behavior of a coach or other bench personnel becomes unacceptable and begins to negatively influence a game, officials such as Fatri Abazi, Los Angeles, have several tools at their disposal, including bench conduct warnings and technical fouls.
this business for a long time.
Sometimes this awful behavior not only comes from the fans or parents in the stands, but also from the teams’ benches, whether it is from the head coaches themselves or the bench personnel. What do we do when these challenges occur? Do we just ignore when substitutes, coaches, assistant coaches or any other bench personnel are the ones yelling at us in disagreement about any aspect of our job performance during that given game? Do we also simply have to have a thick skin when the benches are misbehaving?
Again, if you are looking to forge a career as a basketball official you must have a degree of tolerance with coaches and bench personnel. But when is it too much and when do you have to draw that line? Every official has a breaking point. And like it or not, most of us wait to get to that breaking point and then want to go straight to the strict punishment of assessing a technical foul to the coach or to the bench.
But there are ways to manage these situations before calling a technical foul. Remember that by rule, the head coach is responsible for the team’s bench behavior (NFHS 10-5; NCAAM 10-3.2, 10-4.2; NCAAW 10-12.5). Therefore, as a first step, a great way to handle bench decorum is to talk directly to head coaches. Let them know what concerns you are having about their bench’s behavior.
At both the NFHS and NCAAW levels, if the head coach blows off your attempt at dialogue or refuses to address the problem as you have requested — and let’s remember that in some of these cases head coaches are a part of the problem — we can then move to another rulebook tool at our disposal: the bench conduct warning (NFHS 4-48; NCAAW Appendix II, Sec. 1). This is a formal
warning that is logged into the official scorebook, where we let the official scorer know to write down the warning and indicate the time on the clock when it was issued. It is very important that when we issue an official bench conduct warning, we let our partners know with a firm voice (that everyone in the gym can hear), “Coach has been warned! The bench has been warned!” That way, if the problem is not resolved and the troublesome behavior continues or escalates, we won’t have another unknowing official issue another warning. The next course of action is a technical foul.
The most common unsporting behaviors from the bench include addressing an official in a disrespectful manner, attempting to influence an official’s decision, inappropriate language or gestures, and disrespectfully addressing, baiting or taunting an opponent. These behaviors and more are listed in each rule code. If one or more of these unsporting behaviors happen in the first quarter, address it! Waiting and/or ignoring the behavior makes your crew look weak, lacking in game control and game management. When these types of behaviors from the bench are not addressed, they only escalate and get worse.
When we address these issues early, everybody in the gym sees that we’re handling the situation and keeping control of the game. If we can’t control the benches, it quickly leads to a disaster where everybody is arguing and challenging our calls, coaches running up and down the sidelines, players are getting up off their chairs to voice their displeasure when they disagree with the officials, and more.
It doesn’t matter at which level you’re currently working, there are rules that provide plenty of tools for us to deal with bad behavior from the bench. We must handle our business and use our toolbox to ensure the best environment for our game.
Vlad Figueroa, Orlando, Fla., officiates college women’s and high school basketball, and high school football. He has worked both the FHSAA and GHSA state tournaments in basketball. *
BY THE NUMBERS
NBA official Mark Lindsay reached the notable 1,000-game threshold Jan. 17 in the Boston Celtics’ 121-94 victory against the Orlando Magic at TD Garden in Boston. Now in his 18th season, the Pennsylvania native has also worked 37 postseason games and the 2023 NBA All-Star Game.
DID YOU KNOW?
When it comes to determining which team will have the throwin to start a quarter or half, such administration is not consistent across all levels of basketball. In NFHS and NCAA play, the team that has the alternatingpossession arrow at the start of a quarter (NFHS, NCAAW) or the second half (NCAAM) is awarded the throw-in, and it takes place opposite the scorer’s table at the division line.
However, professional basketball does things differently. In the NBA, WNBA and G League, whichever team wins the opening tip to start the game also receives the throw-in to begin the fourth quarter, while the opposing team receives it to start both the second and third quarters. Each of these throw-ins takes place at the opponent’s endline.
THEY SAID IT
“It used to be kind of a big part of officiating was knowing which players had fouls, like especially the big man, not to get him an early foul. I think that era is kind of over with. Everything being on film, we’ve just got to be right, so we can’t manipulate the game. We’re not doing the clock. We’re not doing the book. We shouldn’t know how many fouls each player has.”
–Camp instructor Paul Diasparra via the Crown Refs Facebook page
TEST YOURSELF
In each of the following, decide which answer or answers are correct for NFHS, NCAA men’s and NCAA women’s rules, which might vary. Solutions: p. 81.
1. During the game’s opening jump ball, non-jumpers A1 and B2 step into the center jump circle at the same time after the official tosses the ball, but before the ball is tipped by either jumper. How shall play be resumed?
a. Team A shall receive a throw-in.
b. Team B shall receive a throw-in.
c. The jump ball shall be readministered between any two players.
d. The jump ball shall be readministered between A1 and B2.
2. A1 is pressured dribbling the ball in team A’s backcourt. With one second remaining in the 10-second backcourt count, and three seconds remaining on the game clock, A1 shoots from team A’s backcourt toward team A’s basket. The ball is still airborne when the backcourt count reaches 10, and the game clock expires. A1’s shot does not hit the rim. What is the result?
a. 10-second backcourt violation.
b. Shot clock violation.
c. No violation; the quarter (NFHS, NCAAW) or half (NCAAM) had ended.
3. A1 is holding the ball for the first of two free throws. A2, who is in a marked lane space, steps into the lane before A1 releases the ball. Which of the following is true?
a. A1’s first free throw is canceled, and play resumes with A1’s second free-throw attempt.
b. Since A1 had not released the try, A1 shall receive a substitute first free throw, followed by a second free throw.
c. A2’s violation is ignored if A1 shoots the free throw, and it is not successful.
d. A2s violation is only penalized if A1’s first free-throw try is successful.
4. Which is true of music being played and the use of artificial noisemakers?
a. Music can play and artificial noisemakers can be used during pregame, intermissions, timeouts and any dead ball.
b. Music can play and artificial noisemakers can be used during pregame, intermissions, timeouts and replay review.
c. Music can play during pregame, intermissions, timeouts and any dead ball, and artificial noisemakers can be used during pregame, intermissions and timeouts.
d. Music can play during pregame, intermissions and timeouts, and use of artificial noisemakers is prohibited at all times.
A Detailed Dive Into Data
By Tim Sloan
Themost successful basketball officials today share a common trait: relentless self-evaluation. Yes, they are routinely observed by supervisors, clinicians and governing bodies, but they do best by taking a hard look at themselves.
A growing trend is state offices and college leagues providing their officials unlimited access to video of their games. The officials use the same video feed as the ones the teams share to prepare for their next opponents. Unfortunately, officials don’t exploit the use of this video as well as they could. They tend to go in and view a couple of key plays they called, leaving behind a lot of fodder for selfhelp. That’s often because they lack an objective and efficient system for breaking down video to identify their strengths and weaknesses. The good news is it isn’t that hard. Let’s see how this can be done, with minimal time and effort.
In the past couple of seasons, my basketball crew took to reviewing some of our game videos from beginning to end. We logged every call or no-call and performed an analysis of those decisions. In Iowa, we receive video on HUDL, and I will download the entire game to my own desktop. Once there, I use Adobe Premiere to work through the game; I like that platform because I can fast-forward through stoppages, timeouts and unimportant action to the calls of interest; it also freeze-frames.
At each call opportunity, I populate a spreadsheet with the following information: Quarter, time, home or visitor, infraction, shooting or not, call or no call, correct or incorrect, and who made the decision and which position they were in; for us, these considerations focus the analysis better. I can determine the quarter and time of each event from the inset in the HUDL video. That’s important to know so that, as a crew, we can easily go back and locate interesting situations to study. We note the infractions as a series of three-letter acronyms for violations (see key, next page). We
ignore out-of-bounds calls and held balls, but still are left with 60-80 cataloged decisions in a typical game. I can capture all this information in about 45 minutes, using a spreadsheet like the one on the next page (chart 1).
The important thing is we grade every decision as “correct” or “incorrect,” no matter how close, marginal or subjective it might be. The freeze-frame function gets heavy use here. There is no forgiveness for difficulty for two reasons: The best officials tend to get the bangbang calls right anyway, so that should be our objective. Also, the coaches affected by these calls will be checking them, too; if it matters to them, it matters to us. By eliminating gray areas in this way, the analysis reduces to questions of fact. That lends itself to a statistical analysis, which tends to be very revealing; the presentation can tell us things we wouldn’t otherwise realize.
If you’re proficient with Microsoft Excel, you’ve got it made; you can imagine how to use pivot tables and filters to extract spreadsheet data into useful summaries and comparisons. Even if you aren’t, you can break the data down by hand into useful matrices. The following examples illustrate some of the things you can learn about your personal and crew mechanics, judgment, rules knowledge and even unintended biases. The analysis is based on a hypothetical game, won 60-57 by the visitors, officiated by Al, Barb, and Chuck.
A good starting place is tracking the number of decisions made by each crewmember, by position (chart 3). It shows similar numbers of fouls at each position, but that might be troubling; some trainers would argue the center official should be making a higher percentage of all calls. Is the center in our case not watching the off-ball play enough, or not following in on drives to the basket?
Chart 2 answers that question: The center’s foul calls cover a range of infractions, while the lead official has been busy with freedom of movement calls — nine of them between hand-
checks and holding. If traffic has been heavy in the paint, this might be a reasonable number; if the lead is cleaning up what the center is missing, that’s a concern. A way to check on this is to count the number of fouls on players in the act of shooting. The lead should be making more of these calls on secondary defenders, which are typically less frequent than what the center and trail might call on primaries.
Chart 4 provides this analysis. It turns out the lead’s number of shooting fouls is comparable to the center and trail. In fact, unless the game has involved a lot of perimeter shooting fouls, the trail’s and center’s combined 12 shooting fouls are encouraging; the data indicates they’re indeed taking the ball to the hoop.
The log can also be filtered to yield useful information. An interesting analysis breaks down who was making incorrect decisions, and about what.
Chart 5 lists nine, eight of which were “no calls” that should have been made. It looks like Al and Barb should go back through the video and analyze why they were passing on five dribbling violations between them.
Another area of interest could be how the crew’s behavior varies with factors like fatigue or stage of
the game: Do they call differently in the fourth quarter than the first, for example? Similarly, do they tend to call more fouls against the visitors? All this information is available from the data, but any conclusions should be based on more than one game.
The beauty of this analytical approach is the data from many games can be pooled to produce more
resolution: More data is more certainty. In the game in question, there were 16 fouls against the home team and 23 against the visitors, even though the latter won. That might not be significant, but if the total from 10-15 games shows the same pattern, it may be time for some introspection. I’ve only covered five analyses here. The possibilities are endless,
CASEPLAYS
Continuous Motion
Play: A1 has the ball and begins the shooting motion to attempt a three-point goal. Prior to A1 releasing the ball, an official blows the whistle and assesses a technical foul to (a) A2, or (b) B3 for yelling at the official about a no-call during a play that had just occurred. A1 continues the shooting motion, releases the ball and the try is successful. Shall the basket count? Ruling: In (a), the ball shall become dead immediately when the whistle is blown when there is a foul committed by a player of the team in control of the ball. Since A1 was still in player control of the ball when the technical foul on A2 occurred, the ball is dead, and A1’s try shall not count. In (b), continuous motion applies to a try for goal when there is a foul by a defensive player between the interval that begins when the normal throwing movement starts a try and ends when the ball is clearly in flight. It does not matter if the foul is a personal foul or a technical foul. A1 was in continuous motion when the technical foul on B3 occurred, and therefore, the ball does not become dead immediately, and A1’s try shall count (NFHS 4-11, 6-7-7 Exc. c; NCAAM 4-8, 6-5.1.f, 6-6.2; NCAAW 4-7, 6-5.1.f, 6-6.2).
Distraction During Free Throw Play : A1 is holding the ball for the first of two free throws during the first half of play. As A1 is starting to shoot the ball, several team members on team B’s bench yell toward the court and A1. A1 continues the try, which is unsuccessful. Are the actions of team B’s bench personnel legal? Ruling : Opponents are not allowed to distract (NFHS) or disconcert (NCAAM/W) the freethrow shooter. This includes any opponent, whether a player or bench personnel. If the officials deem team B’s team members yelling as A1 was starting to shoot the free throw distracted (NFHS) or disconcerted (NCAAM/W) A1, then a violation shall be called on team B, and A1 shall be awarded a substitute free throw (NFHS 9-1-3c; NCAAM 9-1.1.f; NCAAW 9-1.1.f, AR 8-9).
and easily tailored to the issues and challenges within your own crew. We’ve seen how questions raised by one analysis can be answered with another because we’ve recorded sufficient detail for each event. With a little practice, the data will start telling you a lot of interesting things that merely staring at video might never reveal. You can then use that information to plan how to improve, then gather more data to track your progress.
There is very little rocket science here. If you can manage basic software
without need of your resident 8-yearold, you can start reaping the benefits quickly. Instead of waiting months for an evaluator to get out to see you, you can perform your own self-evaluation after every game if you want. Accepting what it tells you and acting upon it will make your development curve that much steeper.
Learn the truth about yourself and your crew and get better because of it. Tim Sloan, Davenport, Iowa, is a high school football, basketball and volleyball official, and former college football and soccer official. *
What Can You Do With 0.3 Seconds?
By René Ferrán
There’s 44.4 seconds remaining in the third quarter of a tight ballgame. You’re inbounding the ball underneath team A’s basket, and A1’s pass is deflected directly out-of-bounds by B1.
You look up at the clock, and it still shows 44.4 seconds.
What can you do?
Now, the quarter has worked its way down to 0.3 seconds remaining when the ball goes out of bounds under team B’s basket. B1 throws the ball to B2 in the corner, who catches and heaves the ball toward the basket, swishing through the net as the horn sounds.
What can you do?
In the first scenario, it depends on whether we’re talking about a high school or college game. With the second, it doesn’t matter, as all three rulebooks agree.
Scenario 1: Deflection With No Time Running Off
The NCAAM and NCAAW rulebooks have near-identical wording to handle a situation where the timer does not start the clock when it displays tenths of a second in the last 59.9 seconds of a half (NCAAM), quarter (NCAAW) or overtime:
“If the ball is legally touched inbounds, and an official immediately signals to stop the game clock, a
minimum of 3/10ths (.3) of a second must expire on the game clock” (NCAAM/W 5-10-2.d).
Similarly, if a shot clock displays tenths of a second with less than five seconds in the shot-clock period, a minimum of 3/10ths (.3) of a second must expire on the shot clock if the ball is legally touched inbounds and the official immediately signals to stop the clock (NCAAM/W 5-10-3.d).
So, in our scenario, in a college men’s or women’s game, when the clock didn’t run when the ball was legally touched inbounds and the official immediately stopped the clock because the ball deflected out of bounds, the referee would have the timer set the game clock to 44.1 seconds.
However, if a player violates rule 9-6-1 on the inbounds pass by intentionally kicking the ball or striking it with a fist, the clock would not run as the ball was not legally touched inbounds.
So, in a high school game, can we apply the same logic when we see no time ran off the clock in our scenario?
You would not have any rulebook support for such a decision. NFHS rule 5-10-1 simply states that the referee “may correct an obvious mistake by the timer to start or stop the clock properly only when the referee has definite information relative to the time involved.”
While logic dictates that at least three-tenths of a second had to elapse in this situation, you can’t apply that logic to adjust the clock.
“The official can only have time taken off if they have definite knowledge of how much time should be taken off, not just that time should have come off the clock,” said Cam Rust, the Oregon Schools Activities Association’s state rules interpreter. “There is no support to suggest at least 0.3 must come off.”
However, Rust also pointed out that the next article of rule 5-10 could help an official in this situation. Rule 5-10-2 states that if the referee “determines the clock … was not started/stopped properly, or if the clock did not run, an official’s count or other official information may be used to make a correction.”
“If an official is actually counting in that situation, just in case, they could take 0.3 off,” he explained. “It does not have to be a visible count or even a count that has anything to do with the game rules, such as a five- or 10-second
count. It could simply be a random count ‘just because.’”
In a tight game, he suggests this as an advanced officiating technique any time determining tenths of a second might matter: when the ball is touched on a throw-in, silently count 1-Mis-sissip-pi, 2-Mis-sis-sip-pi or 1-thousand-1, 1-thousand-2.
Each syllable provides you roughly 0.25 seconds, so if you got to the “sip” in Mississippi when you blow your whistle, you know at least 0.75 seconds elapsed. You now have definite information you can use to adjust the clock — in our scenario, to 43.6 seconds.
Scenario 2: Attempting a Shot with 0.3 Seconds or Less Remaining
This situation is easier to adjudicate, as all three rule sets have similar language regarding what can happen when the game clock (or, in college games where the shot clock displays tenths of a second) reads 0.3 seconds or less and play is resumed with a throwin or free throw.
In all three, “a player may not
gain control of the ball and try for a field goal” (NFHS 5-2-5; NCAAM/W 5-1.19).
The NCAA rulebooks add that “such player can only score a field goal by means of a tap of a pass or of a missed free throw,” while the NFHS simply says, “In this situation only a tap could score.”
So, in our scenario, the official would wave off the shot attempt as taking place after time expired, since the player caught (gained control) of the ball prior to attempting the try.
Too bad the ball didn’t go out of bounds a tenth of a second sooner. Then, that desperation heave would count, since 0.4 is the minimum amount of time necessary to “catch and shoot.”
Of course, a video review would have to confirm whether the shooter released the ball before time expired. But that’s another discussion entirely. René Ferrán is a freelance writer and editor who lives in Portland, Ore. He officiates high school basketball and baseball, as well as youth soccer. *
EDITOR: JEFFREY STERN jstern@referee.com
EDITOR: JOE JAROSZ jjarosz@referee.com
THREE ‘I’S’ ON THE PLAY
Intentional Grounding, Illegal Touching and Ineligible Downfield
By Jason Nickleby
Crew cohesion and concentration are essential for officiating crews at all levels of football. Crews must align on rules philosophy and call selection. Discrepancies in these areas frustrate players, coaches, spectators and the crew itself. These challenges are magnified in complex play situations involving multiple officials, intricate rules and philosophical considerations. Three such play types involve intentional grounding, illegal touching and ineligibles downfield.
NFHS rules state an illegal forward pass includes one thrown to
an area not occupied by an eligible receiver or thrown incomplete to conserve yardage or time (7-52d). Exceptions include a player who is positioned directly behind the snapper who may throw the ball directly to the ground to conserve time and must do so immediately after receiving the snap that has neither been muffed nor touched the ground. Furthermore, it is legal for a player to conserve yardage by intentionally throwing an incomplete forward pass if all of the following conditions are met: the passer has possessed the ball beyond the lateral boundary of the free blocking zone as established at the snap, the pass
reaches the neutral zone or the extension of the neutral zone beyond the sideline and the passer is the only player to have possessed the football after the snap ends (7-5-2d Exc.). Clearly, a number of definitions and considerations exist to determine if a forward pass is illegal.
In NCAA rules, the main difference is that a player can legally “clock” the ball to conserve time even after muffing the snap, as long as the ball has not touched the ground (7-3-2f). Additionally, the NCAA uses the tackle box (2-34-1) instead of the free blocking zone for purposes of exceptions, which is slightly wider (one yard on each side). When
San Diego officials (from left) John Gill, Leonard Blevins and Nathan Thernes gather to discuss a penalty situation. Fouls like intentional grounding, illegal touching and ineligibles downfield often require the crew to piece together many elements from multiple crew members.
evaluating for intentional grounding, officials must consider if the passer was under duress, whether the pass reached the neutral zone or an area occupied by an eligible team A receiver and what the score, time, field position and game situation dictate.
When in doubt, if a receiver is near the area or the pass lands or would have landed in or near the neutral zone, officials should err on the side of no foul. The philosophy dictates officials give the passer the benefit of the doubt when judging intent or distance.
If the pass is from within the free blocking zone (NFHS) or the tackle box (NCAA), officials need to know if the pass is being made to conserve time or yardage. If so, the passer is more likely to be committing a foul.
A passer can always buy himself out of a foul by throwing a legal forward pass (initial direction toward the opponent’s endline) into an area occupied by an eligible receiver, as detailed in NCAA Officiating Standards 7-6. Many high school governing bodies would accept “in the area” to include eligible receivers being afforded seven yards of difference if they are coming back to the pass and five yards if they are going away. When in doubt, by philosophy, the receiver is considered to be in the area.
When it comes to that distance piece, some consideration needs to be given to whether a pass is batted down or touched by the opponent and some judgment needs to come into play on whether or not that pass would have made it to an area occupied by an eligible receiver. Furthermore, if the passing motion is started prior to contact by the defender, consider that the passer was attempting to make the pass to an area occupied by an eligible receiver or to the neutral zone. If the passing motion is initiated after contact, less leeway is given and in many cases, no margin for error is allowed and the football must reach the area as defined above.
This concept is further complicated by the need to understand what constitutes eligible
receivers. First, they must be eligible by number, which requires the receiver may not have a number between 50-79 in typical 11-player football. Secondly, the receiver must be eligible by position by establishing himself at the snap as either a back or as a lineman on the end of the scrimmage line (NFHS 7-5-6; NCAA 7-3-3c). Any player that does not meet this criteria is ineligible throughout the down unless the pass is touched by an opponent (NFHS and NCAA) and/ or official (NCAA). These players are not considered eligible receivers in the area for intentional grounding purposes.
An ineligible receiver who intentionally touches a legal forward pass commits illegal touching (NFHS 7-5-13; NCAA 7-3-11). Incidental contact, such as a pass striking a lineman’s back, is not a foul.
In NCAA, an eligible receiver at the snap can become ineligible during the down by going out of bounds on his own volition and not due to contact by the opponent (7-34). If the receiver reestablishes in the field of play or end zone and is the first to touch the legal forward pass before it is touched by an opponent or official, he commits an illegal touching foul, penalized by a loss of down at the previous spot. If the receiver catches the ball, it is still a catch and all clock rules would apply. Illegal touching of a legal forward pass by an originally ineligible player calls for a five-yard penalty from the previous spot and a loss of down in both codes (NFHS 7-5-13 Pen.; NCAA 7-3-11 Pen.). This would include touching that occurs in the end zone. It is critical that crews know who is eligible to begin the down and communicate, especially in light of the use of headsets, with other crewmates on receivers who were covered up and subsequently touch a pass. On a single play, it is reasonably possible a crew must consider intentional grounding, ineligible receiver downfield and illegal touching all in the same action. Consider the implications of the penalty for each foul before enforcing. Remember, intentional
THE NUMBERS
14.3 Fouls per game in FBS during the 2024 regular season.
17.4 % Percentage of all fouls in FBS that were offensive holding, making it the most frequent foul.
16.2% Share of all fouls in FBS that were false starts, making it the second-most frequent foul.
8.5% Share of all fouls in FBS that were defensive pass interference, making it the third-most frequent foul.
7.7% Share of all fouls in FBS that were defensive offside, making it the fourth-most frequent foul.
SOURCE: NCAA/CFO BY
BECAME REQUIRED EQUIPMENT
TEST YOURSELF
In each of the following you are given a situation and at least two possible answers. You are to decide which answer or answers are correct for NFHS and NCAA rules, which might vary. Note: In kicking situations, K is the kicking team, R the receiving team. Solutions: p.81.
1. What is the maximum number of captains that may represent each team at the coin toss?
a. Three.
b. Four
c. Five.
b. There is no limit.
2. Third and 20 at team A’s 25 yardline. A1’s legal forward pass falls to the ground untouched and incomplete at the 50 yardline in the area of eligible A2. Before the pass was released, B3 was flagged for holding eligible A4 at team A’s 30 yardline. The penalty is accepted.
a. The penalty is five yards only.
b. The penalty is five yards and an automatic first down.
c. The penalty is 10 yards only.
d. The penalty is 10 yards and an automatic first down.
3. First and 10 for team A from its own three yardline. A1 drops back to pass and is in his own end zone when B2 legally hits A1 so hard that A1’s helmet flies off.
a. The ball remains live.
b. The ball becomes dead immediately
c. The ball should be returned to the previous spot and the down replayed.
d. The result is a safety.
e. The result is a touchback.
4. K1’s untouched free kick is caught by K2 and there are no team R players anywhere near the spot of the catch, which is made seven yards beyond team K’s freekick line.
a. Kick-catch interference by K2.
b. First (NFHS) or illegal (NCAA) touching by K2.
c. The penalty is five yards from the previous spot.
d. The penalty is 15 yards from the previous spot or 15 yards from the spot of the foul.
e. There is no foul or penalty yardage; it is simply team R’s ball at the spot of the catch.
grounding is included as an illegal forward pass and therefore illegal touching fouls are not possible when the pass was illegal. Crew communication and mechanics are paramount in piecing together all the information for intentional grounding or illegal touching fouls. Referees, umpires (if positioned in the offensive backfield) or center judges, use field landmarks to your advantage when determining the free blocking zone or tackle box at the snap. Hashmarks and goalposts are good references, for example. Wing and deep officials, take a mental snapshot when the ball hits the ground or something out of bounds as to whether or not an eligible receiver was in the area and whether or not the ball reached the neutral zone. If an eligible receiver is in the area, point at that receiver after signaling the pass incomplete so all crewmates are aware of your determination. If no eligible receiver is in the area, signal incomplete and then relay secondary information audibly over your headset or via an in-person conversation. Remember that by philosophy, when in doubt the passer is outside of the free blocking zone (NFHS) or tackle box (NCAA) and an eligible receiver is in the area.
When the pass is thrown, the referee should move toward that spot to officiate dead-ball action and to mark the spot of the pass for purposes of potential intentional grounding penalty enforcement.
If you are a center judge or an umpire in a center judge position, your initial alignment is at the left tackle and you should maintain that position for the duration of the down until the passer crosses your face. You will officiate insideout with the passer becoming your primary responsibility and if your local or state association dictates, you would assume the task of dropping the flag for intentional grounding if the situation dictates.
Once the referee has received the information from other officials, the referee (or center judge) can start processing to determine if a foul has been committed based on the factors
described earlier. You should already know if the passer was within the free blocking zone or tackle box and if the passer was under duress. If the pass did not either make it to an area occupied by an eligible receiver or make it to the neutral zone after the passer has been outside the tackle box/free blocking zone, it is a foul and a flag should be dropped. You should efficiently deliver the penalty announcement and move on with the next play. Take time to ensure proper enforcement (including the next down), but work to limit delays in the process to avoid indecision. If the passer is outside the free blocking zone (NFHS) or tackle box (NCAA) and the pass reached the neutral zone, referees equipped with stadium mics can make an announcement to this effect to describe why there is no foul.
Play 1: Second and eight at team A’s two yardline. A1 drops back into his end zone and while under duress from within the free blocking zone or tackle box, throws a pass to (a)an area occupied by eligible A2 that falls incomplete, or (b) an area that is occupied by eligible A3 that is intentionally touched by ineligible A4 and falls incomplete, or (c) touched intentionally by ineligible A5 with no eligible receiver in the area and falls incomplete. Ruling 1: In (a), there is no foul. In (b), illegal touching has occurred and enforcement will leave team A with third and nine from its own one yardline. In (c), intentional grounding has occurred and team B scores a safety. Keep in mind there may be situations where the offended team would decline such penalties (NCAA 7-3-7c) or a 10-second subtraction would apply (NCAA 3-4-4). If a 10-second subtraction is applied, the clock would start on the ready for play, including on the subsequent safety kick (NFHS 2-17-1, 3-4-2, 7-2-5, 7-5-2d, 7-5-5, 7-5-6, 7-513, 10-5-3; NCAA 2-34, 7-2-4a, 3-3-2e, 7-3-2h, 7-3-3, 7-3-11, 10-2-2c).
Play 2: A1 controls the snap from the right hash and rolls out six yards to his right. Finding no receiver open, he makes his way back to the middle of the field toward the See “Three ‘I’s’” p.69
Side – L ned Straight
Plays involving the sideline can present straight-line angle issues for officials. Possession, contact, forward progress and out of bounds are just a few of the many things to consider on this type of play.
For the sake of discussion, let’s assume the player in the black uniform is in possession of the ball. Officials must determine whether possession is maintained until the runner is ruled down or out of bounds.
The runner is neither down, as no body part beside his feet are touching the ground, nor out of bounds as the ball and his body are inbounds (NFHS 4-2-2; NCAA 4-1-3).
The player in white trailing the runner is out of bounds as his leg is touching the sideline. The ball is not dead as it is in player possession. It is not dead even if it is loose, because the player out of bounds is not touching the ball itself. Remember, the concept often described as “electricity” is incorrect. Just because the player out of bounds is touching the player who is in possession of the ball or touching the ball when it is in player possession, the ball does not become dead (NFHS 2-29, 4-2-2; NCAA 2-27-15, 4-2-2, 4-2-3).
Forward progress spot and clock status could be crucial in this type of play, especially on fourth down or late in a half. If the runner is ruled down or his forward progress is stopped inbounds, the covering official should give a winding signal to indicate that ruling. If the runner is ruled out of bounds, the covering official should give a signal to stop the clock (NFHS 3-4-3; NCAA 3-3-2). Depending on the progress spot and the deadball action between opponents, the covering official might be delayed in observing the status of the clock, which is where other members of the crew can be valuable.
CASEPLAYS
Second
Punt Play: Fourth and 10 on team K’s 30 yardline. K1’s punt is blocked behind the line and is muffed several times without crossing the neutral zone. K1 recovers the ball, punts it again and the ball rolls to a stop at team R’s 30 yardline. Is it legal for K1 to kick the ball more than once in that manner? Ruling: Under both codes that is a legal play. Team R will snap the ball from its 30 yardline. Under NFHS rules, the ball remains live when team K recovers it behind the line even if it crossed the neutral zone. Under NCAA rules, the ball is dead when team K recovers it anywhere after crossing the neutral zone. In the play described, the ball didn’t cross the neutral zone until K1’s second kick (NFHS 6-2-1; NCAA 2-16-1b, 4-1-3e, 6-3-1a, 6-3-2a).
Snapper Doesn’t Release Ball Play: First and 10 for team A from its own 20 yardline. A1 begins a snap to the quarterback A2. The ball touches A2’s hands, but A1 never releases the ball and simply holds it in position behind him as A2 fakes having the ball and moves away from the line. A3 cuts in, grabs the ball from A1 and advances. Ruling: That is an illegal snap. One of the requirements of a legal snap is that the ball leaves the snapper’s hand immediately during the snapping motion. The officials should blow the play dead when it is obvious A1 still has the ball. The penalty is five yards and after enforcement the result is first and 15 from team A’s 15 yardline (NFHS 2-40-2; NCAA 2-23-1).
Free Kick After Fair Catch Play: Fourth and 10 from team K’s five yardline late in the first half. R1 makes a fair catch of K2’s punt at team K’s 45 yardline. Team R has an outstanding kicker and chooses to free kick. Is that legal? Ruling: In NFHS, this is legal and the teams line up as if for a kickoff. The kicker must execute a place kick or drop kick and not a punt. In NCAA, there is no such provision allowing a free kick after fair catch. (NFHS 1-3-4, 2-24-3, 2-24-6, 2-24-7, 6-1-1d, 6-1-2; NCAA 6-5-1).
Goalline Extended?
By definition, progress spots are relatively simple concepts. In practice, when airborne players, striding runners, out-of-bounds status, goallines and pylons are introduced, rulings can get quite complicated.
In the PlayPic, assume the runner is in possession of the ball above the goalline extended, airborne and touching the pylon. According to NFHS rules, “when properly placed, the goalline pylon is out of bounds at the intersection of the sideline and the goalline extended” (1-2-4). In NCAA, the goalline and goalline pylons are in the end zone (2-31-3b) and are placed at the intersection of the sidelines and goallines (1-2-6).
For NFHS, the forward progress spot is determined by the location of the ball in player possession when it crosses the vertical plane of the sideline when a runner goes out of bounds (4-3-3). Since the ball is located outside the vertical plane of the sideline in this PlayPic, the progress
spot is short of the goalline where the covering official rules it crossed the sideline’s vertical plane.
For NCAA, when a ball carrier is airborne his forward progress is determined by the position of the ball as it crosses the sideline except if the player touches the ground in the end zone or the pylon itself (4-2-4d; 8-2-1a). In those cases, the goalline plane extends infinitely wide beyond the sideline plane and a touchdown would be correctly awarded for NCAA.
In both codes, the ball is immediately dead when a ball carrier touches a pylon and a touchdown is scored if an inbounds player who is in possession of the ball touches the opponent’s pylon with the ball. Likewise, in both codes, if a player is in possession of the ball and touching the field of play or end zone with no body part out of bounds he scores a touchdown when the ball breaks the plane of the goalline extended (NFHS 2-26-3; NCAA 8-2-1a). *
THREE ‘I’S’ continued from p.66
original position of the snap. At the right hash, A1 decides to dump the ball in the middle of the field with no receiver in the area. The pass lands incomplete (a) behind the neutral zone, or (b) beyond the neutral zone. Ruling 2: Intentional grounding in (a), and no foul in (b). Once the passer reaches the lateral boundary of the free blocking zone or the tackle box, that area disintegrates and as long as the pass makes it to the neutral zone, the passer has legally dumped the ball (NFHS 2-17-1, 7-2-5, 7-5-2 Exc. 2, 7-5-3, 7-5-6; NCAA 2-34, 7-2-4a, 7-3-3, 7-3-2h Exc.).
Play 3: A1 is in shotgun formation, muffs the snap into the air and controls the ball before it hits the ground. Worried that he will be sacked, the passer throws the ball immediately to the ground. Ruling 3: Intentional grounding in NFHS and no foul in NCAA. The passer
must possess the ball without a muff in NFHS in order to legally ground the ball. NCAA has no restriction on muffing the ball as long as the ball does not hit the ground (NFHS 2-171, 7-2-5, 7-5-2 Exc. 1, 7-5-6; NCAA 2-34, 7-2-4a, 7-3-3, 7-3-2f).
Play 4: A1 is in shotgun. The snap is muffed by A1 and subsequently picked up by running back A2, who runs with the ball to the side zone. Finding no one open, A2 throws the ball into the stands. Ineligible A3 is five yards downfield at the time of the pass. Ruling 4: Legal play since A2 initially controlled or possessed the snap and did not relinquish possession throughout the down (NFHS 2-17-1, 7-2-5, 7-5-2 exc 2, 7-56; NCAA 2-34, 7-2-4a, 7-3-3, 7-3-2h Exc.). Also, no foul for ineligible downfield by philosophy.
Play 5: First and 10 from team A’s 20 yardline. A1, who is under duress, throws a pass to (a) an area not occupied by an eligible receiver
The El Paso Camp will provide a great springboard for upand-coming o cials to be seen by supervisors and scouts. Register now for some of the best training and advancement opportunities for men and women interested in taking their on-field – and replay – o ciating to the next level. Bringing in a sta of top-caliber NFL and NCAA o cials to observe and provide instant feedback, the sta includes the hiring supervisors of FBS, FCS and other collegiate conferences.
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after seeing eligible A2 being held by B3, or (b) ineligible A4 who is contacted by B5 prior to the pass arriving. Ruling 5: In (a), there are fouls by both teams and the down will be repeated. Team B committed holding and team A committed intentional grounding. Team A still needs to meet exception criteria to legally ground the ball, even though the intended receiver was being held. In (b), a foul for intentional grounding has been committed as there was no eligible in the area and the passer was attempting to conserve loss of yardage. Illegal touching by A4 and pass interference by B5 are not possible as the forward pass was not legal (NFHS 2-17-1, 7-25, 7-5-2d, 7-5-6, 7-5-7, 7-5-13, 9-2-3c, 10-2-1; NCAA 2-34, 7-2-4a, 7-3-3, 7-32h, 7-3-8c, 7-3-9d, 9-3-4, 10-1-4).
Jason Nickleby is the assistant director for the Minnesota State High School League and is a center judge in the Big Ten Conference. *
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dean of nfl referees Jim Tunney 1929-2024
ost of us are lucky to have one or two skills. Jim Tunney excelled at virtually everything he attempted.
Known throughout the officiating industry as the Dean of NFL Referees, Tunney, who died Dec. 12, 2024, at the age of 95 was also a skilled educator, speaker, author and philanthropist. He once said, “Everybody can be the best at what they want to be. Everyone. Not a soul can just say, ‘I’m going to be mediocre.’” He was living proof.
Tunney’s officiating resume speaks for itself. Hired by the NFL in 1960 at age 30, Tunney was a mainstay on the staff for the next 31 seasons. He worked a record 29 postseasons, including Super Bowls VI, XI and XII. He is the only referee to work
By Jeffrey Stern
Left: Jim Tunney was 30 when he was hired by the NFL. Center: In addition to officiating, Tunney made his mark as an educator, writer and speaker. Right: A postseason mainstay, Tunney worked the playoffs a record 29 seasons.
consecutive Super Bowls.
His mechanics were so precise that for many years he served as the model for the league’s signal chart. “I just felt that if I’m on the field 300 yards from somebody in the bleachers and I had to give a signal, I need to give it slowly and deliberately and clearly,” he explained. “That’s what I tried to do each time, because I was always thinking about the guy who is in the top row.”
With tongue firmly in cheek Tunney also said of spectators in far reaches of the stadium, “Fans will scream from the 60th row of the bleachers that you missed a marginal call in the center of the interior line, and then they won’t be able to find their car in the parking lot.”
Two of his postseason assignments have earned a storied place in NFL lore. The 1981 NFC
Championship Game was decided when San Francisco’s Dwight Clark made “The Catch,” a leaping grab of a Joe Montana pass.
The 1988 NFC Divisional game between host Chicago and Philadelphia was played in thick fog. “Don Weiss, who was the representative of the commissioner that day, was in the press box,” Tunney recalled. “He called down and said, ‘We really can’t tell what’s happening on the field.’ So I sort of became a play-byplay announcer. Since I had a microphone, after every play I would announce who had the ball, and the down and distance.” Tunney joked that CBS, which broadcast the game, never paid him for his play-byplay efforts.
His talents as a leader were
dean of nfl referees Jim Tunney 1929-2024
recognized by numerous groups. He served as president of the Professional Football Referees Association from 1976-80. He was a member of the NASO Board of Directors from 1987-91 and served as vice chair in 1988. And he was vice chair of the United States Olympic Committee for Northern California leading up to the Sydney 2000 Games.
In addition to his skills on the field, Tunney excelled on the basketball courts of his native California. The late hall of fame umpire Doug Harvey worked games with Tunney in the 1960s. “Other than my brother, Nolan, he was the best basketball referee I ever worked with,” Harvey recalled. “I copied some of my timing in baseball from Jim.”
A graduate of Occidental College, where he was named Athlete of the Year in 1951, Tunney found his calling as a teacher, administrator and superintendent in Los Angeles schools. He was also elected to three consecutive four-year terms to the Board of Trustees of Monterey Peninsula College before stepping down at the end of 2009. Those efforts resulted in an award presented by the Monterey (Calif.) Peninsula Chamber of Commerce.
Tunney’s wit and wisdom found its way onto the printed page. He wrote a weekly column for the Monterey Herald, sharing memories along with his observations on sports and teamwork. He authored the books Impartial Judgment, one part autobiography and three parts motivational guide, on how to live and officiate with pride, honor and achievement; It’s the Will, Not the Skill, which offered life lessons on preparation, concentration and teamwork; and Chicken Soup for the Sports Fan’s Soul, which he produced with four other contributors.
Of the latter, Tunney said, “There’s a lot of negativity in the sports pages these days, and we wanted to get it back in people’s minds that sports are
Right from top: Jim Tunney was the featured speaker at the first NASO Convention in 1981. NASO presented its 1992 Gold Whistle Award to Tunney. Signaling was a Tunney trademark. For many years, he was the model for the NFL signal chart. Tunney was an NFL official for 31 years.
fun, competitive and a positive experience. The philosophy of the Chicken Soup series is to change the world one story at a time. We want to change sports one story at a time.”
Tunney created a foundation that delivered more than 30 small grants per year to help youth and groups in California's Monterey Peninsula. It focused on building leadership, work skills, wellness and self-esteem. “We don’t give out scholarships, but help small groups and individual students with tutoring or studying, for example.” Grants were awarded for sports or computer equipment, and often supported an earned-reward program.
He also gave his efforts and time to fundraising and charity work with groups such as Special Olympics, the Los Angeles Boys’ and Girls’ Clubs, and the Family Service Agency. It was that sort of service above self and his overall impact on the industry that resulted in Tunney receiving NASO’s Gold Whistle Award in 1992. Tunney was an NASO supporter from its inception. He added prestige to the first NASO Convention (now Summit) by serving as the first keynote speaker in 1981.
Among Tunney's authoring efforts was Impartial Judgment, which combined personal experience with motivation.
Tunney was beloved and respected by his peers. “Jim went out of his way to help and mentor young officials when we came into the league,” said retired referee Bill Carollo. NBC rules analyst and three-time Super Bowl referee Terry McAulay called Tunney “an absolute legend of the game” and said, “he's the guy we all wanted to be.”
Tunney has often been nominated for the Pro Football Hall of Fame but has never made the final ballot. While induction would absolutely cement his legacy, not having achieved it has not hurt his reputation in the industry and the community at large. His was a life well lived and one that will long be remembered.
Jeffrey Stern is Referee’s senior editor. He formerly officiated high school and college football and high school baseball. *
VISIONINACTION
Dare to Lead 2025 Sports O ciating Summit Registration
Now Open
Registration is now open for the premier officiating event of the year, the 43rd annual Sports Officiating Summit presented by the National Association of Sports Officials (NASO).
The 2025 Summit will be held July 27-29 in Montgomery, Ala., at the Renais-sance Montgomery Hotel & Spa at the Convention Center. The theme of this year’s Summit is “Dare to Lead: Develop, Direct & Defend Officials,” and it will focus on ad-dressing and solving officiating shortages, recruitment and retention, and focus on officiating skills and roles.
“Sports and sports officiating leaders must Develop, Direct and Defend their officials at all levels – from local association leaders to pro supervisors, from crew chiefs to college coordinators and everyone in between,” said NASO President, Bill Topp. “We feel very strongly that those three words should be guiding principles for the many men and women who oversee sports officials in any capacity. That’s why the theme of this summer’s annual national gathering of sports officiating lead-ers is ‘Dare to Lead.’”
The event is presented by NASO in conjunction with the NFHS and the Ala-bama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA).
The “Dare to Lead” theme will place the focus squarely on the
leaders in the officiating industry –from local associations to state and national supervisors, direc-tors and commissioners. Effective programs designed to bring out the best in offici-ating now require fresh thinking from those in leadership positions. This fresh think-ing will be on full display in the educational and sport-specific sessions throughout the 2025 Summit in Montgomery – 2-1/2 days of education, networking and cele-bration guaranteed to refresh and revitalize your approach to officiating.
In addition to that focus, the educational program will focus on breaking down the necessary components of officiating programs, spotlight effective efforts, and provide break-out forums for all attendees to contribute key insights and experiences.
The Sports Officiating Summit is the only event of its kind addressing critical topics impacting all aspects of the officiating industry. And, of course, there’s always time set aside for sport-by-sport breakouts to discuss the nuts and bolts of officiat-ing.
Make plans now to attend the 2025 Sports Officiating Summit in Montgom-ery. Go to www. SportsOfficiatingSummit.com, or call the NASO offices at 1-800-733-6100 to register today.
WE’RE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER!
ATTENTION REFEREE MAGAZINE SUBSCRIBERS
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COORDINATOR: JOHN VAN DE VAARST
CHARGE!
When Charging Is Fair or Foul
By Joe Manjone
Charging occurs when a defensive player employs body contact to cause an offensive player to give up possession of the ball. A charge can be legal and referred to as a fair charge or can be illegal and a foul and/ or misconduct. Knowing the correct interpretation, the proper calling of charging can be critical to the outcome of a game. A thorough knowledge of charging is vital. Soccer rules allow for
contact between two opponents as long as it is within the specified rules.
A legal or fair charge requires shoulder-to-shoulder contact with both the offensive and defensive player in an upright or erect position. This contact must occur within playing distance of the ball. Both players must have at least one foot on the ground and the defensive player must have arms held close to the body. When looking for a legal or fair charge, it is imperative to see the contact,
players from the ball and that no pushing occurs. It is possible to have a fair charge and the attacker lose balance and even fall to the ground. If the defender is on the left side of the attacker and uses a shoulder charge while the attacker’s left leg is up (running position), the attacker could easily stumble since there is only one foot on the ground for balance. When this occurs, there will be an adverse reaction from the spectators who expect a pushing foul.
the distance of the
Christine Salmon, Indio, Calif., watches for a charging foul as a defensive player approaches an offensive player who possesses the ball.
An illegal or unfair charge occurs when any of the fair-charge elements are not present. Thus, an illegal charge includes contact in the back or front of the offensive player’s body rather than shoulder-to-shoulder contact; contact while either player is completely off the ground; contact that includes pushing or nudging with the arms by the defensive player; and contact by the defensive player that occurs when the ball is not within playing distance.
In addition, an illegal or unfair charge occurs when the charge by the defensive player is made in a careless or reckless manner and/or the defensive player uses excessive force. Also, it is illegal to charge the goalkeeper in the penalty area unless the goalkeeper is dribbling the ball with the feet or is obstructing the attacking player.
This seems like a simple rule to understand and enforce. The referee must make certain all the elements of a fair charge exist and no elements such as a reckless or excessive force charge occur. But like many other situations that occur during play where two players are close to each other, determining a fair or legal charge can be difficult. Let’s look at each of these legal requirements separately.
First of all, the legal charge must take place within playing distance of the ball. This is defined in NFHS rules as the distance between the player and the ball that you as the referee judge to be adequate to control the ball. The NFHS rule defines this distance as seldom exceeding two steps or six feet. Contact occurring that is not within playing distance of the ball would not be made for the purpose of getting the opponent to give up possession the ball, since the ball was not within playing distance and the opponent did not have control. Contact by the defensive player occurring when the offensive player is not within playing distance of the ball is penalized with a direct kick for the offensive team.
The legal contact must be shoulder to shoulder. Contact with the elbows or hands extended from the body would be considered pushing or holding, which are direct kick
offenses. When shoulder-to-shoulder contact occurs, a legal charge requires both players to be in an upright position and have at least one foot on the ground. Thus, a legal charge cannot occur with a push while using the arms or hand or where one or both players are in the air. These actions are once again illegal and penalized with a direct kick for the offensive team.
If the defensive player has an arm extended during the charge, across the attacker’s body or a portion of the body, this would be illegal. In this instance, the referee would penalize the defending player for holding. Again, a direct free kick would be awarded. The referee must also be able to observe the feet. Although the defensive player is attempting a fair charge, it may be possible that a trip by the defender occurs if the legs are extended in front of the attacker. Again, this would be a direct free kick awarded to the attacking team.
A legal charge contact is a bump or push with the shoulder. A legal charge cannot be made in a reckless manner or with excessive force. Running recklessly or with force into an opponent even though the other aspects of shoulder-to-shoulder contact and playing distance to the ball are present is both a foul and misconduct. This misconduct can result in a caution (yellow card) for reckless play or an ejection (red card) for disproportionate and unnecessary force against an opponent while playing for the ball.
DID YOU KNOW?
Former English referee Rebecca Welch is best known as the first woman to officiate matches in multiple leagues, including the English Football League and Premier League. She also recently became the first referee to be inducted into the Women’s Super League (WSL) Hall of Fame. The 2024 WSL Hall of Fame class also included former players Steph Houghton, Alex Scott and Gilly Flaherty.
“(I was) quite shocked because I never thought a ref would be inducted into the Hall of Fame from a league,” Welch said. “… It shows how far the league has come. I have been involved in the league since the start.”
SOURCE: FOURFOURTWO
SIDELINE
A First for English Soccer
In-stadium officiating announcements have made their way into international soccer in recent years, with FIFA events around the world using NFL-style announcements to communicate rulings to fans at games and viewers at home. English soccer is the most recent to join the trend: During a TottenhamLiverpool match Jan. 8 in the English League Cup, referee Stuart Attwell used the public address system to announce that a goal by Spurs striker Dominic Solanke in the 76th minute
Please note that because of the vulnerable position of a goalkeeper, the legal charge rules concerning goalkeepers differ. Charging a goalkeeper in the penalty area is not permitted unless the goalkeeper is dribbling the ball with his or her feet or obstructing a player from reaching a ball not in the goalkeeper’s possession or control. Possession or control by the goalkeeper includes holding or trapping the ball with one or both hands, bouncing the ball to the ground, or releasing the ball into play. Charging by an opponent of a goalkeeper who is in possession of the ball is a flagrant foul and the opponent is to be ejected (red card) without caution.
had been disallowed for offside. The League Cup semifinals were chosen to pilot the in-stadium announcement process that has been widely used in other sports.
TEST YOURSELF
In each of the following, decide which answer or answers are correct for NFHS, NCAA or IFAB rules/Laws. Solutions: p. 81.
1. B4 takes a goal kick and kicks it backward to B1. B1 then kicks it back to B4 who begins to dribble upfield.
a. Rekick since the ball did not go forward.
b. Indirect kick for team A since B4 touched the ball a second time before it cleared the penalty area.
c. Allow play to continue; no infraction.
2. The ball is in the defensive penalty area. As the ball bounces up, B1 knees the ball back to the goalkeeper, who picks it up with the hands.
a. This is legal; allow play to continue.
b. Indirect free kick for team A at the point where the goalkeeper picked up the ball.
c. Indirect free kick for team A and caution B1 for trickery.
3. Partway through the first half, the referee realizes the goalkeeper is not wearing gloves.
a. At the next stoppage, have the goalkeeper obtain gloves.
b. No action; this is legal.
c. Caution the goalkeeper or coach (NFHS) for illegal equipment.
4. B1 makes a slide tackle on A2 and makes contact with the ball. At the same time, B1 grabs A2’s shirt.
a. No foul since contact was made with the ball first.
b. Direct free kick for attempting to trip.
c. Caution B1 for grabbing the shirt and award a direct free kick to team A.
5. Team A is taking the kickoff. A1, the kicker, is standing in the opponent’s half of the field and kicks the ball toward the touchline and downfield. A2 runs forward and receives the ball.
a. Rekick since A1 was in the opponent’s half of the field.
b. Indirect free kick for team B at the point where A2 touched the ball.
c. No action; this is legal.
As legal and illegal charges occur while opponents are often rapidly moving toward the ball and two bodies are coming in contact, not only must you as the referee have knowledge of the above rules, but also must be in position to see what occurs, including the position of the players, the contact and the position of the ball. Don’t be like the referee in a recent video of a professional contest who missed an obvious reckless charge in
the penalty area by the goalkeeper because the referee was far outside the penalty area and screened from seeing the play by players of both teams. Be near the play and in position to call charges fair (legal) or foul (illegal). Joe Manjone, Ed.D., Silverhill, Ala., is a former chair of the NFHS Soccer Rules Committee. He was inducted into the NISOA Hall of Fame in 2013 and is an active high school referee and a former collegiate soccer referee. *
Eyes in the Back of the Referee’s Head
By Ross Meloan
Parents
know the look. You know the one from a 4- or 5-year-old who asks, “How did they know?” For those of you who have yet to experience the joy of childrearing, your time in the sun awaits. Once you are included in that prestigious association, you will know when you are in the “parental groove” when you get that puzzled if not astonished look from your children. How do parents become Godlike with their vision for the plausible catastrophic events that are inevitable with childrearing? More than likely it takes some age, a bit of personal experience and intuition that focuses on the memories of when they were young.
The same is true for many situations that life throws our way, even soccer officiating. Everyone brings playing and officiating experiences to the game at hand. In many cases, officials already know what a player may be thinking or how an attack/defense is going to be played because the official has been there or has seen it countless times before.
But many times, a third of the officiating expertise is unaccounted for. Why, you ask? Because during pregame the officiating team often overlooks the opportunity to discuss the third part of the officiating equation or the eyes in the back of the
referee’s head — the trail official. Let’s face it, the entire crew brings a wealth of soccer experience to each contest. Why not broaden that experience base by incorporating each official’s history during the pregame meeting?
There is an ever-growing number of soccer referees who played in a former life and are now on the other side of the whistle. Nothing is more gratifying than to hear an answer about a call that incorporates the phrase, “Well, when I was playing ...”
But we all know there is more to transferring those playing experiences to officiating, isn’t there? Now the officiating team is managing 22 athletes if at the collegiate level, many of whom have scholarships, and a coaching staff whose livelihood may depend on the outcome of that day’s match. This is even becoming the case at the interscholastic level, especially during playoff season.
Is there a way to maximize the total soccer experience as an officiating crew? Absolutely. The best way is to include all the tools in the box and it begins with the pregame conference.
Think back to last season or earlier this season. Do you recall a pregame meeting when the importance of the trail official’s role was discussed, even mentioned? Probably not. But perhaps we should.
Assistant referees may relish the time when play goes to the other end of the field. They get a rest. Free from
the burdens of offside interpretation, ball in/out of goal, corner/throw-in decisions, and what’s up with all of that back and forth, sprinting, running, walking and standing stuff? They finally get to rest! Let’s be honest, assistant referees relish the lopsided contest assignment that allows them to enjoy at least half of the game from the halfway line.
Everyone can agree that many times the trail assistant referee may be as many as 20 to 25 yards away from play but many times they may be closer to critical play than officials realize.
Two scenarios may clarify the point. In MechaniGram A, the referee (R)has moved to the area of play. Several players, both attackers and defenders, are in a compressed area of the field defined by the field’s boundaries and so the potential for fouls increases. When the referee moves to that area of the field, many other players are left unattended — or are they?
There are other game situations in which the trail assistant referee can provide enormous support. While officials tend to identify the defensive thirds as the areas that demand most of their concentration, they tend to forget the transition game. Arguably officiating’s most difficult game situation is the long pass from defensive third to the other end of the field across from the assistant referee. Officials are in scramble mode which includes shifting the responsibilities for the entire game to the lead assistant referee. The transition game requires focus and situational awareness from the entire officiating crew.
MechaniGram B helps illustrate the point.
During quick transition, the referee is at the top of the defensive third and must make an all-out run to the other end of the field. The referee’s initial positioning is at least somewhat helpful in that the ball is on that side of the field. The lead assistant referee in this example is taking care of offside and any initial player conflict that might occur once the ball lands in their quadrant. The trail assistant referee is running toward the halfway
line but now has the responsibility for the remaining players as they are also changing their responsibilities from offense to defense.
Trail officials rarely witness fouls or misconduct during transition play, but it is extremely wise to maintain vigilance and a presence in hotly contested matches.
If the crew is fortunate enough to be linked with a communication system, that vigilance can be translated into a cleaner contest and players asking themselves, “How did they see that foul?”
The role of the trail assistant referee cannot be diminished. Look for ways to emphasize the role during
CASEPLAYS SOCCER
Offside Block Play: A1 has the ball in their own half of the field. A2 is across the halfway line and in an offside position. A3 is in the same half of the field as A4. A3 makes a pass in the direction of A4. A2 runs back across the halfway line in the direction of the pass and blocks B5 from making a possible play on the ball. The ball goes to A4, who continues downfield. Ruling: Offside. A2 was in an offside position at the moment the ball was played and interfered with the play when they blocked B5 (NFHS 11-1-4a; NCAA 11.2.1.1; IFAB 11.2).
Off the Wall
Play: Team A is awarded a free kick approximately 30 yards from the goal. Initially, team B sets a two-person wall. A1 takes up a position next to the wall. A2, the kicker, requests that the referee ensure that the wall is 10 yards from the kick. The referee sets the wall and while moving back into position, B3 steps into the wall, making it a three-person wall. Ruling: Since the referee did not sound the whistle to restart play and the wall now has three players, the referee should direct A1 to move the required distance (one yard) from the wall (NFHS 13-3-1; NCAA 13.2.2; IFAB 13.2).
Act of Violence
Play: A1 is moving into the penalty area and takes a shot on goal. Goalkeeper B2 makes a diving save and controls the ball with the hands. B2 gets up and looks at A1 in a manner that leaves an impression that B2 is indicating that it is not possible to score. A1 moves outside the penalty area. As B2 is moving forward to release the ball, A1 makes a comment directed at B2. B2 throws the ball in a violent manner and strikes A1 in the head. Ruling: B2 is to be ejected for the violent act. A7 is to be cautioned for making the comment. The game is restarted with a direct free kick from the point where the ball struck A1 (NFHS 12-6-1f; NCAA 12.7.10; IFAB 12.3).
the pregame conference to enhance the officiating coverage and provide that extra vigilance necessary for today’s high-level soccer contests. Trail assistant referees must know that their responsibilities do not end when the
play moves up the field. They are the eyes in back of the referee’s head.
Ross Meloan, Ph.D., Murray, Ky., is a NISOA National Clinician and NISOA’s liaison to NFHS.
Setting the Stage
By Vince DeFranco
Soccer officials often treat their pregame as an afterthought. Many officials give it very little thought and are completely focused on the game itself. What is said or not said at the coin toss, as well as how the referee team handles itself, during pregame activities can go a long way toward successful management of a match all the way through the end. It is often said, “You don’t get a second chance to make a first impression.” Knowing exactly what to say varies depending on the competition, and each official will master this as they get more experience through the years and learn to use their personality to their benefit. So, getting this right is paramount to success during the game.
Take the time to be cordial with each coach and captain. For example, if you know they are not having a terrible season, ask them how the season’s going. The more you can connect on a more personal level with both teams, the more likely they might be willing to work with you when difficult situations arise. However, remember to spend an equal amount of time with each coach. Do not ignore one while chatting it up with the other. This will create an appearance of bias. Also, do not spend a lot of time with the coach. They are busy preparing their team for the match and may not want to talk to the referee team.
Once you have blown the whistle for the captains (and coaches if it is a high school game) and they come to meet with you at the center line, it is a good idea to shake hands with everyone there and wish them good luck. Introduce yourself and
your team. Be forthcoming and personable. This will show the teams that you are human too and out there trying to give them your best effort, as well as displaying that you enjoy what you are doing.
As far as what to say at the coin toss, in an adult game, for instance, it would probably be a good idea to let the captains know what you expect during certain situations. For example, I usually use something like, “no matter what the outcome of this game is, we all have to go to work tomorrow (or most of us do), so let’s try and keep everyone safe and be careful on the tackles.”
On a high school game, the referee is required to ask both head coaches if their team is properly and legally equipped. They bear the burden of making sure the team is not wearing any illegal equipment. They receive the caution if that is not the case. Note: While the coach is ultimately responsible, it is good preventive officiating that if the referee team observes a player wearing something illegal or does not have shin guards on, have it corrected before the game. When this is done, the coach should also be advised as to what action was taken. This will let the coach know that the referee team is active and they can also deal with the player appropriately. Also, the referee is to remind the captains that they represent their school and good sportsmanship is important. Incidental language will not be tolerated, no matter what language it is in. It is also good to address whether or not you need a winner for the game, and if so, what will overtime look like? Is it golden goal or full periods?
It is important to have a game plan before the game about what is going to be said to the team captains at the coin toss. Again, allow your personality to come into play. If you can keep it lighthearted, it may let the captains know that you are human and want to enjoy the game. No matter what is said, it might have zero effect on them and they might just do what they were going to do anyway. The referee did their duty and the responsibility is now on the captains.
Now that you have completed the coin toss portion of the pregame, it’s time to walk out onto the field. Or is it? Has the referee had a thorough pregame discussion with the rest of the team? Were all important points covered in the pregame and all questions answered? Did the officials check the game balls to ensure they were properly inflated and suitable for play? Having to switch out the balls because the one being used is underinflated is embarrassing and
makes the entire officiating team look like they aren’t doing their job. Be prepared beforehand for what kind of ceremonial walkout is going to happen. If it’s a high school or college game, there are most likely going to be some sort of announcements, national anthems, and/or starting lineups. Make sure the assistant referees know what is expected of them upon entering the field. Are they to check the goals before they go to the touch lines (this is highly recommended)? The goals should have been inspected before this when the team did their pregame walk of the field, but a second check never hurts. There is no telling what may have been done to them by the teams during their warmup.
The assistant referees should have their flags rolled up until they get to the touchlines, check with the goalkeepers to ensure they are ready, check to make sure there are 11 players on their sides of the field, and have their watches set and ready
to go for the kickoff. It is at that time that the assistant referees should unfurl their flags, give some sort of discreet signal to the referee that they are ready to go, and be ready for the kickoff. The referee should also count the players, and make sure the clock operator (if there is one) is ready to go before signaling for kickoff. If there is a fourth official, check with them to make sure everything is good to go with the benches.
As one can readily see, there is a lot to be accomplished prior to the first whistle. The referee team should arrive early enough to have sufficient time to be thorough and professional in completing all of the above tasks. The coin toss provides an early opportunity to let the players, coaches and even spectators know that there is a professional referee team ready and able to do its job throughout the match.
Vince DeFranco, La Grange, Ill., has been a soccer referee for more than 30 years and was an assessor and an assigner. *
PROFILES
Retiring From the Ring
By Brad Star
One of the most decorated careers in boxing history is coming to a close. After nearly 27 years, referee Jack Reiss has stepped down as the third man in the ring.
Reiss has worked 1,152 bouts, more than any referee in the International Boxing Hall of Fame, where Reiss will land one day. He’s already been inducted into three boxing halls of fame: the California Boxing Hall of Fame, West Coast Boxing Hall of Fame and National Boxing Hall of Fame.
A native of Brooklyn, N.Y., Reiss moved to the Los Angeles area in his early 20s. He was a firefighter for the city of Los Angeles for 31 years, including 19 as a captain.
Reiss fought when he was younger; he achieved a seconddegree black belt and took part in amateur boxing and kickboxing. He also played ice hockey growing up and hoped to incorporate sports into his career in some way.
That opportunity finally came in 1998. With many of the state’s
boxing referees nearing retirement, the California State Athletic Commission ordered a class be put together to attract younger officials to the sport. Reiss was among the 104 prospective officials in the class.
“Only nine of us made it (through the class),” Reiss said. “A few judges, only seven refs. I was fortunate enough to be one of them.”
Reiss went on to call 158 world title bouts. He has worked some of the most notable fights in recent memory, including Deontay Wilder vs. Tyson Fury I (2018) and Terence Crawford vs. Israil Madrimov (2024). Reiss was the referee in the boxing reality TV series “The Contender” and was also in several movies, including “Ali” and “The Fighter.”
But Reiss is most proud of the professional boxing referee training program he developed, Sole Arbiter. The annual three-day course includes deep study into film, referee mechanics, rules regulations and best practices for officials. Reiss is also a certified trainer for the Association of Boxing Commissions, a position that sees him travel the world meeting with boxing commissions and training referees.
Reiss will no longer be in the ring but will definitely still be around it. He hopes to continue as a boxing judge and potentially become an instant replay official.
“It’s not often we get to honor a living legend in a sport where most people, fighters and officials, stay well past their prime,” said Tom Taylor, a fellow boxing referee and instructor for Sole Arbiter. “Jack’s respect for the sport led him to leave a bit early, rather than too late and put any fighter in harm’s way.”
“Every single day, all I wanted to do was be the best referee I could be,” Reiss said. “Didn’t care what anyone else was doing, wasn’t trying to beat anyone else, just trying to be the best I could be and thank God it all worked out.”
Brad Star is an assistant editor for Referee *
Authority of an Official
Paul McDonald Ely, Minn.
Paul McDonald has seen sports through many lenses: He’s a former longtime high school coach, college men’s basketball coach, athletic director at Vermillion Community College (Ely, Minn.), former Minnesota State High School League board member and 40-year official.
“Without officials, the games cannot happen,” McDonald, who officiates basketball and football, recently told High School Today “We are all working together to bring a great experience for the students and all participants. That is what sometimes gets lost. Some coaches, officials and players think it is all about them and that is when we can run into problems. Once the officials enter the playing area, they have the authority to run and manage the game.”
SOURCE: HIGH SCHOOL TODAY (NFHS)
Keeping Calm
Kerry Kalinoski Emmaus, Pa.
After five years as a football official, Kerry Kalinoski has worked her way up the ladder, and in 2024 became the first woman to officiate a Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association District XI game. She tries to remain level-headed on the field, which has earned her praise from her crewmates.
“I will answer questions but I’ll never respond if you’re yelling at me,” she said. “That’s what I try to do — officials have emotions too.”
“She carries herself with such confidence and dignity,” fellow official Kevin Stocker said. “She knows what she’s doing so she’s really perfect.”
SOURCE: WFMZ-TV
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Jack Reiss instructs Tyson Fury during Fury’s first match against Deontay Wilder on Dec. 1, 2018, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.
These days, officials rise through the ranks quickly. Modern-day tech and old-fashioned mentoring can help ensure they’re ready.
ith the well-documented shortage of officials, especially at the lower levels of most every sport, there are numerous opportunities for officials who are seeking to begin their careers. In fact, there is a very good chance they will move up the ranks quickly, especially if they are diligent, work hard and have some talent.
But how fast is too fast? Are younger officials being rushed into higher-level contests before they are ready? In an earlier era, the path up the ranks was well defined. It might take three to five years before a new official would officiate a varsity game and another three to five years before a college supervisor was seriously interested in the candidate. Then, if selected to a college conference staff, it would not be uncommon to spend another two or three years on the conference’s associate staff, working non-conference games, before being summoned to the big stage and earning a promotion.
That path has changed and several officiating experts who climbed the ladder that way talked about it on a panel at the 2024 NASO Sports Officiating Summit in Atlanta. The panelists included:
•Moderator Debbie Williamson, who is the supervisor of women’s basketball officials for the American Athletic, Atlantic Coast, Atlantic 10, Big East, Big South and Metro Atlantic Athletic conferences, the Coastal Athletic Association and the Ivy League. A veteran women’s college referee, Williamson served as the NCAA women’s basketball secretary-rules editor from 2006-14 and was the national coordinator of officiating from 2011-14.
•Jason Nickleby, who is an assistant director at the Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL), overseeing the development program for 6,000 officials. He also is an active official, serving as a center judge on a Big Ten football crew and is a member
of the NFHS Football Rules Committee, as well as the NASO Board of Directors.
•Michelle Prater, who is an international referee for volleyball and a USAV and PAVO referee, having worked six NCAA D-I national championships. She also assigns referees for an estimated 300 high schools in Georgia.
•Marcus Woods, who is a veteran college football referee on the ACC staff. He has officiated numerous bowl games and conference championships, and was the referee for the 2024 CFP National Championship Game.
•Gary Zielinski, who officiated in the NBA for 18 years. He called more than 1,000 regular-season games and 18 playoff games. Zielinski retired from officiating in 2019 and until recently was with the NBA’s Referee Operations Department as the officiating lead for its Youth and Amateur Officiating Development program.
ON THE FAST TRACK
Nickleby said helping officials climb the ladder means ensuring they have what they need. “It’s giving them as many resources as possible to be successful, because we know they’re going to move up the ladder as fast as possible, especially when they show some promise and talent,” Nickleby said. “At the high school level that I work with at the (MSHSL), it’s trying to give them as many training resources, access to membership and training as we can because we want them to be successful. Not all high school administrators feel this way I don’t believe, but in my view, I want our high school officials to want to be at the highest level that they want to be at, and I’m supportive of that.”
Zielinski said younger officials can be brought up quicker than in his era but it must be done right, and mentorship is the key.
“My goal is to give them a foundation. Try to train
Officials who show talent and dedication have an opportunity to advance quickly.
Jacob Dang, Rosemead, Calif.
Zielinski said. “We listen to things, and we go, I like it, I’m going to keep it, I’m going to use it. Or you listen to something and go, that’s not going to work for me, I’m not going to use it, in one ear and out the other. We have very good filters. I’m a true believer, throw everything at them. If they filter it quicker, they’ll move up the ladder quicker.”
Woods said a good mentor can be the difference between an official progressing and stalling.
them with a foundation that they can build on,” said. “The reality of it, we all know, the new person wants to referee, they give him or her a whistle, and (it’s) good luck. They just throw them to the wolves. They don’t know where to stand, where to look.”
, ” Zielinski
In the NBA and other sports, Zielinski said there are opportunities for new officials, and a new system is being developed to bring them along faster. The system involves many of the techniques legendary officials used decades ago to develop referees and umpires. He recalled a conversation between NBA referees Joey Crawford and Steve Javie.
“Their conversation was, ‘Should we tell a referee everything and let them figure it out,’” Zielinski said, “‘or should we just gradually build them up and teach them different things?’”
Zielinski sides with the former approach — throw everything at them.
“Referees have good filters; we know we do,”
“A mentor is going to help you avoid a lot of the pitfalls and things of that nature, so you have to really develop a strong mentor process,” he said. “That mentorship can be someone who is a teacher who really cares about trying to get them to that next level and help them understand the importance of the hard work that they have to do to prepare themselves as they progress through. A lot of that responsibility has to be on them, but that mentorship can help emphasize that importance and help navigate some of the pitfalls.”
Prater said mentorship should be a two-way street and that officials should keep up the relationships they developed with older officials as their careers take off, especially for officials who work different levels of a sport, such as she does with volleyball.
“The mentorship should continue as your career continues as well. Even after 30 years I still have mentors that we bounce rules off,” Prater said. “I have five different rule codes in volleyball, and I’m sure you guys do between the Little League and as you move up the ladder. So, there’s always times when we wonder what rule code are we in today, so we always have mentors that
we bounce things off. It’s like, OK, can you remind me where we’re at today and what the rule is for this rule code?
“The video. Video is awesome as far as helping these young, up-andcoming referees as well,” she continued. “It doesn’t take precedence over the oncourt experience that they need, but certainly they can view the video and kind of see what the plays look like and kind of learn from them that way. You never know how you’re going to handle different situations until you’re put into that oncourt experience, or you have that coach yelling and screaming at you.”
Williamson believes video and other technologies will help create better officials, faster. But it still comes down to the fundamentals, including having a very strong understanding of the rules and how to apply them.
“We know people are getting scooped up really quickly, especially if they’re any good,” Williamson said. “We’re moving them along; I’m guilty of it as well. I know at our level we have study
groups, especially the northeast study group. It’s initiated by officials. There are rules sessions, they’ve already met, they’ve planned out probably seven or eight meetings in the fall, what their agenda is going to be, what the topics are going to be. The meetings are led by officials. I think last fall there were over 300 officials just in the northeast study group. They don’t care where they’re from, they’re from all over the country. We just know we heard video, we heard mentors, study groups, because let’s face it, without a good rules foundation it’s destined to fail. We’ve got to get people to understand what their rules are so they can succeed.”
Nickleby said because football officials work far fewer games than their counterparts in many other sports, there are some challenges in terms of learning the nuances of the game and applying them.
“That’s so important at the high school level for sure, to get that game experience. All the rules that I know pretty well are things that I’ve screwed up before, so I know every rule because I’ve screwed
Mentorship can help new officials learn the proverbial ropes and rise through the ranks. John Penir
them all up at one time or another,” he said. “The higher you go, the more important it is to be on top of that stuff, and you can’t replace that. In the case of football, for me, we don’t have AAU football, we don’t have junior football, summer. Games are the games; you try to get as many of those as you can. I just think game experience is really important.
“For high school people, that mentorship you talked about is so important. At the higher levels, just like the players, only 1 percent of the officials are going to move on to the Division III and II levels, and then another percentage of that to Division I and the professional ranks. It’s likely we’re going to keep them at the grassroots, at the high school level, so it’s really important as veteran people to mentor, to train and to develop and to support them and not be selfish about, ‘Those are my games.’”
Prater agreed.
“Learning the rules. The knowledge of your rulebook, being able to repeat it verbatim. Sometimes less is more. We take study groups, and we break down the rules. We do role-play as far as if this scenario happens, how to handle it. Then we kind of combat back and forth with different scenarios and stuff with the rules,” she said.
Woods said younger officials have more opportunities, and improved technology is making their climb up the ladder a bit easier than officials in an earlier era.
“Everything is on videotape, or we can see it on TV, but actually just sitting there watching a game and officiating that game (is valuable). I try to teach young referees, watch a game, and when we see a flag down, pause it, practice the announcement, then
(left), Orange, Calif.; Laura Tapia, Costa Mesa, Calif.
listen to that person make an announcement, and then critique yourself and compare it to that,” Woods said. “That’s one way to practice as if you’re in a game. We have YouTube, all kinds of things, where younger officials can go watch games where normally they couldn’t get film in the past. It’s available to them. You have to do the film when you can’t get on the field. That gives you the mental reps, the visual reps.”
In the 1980s when video technology was first being used, leagues and conferences shipped VHS cassettes of games to officials, and they could review the grainy tape, review calls and make adjustments. Now with digital video, an official can get instant feedback at halftime of a game. At the higher levels, with instant replay, calls can be reviewed and fixed in real time.
Woods said there is great value for officials to evaluate — and confirm — their own performance.
“You go back and look at the film and now you start confirming that, hey, I did see. What I thought it was, now I look at it on film I actually did see it, so now you start building your confidence,” he said. “I tell younger officials, use the film to start helping you build your confidence so that next time it comes up,
When
experienced officials are welcoming and encouraging to young officials — even if not in a formal mentorship arrangement — it can help those new officials develop quickly.
Bill
Fitzgerald, Kirkland, Wash., leads a clinic.
you’re going to trust yourself. Then once we get in game mode, hey, you put in all the prep, all the stuff that you need to do, and when you’re ready to pull the trigger, you’ll do it without hesitation because now you’re trusting what you saw is what you saw. So, I use it for that, I tell them use it to build your confidence.”
And technology has expanded. At the college and professional levels, officials are wearing microphones and earpieces to communicate with each other. The more communication, the better, the panelists said.
“(W)e have started using headsets with our younger new officials. That’s been a blessing for us,” Prater said, emphasizing she is a big fan of technology. “In the moment we can kind of talk to them through the headsets, during the match, to watch them through situations that happen.”
The panelists said it’s important for assigners and supervisors to be able to recognize young, up - andcoming talented officials and encourage them to develop, knowing that in today’s fastpaced world, the “green” official you met and mentored early in their career may rise among the ranks quickly and be at a high level faster than officials were in an earlier era.
“Give them the ability to learn and make their mistakes,” Woods said. “I learned most of my rules by what I call pain points, which is making some kind of mistake. You never, ever forget it because when it comes back up you say, ‘I screwed this up, I won’t do that again.’ So, we’ve got to give them leeway, and the ability to learn, put them with the right group of people.”
Woods said veteran referees should have a positive attitude when paired with younger officials.
“The question is, do you remember how it felt to be that rookie? We may not remember exactly how we felt at the beginning, but we know this person is coming out here, and they’re nervous, they don’t have all the tools in their tool belt yet, and we can’t treat them in a negative fashion,” Woods said. “That tends to be one of the challenges that we have, that we run some officials off because we put them with the wrong veterans that we know are not teachers or care enough to put in a little time and effort to make sure that person is comfortable.
"I challenge you to remember when you were a rookie. We were sitting in the same seats that they are in, and we can’t treat them bad because that’s how we run them off.”
Dan Ronan is a Washington, DC-based journalist and a retired NCAA baseball umpire and smallcollege basketball referee. *
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HIGH AND TIGHT Guidance to Accurately Rule on Up-and-In Pitches
By Erin Peterson
Being a plate umpire is a difficult job. Having to make hundreds of split-second decisions every game can be a challenge and it is what separates elite umpires from good ones.
One of the most challenging calls for plate umpires at all levels is ruling on up-and-in pitches. Umpires must determine whether the pitch hit the batter (including the batter’s hands) or the bat, whether the ball was completely within the batter’s box and whether the batter attempted
to hit the pitch. These plays develop quickly and can explode on umpires, so it’s important to follow some key guidance to make the right call.
Pre-Pitch Prepare
Preparation begins with your pre-pitch routine. Before you get set, observe the batter’s position in the box. Where are the batter’s feet? Are the hands over the plate, between the plate and the batter’s box, or inside the batter’s box? Is the batter wearing any arm or elbow guards, and are these being worn correctly? Understanding the batter’s setup helps you assess
the potential location of ball/batter/ bat contact. Batters who wear a lot of guards may be susceptible to getting hit with a lot of pitches and can raise your radar. Some batters are looking for an “easy” way to get on first and may lean out over the plate and may also try to get hit by pitches. Umpires should have awareness of this when the batter takes her position in the batter’s box.
Use All Available Information
Because of the nature of these types of plays, the plate umpire can sometimes be blocked. As the ball
One of the most difficult calls for plate umpires is handling the up-and-in pitch. Umpires such as Daniel Grupenhagen, Garden Grove, Calif., must use all available information on these type of pitches to make an accurate decision.
comes up and in, catchers rise up to catch or reach for the ball and batters turn, often creating an impossibility for the plate umpire to determine exactly what happened. In these instances, it’s essential to rely on multiple senses to make an accurate call. Watch for any changes in the ball’s trajectory, listen to the sound of contact and observe the batter’s immediate reaction. Be aware that sometimes the sound of the ball hitting an elbow guard or even hitting the batter can sound the same as hitting the bat. And some batters may not react at all to being hit as they want to appear “tough” in front of their teammates. Just be aware every situation does not have a onesize-fits-all solution. If you notice a mark on the batter, it’s acceptable to use that as part of your decisionmaking.
One thing to also remember, the hands are not part of the bat. Coaches, fans, players, announcers and even some umpires confuse this rule. If the ball hits the batter’s hands, it should be an immediate dead ball. Then you must determine whether or not the batter swung at the pitch. Either way, kill the ball because it has hit the batter. Then use all available information to make the correct ruling. Normally if the ball hits the hands, the batter is going to drop the bat and start writhing in pain. It is one of those situations that is generally immediately painful and would be difficult for a batter to “act.”
Don’t Rush It
The most important thing in these situations is to avoid rushing your call. There is no need to kill this type of play immediately, especially when you may have been blocked and aren’t 100% sure what happened. While you can make the play dead at any time, you can never make it live again once you have killed it. It is better to have a late dead-ball call than an early one in these situations.
For example, if the ball ends up in fair territory, only call it dead if you’re absolutely sure the batter was hit by the pitch. Base umpires are watching and can assist if you’re uncertain or get blocked. If there’s
any doubt, keep the ball live and let play continue. At the conclusion of the play, get the crew together for additional information and come up with the appropriate ruling. The last thing you want to do is kill this play immediately and then determine the ball hit the bat and should have been kept live. You’ve now taken away an opportunity for the defense to get an out, or even for the offense to advance bases. Once you’ve killed it, you can’t make it live again and must live with the dead ball.
If you’ve determined the ball hit the batter and there’s any question about whether the batter attempted to swing, be sure to appeal the checked swing to the appropriate base umpire. The batter often turns on up-and-in pitches, which can give the illusion of a swing. And as the batter turns to avoid the pitch, it can be impossible to see what is happening to the bat on the other side of the batter’s body. Not to mention the catcher who may be blocking your view as well.
Summary
While this play can be tricky, knowing the batter’s position, slowing down your decision-making process and relying on your partners can help you make the correct call. The most difficult thing to do in this situation is slow down. Plate umpires often get in a rush to kill the ball without knowing exactly what happened. Instead, slow down and only kill the ball when you know for sure the ball hit the batter and didn’t hit the bat. Then, once you kill it, take your time before either awarding the batter first base or keeping the batter up to bat. There is no reason to rush this play. Take your time, use all your senses, watch the batter’s reaction, use information from your partners and then make the correct ruling confidently. Remember, this is a difficult call at all levels and the more you see it, the more confident you will be in making these rulings. Erin Peterson, Seattle, is an NCAA umpire and has worked three NCAA Women’s College World Series. She is a USA Elite umpire and is a member of the mechanics committee for the CCA Manual. *
DID YOU KNOW?
The Softball Umpire Program (SUP) updated its guidance for NCAA umpires when calling a time-between-pitches violation. Initially, the SUP advised umpires to verbalize, “Timing” to indicate a violation, while also giving the delayed dead-ball signal. However, during fall ball games, feedback was given that stated, “Timing” was confusing teams. The updated guidance is for umpires to verbalize, “Illegal” instead to help eliminate the confusion.
QUICKTIP
If your association allows, form study groups and go over testing as opposed to taking the test alone. Print out the test and spend time going through the rulebook, casebook and videos to find the answers and then work with other umpires to compare answers. The purpose of testing is to ensure umpires know the rules and to get umpires to dive into the rulebook. Most associations encourage forming study groups to facilitate the sharing of rules knowledge. When participating in a study group, be an active participant. Simply listening and copying down answers does not help you retain the information or learn the rules.
SIDELINE
USA Softball Involved in New Pro League
USA Softball has been announced as a strategic partner in a new professional softball league that will debut this summer. The Athletes Unlimited Softball League will launch in May and the inaugural season will feature four teams competing in a 30-game season in 6-8 different cities. It will become a city-based league next year. ESPN will televise at least 18 games on its platforms this season. Mike Raynor, who has been the umpire coordinator for Athletes Unlimited since its inception in 2020, will continue to be the umpire coordinator for the new league.
TEST YOURSELF
Each of the following includes a situation and possible answer(s). Decide which are correct for USA, NFHS, NCAA or USSSA rules and which might vary. Solutions: p. 81
1. The bases are loaded with two outs. B6 hits a home run over the fence but misses third base. At the conclusion of the play, the defense properly appeals B6 missed third base for the third out of the inning. How many runs score?
a. Four.
b. Three.
c. Two.
d. One.
e. None.
2. In the first inning, team A’s catcher hits a double. Team A’s coach puts in Adams, who hasn’t been in the game, to courtesy run for the catcher. In the fourth inning, team A’s catcher gets a single and the coach wants to have Barnes, who hasn’t been in the game, courtesy run.
a. Courtesy runners are never allowed.
b. This is legal.
c. Adams is the only player allowed to courtesy run since she was the courtesy runner in the first inning.
3. With R1 on first, F1 takes the pitching position with her hands together. She then separates her hands to take the signal from the catcher. She then brings her hands together, separates again and releases a pitch to the batter. The batter takes the pitch and the umpire rules it a strike.
a. Illegal pitch.
b. Legal pitch and the strike is recorded.
c. The offensive coach may take the strike on the batter or accept the illegal pitch penalty, which is a ball on the batter.
d. The offensive coach may take the strike on the batter or accept the illegal pitch penalty, which is a ball on the batter and advancement of R1 to second base.
4. Adams starts the fourth inning as the pitcher. After giving up three runs, the coach puts Barnes in as the pitcher and moves Adams to shortstop. After Barnes gives up two runs in the same inning, the coach puts Adams back in to pitch.
a. This is legal.
b. This is illegal.
c. Adams receives no warmup pitches.
d. Adams receives five warmup pitches.
e. Adams receives unlimited warmup pitches.
Step and a Reach
By Brad Tittrington
I magine you are one of the umpires on the game for the photo on the next page. The ball is hit to the shortstop, who fields the ball and extends her arms to try to tag the runner from second running by. What things are you thinking about as this play develops?
For this article, we are going to assume everything that happened prior to this moment in time happened legally. With that in mind, there are only a couple of decisions we have to make on this play. And both of those decisions will depend on what angle we have as the umpires.
Tag or no tag? One of the first decisions we have to make involves the tagging of the runner. It’s important to understand by rule what constitutes a legal tag on this play. Because the shortstop is holding the ball in her right hand and not in her glove, she will have to make contact with the runner with the ball. Simply touching the runner with the glove would not constitute a tag on this play in all four major codes. Both umpires have a good angle of this play, however in general, the call would belong to the umpire the play is going toward; in this instance that would be U3. U1 may be blocked out by the runner’s body and the fielder’s glove to accurately rule on this play. It would be appropriate for U3 to give the safe signal and verbalize, “No tag!” on this play to alert everyone that a legal tag did not occur.
Basepath vs. baseline. We’ve determined the potential tag on this play did not happen. The ball in the hand does not make contact with the runner. So the next thing to determine is if the runner’s actions are legal. The first thing to understand is many coaches, players, fans and some umpires will incorrectly interchange the terms basepath and baseline. Thankfully, all four major codes define these two terms in similar ways and we should
adjudicate the rules around them in the same way.
First, let’s look at the baseline. The baseline is the direct line between two bases. It is a fixed mark. The basepath, however, is not a fixed mark and constantly changes as a runner moves. The basepath is the direct line between a runner and the base. A runner determines their own basepath as there are no restrictions to the basepath, unless a play is being made on a runner. It is important for umpires to use these two terms properly when explaining possible violations to a coach.
So, for this situation, the baseline does not matter. The only thing the umpires need to be concerned with is the runner’s basepath. In all codes, once the fielder makes an attempt to tag the runner, the
The most important thing is to get an angle to see everything, let your eyes read the play and let the whole play develop.
runner has three feet to either side of that established basepath in order to avoid the tag. If the runner moves more than three feet to either side of that basepath, the runner is out. The one thing for umpires to remember on this play is the runner may have already started moving closer to the infield in order to avoid the fielder fielding the ball on the initial play. The basepath of the runner should not be considered until the fielder tries to tag the runner. The baserunner then, in general, has one large stride to either side of the basepath in order to avoid the tag. If in doubt, the runner’s move is legal. Once obviously outside that threefoot allowance, the runner should be called out.
So, knowing that information, what is the correct call? In this scenario, it appears the runner is still legally within her basepath and the three-foot allowance to each side. It looks like the runner may have taken a stride to avoid the tag but is turning her shoulders back toward the base. To determine the legality of the runner, let’s assume she took a large stride to her left and her left foot is now on the ground. Let’s estimate that large stride is three feet. Now we look at her right foot. If her right foot lands outside the left foot, she has now violated the three-foot allowance. If the right foot lands on the same path or inside the left foot, the baserunner would still be within that three-foot allowance and would be legal.
Again, in general, the ruling on this play would belong to U3 as the runner is coming toward third base. U1 can assist on this play, but U3 should have primary coverage. If this play happens closer to second base, U1 may have a better angle and distance to assist on the play. In high school and USA Softball, the guidance for umpires on this play would be to not signal “safe” in regard to the legality of being within the basepath. NCAA and USSSA mechanics suggest the base umpire should give a safe signal to indicate the umpire saw the play and ruled the runner’s actions to be legal.
The most important thing for umpires on these types of plays is to
understand there is more than one thing on which to rule. These types of plays can blow up on umpires if the umpires are moving too quickly or focusing on the wrong thing. The most important thing is to get an angle to see everything, let your eyes read the play and let the whole play develop. Then make a ruling. While this one still shot might make this play look easy to handle, in real time, these plays are dynamic and happen very quickly. The best umpires are able so slow them down and simplify them.
Brad Tittrington is an associate editor for Referee . He umpires D-I softball and officiates high school basketball, college and high school volleyball and high school football. *
For plays between bases, it is important for umpires to work together to get the call right. This is especially true when it comes to plays this like one, where there could be multiple things on which to rule. Here, Michigan umpires (U1) Kirk Caithamer, Ludington, and (U3)
Jason Weigle, Fenton, each take an angle to see the play and correctly rule on both the potential tag and any basepath violation.
CASEPLAYS
On-Deck Batter Interferes With Foul Fly
Play: With two outs and no runners on base, B3 hits a foul fly ball by the batting team’s dugout. As F5 attempts to catch the ball, the on-deck batter bumps her and causes her to not be able to catch the ball. Ruling: This is interference by the on-deck batter in all codes. The ball is dead, the batter is ruled out and the on-deck batter will be the next batter to start the next inning when her team comes to bat (NFHS 7-5-4 Pen. 2; NCAA 11.19 Eff.; USA Softball 7-1D Eff.; USSSA 7-1D-2).
Ball Slips From Pitcher’s Hand Play: With R3 on third base, F1 begins her motion. On her backswing, the ball slips out of her hand and rolls toward second base. R3 leaves third base on the release of the ball and tries to score. F4 picks up the ball and throws it to F2, who tags R3 before she reaches the plate. The plate umpire rules the runner out. Ruling: Correct ruling in all codes. The release of the ball by the pitcher counts as a pitch and the ball remains live and runners may advance at their own risk. A ball would be awarded to the batter’s count as well (NFHS 6-2-6 Eff.; NCAA 10.7.2 Eff.; USA Softball 6A-3P Eff.; USSSA 6-1M).
Protest
Play: In the top of the first inning, team A scores six runs. As team B comes to bat, team A’s coach informs the plate umpire he believes the pitcher’s plate is at the wrong distance. The plate umpire has game management measure the distance and realizes it is placed two feet farther away than it is supposed to be. Team B’s coach says he wants to protest the game due to the inaccuracy of the pitcher’s plate distance. Ruling: In all codes, this is not an allowable protest. A protest may only be made if it involves a misapplication of a rule. The pitcher’s plate should be corrected to the right distance immediately upon discovery and play shall continue from that point. All action prior to the correction stands (NFHS 1-1-9; NCAA 2.22.1 Note, 7.2.4; USA Softball 2-1 Note, 9-3; USSSA 1-1 Note, 13-1).
Forgetting the count can happen in a game, especially if there is a play where a lot happened and an umpire forgets to click the indicator. Here, Jim Radcliff, Corona, Calif., shows the count to a partner to make sure all umpires are on the same page.
You Can Count on Me
One of the most important jobs for umpires is keeping an accurate count. It is why all umpires are required to have an indicator on the field.
But sometimes, even the best umpires forget the count. This generally happens when after a pitch there is a play (or multiple plays) on a runner. Let’s say, for example, there is a steal of second base and the catcher overthrows the ball to second base. The runner then heads to third and there is a throw there. After the play, the umpires head to their positions. As the plate umpire, you look down at your indicator and you freeze for a second as you try to remember if you clicked the last pitch. The indicator shows two balls and no strikes. But should it be three balls and no strikes?
This situation has happened to every umpire if you have worked long enough. And sometimes, umpires leave it as two balls and no strikes and hope the next pitch comes in and everything will reveal itself. However, that is a dangerous game to play and can come back to bite you. It also goes against prescribed mechanics.
Umpires should show the count after plays like these. Failure to do so can lead to confusion by players, coaches and fellow umpires. But if the plate umpire isn’t sure of the count, how can the plate umpire confidently show the count? As a plate umpire, if you have any doubt of the count, ask your partner(s). This can be done in a couple of ways. One is to step to the side of the plate and place the fingers on the top of your chest protector and wiggle them. This is the universal
sign for “what is the count?” The base umpire can then respond by giving the correct count back against their chest. This is more of the “old-school” philosophy as umpires tried to have a way to get help without alerting everyone.
However, more “new-school” philosophy is to simply take off your mask, point at your partner and ask them what they have for the count. There should be no secret and we are just trying to get the count right. The old-school philosophy can be used if the plate umpire is simply seeking verification by showing the count on the protector and the base umpire can reply with the same count or give a head nod. Taking off the mask and asking should be used when the plate umpire generally has doubt and is trying to get information. This can happen when the plate umpire forgets to zero out the indicator from a previous batter and after a couple of pitches is totally unsure of the count.
Speaking of base umpires and
assisting with the count, if you are the base umpire and you know the plate umpire gave the wrong count, call time and fix it. Do not allow play to continue. This wrong count can put a team at a huge disadvantage. Call time, get together and fix the count, even if it means all umpires getting together for a quick conversation.
The reason for this is both mechanically and rules based. While the codes allow for umpires to correct the count up until the batter’s turn at bat ends, there are certain things the umpire can and cannot do. For example, if the plate umpire shows the count is two balls and no strikes, but it should be three balls and no strikes, and another pitch is thrown (a ball), the umpires can get together, correct the count and allow the base on balls as it should have been ball four. However, there are times where umpires cannot correct the count once another pitch is thrown. For example, let’s say the count is 2-0 and there is a runner on first. The next pitch
the runner steals. As the ball comes in, the batter swings at the pitch and misses and the runner safely steals second. Now, the plate umpire didn’t see the swing and shows the count as 3-0. Prior to another pitch being thrown, the base umpires can correct the count and make it 2-1, especially if the defensive team questions the previous pitch, which should have been ruled a strike. However, if another pitch is thrown, the umpires cannot then go back a rule a called ball a strike. You cannot change a “checked swing” call once another pitch has been thrown and this situation falls under that same category.
This is why it is so important for all umpires to always carry an indicator, always pay attention to what the count is given by the plate umpire and ask for help if unsure on the count. Never put a team at a disadvantage when a quick conversation can save a lot of headaches. *
SOFTBALL RULES MADE CLEAR
Softball’s most complicated rules are explained in everyday language and reinforced with 100s of illustrations.
Deals with real-world rules questions and situations like:
• Dead Ball
• Suspension of Play
• Pitching
• Batting
• Baserunning
• Plus much more!
THINGS THAT MAKE YOU GO HMMM
Common Sense Applied to Uncommon Plays
By Rick Brown
Afamous idiom says, “Experience is the mother of wisdom.” Being a veteran official doesn’t necessarily mean you are a better official, but it means you’ve most likely seen a thing or two. It’s what helps massage the gray area between the art and science of officiating.
The artistic side of officiating gets tested regularly. And no matter how long you’ve officiated, something always happens that you’ve never seen before. This past high school season saw numerous “firsts” for me, including instances of player contact under the net, safety issues during warmups, fans on the playing surface (including a pursuit
collision), court invasions and “necessary” delays.
In dealing with these unusual plays, practical rule application derives from understanding the purpose of each rule and how related rules work together. Proper rule knowledge, coupled with effective scanning and the use of headsets, allows crews to quickly communicate
Some situations that happen in a high school match are not always cut and dried. They require a mixture of art and science to figure out exactly what happened. A centerline fault, as indicated here by Susie Maga, Laguna Hills, Calif., can be complicated and can catch even the most seasoned referee off guard.
and hopefully adjudicate these interesting scenarios accurately. Proper scanning produces awareness and allows a distinction between what requires an immediate response, important things that can wait for a more opportune time during a dead ball and things that don’t have to be dealt with at all, at least not yet. Here are some of the more unusual plays that occurred this season and how they should be accurately officiated in the high school environment.
Under the Net
There are some nuances when it comes to under-the-net contact. NFHS rule 9-5-7 notes it is not a fault for a player to touch the floor across the centerline with a hand or foot “provided a part of the foot/ feet or hand(s) remains on or above the centerline.” With play at the net, opposing players occasionally land legally on the centerline where contact occurs with an opponent who is also legally on the line. For accidental contact under the net, the referees judge the effect of the contact. Regardless of whether either player has a foot touching the opponent’s court, this is not a centerline fault unless no part of the intruding foot remains on or over the line. NFHS caseplay 9.5.7 adds nuance by stating if contact under the net prevents either player from attempting to play the ball, this is an interference fault. Logically, there is no automatic interference when a player is knocked to the ground if the ball is not on that player’s side of the net — as the contact didn’t interfere with that player’s ability to play the ball.
The “classic” under-the-net contact resulting in interference occurs when A1’s foot lands legally on the centerline and pins the foot of opposing player B2, which prevents B2 from making a play on the ball when the ball is on team B’s side of the net and team B still has the legal right to contact the ball again. For example, if B2 had the last contact (not a block), and that contact was team B’s third contact, this would not result in interference because team B can’t legally contact the ball next. However, if team B still had contacts remaining
and that “pinning” kept B2 from being able to make contact with the ball, it would be interference. The fingerto-the-centerline signal will typically have to be explained to the affected team’s coach who may argue the player’s foot was on or above the line.
In a match last season, this played out a little differently. During the match, B2 was not prevented from making the next play on the ball but, rather, fell to the floor and was whistled for a centerline fault because her hand landed on the opponent’s court with no part of the intruding hand on or above the centerline. If, following the legal under-the-net contact, either player contacted any part of the net with the ball still live, NFHS rules would require a net fault to be whistled and would not consider this an interference fault. Rarely do you see contact between the players that ends up resulting in one of the players falling to the other side of the centerline or into the net. It is why when it happens, it is important referees understand how the player got there and what the rules allow and don’t allow for in those situations.
The first time it happens to a referee, chances are that referee will be caught off guard and not know what to call. It is why second referees especially need to stay with players at the net and not be quick to follow the path of the ball as they may miss that contact and the action that follows. And then it just becomes a guessing game, which isn’t good for anyone.
Warmup Safety
In high school warmups, teams rely upon the second referee’s double whistle 15 seconds before each court change to warn the oncourt team to complete swings in progress, stop hitting, gather up the volleyballs into ball carts and exit the court by the horn. Some players keep hitting after the horn sounds. In some matches this past season, some heated exchanges from coaches who believed the continued hitting endangered their players as they took the court brought this issue to the forefront and was addressed by teams not being permitted to enter the court until the horn sounded to hopefully prevent
SIDELINE
PAVO Honors Award Recipients
At its national convention in December, PAVO announced its award recipients for 2024. Below are the recipients of each award.
Appreciation Award — Steve Thorpe (NCAA National Coordinator of Officials, D-I Women’s Volleyball from 2017-24).
Excellence in Service Award — Denise Penzkofer (Board Chair, East Tennessee Board of Officials).
Honor Award –Donnie Goodwin (Kentucky Board of Officials). The Honor Award is PAVO’s highest award. Recipients receive a lifetime membership to PAVO and are automatically members of the PAVO Hall of Fame.
The FIVB adopted several rule changes for the 2025-28 seasons. FIVB changes are significant as traditionally those rules eventually funnel down to the other codes. The two most pressing rule changes are players on the serving team can’t raise their hands above their heads on a serve until the ball crosses the net in an attempt to prevent screening. The second major rule change is players on the serving team can occupy any position they want while serving, meaning no positional faults for the serving team as long as the correct server is the one serving.
TEST YOURSELF
In each of the following you are given a situation and at least two possible answers. You are to decide which answer or answers are correct for NFHS, NCAA or USAV rules, which might vary. Solutions: p. 81.
1. Team A is on offense. B1, a back-row player, joins B2 and B3, front-row players, in a block attempt. The attack by A4 does not touch any players involved in the block attempt and is dug by team B’s libero. The first referee should:
a. Whistle and award a point to team A for an illegal block against team B.
b. Allow play to continue.
c. Call a replay.
d. None of the above.
2. Team A’s coach calls a timeout with the score tied at 10 in the second set. With the score tied at 24, team A’s captain calls the team’s second timeout of the set. With the score tied at 25, team A’s coach signals to the second referee for a timeout. The second referee whistles and acknowledges the timeout request. What should happen next?
a. Team A should be granted a timeout.
b. Team A’s captain should be given a red card for unsporting conduct.
c. The request for a timeout shall be denied and team A penalized with a loss of rally/point awarded to team B.
d. The request for a timeout shall be denied and an unnecessary delay/delay sanction is issued to team A.
e. Improper request. The next improper request by the same team results in a delay.
3. During the second set, team A makes a substitution request. A1 enters the substitution zone to replace A2 in the first position. A1 enters the set and the first referee beckons for serve. After the serve is contacted, the second referee realizes A1 substituted earlier in the set for A3 in the second position. What should happen next?
a. A timeout should be charged to team A.
b. An illegal alignment/rotation fault is charged to team A.
c. A delay-of-game warning is issued to team A.
d. None of the above.
injury. Some states have the timer stop the countdown clock or hold the time to allow one team to leave and the other to get on the court so one team doesn’t feel “cheated.” However, what should referees do when teams continue hitting after the horn? At a minimum, referees should have a conversation with the coach to explain hitting needs to be completed before the horn sounds. However, if a player contacts a ball after the horn and it hits an opposing team member, that team should be sanctioned with unsporting conduct. Depending on the severity of the contact, this could be a yellow or red card, or could be elevated to a disqualification if deemed flagrant.
Fans on the Floor
As referees assess facility hazards, their focus on player safety should include an assessment of spectator traffic and how close seating is to the playing court. Fans who stand on the playing surface may not be aware this is not OK. This often occurs with the student section as those fans want to get as close as possible.
At a school’s first home match this past season, we had to deal with a group of boys packed into the first few rows who decided it was more fun to be on the floor behind and to the side of the first referee. By the second rally, they were not only on the playing surface but moving toward the court. The first referee became aware by the increased sound level and used the headsets to get the second referee to involve host management to address the unsafe situation. Play didn’t resume until the fans were off the playing surface, along with their coats and book bags that littered the floor. Safety was the primary concern, but having screaming fans on the playing surface was also intimidating to the visiting team. Passionate fans are great for the game and are a welcome addition to matches, but those fans need to remain in the bleachers to keep everyone safe.
A scarier situation last year involved a colorfully clad adult fan’s untimely stepping onto the playing surface as an opposing player pursuing a ball beyond the referee stand arrived to play the ball.
The player was 6-7 feet beyond the centerline, reaching for the ball near the stands, and slid into the fan, knocking her to the floor. A more prominent second referee scan before and after each rally might have prevented the situation. Several fans sitting in slightly elevated front-row chairs also had outstretched feet on the floor, and a preventive announcement from the PA announcer may have helped. While it may seem like referees are taking the “fun” out of the match by forcing fans into the bleachers, it is in these types of situations the rules state spectators should be off the playing surface. Remember, safety first.
Approaching the Court During/After Rallies
During one particular match, there were ongoing issues with bench personnel coming too far off the bench to cheer after plays as well as not returning quickly to their chairs after spontaneously cheering. No one wants to shut down enthusiasm or be classified as the no-fun police, but there are some limits, including not allowing players who are supposed to be seated coming to the sideline and sometimes infringing on the benchside line judge’s space. Referees were instructed to address the concern at the prematch meeting during postseason play and remind head coaches as needed, while not stifling spontaneous responses to exciting plays where players remained closer to the bench than to the court.
While all of these situations don’t happen every match, they certainly can happen when we let our guard down. Preventive officiating can help eliminate some of the chaos, but some things are just unavoidable. It behooves us all to know the rules, understand the intent of the rules and keep alert. Because when you least expect something strange to happen, it will.
Rick Brown, Westerville, Ohio, is a longtime girls’ and boys’ high school volleyball referee, working 22 state tournaments. He is a state and local rules interpreter, USAV Regional Referee and formerly a PAVO National Line Judge, working multiple D-I postseason matches. *
Foot Fault
By Brad Tittrington
Secondreferees have a lot of responsibility, especially prior to contact of the serve. However, one of the major jobs for second referees is to make sure the receiving team is in correct alignment at the moment of service.
First, let’s take a look at the rules regarding alignment. Thankfully, all three codes agree on alignment, making it easy for those working multiple levels. At the instant the ball is contacted for service, all players on the receiving team must be in correct serving order. Each right-side player shall have at least part of one foot closer to the right sideline than both feet of the center player in the corresponding row. Each left-side player shall have at least part of one foot closer to the left sideline than
both feet of the center player in the corresponding row. And lastly, each front-row player shall have at least part of one foot closer to the centerline than both feet of the corresponding back-row player. Once the ball is contacted, players may move freely from their respective positions.
The biggest issue for second referees is normally setters. Setters are constantly trying to get into position as quickly as possible (normally somewhere close to the net and somewhere between the middle of the court and the right sideline). It is easy for the setter to get there when the setter is in the right-front position. However, when the setter is in one of the other five rotations, it gets a little more dicey.
However, it is not always the setter who causes overlap issues. While second referees should initially pick
out the setter and the setter’s opposite to make sure those two are lined up correctly, it is equally important to make sure the other four players are lined up correctly as well to make sure a team is not gaining an unfair advantage.
As a second referee, it is your job to penalize obvious overlaps. If in doubt, the players are legal. Second referees should not have to “count boards” to see if a player is a millimeter overlapped with a corresponding player. Call the obvious overlaps and talk to players or coaches in an effort to prevent overlaps.
Let’s take a look at three different rotations and where overlaps are likely to occur.
The first scenario involves the right-back position overlapping with the right-front player. Often, teams will stack the right-front and right-
CASEPLAYS
Two Liberos Serving Play: Team A is using two liberos in the second set. Team A’s head coach indicated on the lineup sheet at the beginning of the match that the team would be using two liberos. To start the first set, libero A1 serves in the first position. When the serving rotation comes back around to the first position, libero A2 serves. The first referee allows play to continue. Ruling: Incorrect for NFHS as a team can only designate one libero for a set. The player serving as the libero may change from set to set, but two players cannot be designated to the libero position in any given set (NFHS 6-4-2). Correct for NCAA and USAV. If both liberos were designated on the lineup sheet at the start of the match, either libero may serve during the set. However, the liberos may only serve in one rotation in that set (NCAA 12.1.1, 12.1.2.4; USAV 19.1.1, 19.3.1.3b).
Three or Four Hits?
Play: During a rally, A1 completes an attack that is contacted by B2, a front-row player who is jumping. B2 never reaches higher than the top of the net. The ball and B2’s hands are completely below the height of the net at contact. B3 then passes the ball to B4, the setter, who sets the ball to B5. B5 spikes the ball and sends it over the net to the opponent’s side. The first referee blows the whistle as soon as B5 contacts the ball, awards a point to team A and signals four hits by team B. Ruling: Correct ruling in all codes. For a contact to be considered a block, the blocker must be reaching higher than the top of the net at the moment of contact. In this case, even though B3 jumps, B3’s contact of the ball happens when the hands are completely below the height of the net, making this the first allowable hit for team B and not a block. B3 then makes the team’s second contact and B4’s contact is the third contact. When B5 contacts the ball, it is the team’s fourth hit, making it a fault (NFHS 9-4-3, 9-5-1c; NCAA 14.1.1, 14.6.1; USAV 14.1.1, 14.4.1).
back near the net and then the rightfront will drop back at the moment of service. If stacked near the net, it is important for the second referee to make sure the back-row player is behind the front-row player, and not the other way around (as shown in MechaniGram A). This normally occurs when the right-back player is the setter and teams are trying to get the setter as close to the net as possible to begin. However, some teams prefer to have right-front drop back a bit to help with serve receive and will “hide” the setter behind them. In this instance, the setter is quite a bit of distance away from the net. In this scenario, the setter will often “cheat” forward to get to the net as quickly as possible.
Some setters are very good at timing the contact and their movement to make sure they don’t overlap with the right-front player. However, some setters start moving well before the sever contacts the ball and may be two or three steps in front of the right-front at the actual moment of contact. If there is minor overlap, a conversation with the setter or with the coach to “slow down” may be all it takes to correct the behavior. However, if it is egregious, whistle and signal the overlap.
Some coaches will instruct their setters to start early and keep doing it until the referees call it. Take care of it early so you don’t have to make that critical call late in the match, when you haven’t called it all match.
The second scenario involves the setter in the center-front position. A lot of teams in this rotation have all three front-row players tight together near the center of the net and then at the moment of contact, the setter will move to the right side. Make sure the setter in the center-front position does not start to the right of the right-front player (as shown in MechaniGram B). This is why it is important to always figure out in what position the setter should be starting. Early on, before the second referee has had the chance to memorize the rotation, it can be difficult to remember whether the setter is center-front or right-front. Being able to get closer to the right side is a huge advantage in the passing
game and it is important to catch this overlap early to prevent it from happening over and over again. The final rotation where there tends to be overlap is when the setter starts left-back. Teams generally want to “hide” the setter to prevent the setter from having to make the team’s first contact. This “hiding” allows the setter to get into position to make the team’s second contact and set a hitter. When the setter starts in the left-back position, teams generally stack the setter with the left-front. The
setter will then move to the right side once the ball is contacted for service. However, some setters try to get as close to the net as possible and overlap with the left-front player (as shown in MechaniGram C on the previous page). Normally in this rotation, the two other front-row players (CF and RF) stay near the net and allow the two non-setting back-row players to receive the serve. Sometimes, the left-front player may drop back as well to help with passing. When the
Hands Off
The three major rule codes all have multiple rules when it comes to a player contacting the net, as shown in the photo. The player in white is clearly touching the net with her wrist. And due to the nature of still photos, it is impossible from this angle to decipher if the player in blue is contacting it with either arm. So, what do we potentially have on this play?
The first thing we have to determine is whether the player contacting the net is doing so in the act of playing the ball. In NFHS, that determination does not matter. Anytime a player contacts the net while the ball is in play, it is a fault (9-6-7). In NCAA and USAV, it is only a net fault if the player makes contact during the action of playing the ball or it interferes with play (NCAA 15.2.1; USAV 11.3.1, 11.3.2). Here, while we can’t see the ball, we can determine the player in white just finished attacking the ball and the players in blue are trying to block the ball. Both of those are considered acts of playing the ball and therefore, this is a potential net fault.
The next thing we have to determine is what caused the net to move. Did the player in white hit the ball into the net? And if so, did the force of that action then cause the net to hit the player? All three rule codes allow an exception that if the force of the ball hitting the net causes the net to hit the player, it is not a net fault.
left-front drops back, it puts the setter in the left-back position even farther away from the net, a disadvantageous position. When the left-back creeps up, they are susceptible to overlapping.
While these three scenarios tend to occur the most, there is the possibility of overlapping in every rotation by every player. Generally it is the setter who tends to overlap the most, but there are scenarios where a libero may overlap in the back row with another player, especially after a replacement
and the libero “forgets” which rotation the team is currently in. Coaches are getting more and more savvy with how they set their team for serve receive and it is important for second referees to quickly remember the rotation of the receiving team in order to prevent these overlaps.
Brad Tittrington is an associate editor for Referee. He umpires D-I softball and officiates high school basketball, college and high school volleyball and high school football. *
Any time there is contact with the net, referees need to determine if that contact is legal or illegal. And the answer may depend on which code they are working as not all contact is treated the same.
If we assume that happened on this play, the ball remains live and play continues.
If we assume the ball did not hit the net, then we have to determine which player (if any) contacted the net. We can clearly determine the player in white is touching the net. If she is the only one determined to touch the net, the ball is immediately dead and loss of rally/point is awarded to the blue team. If it is determined both the player in white
and the player in blue touched the net, we have to determine the order in which it happened. If one clearly touched the net before the other, the fault should be whistled on that player. If the referees cannot determine which one contacted it first and it is determined they both contacted the net at approximately the same time, a double fault is ruled. In that situation, the ball is whistled dead and the result is a replay.
On these types of plays, it is important for referees to understand the mechanics for getting this call right. Second referees should be on the blocking team’s side of the net. This way, the second referee can watch the blocking team as it rises to block and then come back down and determine if any player on the blocking team made contact. If in the right position, the second referee should be able to clearly see if the player contacted the net and if the ball hit the net first, make a determination if that action caused the net to move into the blocking player. The first referee can assist with the attacking player making contact on the follow through and also make a determination if the ball contacted the net first and caused the net to rebound into the player. If there is a double whistle on this play, the two referees should discuss what happened and make a determination on which player faulted first or if it is a double fault resulting in a replay. *
GETTING IT RIGHT
Roadside Assistance
By Brad Star
While on his way to officiate a high school basketball game Jan. 18, Jonathan McKinney made an unexpected stop that may have saved a man’s life.
The Alabama resident was en route to Gadsden City High School to work his scheduled game when, while at a stop light, a woman on the side of the road flagged him down. McKinney pulled over and the woman revealed she also pulled over after noticing an unconscious man on a set of steps outside a house. The man was unresponsive to McKinney and the woman.
“I felt for a pulse — no pulse, and I said, ‘Hey, this guy is dead,’” McKinney said. “I looked at his eyes, they were all rolled up to the back of his head, mouth was wide open.”
McKinney and the woman called 911 and the dispatcher instructed the duo to perform CPR while waiting for paramedics. The woman said she didn’t know how, leaving McKinney — who was previously required to learn CPR because he is a middle school football coach — to attempt the life-saving measures.
“I started CPR and maybe in 45 seconds to a minute, that’s when the guy took a deep breath, so I
stopped doing chest compressions,” McKinney said.
McKinney asked the man if he could hear him, and the man replied with a groan. The man was initially unable to respond with anything other than grunting, but shortly before paramedics arrived, he was able to say his name.
The fire department was just up the street from the scene, according to McKinney, so they didn’t have to wait long for paramedics to show up. The paramedics thanked McKinney and the woman before taking over.
McKinney ended up making it to his assignment, though he was still rattled well into the first half.
“I really didn’t want to go (officiate) after that,” McKinney said with a laugh. “That whole first quarter, man, I was shaking and nervous, still had all that on my mind. In the second quarter and then halftime, I kind of calmed down, just got through the game.”
The following Wednesday, McKinney went by the fire department to see if he could learn what happened to the man after he was taken to the hospital. The department told McKinney that information couldn’t be shared due to HIPAA laws. As a result, McKinney is still unsure of the man’s fate.
“Still to this day, I’m not sure if he’s alive or didn’t make it, but I really want to know,” McKinney said.
McKinney had to get recertified for CPR training last summer as part of his coaching job. He recommends everyone learn CPR for situations such as the one he encountered.
“You never know when you need to do CPR, so I think everybody needs to at least take a class on it,” he said. “Get certified so you can have that in your back pocket so when that time comes, you already know how to do it.”
McKinney has officiated high school basketball for 15 years. He plans to attend camps this summer in hopes of getting hired at the college level.
Brad Star is an assistant editor for Referee *
Byron Was Beloved
A donation from the family of an umpire who recently died will go toward renovating the ballfields at a park in Valparaiso, Ind. Byron Smith III, who died Jan. 6, umpired in Valparaiso for over 40 years and worked more than 10,000 games, according to Valpo Parks.
The donation from the Smith family will be used to improve the playing surface, fencing, dugouts, lights and more at Fairgrounds Park.
“We are incredibly grateful to the Smith family for their generous donation,” said Kevin Nuppnau, director of Valpo Parks. “Byron was a beloved member of our community, and this gift will ensure his legacy lives on for generations to come.”
A dedication ceremony will be held May 8 to officially rename the complex the “Byron Smith III Sports Complex at Fairgrounds Park.”
SOURCE: VALPO PARKS
Heartfelt Response
Jo Marie Holzhammer has had a significant impact both on and off the court during her pickleball career.
Holzhammer competes in tournaments and is also a pickleball instructor, a USA Pickleball certified referee and a USA Pickleball ambassador. Perhaps her most important moments in pickleball have taken place on the court, though not as a player.
Holzhammer has stepped in to save the lives of three different individuals who suffered heart attacks while playing pickleball; two of those occasions were just nine days apart. Two were at her home club in Ewing, N.J., where she is the programming manager, while the other save occurred when she was visiting another club. She used both CPR and an automated external defibrillator (AED) on those occasions.
Holzhammer said the first thing she does upon entering a club or venue to play, referee or watch is seek out the AED.
Have you heard an inspirational or motivational officiating story?
Send your ideas to GettingItRight@referee.com an
Jonathan McKinney, a high school basketball official in Alabama, resuscitated a man on his way to an assignment.
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NAudio from an argument in an MLB game made it into the mainstream
early nine years after retired MLB umpire Tom Hallion and former New York Mets manager Terry Collins engaged in a heated, often profane, argument that is memorialized on YouTube, the two baseball lifers are still being asked to appear on podcasts and discuss how a seemingly routine early season game between the Mets and Los Angeles Dodgers became part of baseball legend.
earlier. During the offseason, the Dodgers hired a new manager, Dave Roberts, and Collins said he seemed eager to defuse the tensions between the two longtime
The game on May 28, 2016, at New York’s Citi Field marked the first meeting since the teams faced off in the 2015 NL Championship series, when L.A.’s Chase Utley fractured the leg of Mets shortstop Ruben Tejada as Utley tried to break up a double play. Collins said his pitchers were planning to send Ultey a message for what they perceived as a dirty play, even though the incident occurred more than six months
Utley received a two-game suspension that carried over to the next season. But during the offseason MLB dropped the suspension, saying Utley did not break any rule with the hard slide. However, before the 2016 season, MLB changed the slide rule to provide more protection to middle infielders turning the double play.
“We met at home plate with Collins and Roberts, and it was a nice, cordial meeting. But (the play) does come up by Roberts and he said, ‘Terry, this is my first year, I’m new at this, and I hope it’s all over and we move on,’” Hallion said.
nice, (the and I’m move and
“Terry then said, ‘Gee, it is a shame the league never did anything to take care of this and they said they’d move on.’ Now, as a crew we said, ‘This is the kiss of death’ with
By Dan Ronan
ass in the jackpot
both of them kissing and hugging. We knew something was going to happen. But nothing happened Friday and then we came to Saturday.”
Hallion had some instruction for Adam Hamari, a Triple-A call-up umpire, who may have felt he was under added scrutiny because he was not a full-time member of the staff.
“I said, ‘Adam, trust your gut, and if you think something is not right, you do whatever you think you have to do,’” Hallion said. The game was to be broadcast nationally on Fox. Hallion decided he, rather than Hamari, would wear a network microphone.
When Utley came to bat, Mets pitcher Noah Syndergaard threw a fastball behind Utley. Hamari immediately ejected Syndergaard. Hallion rushed to the mound and told Syndergaard, “You’re done. You can’t do that in that situation. That’s the wrong time to do it. Our ass is in the jackpot if we don’t do something there.”
“I was not surprised that Syndergaard threw at Utley,” Collins said. “I thought for sure there would be a warning and not an ejection.”
Seconds later the argument would erupt and become the stuff of legends. Collins was in Hamari’s face YOU ARE THERE rivals.
while Hallion spoke to Syndergaard. Hearing the roar of 42,000 fans, Hallion pivoted from Syndergaard and faced an enraged Collins.
“You take (Syndergaard),” Hallion said to Hamari and the two other crew members, veteran umpires Phil Cuzzi and Dan Bellino. “Terry was going nuts on Adam, and I got Terry away from Adam. I told Terry, ‘You talk to me.’ It was a lot of built-up frustration over the way the league managed the situation with Utley.”
“Tommy, that’s f---ing bull---- and you know it. You gotta give us a shot.”
“I wasn’t mad at Tom,” Collins explained. “I wanted our team to get a shot at Utley.”
Hallion’s response is priceless. “Terry, that makes it f---ing worse,” Hallion explained, trying to convince the enraged manager the umpires were not responsible for what MLB’s executives did, or did not do, when it came to discipline. “Our ass is in the jackpot now.”
So how did Hallion, in the heat of an argument on national television with a furious manager, come up with a phrase that people who talk with him ask him to repeat to this day?
“This brings a smile to my face,” Hallion said. “When I was a kid growing up in upstate New York,
I’d play with my friends and my mom would make dinner. My sister would come by the park and say, ‘Mom wants you home for dinner now. You’re late and your ass is in the jackpot,’” Hallion said with a laugh. “That’s where it came from. When a chef makes dinner and you’re not there, your ass is in the jackpot.”
The unvarnished, foul, raw audio gave fans a glimpse into the relationship between managers and umpires. But there is also a mystery that lingers to this day. How did the recording become public, because there are specific contractual rules prohibiting raw audio and video, whether it’s from the replay center or on television, from being made public.
More than a year later, Hallion was umpiring in Seattle when his phone began ringing constantly from MLB, fellow umpires and friends who wanted to know about the argument with Collins. It had been uploaded to YouTube and other social media platforms.
“The recording was supposed to be destroyed,” Hallion said. “It was all over the internet. Hamari was on my crew, so we watched it on his phone in our room after the game. Our union notified the league, and somebody knew they had something
pretty interesting, and they hid it and brought it out a year later. To this day, according to MLB, they don’t know who did it. I find that hard to believe. But it showed that when we have a tough situation, we do a pretty damn good job of defusing it. All I said to Terry was I could not do anything about it.”
The release of the recording has had unexpected consequences. Hallion and Collins have become close friends and have participated in podcasts and joint interviews and have discussed the relationship between managers and umpires. And Collins gets questioned about the incident regularly.
“One day, I had a 10-year-old kid come up to me at the ballpark with his mother and he recited the entire recording, word-for-word,” Collins said. “I can’t walk down Fifth Avenue in New York without someone coming up to me to talk about the tape, or to show it to me on YouTube. I’m accountable for what I said, but it is entertaining, but because of the internet, we’re known forever because of this.”
Dan Ronan is a Washington, D.C.-based journalist and a retired NCAA baseball umpire and small college and high school basketball referee. *
Umpire Tom Hallion (left) tries to assuage New York manager Terry Collins after Mets pitcher Noah Syndergaard was ejected for throwing at Dodgers infielder Chase Utley. The pitch was apparent retaliation for an incident the previous season.
SEVEN UP Takeaways From Every Game You Work
By the Referee editors
When you’re through learning, the old saying goes, you’re through. So even though most assignments are routine affairs with no once-in-a-lifetime situations to test you, there are plenty of takeaways for you if you look for them. They may be found before, during or after the game. Here are just seven to think about.
1.Be Decisive, No Matter What Officiating is no place for the timid. When you blow your whistle, signal or make a verbal call, don’t be weak about it. Even if you’re wrong, a strong blast of the whistle, signal or verbalization will let everyone think you’re right, or at least certain you’re making the right decision.
2.Learn From Your Mistakes
Honest officials will tell you they are still waiting to work a perfect game — a game without any officiating blunders, whether mechanical, rules-based or judgment. Since we all screw up, what should our mindset be about them?
When you make a mistake, after the game, first analyze what happened. Did you give a wrong signal or fail to signal at all? Did you rush instead of hustle? Maybe your error was a wrong call. What happened? Were you out of position? Did you anticipate the call instead of the play? Most importantly, what do you need to correct to make sure it doesn’t happen again?
Mistakes can and should be valuable learning experiences you can take away. Make the most of a bad situation.
3.Note What Works
Of course, despite what most fans and some coaches and players think, most officials do most things
With a strong signal, water polo official Mike Stewart, Foothill, Calif., exudes confidence in his decision. Being decisive in all situations gives the impression of competence.
right. The beauty of our avocation is we can keep working on things not until we get them right, but until we don’t get them wrong. Do you have trouble with a specific situation? What have you been doing about it? Have you increased your study of rules and video? Have you picked the brain of more-experienced officials until you get it right?
Too often we fail to take credit for working on our game. If you try something different and it works, make note of it, share it and keep doing it. Come away with a sense of accomplishment.
4.Go to the Film
Remember the days of giving a blank VHS tape along with a selfaddressed, postage-paid return envelope to the home-team coach? We were lucky if we got half of them back, and often we’d get them so long after the season they didn’t do us any good. Thank goodness those days are long gone.
Today there are so many ways to easily access video of our games. To not take advantage of the technology is a missed opportunity to improve. Watch yourself with a hyper-critical eye. Don’t focus solely on your judgment, although that is important. Do you move well? Are you in the right position? How are your signals? Video is a great way to see bad habits and figure out ways to correct them.
5.Retain Team Tendencies
Knowledge is power, and nowhere is that more true than in officiating. Whatever you can learn about teams and their tendencies, coaches and players during a game can provide valuable information that may prove useful the next time you see that team. You can also pass the information on to your fellow officials who will see the teams next week, in the playoffs or at the state tournament.
While we certainly avoid “making up our mind” about a coach, or worse — a specific type of play or strategy — before a game, knowing how a team plays or what it tries to do helps prepare you to
call the best game possible. Luck favors the well-prepared.
6.Keep Your Sanity
Maybe you remember the commercial — the football official was getting a royal chewing on the sideline, and the TV commentators were remarking what tremendous concentration the official had and wondered aloud where he developed such concentration. The scene then changed to the official’s home, where the poor fellow was enduring a similar dressing-down from his wife. Funny? Yes. But the reality is officiating is a high-stress avocation. Don’t let it cost you your sanity.
You can count on something going wrong just about every game. In some situations, you may have a coach who is ill-tempered and who is determined to send you home feeling like you stole a child’s lollipop. Don’t let that happen. You need to go home with your sanity. You owe it to yourself and your family. If things go sideways at a game, settle the situation, then give yourself a short “self-talk” recognizing the fact you got things under control and the game is yours again.
On your way home, relax, put the game behind you and walk in the door ready for your family. It’s a crucial tool you must take home: the ability to decompress after a tough game.
7.Take Pride in Your Work
One of the most important things you carry with you is a sense of accomplishment, the knowledge you not only performed a service, but you did something very few people can do: You officiated a game, and you did it well.
Take pride in the fact you have a unique set of skills, the confidence to use them and the judgment to know how. Those armchair referees in the stands only think they can do the job better than you. If they could, they’d be out there with you. Let your pride in your work help you tune out the noise and keep up your spirit. *
SURVEY SAYS …
Are you mandated to wear uniforms carrying logos from sponsors, governing bodies, etc.?
71% No: 29%
QUICKTIP
Think about how you coach yourself. That is known as “selftalk,” or that voice inside that might praise or berate your performance. To what kind of coaching do you best respond? While a greater positive emphasis is usually more beneficial than negative, try being very taskdirective rather than general and attacking your confidence. For example, instead of that voice saying, “Stop blowing the whistle so early, you idiot!” practice controlling that voice to say, “Take a deep breath; next time see the whole play before blowing the whistle.”
“Regardless of a missed call, there is absolutely no reason for this to come to an assault much less verbally assaulting these people who are giving up time to help. It is extremely sad when you can do a Google search on a parent attacking a referee and multiple pages show up across the nation.”
Clear Communication Beats the Heat
By the Referee editors
Every official at some time faces circumstances where the pace of play, a long-standing rivalry or action of a player dials up game temperature. Recognizing those changes and taking appropriate steps to maintain game control is a success factor for officials in every sport and at every level. The actions officials take can influence the behaviors of players and coaches and in effect reduce the game’s negative intensity.
Consistency in rule interpretation and application can reduce conflict, but clear communication remains the biggest single key to maintaining game control. Recognizing when and where to intervene in order to check acceleration of tension is generally acknowledged to be more art than science. It is a “feel” skill developed over time. Experienced officials have trained themselves to keep eyes and ears open, looking for both overt and subtle indications a game may be heading toward conflict. Once signs of trouble appear, it is best to take action to address the symptoms immediately.
Determining what to say and how to speak with players could have its own manual. Watching players during dead-ball periods, listening to player chatter and observing body posture can yield clues to accelerating tension. Intervening with words or acknowledging the fact you saw a particular action could make a difference when talking a player out of a potential confrontation. Slowing
the pace of play (as allowed within the rules) or relying on captains and coaches to urge them to control team members before having to take more dramatic punitive action should be a priority.
A lopsided score can jeopardize game control. When a dominant team continues to press its advantage, hard feelings can develop among the defeated team. Recognize the signs of trouble, such as contact beyond the norm of the sport, aggressive body language and a general frustration manifesting itself in
language or gestures. A quiet word with a disappointed player can work wonders, such as, “I know it has been a tough game for your team, but let’s finish on a positive note, OK?”
Cover potential problems in pregame meetings. Maintaining effective in-game crew communication and focused concentration (particularly during dead-ball periods) can stop trouble before it starts.
Remember officiating is a people business. Knowing how and when to enforce the rules is only a part of the equation. *
Captain Obvious? Dealing With Team Leaders
By Jeffrey Stern
Being a captain on a team is a pretty big deal. It means the player has earned the trust and respect of his or her coach or teammates. It’s important enough that some teams sew a “C” onto the captain’s jersey for easy recognition.
Captains are the onfield or oncourt conduit between the team and the sports officials. So they should be dealt with differently than other players. As with many things in officiating, there is a right way and several not-so-right ways to interact with captains. Here are some timetested pointers.
Keep pregame conversations short. For any pregame meeting with the captains, the reality is you’ve got essentially 30 seconds or less to get your point across to the captains before they lose interest. Plus, their focus is on the game, not on niceties. Introduce yourself. They won’t remember your name, but it helps
Referees Ross Charles, Palmdale, Calif. (left), and Marco Pantoja, Downey, Calif., combine efforts to calm a disgruntled player. Recognizing and addressing potential player issues before they reach the boiling point is crucial to game control.
reinforce there’s a human being wearing those funny clothes. Avoid extraneous, unnecessary points, like, “The blue line is the sideline.” Wow, there’s a revelation! Especially for the home team that has played on that surface all season.
That line about wanting a good, clean game? That’s great for old boxing movies, but not realistic in today’s games. If there is bad blood between the teams, address it with the coaches, who can convey messages to the players about rough play.
Don’t tell them how the game will be called. “We’re really bearing down on three seconds,” or, “We’ve been calling a lot of holding fouls lately, just so you know.” Either may be true but they’ll figure it out once the game gets going.
Get the numbers. At one time, only a captain could request a timeout or address an official. Those days are gone and you may go through weeks without having to consult a captain for anything. Still, it’s good to have
the numbers available, be it on a game card or lineup card or in the scorebook.
The coin toss. If a coin toss is involved, use a larger coin such as a quarter or half-dollar or a coin specifically made for such occasions. Referees differ as to whether they catch the coin or let it fall to the ground.
In case more than one player represents the team, make sure you identify who will call the toss. Get the choice of heads or tails before the coin is tossed and have another official verbally confirm the choice.
Be careful with humor. Sometimes a joke you’ve planned out well in advance goes over like a lead balloon. If you use humor, use it wisely and above all else, make sure your humor does not offend any of the players.
Offer your crewmates a chance for input. Even the most veteran officials sometimes leave out something important. Know beforehand if the official(s) joining you for the conference has anything to add. If you contribute, be brief.
THE NEW BASEBALL UMPIRES MANUAL
Use the captains to your advantage. Once the game begins, captains can be helpful in calming rambunctious teammates. Some players are more likely to pay attention to teammates, especially those who have been singled out by the coaches. So don’t hesitate to sidle up to a captain and say something like, “Hey captain, how about you talk to your number 33 about settling down a bit?”
Remember captains are sometimes selected on the basis of their playing ability and not their leadership skills. If the captain is the problem, appeal to his or her sense of duty. “We expect a little more from captains. Let’s refocus on the game and not on the officiating.”
Or go to the head coach and let him or her know you may have to deal with the supposed leader of the team.
Jeffrey Stern is Referee’s senior editor. He formerly officiated high school and college football and high school baseball. *
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FOR THE RECORD
AWARDS, ROSTERS, NOTABLES
POSTSEASON ASSIGNMENTS
PROFESSIONAL
•The Philadelphia Eagles defeated the Kansas City Chiefs, 40-22, to win Super Bowl LIX. Officials were (crew order is referee, umpire, down judge, line judge, field judge, side judge, back judge, replay official, replay assistant): Ron Torbert, Mike Morton, Max Causey, Mark Stewart, Mearl Robinson, Boris Cheek, Jonah Monroe, Kevin Brown, Sean McKee. Officials for preliminary rounds:
AFC Wild Card — Buffalo 31, Denver 7: Bill Vinovich, Tab Slaughter, Dale Keller, Tripp Sutter, Jabir Walker, Frank Steratore, Jimmy Russell, Denise Crudup, Chad Wakefield. Baltimore 28, Pittsburgh 14: Alex Kemp, Mark Pellis, Frank LeBlanc, Rusty Baynes, Sean Petty, Anthony Jeffries, Greg Meyer, Mike Chase, Julie Johnson. Houston 32, Los Angeles 12: Land Clark, Paul King, Tom Stephan, Carl Johnson, Aaron Santi, Dominique Pender, Brad Freeman, Jamie Nicholson, Adam Choate. NFC Wild Card — Philadelphia 22, Green Bay 10: Brad Allen, Barry Anderson, Sarah Thomas, Daniel Gallagher, Rick Patterson, Dale Shaw, Greg Wilson, Mike Wimmer, Larry Hill. Los Angeles 27, Minnesota 9: John Hussey, Terry Killens, Dana McKenzie, Tom Eaton, Eugene Hall, Allen Baynes, Matt Edwards, Andrew Lambert, Sebrina Brunson. Washington 23, Tampa Bay 20: Craig Wrolstad, Roy Ellison, Danny Short, Brian Bolinger, Ryan Dickson, Keith Washington, Rich Martinez, Roddy Ames, Artenzia Younger-Seigler.
AFC Divisional — Buffalo 27, Baltimore 25: Carl Cheffers, Brandon Cruse, Mike Carr, Greg Bradley, Joe Blubaugh, Nate Jones, Martin Hankins, Chad Adams, Ken Hall. Kansas City 23, Houston 14: Clay Martin, Scott Campbell, Kent Payne, Walter Flowers, Jason Ledet, James Coleman, Greg Yette, Matt Sumstine, Tim
England. NFC Divisional — Philadelphia 28, Los Angeles 22: Shawn Smith, Bryan Neale, Jay Bilbo, Stewart, Dave Hawkshaw, Alonzo Ramsey, Dino Paganelli, Tyler Cerimeli, Brian Davies. Washington 45, Detroit 31: Torbert, Duane Heydt, Causey, Tim Podraza, Robinson, Cheek, Monroe, Brown, Durwood Manley.
AFC Championship — Kansas City 32, Buffalo 29: Clete Blakeman, Killens, Patrick Holt, Jeff Seeman, Anthony Flemming, Don Willard, Todd Prukop, Adams, Bryant Thompson. NFC Championship — Eagles 55, Commanders 23: Shawn Hochuli, Morton, Jerod Phillips, Julian Mapp, John Jenkins, Chad Hill, Scott Helverson, Cerimeli, Jim Van Geffen.
POSTSEASON ASSIGNMENTS
HIGH SCHOOL
•These officials were selected by the Minnesota State High School League to work 2024 fall sports championships:
Football — Donald Adderley, Coon Rapids; Don Anderson, Hutchinson; Jacob Anderson, Cold Spring; Eric Asche, Morris; Lee Baarts, Fairmont; William Bean, Blaine; Marshall Behrens, Rochester; Zachary Benson, Red Lake Falls; Timothy Benz, Rochester; Adam Berg, Edina; Jason Berg, Farmington; Patrick Bergquist, Gilbert; Steve Blake, Hutchinson; Matt Bloxham, Oronoco; Brian Boche, Chaska; Justin Borchardt, Fairmont; Craig Braun, Sauk Rapids; Doug Bruggeman, Pelican Rapids; Michael Bruns, Elbow Lake; Brian Burns, Cottage Grove; Jared Butson, St. Charles; Vern Capelle, Little Falls; Patrick Carey, Farmington; Mike Casey, Eagan; Edward Chavers, Eveleth; Pete Cheeley, St. Cloud; Spencer Chirpich, Fairmont; Grant Conway, Thief River Falls; Roger Cota, Saint Hilaire; Chad Crosby, Maple Grove; Adam Crotteau, Minneapolis; Zachary Dahl, Elmore; Andrew Dallmann,
Marshall; Dave Darr, Woodbury; Timothy Demco, Cottage Grove; Clayton Dilly, West Fargo; Corey Dornack, Chatfield; Brian Dow, Cornell; David Drexler, Alexandria; Nick Edwards, Roseville; Craig Ehrlichman, Sartell; Christopher Eichten, Wabasso; Neil Eichten, Wabasso; Mark Ekren, Morris; Travis Epema, Maple Grove; Blair Folkens, Sleepy Eye; Jason Frank, Mondovi; Brian Franzwa, Woodbury; Scott Fredrickson, Fargo; Zach Freeman, Hermantown; Taylor Fuhs, Fergus Falls; Zach Fuller, Rochester; Leonard Gabbert, Alexandria; Matthew Gallagher, Plymouth; Ron Giles, Rochester; Tom Gillund, Brooklyn Park; Aaron Gothmann, Apple Valley; Troy Grengs, Lakeville; Tim Grove, Morris; Brian Guler, Pelican Rapids; John Gullingsrud, Pelican Rapids; Zach Gustafson, Blaine; Casey Haas, Waconia; Troy Halter, Andover; John Hardgrove, Oakdale; Dennis Harris, Edina; Fred Harris, Chaska; Michael Heifort, Inver Grove Heights; Alex Hein, Lakefield; Mike Hepola, Henning; Scott Hill, Monticello; Kevin Hillman, Albertville; Tracy Hinsz, Barnesville; Jeff Hobbs, Stewartville; Timothy Holmstrom, Duluth; Seth Hoscheit, Byron; Tom Houle, Stillwater; Thomas Hoye, St. Paul; Curt Hughes, Stewartville; Justin Jarocki, Farmington; Derrick Jenniges, Walnut Grove; Bryce Jergenson, Morris; Robert Jergenson, Morris; Greg Johnson, Little Falls; Jesse Johnson, Cold Spring; Zack Johnson, Bloomington; Tremayne Jones, St. Paul; Joshua Junker, Sioux Falls; Lucas Karnas, Eden Prairie; Mike Karnas, Richfield; Michael Kaufman, White Bear Lake; Ed Kees, Burtrum; David Keller, Lakeville; Scott Kimman, East Gull Lake; Steven Knutson, Esko; John Kolnik, Woodbury; Michael Koppang, Battle Lake; Ray Kosey, Superior; Eric Kruger, Lakefield; Paul LaBelle, Blaine; Stephanie LaHaye, New Hope; Kyle Lamppa, Virginia; Jay Lemke, Stillwater; Dane Lew, Duluth; Jan-Erik Lindberg, Pelican Rapids; Jay Lonien,
Rochester; Mitchell Lonnee, Ramsey; Tony Loyd, Hudson; David Lundquist, Woodbury; John Madsen, Minneapolis; David Madson, Redwood Falls; Jeffrey Manthei, Vesta; Ben Marx, Richfiled; Justin Mathre, Rochester; Thomas McDonald, Ely; Tim McGowan, Woodbury; Josh Meissner, Fargo; Nate Meissner, Alexandria; Lee Meyer, Kasson; Bill Mills, Glenwood; Chris Mills, Erskine; Davis Mills, Grand Forks; Linda Mills, Glenwood; Bernie Miner, Hutchinson; Benjamin Moen, Pine Island; Ryan Mogard, Morris; Mike Monita, West St. Paul; Scott Monson, Marshall; Eric Muckenhirn, Pelican Rapids; David Neilitz, Waite Park; Derrick Nelson, Pelican Rapids; Troy Nelson, Lowry; Mark Nesvig, Prior Lake; Elijah Ojika, Blaine; Nate Olson, Brainerd; James Ondrey, St. Anthony; Tom O’Neill, Esko; Casey Pack, Maple Lake; Matt Papke, Stillwater; Jeff Pasco, Hutchinson; Troy Pfeifer, Champlin; Kevin Philion, Red Lake Falls; Steve Philion, Red Lake Falls; Tanner Picht, Morris; Lukas Pohlmeier, Sauk Rapids; Timothy Prahl, Morton; Troy Prigge, Byron; Joshua Prondzinski, Ettrick; TJ Pytleski, Fairmont; Paul Raj, Duluth; Brett Reem, Maple Grove; Matt Reinbold, Henning; Matthew Reinisch, Lakeville; Phil Richard, Edina; Christopher Rick, Stillwater; Patrick Ridpath, Monticello; Mike Riewer, Fergus Falls; Thomas Riitters, St. Joseph; Dan Rootes, Elko New Market; Chris Rossini, Minneapolis; Royce Ruter, Byron; Jason Rutten, Andover; Toby Sackett, Otsego; John Schaefer, Rosemount; Kevin Schafer, Anoka; Brody Scheff, Waconia; Bronson Scheff, Mayer; Thomas Schiller, Prior Lake; Joe Schmeltzer, Stillwater; Joshua Schoaf, Apple Valley; Kyle Schoneck, Rochester; Travis Schuett, Welcome; Dave Schultz, Prior Lake; Mike Schumacher, Rochester; Ryan Scott, Cottage Grove; Jake Seifert, Minneapolis; Tristan Severson, Plainview; Darren Sheldon, Cloquet; Jeremy Shibley, Burnsville; Trevor Simonson, Buhl; Mark Sisson, Danbury; Taylor Skoglund, Chisholm;
Mark Smith, Apple Valley; Brian Smith, Apple Valley; Matt Sogla, Rochester; Brent Stahlecker, Crookston; Jacob Stang, St. Cloud; Ian Stauffer, Kasson; Mat Steinberg, Sartell; Brady Stevens, Hayfield; Douglas Storbeck, Welcome; Mason Swegarden, Lake Park; Kaleb Thalmann, Perham; Ryan Tharaldson, Carver; Greg Thiesse, Fairmont; Bennett Thurow, Burnsville; Josh Thurow, Burnsville; Ryan Townzen, Burnsville; Joel Traver, Rochester; Blaine Turnbull, Delano; Adam Vake, Chisholm; Travis Vake, Chisholm; Scott Vedbraaten, Browerville; Darren Visser, Babbitt; Christopher Voss, Fairmont; Jordan Voss, Fairmont; Tyler Vrieze, St. Paul; Jacob Wahl, Lamberton; Brian Walter, West St. Paul; Jason Weber, Minneapolis; Jay Wetzel, Hibbing; Kevin Whalen, Morris; Pat Whalen, Shoreview; Steven Wolvin, Coon Rapids; Jason Yutrzenka, Argyle; Jeremy Zacher, Byron; Jeff Zamzow, Columbus; Jeff Zenner, Roseville; Chris Zollner, Rochester; Brad Zumbaum, Bovey.
Volleyball — Kelsy Anderson, Rushford; Scott Anderson, Eyota; Trevor Beres, Anoka; Timothy Borgert, Blaine; Sara Bowman, Crookston; Lori Cacka, Brownton; Nathan Cavanaugh, Maplewood; Sarah Coffman, Roseville; Larry Coleman, Stillwater; Scott Garrett, Apple Valley; Brian Gluth, Champlin; Rob Hammer, Sauk Centre; Matthew Heier, Little Falls; Maddy Helget, Minnetonka; Justin Hill, St. Louis Park; Brenda Holmgren, Clear Lake; Lynnae Howe, North Branch; Marnie Kortuem, Mankato; Darci Meyer, Rochester; Lauren Millen, Maple Grove; Randy Mott, Maplewood; Theodore Perala, Duluth; Brady Pieper, Coon Rapids; Randi Rantanen, Thief River Falls; Philip Rendina, Minneapolis; Jose Rosario, Austin; Todd Scaia, Chisholm; Heather Schierenbeck, Apple Valley; Michelle Schneider, Brooklyn Park; Kasi Sieling, Evansville; Kevin Spence, Fridley; Joseph Starkey, Hudson; Benjamin Thies,
Apple Valley; Ugur Tosun, St. Paul; Shelly Woelfel, Lino Lakes; Michael Wood, Morgan. Soccer — Jamie Adler, Cottage Grove; Clifford Anderson, Edina; Emily Anderson, Altura; Mark Backlund, Columbus Heights; Andy Ball, Big Lake; Steve Ball, Albert Lea; William Beardsley, Woodbury; Sean Bedard-Parker, Duluth; Fatih Bektas, Mankato; James Bennett, Hermantown; Brett Bergstrom, Hugo; Ryan Block, Grand Forks; Edward Booth, Duluth; Mark Borowiak, St. Michael; Kyle Brandt, Vadnais Heights; Jacqueline Carlson, Rochester; Ouitdee Carson, Duluth; Yifu Chen, Plymouth; Seak Chew, Roseville; Mia Clark, St. Cloud; Michael Conger, Maple Grove; Victor de Meireles, Mounds View; Jamie Derosier, Lakeville; Tim Donohoo, New Hope; Joe Doppler, Rochester; Jeffrey Downing, Elk River; Robert Driesch, Rochester; Connor Dunn, Fargo; Andrew Durkot, St. Paul; Josh Edelstein, St. Louis Park; Matthew Edgar, Maple Grove; Otoro Ekerke, St Paul; Giacomo Fabbro, Duluth; William Foot, Red Wing; Josh Forsythe, Shakopee; Dan Freudenburg, Rochester; Jason Geer, Shoreview; Josh Gerber, Chaska; Erin Gervais, Winona; Matthew Graeve, Little Falls; Charles Gray, Northfield; Jeff Greene, Plymouth; Mickey Greene, Savage; Jan Hanson, Rochester; Alan Harkrader, Mendota Heights; Joshua Hartwell, Rosemount; Gregory Hexum, Esko; Merry Hilger, Coon Rapids; Sharmaarke Jama, St. Paul; Chris Jessen, Minneapolis; Michael Johnson, Minnetonka; Ronald Keller, St. Cloud; In-Jae Kim, North Mankato; Kory Klouse, Rose Creek; Nolan Kluempke, Brooklyn Park; Daniel Kramer, Bemidji; John Krill, Minneapolis; Clinton LaBeau, Minneapolis; Nicholas LaLonde, St. Cloud; Ken Lamb, West St. Paul; Juan Lara, Eden Prairie; Dan Lehtola, Alexandria; Wayne Lemens, Rochester; Lamont Lommel, Waite Park; Benjamin Magambo, Rochester; Joseph Mareck, Sartell; Peyton Marshak, Duluth; Scot Mattison, Burnsville; Hugo
Matus Tadeo, Richfield; Rory Merlino, Waconia; Abdala Muhumed, St. Cloud; Ward Nelson, Rochester; Peter Neuman, Rogers; David Oleyar, Rosemount; Brianna Pensini, Circle Pines; Tim Perrizo, Waseca; Kevin Pfeil, St. Cloud; Hung Pham, Duluth; Key Powless, Duluth; Pierre Rabbia, Woodbury; Almin Ramic, Centerville; Dennis Rickert, Maplewood; Phillip Rickert, Andover; Jeremy Ritzema, Sauk Rapids; Douglas Rose, Edina; Timothy Rowe, Rochester; Jim Roy, Mankato; Michael Rysavy, Rochester; Oscar Sanchez, Lakeville; Todd Sauers, Somerset; Benjamin Smith, Long Prairie; Subel Sunbeeb, Savage; Iryna Talkachova, Shoreview; Jason Tarpinian, Apple Valley; Angelo Tartaglia, Byron; William Taylor, Byron; Samantha Tinucci, South St. Paul; Conor Tobin, St. Paul; Gabriel Tonon-Rodrigues, Rochester; Andre Tost, Rochester; Daniel Townsend, St. Paul; Jeremy Uecker, Hermantown; Amber Van Dyke, St. Paul; Thomas Van Wakeren, Alexandria; Toua Vang, North St. Paul; Yngrid Ventura, St. Paul; Matthew Von Pinnon, West Fargo; Lynn Waggie, Rochester; Tyler Walters, Hermantown; Craig Weber, Woodbury; Justin Weber, Moorhead; Mark Weber, Stillwater; Conor Weberg, St. Paul; Daniel West, Eden Prairie; Jack Winkelmann, Eden Prairie; Brian Wood, Coon Rapids; Mohamed Ziedan, Shakopee.
Adapted soccer — Christopher Flowers, St. Paul; Jim Herder, Robbinsdale; Deb Hiestand, Maple Grove; Jim Hirsch, Bloomington; Ryan Johnson, St. Paul; Dave Malley, Brooklyn Park; David Mattia, Inver Grove Heights; Craig Pearson, Inver Grove Heights; Taylor Polomis, Edina; Tony Ruiz, Mendota Heights; Michelle Schneider, Brooklyn Park; Tom Stephan, Brooklyn Park.
Girls’ swimming and diving — Gary Albrecht, Woodbury; Mike Amidon, Hudson; Michael Bauerle, Rochester; Brenda Bebeau, Blaine; Pat Blazick-Peterson, Remer; Elisabet Casserberg, Duluth; Mark Challgren,
Apple Valley; David Copp, Grand Rapids; Annette Crews, White Bear Lake; Robert Crunstedt, Savage; John Dailey, Champlin; Mary Dillard, Dalton; Craig Feil, Brooklyn Park; Bryon Fraser, Cohasset; Frank Gaertner, Mendota Heights; Michael Hilber, Lindstrom; Linda Hoffmann, Starbuck; Steven Hudoba, Chanhassen; Jason Jech, Red Wing; Meghan Johnson, Eden Prairie; Kristin Kaldahl, Minneapolis; Bonnie Kee-Bowling, Minneapolis; Kimberly Lichtenwalter, Chaska; Kelly Lindquist, Eden Prairie; Andres Losinski, Inver Grove Heights; Kerra Mayor, Champlin; Gillian McNeal, Duluth; Jerold Meininger, Grand Rapids; Charles Nelson, Lake Elmo; David Nelson, Minneapolis; Laura Nelson, St. Peter; Kelly Punyko, Crystal; Chuck Quistad, Chisago City; Lee Raihle, Spring Lake Park; Stephen Rondestvedt, St. Louis Park; Darcy Samson, Lake Elmo; Judy SeligaPunyko, Duluth; Ann Simms, Inver Grove Heights; Charles Stewart, Eden Prairie; Marcus Stromberg, Buffalo; Adam Taylor, Northfield; Patrick Thompson, Red Wing; Tracy Torgerson, New Prague; Rodney Votava, Dalton; Gail Witzel, Bloomington; Irene Wrenn, Grand Forks.
OBITUARIES
• Mike Sechrist, 62, of Santa Rosa, Calif., died Nov. 8, 2024, while officiating a playoff soccer game. Sechrist refereed games of all levels, including high school playoffs and collegiate contests.
•Danny McCourt, 70, of Sudbury, Ontario, died Jan. 20.McCourt was a linesman in the NHL from 1979-2004, officiating over 1,600 NHL games. After his 25-year on-ice career, McCourt spent nearly two decades in management, including time as the NHL’s officiating manager. He also worked as a senior supervisor of officials with the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League and was inducted into the Sudbury Sports Hall of Fame.
Do you have any rosters, assignments or awards that warrant mention? Send info to us at ForTheRecord@referee.com
LAW ISSUES AFFECTING
Bow Out
By Alan Goldberger
“Situated in the growing, idyllic town of Bow,” writes a local real estate agent, “you will enjoy a private and semisuburban environment that holds one of New Hampshire’s highest-rated school districts.” Idyllic, however, was hardly the word to describe the surroundings in town during a high school soccer game this past fall.
The Game
According to a federal lawsuit, a soccer game played in Bow was interrupted by an off-pitch controversy involving parents, the school administration and, of course, a referee. For the occasion, the parents involved were sporting bright pink wristbands with symbols depicting the female
“The ref came over and stopped the game and said, ‘Take off those wristbands.’”
chromosome structure. According to news accounts, the school district said a parent protest was “targeting” a transgender student-athlete from the visiting school; however, a parent, interviewed by WMUR-TV, noted: “Nothing was being said. Nothing. The ref came over and stopped the game and said, ‘Take off those wristbands.’”
The Lawsuit
The lawsuit, which states the plaintiff’s First Amendment rights were violated, named the referee as a defendant as well as the superintendent of schools, the athletic director, the high school principal, a local police officer and the school district.
In the court papers, the plaintiff parents described the referee’s initial comments as follows: “Steve Rossetti, the head referee, stopped play and told both teams to return to their benches. According to Rossetti, he stopped the game because the soccer players could overhear ‘you guys arguing’ about ‘the First Amendment thing.’ The game did not restart for about 15
minutes. Speaking to the spectators on the sidelines, Rossetti stated that Bow High School would forfeit the game (and thus be ineligible for the playoffs) if the wristbands were not all removed. Rossetti said that Rash (one of the parents) had ‘no right to embarrass the kids’ and that if he did not take the wristband off ‘the game is over.’ Rash did take off the wristband and put it on his lap.”
After the wristbands were removed, the game was resumed, although one parent was escorted out by police. The lawsuit stated the referee allegedly conspired with school administrators and a local police officer “to intimidate parents, enforce the school’s unconstitutional rules, and prevent anyone from exercising their rights to speech, petition and assembly.” The lawsuit also claimed that in the parking lot after the game, Rossetti directed profanity at one of the parents and “told him that his daughter would hate him.”
The Takeaway
Officiating the game, the whole game and nothing but the game reduces the risks and pitfalls of officials making remarks that could embroil them in controversies. These controversies not only undermine the impartiality expected of officials but also expose them to potential legal repercussions. Even when officials successfully defend themselves or a lawsuit is dismissed, they must still contend with the worry associated with defending themselves in unpleasant legal proceedings. Also, they may incur additional costs, such as legal fees, and experience a significant loss of time dealing with these matters.
By strictly focusing on their officiating role and allowing game management to handle external issues, officials can prioritize the safety of participants, protect their reputation and reinforce the perception of impartiality that is fundamental to our profession.
Alan Goldberger is an official and attorney from Fairfield, N.J. This column is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. *
Remember Where You Are and Why You Are There
Officials have been sued in a variety of contexts for both actual and perceived injuries of all manner.
What about when an official’s words or actions do not relate to their officiating skills?
What about when disputes arise other than as a result of controversial plays, equipment or uniform issues, or conformance issues with the playing surface and related environments?
Why would any official interject themselves into a dispute among onlookers or others in the venue spoiling for a fight or other attention?
When societal issues make the game you’re officiating a focal point for those in attendance to protest some perceived wrong or societal injustice, officiating awareness requires that you simply continue to officiate without any unsolicited or off-hand remarks of or relating to spectators or others nor directly connected with the game, no matter what the temptation.
Let the game manager or their appointee deal with those external matters.
SOURCE: ALAN GOLDBERGER
The number, out of the 35,813 officials who took the 2023 National Officiating Survey powered by Referee.com, that indicated their primary area of employment was in legal services. The number was 1.96% of responses.
CLASSIFIEDS
CAMPS/CLINICS/ SCHOOLS
* ATTENTION ASSOCIATION LEADERS! Are you holding a camp or a clinic? Do you know of a camp or a clinic coming up? Referee can help get the word out! Call our sales department at 262-6328855 for more information.
LEADERSHIP RESOURCES
* Association Advantage Membership to Association Advantage provides officials, associations and their leaders the tools to conduct wellrun meetings, education resources for officiating training and access to years of association
management articles. Member associations also receive 12 issues of Referee magazine, monthly Advisor newsletters, e-newsletters, massive discounts on training materials and optional insurance coverage exclusive to membership. For additional membership information, contact Ken Koester at 262-632-5448 or visit the Association Advantage website at nasoadvantage.com.
EQUIPMENT/APPAREL
* Purchase Officials Supplies — Everything for Life Inside the Lines. Call 800-767-2233 or visit our website purchaseofficials. com for the best products and prices in the market.
QUIZ ANSWERS
BASKETBALL
1 — NFHS – d (6-3-5a, 6-4-4 Note, 9-6); NCAAM/W – c (9-8.1.d, 9-8.2)
2 — All – c (NFHS 4-12-2a, 4-12-3a, 9-8; NCAAM 4-9.2.b, 4-9.3, 9-10; NCAAW 4-8.2.b, 4-8.3, 9-10, AR 9-28)
3 — All – a (NFHS 9-1-3e Pen. 1; NCAAM/W 9-1.1.e Pen. a)
4 — NFHS – d (1-18); NCAAM – b (10-2.8.a); NCAAW – c (5-14.17, 10-12.2.h.1)
BASEBALL
1 — All – d (NFHS 5-1-1j; NCAA 7-11q; pro 5.09a12)
2 — All – a (NFHS 1-1-1; NCAA 1-1; pro 1.01)
3 — All – d (NFHS 8-2-5; NCAA 8-6a Note 2; pro 5.09c2)
4 — NFHS – c (4-4-1f); NCAA, pro – d (NCAA 5-12g; pro 7.03b)
5 — All – d (NFHS interp.; NCAA interp.; pro interp.)
MISSION
FOOTBALL
1 — Both – b (NFHS 3-2-2; NCAA 3-1-1e)
2 — NFHS – c (9-2-3c); NCAA – d (9-3-4d)
3 — Both – b, d (NFHS 4-22k, 8-5-2a; NCAA 4-1-3q, 8-5-1a)
4 — NFHS – a, b, d (6-1-6, 6-5-6); NCAA – b, e (6-1-3, 6-4-1)
SOFTBALL
1 — All – b (NFHS 9-1; NCAA 6.2; USA Softball 5-5; USSSA 4-2)
2 — NFHS, USA Softball, USSSA – b (NFHS 8-9; USA Softball 1 – Courtesy Runner, 8-10, R/S #12; USSSA 8-3); NCAA – a (8.5)
3 — All – a, c (NFHS 6-1-1a, 6-1 Pen.; NCAA 10.2.1.2, 10.8 Eff.; USA Softball 6A-1A, 6A-11B, 7-5D; USSSA 6-1A, 6-1B, 6-3)
4 — All – a, c (NFHS 6-2-5 Note 1; NCAA 10.19.3; USA Softball 6A-9; USSSA 6-1L Exc.)
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TRAINING RESOURCES
* Referee Training Center
— The largest library of officiating training materials in the world. Rules study, mechanics updates and materials on important topics can all be found in one location 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with sample chapters and video samples. Discover it all at store.referee.com.
FLASHBACK APRIL
40 YEARS AGO … 1985
•The Men’s International Professional Tennis Council announces players can no longer request an official be removed from their match. Previously, players had the right to appeal any ruling of Tennis Law and could request the removal of a linesman or chair umpire.
SOCCER
1 — All – c (NFHS 16-1-3; NCAA 16.2.1; IFAB 16.1)
2 — All – a (NFHS 12-3-3b2; NCAA 12.3.1.2; IFAB 12.2)
3 — All – b (NFHS 4-1-1b; NCAA 4.1.2; IFAB 4.2)
4 — All – c (NFHS 12-5-1f3; NCAA 5.4.3; IFAB 12.1)
5 — All – c (NFHS 8-1-2; NCAA 8.2.2; IFAB 8.1)
VOLLEYBALL
1 — All – b (NFHS 9-5-1c, 9-5-5a; NCAA 14.6.1.3; USAV 14.1.3, 14.1.4)
3 — All – b (NFHS 10-3 and Pen. 1; NCAA 11.3.2.3, 13.2.3.2; USAV 15.6b, 15.9.2.1)
30 YEARS AGO … 1995
•Former AL umpire Ron Luciano, 57, dies of carbon monoxide poisoning. Luciano, known for his animated onfield antics, worked the 1974 World Series as well as three AL Championship Series (1971, 1975 and 1978) and the 1973 All-Star Game. He also served two terms as president of the Major League Umpires Association.
20 YEARS AGO … 2005
• Dee Kantner is rehired as WNBA supervisor of officials, a position she previously held from 1997-98. Kantner has been an NCAAW referee since 1984 and was hired into the NBA in 1997, becoming the second woman to work an NBA game. She remained on the NBA’s staff until 2002.
10 YEARS AGO … 2015
Referee is a magazine written from an officiating perspective, blending editorial credibility and business viability. It educates, challenges and inspires officials at the youth, recreational, high school, collegiate and professional levels in all sports, with an emphasis on baseball, basketball, football, soccer, softball and volleyball. Referee is the journal of record for officiating and takes informed positions on selected issues. The magazine provides a forum for its readers, facilitates the flow of information, raises public consciousness about officials’ roles and serves as a catalyst for improved officiating worldwide.
•The NCAA announces women’s volleyball will experiment with instant replay during the 2015 season. The Big 12, Big Ten and Pac-12 conferences were among the first to use instant replay, as well as several other conferences that received permission from the NCAA Women’s Volleyball Rules Committee.
An American Teenager in Paris
Last summer, I had a special opportunity arise that I couldn’t turn down. One which would immeasurably shift my experience and perspective as a young soccer referee. I had the chance to referee overseas at a youth soccer tournament in Paris.
I am a high school junior in Connecticut and have refereed games and tournaments locally for three years. Refereeing gives me a different view of the game from the one I get as a player. When the opportunity arose to referee in another country, I jumped at it. The benefits were numerous and clear to me, or so I thought. I got to visit Paris — one of the most beautiful cities in the world — and referee at the
The melting pot of cultures I got to be a part of thanks to this tournament is something I will never forget.
Paris World Games. The tournament featured over 100 teams for boys and girls between the ages of 11 and 19, who came from more than 15 different countries. I refereed 14 games over the course of the tournament, involving teams from Africa, Europe and North and South America.
As you would expect, this experience allowed me to improve as a referee. The standard of play was high and the other referees, players, coaches and spectators were very well-informed about all aspects of
the game. I had to bring my A-game every time, knowing I was surrounded by dedicated and passionate players, coaches and sideline supporters. But while the soccer and refereeing experiences were excellent, I think the most impactful part was something I hadn’t even considered.
I was amazed at the varied nationalities, backgrounds and cultures represented by the people I got to referee with — Italy, Japan, England, Scotland, Australia, Poland, the Netherlands, Romania, the USA, Colombia and others. Learning about their backgrounds and traditions was the coolest part of the experience.
Despite these different nationalities and backgrounds, there was one language we all shared — the language of soccer. The only thing we all knew was the game of soccer, and we bonded over that. We spent a lot of time discussing our favorite professional leagues and teams, debating which professional players we enjoyed or thought were overrated, and, of course, talking about refereeing. We traded stories of experiences in our own countries, swapping ideas and discussing approaches to different scenarios that may come up in games.
In addition to our tournament, the UEFA EURO 2024 tournament was taking place at the same time, and it provided a perfect backdrop for our experience. There was definitely some friendly rivalry and camaraderie between referees whose countries had teams playing in the Euros. After a day of refereeing, we would often squeeze around whatever TV screen we could find, sharing the highs and lows of supporting our favorite European teams. This just heightened the feeling of excitement and love for the game, and made the experience even more special.
Not only was learning about the cultures of my fellow referees very interesting and fun, but equally as fascinating were the varied cultures of the youth soccer teams I refereed. They too came from many different countries, including Spain, England,
Brazil and the USA. They fought hard on the soccer pitch, but I was particularly struck by the teams that stopped to take a big group picture before the game, both teams together, intermingling and greeting each other.
However, due to the diversity of the teams, many of the youth soccer players spoke little English, which made refereeing these games particularly difficult. Refereeing games in which I didn’t speak the language of either team was challenging, but it taught me to be resourceful and, in some cases, to find other ways to get my point across.
One game in particular stuck out to me. It featured teams from Ethiopia and Algeria, and my fellow referees were from Italy and Japan. This made for a wonderful mix of cultures. All had to come together to make this soccer game a success. Just to up the stakes, this was also a championship game, which made it all the more intense and stressful. Although there were some bumps in the road, we ended up refereeing what turned out to be an exciting game that culminated in a 5-2 win for the Algerian team. But the important thing was not which team won or lost, it was integrating the different cultures into one celebration of the game we all loved — soccer.
The melting pot of cultures I got to be a part of thanks to this tournament is something I will never forget. I have made many memories from this and I absolutely loved getting to know all the referees and learning about so many different cultures. If you get a chance to referee in another country, take it. You will become a much better referee and the life lessons you will take away from the experience are invaluable.
Cameron Miceli is a high school junior from Fairfield, Conn. He holds a USSF Grassroots Referee license and referees competitive youth travel soccer games and tournaments. He is a member of his high school’s varsity soccer team as well as a regional team. *
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Send your story or queries to lastcall@referee.com
IT’S OFFICIAL
NASO Partners With USTA
The United States Tennis Association (USTA) and NASO announced in January the two organizations have signed a multi-year agreement. This partnersnhip enrolls all USTA officials — totaling more than 2,300 officials — into NASO and provides them with NASO’s full complement of benefits.
“We are excited to partner with NASO, the leading advocate for sports officials in the nation, to provide USTA officials with the increased resources and benefits that come with membership in such a well-established, credible organization,” said Andrew Walker, USTA’s director, education & training, officiating & US Open chief umpire. “This partnership is an investment into our officials, providing them with new and unique education opportunities and benefits.”
USTA officials are joining NASO under NASO’s group membership program that provides sharply reduced membership fees and enhanced benefits, including access to the nation’s premier officiating insurance that will cover USTA officials for all sports, all levels, and all matches. That includes the most comprehensive liability coverage in the industry, in addition to NASO’s other unique officiating insurances, such
as assault-related coverage, assigners’ insurance and gamecall coverage. Also included with the membership is an exclusive USTA-branded digital version of Referee magazine, including 16 additional pages specifically for NASO members.
“NASO is thrilled to welcome the USTA officials into our membership,” said Ken Koester, NASO and Referee chief business development officer. “This partnership sends a strong message to all USTA officials that they are an essential part of the sport. We appreciate the opportunity to provide those officials with unparalleled benefits and services, reinforcing the support and commitment they already receive from the USTA.”
NASO will additionally
provide branded recruitment and retention resources as well as customized digital officiating guides to all USTA officials. Other digital resources will be provided to help reinforce the important role officials play in today’s athletic contests.
“On behalf of the NASO Board of Directors, I want to recognize the commitment of the USTA providing the best support possible for their officials,” said NASO President Bill Topp. “Not only does this partnership provide unparalleled resources and the best officiating insurance in the nation, it speaks to the commitment that USTA has to supporting its sports officials and by extension to supporting the sports officiating industry as a whole.”
Legacy Program Allows NASO Members to Give Back
Throughout their careers, officials often feel the desire to “give back” to the industry. Whether they serve as mentors to newer officials just as veterans helped them early in their careers or if they take on the role of training officer in a local association, those who go the extra mile are much needed and appreciated.
program, whereby you may bequest a gift through your will or trust to leave whatever you choose to make a big difference in the future of sports officiating.
Those who have found NASO to be valuable and important in their careers can show their appreciation by participating in the Legacy
Editor: Julie Sternberg
Sports Editor: Brent Killackey
Graphic Designer: Dustin Brown
Contributors: Don Collins, George Demetriou, Alan Goldberger, Joe Jarosz, Patrick Rosenow, Tim Sloan, Brad Star, Jeffrey Stern, Brad Tittrington, Scott Tittrington, Bill Topp
NASO BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Lisa Jones, Salt Lake City, Chair
Ron Torbert, Hanover, Md., Vice Chair
Bill Topp, Racine, Wis., President
Dana Pappas, Lebanon, Ind., Secretary
Mark Uyl, DeWitt, Mich., Treasurer
Dean Blandino, Santa Monica, Calif.
Paul LaRosa, Hendersonville, N.C.
Jason Nickleby, Lake Elmo, Minn.
Sandra Serafini, Yachats, Ore.
Rob Wigod, Los Alamitos, Calif.
Gary Zielinski, South Jordan, Utah
*Ron Foxcroft, Hamilton, Ontario, Special Adviser
*Barry Mano, Racine, Wis., Special Adviser
*Non-voting members
NASO MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of NASO is to:
• Serve members by providing benefits and services.
• Improve officiating performance through educational programs.
• Advocate opportunities for officials and engage in programs to recruit and retain officials.
• Create alliances with organizations that benefit from healthy officiating programs.
Potential members of the Legacy Society include NASO members from any era, sports officials who value the work that NASO has accomplished and sports officiating supporters or family members.
With your bequest, you can:
► Ensure advocacy efforts continue for sports officials to dispel unfair and malicious portrayals of referees and umpires.
► Shine a light on the strong character and positive accomplishments of the men and women who officiate sports.
► Champion protections for officials under the threat of attack or assault through NASO’s legislative efforts to toughen laws.
► Support NASO’s educational work pursuing consistent excellence in officiating at all levels.
► Promote research into crucial officiating concerns, such as recruitment & retention, training, game fees and sportsmanship.
Members who commit to naming NASO as a beneficiary of your will or life insurance policy will receive a certificate naming you a member of the Legacy NASO Society, a personal thank you letter from the president of NASO, recognition as a Legacy NASO
Shine a light on the strong character and positive accomplishments of the men and women who officiate sports.
Society member on the Legacy NASO website and special recognition annually onsite at the NASO Sports Officiating Summit.
If you want to remain anonymous, that’s OK, too. Just let us know that and we won’t list you by name in any public announcement.
To designate NASO as a beneficiary of your retirement plan or life insurance policy, contact the company that holds your retirement plan or life insurance policy. Let them know that you would like to update your beneficiaries, and they will send you a form. Fill out what percentage you would like to go to NASO.
You may also remember NASO in your will. Including NASO as a recipient of a percentage or specific dollar amount is easy to do. Instructions on how to word such a bequest can be found online at naso.org/ legacy/#how-to.
NASO Appears on A to Zebra Podcast
From A to Zebra, a podcast addressing a wide variety of sports officiating topics, debuted in 2024 and recently featured NASO Founder Barry Mano and NASO President Bill Topp. The podcast is hosted by Dana Pappas, NFHS director of officiating services and NASO board secretary, and Nate Acosta, women’s college basketball official and former assistant to the New Mexico Athletic Association commissioner of officials. The podcast progresses through a list of sports officiating topics in alphabetical order with each episode and visits with special guests who work to elevate, educate and excite listeners about the world of officiating.
about avoiding conflicts of interest, the threats of a gambling society, the improvement of technology, the rise of social media and how each impacts the current state of officiating.
Topp was assigned the letter N and spoke about NASO, specifically focusing on it’s mission, structure, strategy and benefits. He expanded upon the vital role of officials to the sports landscape, the importance of training and development, the challenges facing the industry and the future of officiating.
As the fifth guest to appear in the course of the podcast, Mano was designated the letter E, standing for ethics. He talked about the founding of the nation’s preeminent officiating publication Referee magazine and about the history of NASO. He discussed the importance and challenges of being ethical within the officiating world in today’s society, then offered thoughts regarding misconceptions about officials and the true meaning of impartiality in officiating.
“What has to guide us more than anything is one word, and that is impartiality,” Mano told Pappas and Acosta during the episode. “It’s not neutrality. Neutrality means you are not in the war. Impartiality means we are in the war … but we don’t give a damn who wins.”
Mano detailed his opinions
“It’s about respect,” Topp said. “It’s respect for the individuals who officiate and respect for the important work we do.”
The episode drilled down into how officials are educated, trained, supported and celebrated by NASO, governing bodies and officiating associations around the world. Topics led listeners to ponder trends, challenges and initiatives in the industry and the value officials bring to the equation.
Topp expanded about the history and work of NASO in his conversation with Pappas. “We think of ourselves as the leading entity in educating sports officials on the planet. And we do that through Referee magazine and many other books, guides, newsletters and digital content every day. So there is lots of opportunity to learn and be part of something special.”
From the Chair Building Resilience
By Lisa Jones
As officials, we know firsthand the challenges that come with officiating. The intense scrutiny from players, coaches, spectators, and analysts is at an all-time high. The ability to perform well under scrutiny while making split-second decisions at critical points in games with athletes showing up bigger, better, and stronger can wreak havoc on our emotions, attitudes and desire to continue to engage in a mostly thankless job. Adding to the challenges between the lines, officials face social media backlash, minimal or no security allowing verbal and physical interactions to go unchecked, fans waiting for them at their cars, and angry coaches tailing them to the locker room. With all that going on, you have to wonder why you would even want to show up for your games!
You should be commended for the work you put into your craft! It is important to remember that we are the only ones without a stake in the game and often the only ones with clear heads. We may be unable to do anything about things out of our control, but we can ensure we develop a skill set to survive these difficult moments. I heard someone say recently that there is no such thing as wins and losses; there are only wins and lessons. And while that may oversimplify it, if we can keep this perspective, we can look at challenging moments differently.
Building resilience, or the ability to recover from adversity or setbacks — personal or professional — can help protect us from experiencing significant declines in our well-being. Many of us can remember moments we’d like to relive to make better choices or do things differently. Other times, we want to forget the moment altogether. Perhaps it was a mistake we made, a decision that drew significant scrutiny from others, or even self-imposed personal anguish. Having resilience does not make us immune to hard times but allows us to accept the challenge as a learning opportunity and grow from it.
So, how can you build resilience and enhance your ability to navigate challenging times more effortlessly? How can you maintain a positive mindset during the match, enabling further evaluation afterward?
Preparation. Do the work before the game. Acting ahead of time, such as breaking down film, understanding matchups, creating a communication plan, and ensuring your rules knowledge is where it should be, will give you confidence in critical moments. Nevertheless, even the best plans do not guarantee success; however, they provide the best opportunity for it.
Grit. The only officials who haven’t experienced setbacks are those who haven’t worked enough games yet. Learn from your mistakes and do your best to move on. Understand what we do is inherently controversial and acknowledge that so we can move through those troubled moments more
easily. Also, it is essential to be optimistic. What we do is righteous, and we must persist in our efforts for sport to be played. They can’t play without us!
Teamwork. Sue Blauch said it best in her article on Partnering: “Put the game first, your partner second, and yourself last, and your crew support will be exactly where you need it to be.” No one has gotten anywhere without the help of others, especially officiating. Finding trusted confidants who are honest and supportive is essential. Stepping up and becoming that person for someone else will also enhance your journey.
Well-being. Take care of yourself. Learn and practice ways of managing stress. Your physical, emotional, spiritual, and mental well-being are all pieces that allow you to be as resilient as possible when obstacles come your way. Finally, be hopeful and give yourself grace. You are not perfect, nor will you ever be. But you were chosen for that match, that game, that event. Take confidence in that and believe in yourself and your ability. When that moment comes, lean in, not back. Own the moment!
Lisa Jones, of Salt Lake City, has been a women’s Division I college basketball referee for more than 20 years, including 11 Final Four assignments, and a former WNBA official. She is also a retired Deputy Chief of the Phoenix Fire Department and retired Director of Homeland Security and Emergency Management at the Phoenix office.
One Fall –Three Lessons
By Patrick Rosenow
We were well into February with only a week left in conference play. It had been a decent season — mostly good games with good crews and no injuries. I was looking forward to maybe a couple playoff games before putting the whistle away for another year. The night’s assignment was a varsity girls’ and boys’ doubleheader at a local high school. I had been there a few times a year for the past 15 years and the staff was friendly. The floor was one of those miserable tiles-on-concrete setups and there wasn’t much room on the baseline near the entrance, but this isn’t D-I or the NBA, so we make do, right? Fans used the baseline at the entrance to cross from one side to another. We’d occasionally shoo them way, but nobody wants to be a traffic cop.
The girls’ game was competitive, with the home team keeping it closer than expected. That helped us stay focused. We were close to halftime and I was working the baseline. The ball kicked wide and as I moved to open up my angle, I was suddenly on the ground looking up.
If you referee long enough, sooner or later you’re probably going to find yourself prone on the hardwood (or tile). Your first emotion is likely embarrassment and your instinct is to hop up, tell everyone you’re fine (even if you’re not) and get everyone to stop looking at you. The next thing you do is try to figure out if you’re really hurt. I was able to get up, walk, and even jog; so
I figured I was OK. On the other hand, I knew I had gone down on my left arm and it felt like I had broken something. But I looked at it and didn’t see any weird angles. Plus, I couldn’t feel any bumps. It was numb, but I could move it. I held it gingerly, told everybody I was OK, and we finished the half.
At halftime I asked if I could see the athletic trainer, but she was dealing with an injury at a baseball game. The folks at the table told me a student walking along the baseline tripped me. They said it looked like a nasty fall and asked if I was really OK. My arm wasn’t bothering me, so I said I could keep going — until I could check with the trainer.
The game stayed competitive, which was great, because it had all my attention and I didn’t have time to worry about my arm. I was minimizing the use of it, handling the ball and signaling almost exclusively with the other one. At the third-quarter break, the table said the trainer would be back in a few minutes.
After the game, I hustled to the trainer. I explained I wasn’t in severe pain and was willing to try to do the boys’ game, unless she told me otherwise. She examined my arm as best she could and wrapped it. She said that if I agreed to stop at once if I started having pain and promised to go to an emergency room at the end of the game, she would be OK with me doing the game. My partners were happy, but I let them know if the game became a blowout, they could finish it without me.
The boys’ game was equally competitive, needed a three-
THREE LESSONs
(CONTINUED FROM PG. 5)
referee crew, was fun to work, and went into overtime. My arm never gave me a problem, but I wasn’t asking it to do much and had other things on my mind.
I was still riding adrenaline when I got home and explained to my wife why she needed to take me to the ER. I can’t say she was being irrational when she asked what in the world I thought I was doing by staying on the court with a possible broken arm.
The ER visit was quick: X-ray, diagnosis of a “classic” broken wrist, temporary sprint, and referral to orthopedist. My orthopedist said there was no point in surgery and they fit me for a latest generation (in other words, expensive) cast. I even got to try platelet replacement therapy (also expensive and not covered) in hope of speeding recovery and decreasing the inevitable arthritis. My season was over. Instead of playoff games, I went to physical therapy.
At the end of the day, my collision cost me deductibles, co-pays, noncovered platelet therapy, time away from work, and a wrist that now barks at me at times. I was lucky, since the fall could have done much more damage. I’d like to blame the kid who wasn’t paying attention or the school that didn’t provide enough room on the baseline.
The bottom line is, none of it would have happened if I had done my job. And that’s lesson one. According to Rule 1.2.1, we must have at least 3 and preferably 10 feet of unobstructed space outside the boundaries. Unobstructed does not only mean space between the boundary and the wall. It includes ball racks, chairs and people. Rule 2.4.1 directs the referee to inspect the court for compliance with the rules. It’s our job to protect the players, spectators, and even
ourselves from such collisions.
We all know in the real world coaches set benches up well within 3 feet of the sideline. Some gyms have bleachers that come right up to the sideline and the scorer’s table is often within a couple of feet of the sideline. However, they are static and you can work around them.
None of us want to be “that official” who keeps stopping the game to clear space and asking management to stop the traffic. I didn’t and was lucky I was the one who got hurt. The crazy thing is that keeping the boundary safe isn’t that big of a deal if we all do it consistently. Any competent school staff or state association is going to be supportive in making sure the environment is safe for its student-athletes (and officials).
Our state had a crew work a playoff game in a packed gym with standing fans crowding the boundaries. When the crew told game managers to fix the situation, the AD complained it was a playoff game and he had sold a lot of tickets. The crew contacted the state association, which disabused the AD of the notion that safety takes a backseat for the playoffs and told him, “No fix — no game.” In my game, I wouldn’t have had to do anything like that since I would have had the support of the home staff. But I didn’t, and the only good thing was that it was me and not a player at the ER.
I learned my lesson. Starting with the first game of the next season, I was consistent about keeping the boundaries clear. It helps when you can explain, “I broke my wrist last year because of people walking around the court and am not interested in seeing it happen to someone else or me again.” I’ve had nothing but cooperation. There are plenty of dead-ball opportunities when we can allow people to move along
the edge of the court. It’s not too much to ask for that to stop while we’re focused on live action.
The second lesson has to do with insurance. Anyone who has visited an ER after an accident will recall having to fill out paperwork about if the injury was employment related. If I had been an employee of the school district or the state association, it’s likely my expenses would have been covered by worker’s compensation. It’s true that I might not have had to pay any deductibles or co-pays. That might sound attractive, but it would also mean the school or association would be paying worker compensation premiums to cover officials. That would be a significant deduction from our paychecks and the overwhelming consensus is that we are better off as independent contractors. Since that’s the case, it makes sense that we are up to speed on our medical insurance coverage. Most plans are going to cover injuries sustained while officiating, but it’s a good idea to make sure.
The final teaching point is a shout out for something our state requires. Before every contest, our officials must have an administrative meeting with the coaches and identify/meet the host school official in charge, security personnel, and medical/ training staff. Knowing who the athletic trainer was and where to find her made a difference. Even if your state doesn’t require it, I’d make identifying (and thanking) security and medical/trainer personnel part of your pregame. Patrick Rosenow, Mandeville, La., is a retired Air Force judge who now sits as a federal labor administrative law judge. He officiated basketball at the high school, college and international levels. This article is for informational purposes and not legal advice.
Spotlight Sportsmanship
By Carl Smith
Sportsmanship in the U.S. is going downhill, instead of getting better.
Every season there are more reports of player technical fouls, coach technical fouls and parents being removed from high school and youth games. Some of the unsportsmanlike behavior is from the coaches and players, which does happen, but a lot of the negativity comes from the “fanatics.” There are postgame reports about parents being ejected from even the lowest levels.
It’s impossible to clean up all participant and fan behavior, but what can officials do to promote sportsmanship and show those associated with the game the human side of officials? How do we shed a better light on officiating with schools, clubs, leagues and parents of those participating in sports?
Preseason Clinics
Some officials associations offer preseason rules clinics for teams/coaches, and parents are invited. It can be amusing to see the parents’ faces when they realize how much the game has changed since they played. Educating and building a positive relationship with players, coaches and “fanatics” can start there. If officials show themselves as knowledgeable, those who watch the game will have a higher level of confidence in officials’ abilities to work their games. Also, if you show yourself as approachable, players and
coaches know they can have a dialogue with you during a contest, within reason.
Preseason Scrimmages
Preseason scrimmages provide another opportunity to interact with coaches and players, and occasionally parents, in an informal setting. Officials can be a little looser than they are in a “real” game, and maybe explain things to players and coaches that would be difficult to do in a “live ball” situation. With actual plays being run and situations being developed, it’s not quite as “dry” as a rules-only clinic, and it gives the players and coaches a better idea of what you’ll be like to work with in a real contest.
Community Service.
Some associations volunteer for Special Olympics or other local outreaches for special needs folks. It’s can be a blessing for officials as well as the participants. Volunteering is an opportunity to help someone else who needs it, and to show that you as officials and your
ASSOCIATION ADVANTAGE
Running a local officials association is demanding. You volunteer your time and effort to make it the best you can. But there’s no reason you have to do it alone. NASO Association Advantage exists to help you face any challenge and elevate your association in the process. Whatever challenges you have — training, insurance, legal issues, meeting help, bylaws and organization, membership issues and more — WE HAVE A SOLUTION TO MEET YOUR NEEDS.
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organization care about your community. This is also an opportunity to be seen away from the court or field as human beings.
Officials will also be recognized in public at times and be approached by players, coaches and sometimes parents just to talk, away from the action. It’s a great chance to show respect when nothing is “on the line” and we can just be people.
The bottom line in all this is to show ourselves to the public as people first, tasked to do what can sometimes be a difficult job, to the best of our ability. We are not the enemy, nor someone who misses a call or makes a mistake intentionally. None of us are perfect — not the officials, players, coaches or fans. All of us need to work together to achieve a successful outcome.
Carl Smith, Anchorage, Alaska, is a former treasurer and assigner for the Anchorage Sports Officials Association.
assigning, legal issues and best practices specific to local officials association management.
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Ump Attire Gets Officials Back in the Game
Mother Nature caused catastrophic damage to parts of the U.S. from September to January. First, Hurricane Helene slammed into the Florida panhandle in late September and then stalled out over Tennessee, causing torrential rainfall and unprecedented flooding in the Southeast. Two weeks later, Hurricane Milton wreaked havoc on central Florida. Then in January, wildfires erupted in the Los Angeles area due to high Santa Ana winds, burning entire communities to the ground.
Ump Attire Communication and Service Specialist Ty Unthank.
And while local, state and federal agencies are working to assist those devastated by these disasters, there is one group in the background that often get forgotten — sports officials. One company is making sure that doesn’t happen.
Ump Attire, an NASO education parter and Summit support organization located in housed in Louisville, Ky., jumped into action after the hurricanes to try to get officials back on their feet and able to work games, to both help get income flowing in and get back to a sense of normalcy, while everything around them was in chaos.
“We were watching it as the world was watching it and seeing how catastrophic it was,” said Sherie Sandifer, Ump Attire’s office manager, after seeing the damage caused by Helene. “It was nothing any of us had seen. We were watching the news and devastation and we said we have to help the officials in some way.”
That help started with a simple social media post by
That post asked officials who had lost their gear or apparel to reach out to Ump Attire’s customer service for assistance. Sandifer said almost immediately the post started getting comments from those looking for assistance, but also from other officials looking to help the cause. She said Ump Attire started reaching out to associations to help get the word out too because a lot of officials in the impacted areas had no internet because of the damage. Unthank also created a blog post on the Ump Attire webpage to get more information out about the campaign to help affected officials.
“Basically, what we did for customers — and some of them may not have been customers, we didn’t care, we just wanted to help officials any way we could — we told them to each out via email and tell us what happened,” Sandifer said. “Shoot us a list of what you think you lost. Once we got that list, we just went through and tallied everything up and sent them a gift card to cover everything.”
Those gift cards typically ranged from $200-$1,000. Officials who were not affected by the storms were also able to donate gift cards to those affected. Ump Attire then matched or exceeded what was given to cover additional costs those gift cards did not cover.
“The goal was to get them back into the game,” Sandifer said. “That’s our motto — standing behind you in your game. We wanted to get them back in the
game as fast as possible.”
As of publication, Ump Attire had donated $8,250 in gift cards to individual officials affected by the two hurricanes and $2,950 in gift cards to those impacted by the California wildfires. This isn’t the first time Ump Attire has assisted those affected by Mother Nature. In 2022, the company was on the front lines helping those affected by flooding in southeastern Kentucky, donating uniforms and relief supplies.
“The Kentucky floods got us thinking,” Sandifer said. “We’ve done it locally, but we need to expand nationally. Everyone thinks about food, water, shelter — the obvious needs. We don’t want to forget about officials and getting them what they need.”
That outreach has been greatly appreciated by those most affected by the storms. It is one less thing officials have to worry about as they try to get back on their feet.
“Ump Attire is hands down one of the most caring and compassionate companies in corporate America,” Jeremy Manning, a baseball umpire from Asheville, N.C., said.
“The way they stepped up to help those officials affected by some of the most devastating hurricanes North Carolina and Florida have seen in a long time. They immediately jumped into action to ensure that all sports in these areas would not be impacted nor canceled by generous contributions. Many officials I know lost pretty much everything, including their clothing and gear. What Ump Attire has done is amazing!”
sports section
Art of Communication
By Dr. Ardavan Eizadirad
In the high-intensity world of sports, communication is a key element for referees, especially when interacting with coaches and parents. How referees manage these interactions can impact the atmosphere of the game, reduce misunderstandings, and maintain respect for the officiating process. Miscommunication can quickly escalate tensions and lead to confrontations that disrupt the flow of the game.
The ART acronym — Adapt, Respond, and Tone and Timing — provides a framework for referees to interact more effectively with coaches and parents. The ART approach emphasizes adaptability, emotional control, and thoughtful timing, helping to foster constructive relationships and ensure smoother game management and control.
Let’s break down how referees can use each component of ART to improve their communication with coaches and parents.
A — Adapt
The first component, Adapt, highlights the need for referees to be flexible in handling the unique dynamics of each game. Each game brings different personalities and interactions, particularly when dealing with coaches and parents who may
vary in their intensity and communication style.
Adapting to coach and parent personalities. Every coach and parent is different. Some may be intense and vocal, while others remain calm and reserved. Referees should quickly assess these personalities and adjust their communication styles accordingly. For instance, if a coach tends to be assertive but respectful, referees can reciprocate with concise and
frustration or impatience, as maintaining professionalism encourages coaches and parents to reciprocate. When lines are crossed, it is important to document the event and submit a report to supervisors to track trends over time and if needed more serious consequences administered.
Adapting to communication cues from coaches. Some coaches prefer to address referees discreetly during breaks, while others
Referees should avoid escalating situations by responding with frustration or impatience, as maintaining professionalism encourages coaches and parents to reciprocate.
clear explanations. With parents, referees may need to show patience and empathy, as many parents are emotionally invested in the game.
Adapting to game intensity. Games often become heated, and emotions can run high, especially among coaches and parents. Referees must adapt their approach to the game’s emotional climate. For instance, in tense moments, a calm and composed demeanor can help defuse potential conflicts. Referees should avoid escalating situations by responding with
may approach more openly during live ball. Referees should observe how each coach tends to communicate and respond accordingly. For example, if a coach approaches with a respectful tone, referees can take the time to provide a brief clarification using officiating terminology for the sports. Adapting to each coach’s communication style can help establish a respectful rapport that benefits both sides.
R — Respond
The second component,
- april 2025
Respond, involves handling interactions with composure and clarity. Referees should focus on asking and answering questions calmly and constructively.
Answering questions with clarity and composure. When a coach or parent disagrees with a call, they may seek clarification. Referees should be ready to respond in a calm and clear manner without appearing defensive. For example, if a coach asks, “What did you see there?” referees can briefly explain what led to the call without engaging in a prolonged debate. This approach opens up respectful dialogue and prevents misunderstandings.
Managing emotions and body language. Referees must maintain control over their emotions and body language when dealing with confrontational coaches or parents. Defensive or impatient responses can make a situation worse. Instead, referees should use a calm, neutral tone and avoid gestures that could be perceived as dismissive. By remaining composed, referees set a professional example and reinforce a culture of respect.
Using body language for effective communication. Body language is a powerful tool in referee-coach interactions. Standing with an open stance and maintaining eye contact can signal attentiveness and respect, even when disagreements arise. Referees should avoid closed or confrontational stances, which can increase tension. Positive body language helps to keep interactions constructive, allowing both parties to feel heard.
T — Tone and Timing
The final element of ART is Tone and Timing,
which involves choosing an appropriate tone and the right moment for communication. These factors can significantly impact how coaches and parents perceive interactions with referees.
Setting the right tone. Tone of voice is essential in referee communication. A calm, respectful tone shows coaches and parents that the referee is listening and willing to explain when necessary. Referees should avoid using sarcasm or a raised voice, even in challenging situations. A level-headed tone conveys professionalism and encourages coaches and parents to remain respectful as well.
Timing: knowing when to engage. Timing is just as crucial as tone. Referees should select moments when coaches and parents are more likely to be receptive, such as during natural breaks in play rather than during active gameplay. For instance, if a coach has a concern, referees can engage briefly during a timeout rather than when play is ongoing. By choosing the right timing, referees can communicate more effectively without distracting from the game.
ART in Action
By mastering the ART approach — Adapting, Responding, and being mindful of Tone and Timing — referees can improve their interactions with coaches and parents, leading to more effective game control and a more positive atmosphere for everyone involved. In a setting where split-second decisions and high emotions are common, ART fosters mutual respect, empathy, and understanding between referees and other stakeholders.
By embracing these principles, the dynamics between referees, players, coaches, and other stakeholders become less contentious, leading to more focused and enjoyable game where the spirit of the sport can truly thrive.
These skills are just as much, if not more, required outside of the game in our lives as we navigate challenging relationships and unexpected situations.
Dr. Ardavan Eizadirad has officiated basketball at various levels for 18 years. He is the founder and director of EDIcation Consulting and is executive director of the non-profit organization Youth Association for Academics, Athletics, and Character Education in the Jane and Finch community in Toronto, Ontario.
FOOTBALL
Give Yourself a Fighting Chance
By George Demetriou
Although football players are well protected by equipment, the potential for serious injury still exists when physical confrontations become a reality.
The best way to deal with altercations remains preventing them from happening. Hustle, awareness and great deadball officiating can contribute to defusing situations before hostilities erupt. When a play ends, the officiating should not end. Officials must be on the lookout for extracurricular activity.
The more obvious signs of trouble include flagrant personal fouls, piling on and
late hits out of bounds. Most personal fouls occur two to three seconds after the ball is dead.
A pile, formed innocently after a running play, presents great potential for improper personal contact. A player might strike an opponent accidentally with a knee or elbow in an effort to regain his balance. The player being used as a platform may not know such contact was unintentional. Sometimes a mere bump from a player who moves past an opponent can signal animus.
Good dead-ball officiating also includes listening. Verbal taunts or threats present great potential for escalating illegal activity. Those are situations in which players must be continually reminded about their behavior. The best deterrent is an official’s voice, starting with, “Be careful.” Also, in many cases unsporting acts will cause problems with game control if they are not properly penalized.
When a fight breaks out, the official’s first priority should be safety. In many cases, nothing can be done immediately with regard to the safety of the combatants; however, officials must move swiftly to prevent the fight from expanding. The wing officials should try to prevent additional participants from coming out of the team box. If players have begun to enter the field, a strong presence of officials will encourage the non-participants to stop.
There is great debate as to whether officials should attempt to break up a fight. One side says not only do officials who step in risks personal injury, they also risk liability if a player is struck while being
restrained. The other argues officials who merely stand by are guilty of failing to do all in their power to stop a scuffle from turning into a brawl.
Verbal communication with the combatants may help separate the players. “That’s it, guys,” or “Everything is cool now,” may contribute to calming the players. Officials should avoid using threats or reciting the penalties the players face. The intervening official must also remain calm. Matching the player’s anger and frustration will only fuel the fire.
If the players are standing an arm’s length apart and exchanging blows, it is ill advised, if not impossible, for officials to get between them.
However, if the fight becomes a mauling or one player gains a significant advantage and the likelihood of serious injury increases, some officials choose to take the risk and intervene. Players who get locked up with one another will have to be physically separated. That should be done by two officials, not one.
The two officials should approach players from opposite sides of the altercation. Lead with one arm over the top of the entanglement and the other arm underneath. The officials should then squeeze together, working their way between the players. Once the players are separated, the officials should remain between them. If necessary, an official can place a hand on a player’s chest to maintain the separation.
Once the combatants have been separated, an official should stay with them until they are totally cooled off and then escort them to the team box or turn them over to a coach.
The officials must record the numbers of all participants and file the appropriate report. All disqualifications should be reported to both coaches.
Under NFHS rules, anyone disqualified for fighting, except coaches, may remain within the team area. Coaches who are disqualified are ejected from the stadium area and forbidden to have further contact with their teams for the remainder of the games. Of course, if there are aggravating circumstances, any offender could be ejected from the stadium area. Some state associations impose additional suspensions on those ejected for fighting.
In NCAA play, any offender disqualified from a game due to fighting may remain within his team area for the rest of the game; he is not required to leave the field or stadium.
Another difference between the codes: In NFHS, if both teams commit deadball personal fouls prior to the completion of penalty administration for those fouls, the distance penalty for an equal number of 15-yard deadball personal fouls offset. Any remaining penalties will be enforced separately and in the order of occurrence. In NCAA, a maximum of one 15-yard penalty will be assessed against each team within the same fighting scenario. In a typical fight, each team has at least one offender. That means that while all offenders are disqualified from the game, only one 15-yard penalty will be imposed on each team and those penalties will probably be treated as offsetting, with no yardage walked off.
George Demetriou has been a football official since 1968. He lives in Colorado Springs, Colo.
IT’S OFFICIAL - april 2025
BASEBALL
Embrace Evaluations
and effort. Here’s how to address these areas.
demonstrating consistent energy without overdoing it.
By Jon Bible
April marks the start of preparation for postseason assignments, and with it comes critical evaluations for advancing in umpiring. While postseason aspirations are exciting, the ultimate goal is always to improve and become the best umpire you can be. Embracing performance evaluations, rather than fearing them, is key to this process.
Why Evaluations Matter
Evaluations serve multiple purposes:
• Improvement. Constructive feedback helps you refine your skills and address weaknesses.
• Preparation. Knowing an evaluation is around the corner encourages proactive preparation, such as studying rules and reviewing mechanics.
• Advancement. Positive evaluations often determine assignments and can provide an edge in moving up the officiating ladder.
Even when evaluations seem inconsistent or subjective, there’s almost always something to learn. Adopting the right mindset ensures you gain value from the process, regardless of circumstances.
Control What You Can
While some aspects of evaluations — like the evaluator’s mood or background — are outside your control, there are many areas where you can take charge. Most evaluations focus on six key elements: appearance, judgment, rules and mechanics knowledge, game management, communication,
Appearance
• Shed excess weight to look fit and professional.
• Ensure your uniform is clean, crisp, and properly fitted.
• Present yourself as someone who takes pride in the role.
Knowledge
• Stay current with rule books, mechanics guides and updates.
• Watch game footage to analyze positioning and decision-making.
• Discuss situations with experienced umpires to expand your understanding.
Mechanics
• Practice signals, stances and movements in front of a mirror.
• Ensure movements are brisk, controlled and purposeful — avoiding the appearance of false hustle.
• Refine timing on calls, particularly behind the plate.
Game Management
• Focus on keeping games moving efficiently.
• Manage interactions with coaches and players professionally and calmly.
• Stay engaged and observant, even during downtime.
Communication
• Use clear, confident signals and verbal cues.
• Be approachable without over-familiarity, maintaining an independent demeanor.
Effort
• Always assume an evaluator is present and give 100%.
• Hustle appropriately,
Preparing for Evaluations
The thought of being evaluated may raise your pulse rate — it’s normal. Use these strategies to manage nerves and stay in control:
• Thorough pregame
Discuss potential game scenarios and signals with your crew to feel prepared.
• Focus on routine. Treat the game like any other, maintaining the habits and approach that have brought you success. If you consistently give full energy and focus to every game you work, you won’t need to make changes just because a game is being evaluated.
• Stay relaxed. Avoid overthinking the presence of an evaluator. Most evaluations are based on a body of work, not a single call or inning.
• Post-evaluation interaction. If the evaluator provides feedback after the game:
• Listen receptively Respond with gratitude and professionalism even if the comments seem overly critical or uninformed. A simple, “Thanks, I appreciate it,” can go a long way.
• Avoid defensiveness
Don’t justify mistakes with “Yes, but …” responses. Being open to criticism will enhance your reputation.
• Apply feedback. Reflect on the feedback and incorporate valuable insights into your future games.
Consistency Is Key
The best preparation for evaluations is consistency. Approach every game as though you’re being evaluated. One umpire famously said, “If I’d known you were watching, I’d have hustled more.” That’s not a
reputation you want. Whether or not you’re being evaluated, your goal should always be to deliver your best performance.
The Ultimate Goal
As April progresses and postseason aspirations rise, remember that evaluations are not just about assignments but about growth. Use the process as an opportunity to sharpen your skills and reinforce your commitment to the craft. With preparation, focus and professionalism, evaluations become not something to fear but a valuable tool on your journey to being the best umpire you can be. Jon Bible, Austin, Texas, worked seven NCAA Division I College World Series. In 2019, he was inducted into the National College Baseball Hall of Fame in Lubbock, Texas.
levels to help umpires get the calls correct, the majority of us are working games where there aren’t dozens of high-speed cameras there to assist us.
However, almost every game played today is recorded in some fashion. And it is that part of technology this article will focus on. It is that technology we all should embrace. Not the part of it where a grieved parent believes we cost his/ her kid a scholarship because of a bang-bang play in an 8U game, but that part of it where we can watch a particular play we aren’t 100% sure on in the comfort of our home after the fact.
are supposed to be on these plays, until you watch yourself on video, you may not know if you are in fact adhering to prescribed mechanics. Even better, show the video to a mentor or more experienced umpire and have them critique your work to help give you feedback so you can be more consistent and accurate.
SOFTBALL
Learn to Love It
By Brad Tittrington
Whether we like it or not, technology is here to stay and be a part of officiating from now until the end of time. There are just things the camera can see that our eyes cannot. The players are bigger, faster and stronger than they have ever been and it is difficult for us to always get in the exact right spot to see everything. And when we do, sometimes the play happens faster than our eyes can process.
That is why there are more and more cameras and schools and conferences are spending a lot of money to invest in technology. Don’t worry, this article is not about replay. While there is replay at the highest
It behooves all of us to watch ourselves work. If you aren’t in the practice of watching plays and video, especially of yourself, you are missing out. It is amazing the things you can pick up from watching yourself work on video. You may not be aware of certain bad habits you may have while umpiring, but you can quickly see them when you watch a replay of your games.
If you are having trouble as the plate umpire on calling the outside pitch, video is a great way to watch yourself to see if you may be setting up incorrectly, causing you to not be able to see that outside corner, either because you are too deep and the catcher is blocking your view or you are too far inside and getting a distorted look at the outside part of the plate. If you are struggling on the bases, perhaps you are setting up either too close to the base and everything is blowing up on you, or maybe you are too far away and struggling to see all the elements of the play. While it is beneficial to get into the book and read up on the mechanics of where you
Technology can also be a great tool to assist with a rule that is troubling. Some associations have video libraries where you can search for plays dealing with a particular rule where you can watch several plays and help breakdown those situations. Even if you don’t have access to those videos, most schools and travel teams stream their games or at least record them. Don’t be afraid to ask a school administrator at the high school level or a team representative at the travel level if they’d be willing to share the video of games you work. Take advantage of all that is out there to help you see situations. We have all gone home after a game and wondered about a call. Years ago, you’d either have to live with it or potentially wait until a school mailed you a VHS tape so you could plug it in and hope you could see the play.
Today, it is instantaneous and generally games are either on Youtube before you get home or there is a downloadable link to the game you worked.
I will be the first to admit that I was not a fan of video review and thought it would hurt the game. However, over time, I have learned to appreciate the ability to have another set of eyes to help on plays that happen so fast, you just don’t have all the information. It is a tremendous tool to be able to learn from those replays when associations
send them out to their members as well. Being able to watch plays and get more repetitions on those plays gets us better prepared for when they happen in our games.
Schools and conferences are investing money into technology to help their teams get better. We as umpires should be willing to take advantage in that technology to also make ourselves better. We owe it not only the athletes and the game, but we owe it to ourselves as a cadre as well.
Brad Tittrington is an associate editor for Referee. He umpires D-I softball and officiates high school basketball, college and high school volleyball and high school football.
ASK US
BASKETBALL
Held Ball During Throw-in
Play: A1 is holding the ball during an alternating-possession throw-in. A1 extends the ball completely over the boundary while still holding the ball. B2 grabs the ball and neither A1 nor B2 is able to pull the ball away from the opponent. What is the ruling? What shall be done with the possession arrow? Ruling: When A1 extended the ball completely over the boundary line, it is legal for B2 to not only touch the ball but also grab it. When B2 grabbed the ball, a held ball is the result. The alternating-possession procedure ends, and the arrow is reversed immediately, when a passed ball legally touches an inbounds player. Since the ball was never passed during the throw-in, the alternating possession has not ended, and the arrow is not
reversed. Therefore, team A shall receive another alternatingpossession throw-in for that held ball (NFHS 4-42-5a, 6-4-4a, 6-4-5, 6.4.6B; NCAAM 6-3.2, 6-4.2.a, AR 6-5; NCAAW 6-3.2, 6-4.2.a, AR 6-3).
Worth the Pain?
Foul During Jump Ball
Play: The game is tied at 63 at the end of regulation. After jumper A1 tips the ball during the jump ball that begins the overtime period, but before the ball is controlled by any player, A2 fouls B3, team B in the bonus, and B3 is awarded free throws. Which team shall have the alternating-possession arrow set in their favor, and when is the arrow set for that team? Ruling: Control for the purposes of establishing the alternating-possession procedure occurs when the ball is placed at the disposal of the free-thrower after a personal foul. Therefore, when B3 has the ball at their disposal for the first of the bonus free throws, team B has established team control, and the alternating-possession arrow shall be set toward team A’s basket (NFHS 4-3-2; NCAAM 4-9.6.b; NCAAW 4-8.6.b).
BASEBALL
Did I Fix It?
Play: With R1 on first running on the pitch, B2 hits a ball into the gap and R1 misses second on his way to third. The ball is caught and R1 correctly touches second while returning to first and makes it back safely. Ruling: R1’s touch is legal and any appeal is not valid as he touched the base the last time by. That last touch corrects any previous baserunning infraction (NFHS 8-2-6l; NCAA 2-52; pro MLBUM II-40).
Play: With a count of 3-0, the batter permits a pitch that comes into the batter’s box to hit him. Ruling: The batter is awarded first base for receiving ball four (NFHS 7-3-4 Pen.; NCAA 8-2d1a; pro 5.05b2).
Watch What You Say
Play: R2 is on second and R3 is on third. The pitcher is working from the set position and stops at the bottom of his stretch. As F4 is sneaking in behind R2, the third-base coach yells, “Time!” to prevent the runner from being picked off. Thinking the umpire has called time, the pitcher separates his hands before disengaging the rubber. The plate umpire calls a balk. Ruling: The balk call is nullified. Though the coach most likely did not call time for the obvious purpose of making the pitcher commit a balk, his action was responsible for the illegal act. The balk should be nullified, but the coach should not be ejected (NFHS 6-2-4d1, interp.; NCAA 5-15a2; pro 6.04a3).
Who’s Out?
Play: With (a) no outs, or (b) two outs, R3 is on third base and attempting to steal home. B2 makes contact with the catcher, causing him not to catch the pitch, which rolls away as R3 scores. Ruling: B2 is guilty of interference. In (a), R3 is declared out and B2 continues to bat. In (b), the run does not score, but B2 is declared out for the interference. The batter after him in the lineup will lead off the team’s next turn at bat (NFHS 7-3-5c Pen., 8-4-2L1; NCAA 7-11L; pro 6.01a3).
FOOTBALL
Trick Plays
Play: A1 takes a direct handto-hand snap from the center and (a) fakes placing his knee on the ground, then sweeps around right end and runs for a touchdown, or (b) pretends to spike the ball, then throws a legal forward pass to A2 for a touchdown. Ruling: Under NFHS rules, team A scores legal (and likely unpopular) touchdowns in both (a) and (b). By rule (4-2-2a), the ball becomes dead when any part of a runner’s body, other than his hands or feet, touches the ground. In (a), since A1’s knee never touched the ground, the ball remains live. In (b), as long as the ball never left A1’s hands, he has simply executed a fake. Under NCAA rules, in (a), the ball became dead when A1 faked kneeling down. The touchdown is canceled but there is no penalty on the play (4-1-3o). The ruling in (b) is the same as in NFHS (4-1-3b).
Missed Field Goal
Play: Fourth and 10 from team R’s 38 yardline. K1’s field goal attempt lands untouched at team R’s four yardline, bounces again in the end zone and is grabbed on one bounce by R2, who is two yards deep in his end zone. Can R2 advance the ball?
Ruling: Under NFHS, rules, the ball is dead as soon as it breaks the goalline plane and results in a touchback. Team R will next put the ball in play, first and 10 at its own 20 yardline. Under NCAA rules, the ball touched the ground in the end zone before it was touched by a team R player. Therefore, the ball is dead. As a result, team R will be awarded the ball at the previous spot, its own 38 yardline, where it will be first and 10 (NFHS 4-2-2d-1, 6-31a; NCAA 4-1-3c, 6-3-9, 8-4-2b).
SOFTBALL
Running Lane
Check-Swing Reversal
Play: The batter lays a bunt down the third-base line. F2 picks up the ball and fires it to first base. The ball hits the batter-runner in the upper left shoulder while she is 10 feet from first base. Her left foot is completely outside the runner’s lane and her right foot is completely inside the lane. The umpire determines the first baseman would have had a legitimate chance to make a play. Ruling: This is interference in all codes. Since the umpire judged the first baseman had a chance to make a play and an entire foot was outside the runner’s lane, the batter-runner would be out for interference (NFHS 8-2-6; NCAA 12.5.5, 12.17.1.5.2; USA Softball 8-2E; USSSA 8-17E).
Erroneous Infield Fly
Play: With R3 on third, R1 on first and no outs, B4 hits a fly ball to the infield above the second baseman’s head. The base umpire erroneously calls, “Infield fly, the batter is out.” The second baseman subsequently loses the ball in the sun and the ball drops to the ground untouched, allowing R3 to score, while R1 ends up at second and B4 ends up safely at first. Ruling: The outcome of this play was not affected by the umpire’s erroneous call. Since neither team was put in jeopardy, the play stands and all action counts. The batter is not out on the erroneous infield fly call and may advance at her own risk (NFHS 2-29, 8-1-1a, 10-2-3m; NCAA 7.3.5, 11.7.1.2, 11.16; USA Softball 1 – Infield Fly, 8-1A, 10-3C; USSSA 3 – Infield Fly, 8-4A, 14-12R).
Play: With a 3-2 count and R1 on first, B2 takes what appears to be a half-swing. The plate umpire calls ball four and R1, upon hearing ball four, trots to second base. The catcher throws the ball to the second baseman, who tags R1 before reaching the base. The catcher asks the plate umpire to check with the base umpire to see if B2 did, in fact, attempt to hit the pitch. The base umpire indicates the batter did swing at the ball. Ruling: The batter would be declared out by the plate umpire and R1 returned to first base. The plate umpire can rectify any situation in which an umpire’s decision that was reversed has placed baserunners or the defensive team in jeopardy (NFHS 10-2-3m; NCAA 7.3.5; USA Softball 10-3C; USSSA 14-12R).
SOCCER
Fumbling the Advantage
Play: A3 has the ball just outside the penalty area. B2 trips A3 in an attempt to get the ball. A3 is able to pass the ball to A4 and the referee signals for advantage. A4 dribbles twice and makes a pass to A7 who is in an offside position. The assistant referee raises the flag for offside. Ruling: The referee should stop play for the offside and restart with an indirect free kick for team B. The advantage materialized when A4 dribbled the ball and made a pass. The play should not be brought back for the foul (NFHS 11-1-4; NCAA 11.2.1.3; IFAB 11.2).
Safe Removal
Play: A6 makes a run through the outside portion of the penalty area and near the goalline. A6 then crosses the ball to A9 who takes a shot. B4 slides across and
IT’S OFFICIAL - april 2025
stops the ball which gets lodged under B4’s leg. A9 is able to kick the ball free without making contact with B4’s legs. A9 shoots and scores. Ruling: The referee should award a goal. B4 did create a dangerous situation by having the ball under the legs. However, A9 was able to dislodge it without fouling (NFHS 5-3-1d; NCAA 5.4.3; IFAB 5.3).
VOLLEYBALL
Replay
Play: The first referee whistles and beckons for serve. S1 makes contact for serve and the first referee blows the whistle and awards a point to team R because S1 is believed to be the wrong server. The second referee confirms with the official scorer that S1 is the correct server. The second
referee blows the whistle and signals for a replay. Ruling: Incorrect procedure in all codes. The first referee is the only person authorized to make a replay call. The second referee in this situation can ask to come over and talk to the first referee or explain over headsets if being worn by the crew, explain there was an error and recommend a replay be called by the first referee. The second referee should not be the one whistling and signaling for a replay (NFHS 5-4-3c-3; NCAA 16.1.2; USAV 23.2.1).
Injured Libero
bumping his head on the floor while attempting a save during the previous rally. The certified athletic trainer removes the libero for the match. Must team A play the remainder of the set without a libero? Ruling: No. A new libero may be designated (NFHS 10-4-3; NCAA 12.3.1.1; USAV 19.4).
Changing Captains
Play: Before the beginning of the first set, the head coach for team A designates A1 to be the libero. During a dead ball with the score tied at 20, the libero complains to the athletic trainer about a severe headache after
Play: At the beginning of the match, team A’s roster lists A1 as a captain. As the second referee checks team A’s lineups to begin the first set, A1 is listed in the second position and A2 is marked as the captain in the third position. The second referee continues to check the lineups before signaling ready for play to the first referee. Ruling: Correct. The playing captain is indicated on the lineup sheet, not the roster (NFHS 6-3-1, 7-1-2c; NCAA 5.2.3.1; USAV 4.1.2, 5.1.2).
The National Association of Sports Officials (NASO) is a nonprofit, educational association providing services and benefits for sports officials. It is run by officials, for officials. If you know a good candidate for membership, please send us his or her name and address. We will forward an invitation to join. For more information contact 262-632-5448 or naso.org/membership.
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