Referee Magazine - June 2021 by Referee Magazine

VOLLEYBALL

NET WORTH

SOCCER

NFHS NEW RULES

FOOTBALL

TALK AIN’T CHEAP

BASKETBALL

THE INS & OUTS

ALL SPORTS

PACE MAKER

JUNE 2021 // REFEREE.COM

SOFTBALL

BUNT OR SLAP?

LET’S

SAY YES

AGAIN

RON GARRETSON

E M A E G C A F 3 M LB UMPIRES

IT’S OVER WHEN OFFICIATING

IS A PAIN your voice since 1976 June_21.indb 1

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CONTENTS

JUNE 2021 Volume 46, No. 6 Issue 535 18

FEATURES 18

RON GARRETSON: A LIFE IN OFFICIATING

With the ‘Godfather of NBA officials’ as his father, Ron Garretson then made a name for himself.

THEY’RE OUT

All minor league umpires dream of making the big leagues. Unfortunately for most, that dream will never come true.

PAIN NO GAIN

Study: Many officials working hurt.

ALL THE MORE REASON

Goodness knows how tough an avocation officiating can be. Here are a few reminders why we do what we do.

ON THE COVER

SPORTS 12

Jerry Meals Salem, Ohio Age: 59 Experience: Worked his first MLB game in 1992, hired to full-time MLB staff in 1998 and promoted to crew chief in 2014. Worked two World Series (2014, 2020), two League Championship Series, nine Division Series and two All-Star Games.

COURTESY OF RON GARRETSON, BILL GREENBLATT (MEALS), DALE GARVEY (FOOTBALL)

BASEBALL

Just Deal With It! Don’t Let Distractions Throw You Off Your Game; You Can Count on Me; 5MW Bill McGuire

COLUMNS 4

PUBLISHER’S MEMO

THE GAG RULE

SOFTBALL

Watch the Hands, Please: Know the Difference Between a Slap and a Bunt; Complete the Catch; No Assistance Required; Base Umpire Interference

SOCCER

Religiously Accepted: State Association Permission No Longer Required for Religious Head Coverings; Stop, Yield, Play On!

FOOTBALL

Now You’re Talking: What to Say to Whom and When to Say It; Formation Frustration? Here’s Your Salvation; ‘Hey, Ref! Doncha Know the Rules?’; Dead Time? Not on Your Life

I Wanted to Get One Early ... They Said It; Say What?; They Get It; Snap Shot: Head for the Game; They Like Us; Survey Says ...

THE NEWS

Discrimination Suit Against MLB Dismissed; Hot Mic Ends NHL Referee’s Career Early; Basketball Referee Charged With Assaulting Coach; Former Coordinator Blackwood Dies

GETTING IT RIGHT

A First for Texas; South Dakota Officials Wear Patches to Honor Buck Timmins; Local Association Runs Toy Drive

PROFILES

Not Quite One of a Kind, But She’s a Rare Bird; Game Time, Air Time; Postseason the Best

FOR THE RECORD

LAW

CLASSIFIEDS

2021 MLS Officiating Roster Spectator Trouble With Game Administrator Gone Camps/Clinics/Schools; Equipment/Apparel; Leadership Resources

LAST CALL

I Answered the Call: Little did I know at the time that same assigner would call again with a much more significant assignment.

FOOTBALL HIGHLIGHT THIS MONTH

VOLLEYBALL

Nothing But Net: Work Together to Correctly Call Faults; Prep-Work Makes Teamwork; 5MW Pati Rolf

BASKETBALL

Voluntarily Violating? Players Can’t Leave the Court Without Consequences; Don’t Dally on DQs; The Rest of the Story; Who’s Calling the Crash?

ALL SPORTS

Pace Commander: Set and Maintain a Good Tempo; Hail to the (Crew) Chief; When Officiating Breaks Your Heart

Washington officials (from left) Marc Devoir, Kennoway; Jeff Ausbun, Tacoma; Dan Meyer, Spokane; and Jim Meers, Aberdeen, meet with a TV crew member. FOR MORE, GO TO PAGE 46

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PUBLISHER’S MEMO Watch the video at referee.com/pubmemo

Chief Strategy Officer/Publisher Barry Mano

I Wanted to Get One Early … In March, veteran NHL referee Tim Peel brought his notable career to a tragic end. Tim was on track to retire after the current season. Instead, he was “retired” from the ice by the NHL. His release was a direct result of an offhanded comment he made to one of his partners during a game between Nashville and Detroit. Standing near the Nashville bench, Tim did not realize he was in range of an open mic and what he said went well beyond his partner. After having made a call on Nashville early in the second period, Tim made a point, including a profanity for emphasis, that he wanted to call an “early” penalty on Nashville. He did not say why he wanted to do that, but one could surmise he wanted to stake out territory for the second period because of stuff that happened in the first period, or he wanted to “even things up” or he felt an earlier call was not worthy and tried to smooth things over with words. All interpretations of his comment simply lead to a bad place for us in officiating. Within hours, the firestorm erupted. The media and the fans were outraged. They collectively said Tim’s comment showed officials play favorites; they make calls up; they use “make-up” calls. Bad stuff. The league acted swiftly. The Nashville-Detroit game was to be Tim’s last on-ice experience. His career was over. The furor that ensued drove the issue well beyond the NHL. Virtually all major news outlets picked up the story, even including the Hollywood Reporter, which covers the film industry! Why? Sports are a crucial element within the fabric of our society, our culture. Organized sports help define who we are, what our aspirations are, and they provide us with a sense of purpose. People want to believe in sports; they want to believe in the outcomes of sporting contests. Without such believability of outcomes, sports as we know them become theater only. Those who “own” the games know that full well. That is why they are so dedicated

to ensuring we are held to the highest ethical standard and that we hold ourselves to that standard. A countervailing force to be reckoned with is the general belief among fans, the media and sadly even some administrators that we officials have “agendas.” Many believe we make up calls and that we make calls to even things up. Many believe we care who wins. These believers have an insurmountable blind spot — one that precludes them from seeing the fact of our impartiality. Thus, when an official slips-the-lip with an open mic nearby, they seize that opportunity to scream: “See, I knew it. I told you so!” The insurmountable blind spot will never be cleared. In the week following Tim’s impropriety, I was asked to do two radio interviews with Canadian stations. In both cases, after vetting what had happened that night, I was asked what the takeaway is for us. My response was this: The tragic end to an officiating career is not something I like to witness. In this case though, that end was self-administered. In some measure there is an element of unfairness to what happened. But at the end of the day, officials have no wiggle room when it comes to making statements — publicly for sure and privately just as much in my opinion — that any reasonable person can interpret to mean we have an “agenda,” we want to get even or we care who wins. That is a boundary line that, when stepped over, can and should lead in only one direction — the end of being an official. The end of having credibility as an official. Yes, there can be a road back, but it will be unpaved and full of ruts. When people lose trust in you, rebuilding that trust becomes working a big stone with a small chisel. As in life, so in officiating. The folks yelling at us might not like us, might not like our calls, but they want to believe that we are only inept, not corrupt.

Chief Operating Officer/Executive Editor Bill Topp Chief Marketing Officer Jim Arehart Chief Business Development Officer Ken Koester Managing Editor Brent Killackey Assistant Managing Editor Julie Sternberg Senior Editor Jeffrey Stern Associate Editors Brad Tittrington Scott Tittrington Assistant Editor Luke Modrovsky Copy Editor Jean Mano Director of Design, Digital Media and Branding Ross Bray Publication Design Manager Matt Bowen Graphic Designer Dustin Brown Video Coordinator Mike Dougherty Interactive Media Developer Michael Kielas Director of Audience Development Dan Olson Comptroller Marylou Clayton Data Analyst/Fulfillment Manager Judy Ball Account Manager Joe Jarosz Director of Administration and Sales Support Cory Ludwin Office Administrator Garrett Randall Customer Service Support Specialists Michelle Murray Lisa Burchell Editorial Contributors Jon Bible, Mark Bradley, George Demetriou, Alan Goldberger, Jerry Grunska, Judson Howard, Peter Jackel, Steven L. Tietz, Tim Sloan These organizations offer ongoing assistance to Referee: Collegiate Commissioners Association, MLB, MLS, NBA, NCAA, NFHS, NISOA, NFL, NHL, Minor League Baseball Umpire Development and U.S. Soccer. Their input is appreciated. Contributing Photographers Ralph Echtinaw, Dale Garvey, Carin Goodall-Gosnell, Bill Greenblatt, Jack Kapenstein, Ken Kassens, Bob Messina, Bill Nichols, Ted Oppegard, Heston Quan, Dean Reid, VIP Editorial Board Mark Baltz, Jeff Cluff, Cynthia Do, Ben Glass, Reggie Greenwood, Tony Haire, Wade Labecki, John O’Neill, George Toliver Advertising 2017 Lathrop Ave., Racine, WI 53405 Phone: 262-632-8855 advertising@referee.com REFEREE (ISSN 0733+1436) is published monthly, $46.95 per year in U.S., $81.95 in Canada, Mexico and foreign countries, by Referee Enterprises, Inc., 2017 Lathrop Ave., Racine, WI 53405. Periodical postage paid at Racine, WI and at additional mailing offices. Postmaster: Send address changes and undeliverables to REFEREE, 2017 Lathrop Ave., Racine, WI 53405. Direct subscription inquiries, other mail to REFEREE, 2017 Lathrop Ave., Racine, WI 53405. 1-800-733-6100. © 2021 Referee Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved. (USPS Publication #107790.) Subscribers: Send address changes to REFEREE, 2017 Lathrop Ave., Racine, WI 53405.

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THE GAG RULE WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING

THEY SAID IT

“I do think it’s a dumb rule. Especially for me. I’ve got the smallest bladder ever, so I’ve literally got to (urinate) every set. So it’s difficult, especially when you’re on that court for so long.”

SNAP SHOT Head for the Game No one can say high school basketball referee Eliot Reynolds, North Ogden, Utah, doesn’t have a good head on his shoulders. He certainly keeps his eyes on the ball.

— Tennis player Denis Shapovalov, who raged at an Australian Open umpire after his request to leave the court between sets was denied. SOURCE: EUROSPORT.COM

denis shapovalov

THEY GET IT

“I was ejected from my only game in uniform for a professional team, as bench coach of the 1996 Reading Phillies of the Eastern League, by ump Hunter Wendelstedt, for arguing balls and strikes. My friend Bill Robinson … brought his team to ESPN for a tour, I got to be his bench coach. Two guys sat on either side of me in the seventh, chirped, Hunter shouted, ‘Who said that?’ They pointed at me. And he ran me. … So I ran out, kicked dirt, offered him my glasses, etc., all the while screaming and complimenting his work.”

“Night in and night out, (officials) show up, mask up and do their job. Take stock of the sacrifices the officials have made to be here, there and everywhere nearly every night of the week. They’ve taken time away from their families and friends so basketball families can have some sense of normalcy, at least in the short term. … The officials deserve more cheers than jeers. It’s the respect they’ve earned for a job well done.”

— YouTube personality and former SportsCenter co-anchor Keith Olbermann

— Matt Schuckman, columnist for the Quincy (Ill.) Herald-Whig

SURVEY SAYS …

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THEY LIKE US “My advice to all the angry fans at high school basketball games: chill, dude. It doesn’t matter if your kid is in the game. A couple bad calls (aren’t) going to keep him or her from getting a full scholarship to Stanford, and they would probably like it better if you shut up. But if you have that much rage in your heart that you need to get out, why don’t you go home and yell at your TV during a Lakers game? The rest of us are trying to enjoy some hoops.” — Travis Gibson, in a column for the San Luis Obispo (Calif.) Tribune

Tell Us What You Think Send email to letters@referee.com Send letters to: Editor, Referee, 2017 Lathrop Ave. Racine, Wis. 53405 Opinions expressed in “The Gag Rule” are not necessarily those of Referee. Unless otherwise stated, letters sent to Referee are intended for publication and become the property of Referee.

BOB MESSINA (SNAP SHOT); © ROBERT DEUTSCH-USA TODAY SPORTS (SHAPOVALOV); QUINCY HERALD-WHIG (SCHUCKMAN)

SAY WHAT?

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THE NEWS NEW YORK — Umpire Angel Hernandez’s lawsuit against MLB, alleging racial discrimination in the league’s promotion and selection policies, was dismissed by U.S. District Court Judge J. Paul Oetken on March 31. Hernandez, who was born in Cuba and lives in Loxahatchee, Fla., filed the lawsuit in 2017. He claimed he was passed over for crew chief positions and World Series assignments due to unlawful discrimination and that MLB chief baseball officer Joe Torre “has a history of animosity toward Hernandez stemming from Torre’s time as manager of the New York Yankees.” However, Oetken wrote, “The evidence shows beyond genuine dispute that an umpire’s leadership and situation management carried the day in MLB’s promotion decisions. Torre testified that the candidates he appointed to crew chief instead of Hernandez ‘have not demonstrated the same pattern of issues and to the same extent that have manifested with Hernandez over the years.’” The judge concluded “that no reasonable juror could find that

MLB’s stated explanation is a pretext for discriminatory motive.” Hernandez, 59, who has been an MLB umpire since 1993, worked the World Series in 2002 and 2005 but has not been selected for it since. He has worked other postseason series, including most recently the 2020 NL Division Series. While Hernandez has not been selected as a crew chief, he worked as an interim crew chief during last year’s shortened season because of other umpires opting out of that season. Hernandez claimed he was more senior and received better ratings in his Field Evaluation Forms (FEF) than the non-minority umpires MLB promoted. But the judge concluded that “while the parties dispute precisely what factors MLB considers in umpire promotions, and how much weight MLB gave each of those factors, the record is clear that seniority and FEF ratings are not the exclusive factors.” Oetken also wrote, “Hernandez’s point that he is among the most senior umpires who has not been promoted is undermined by MLB’s regular promotion of white umpires with less seniority over white umpires with more seniority.” The World Series selection of umpire Alfonso Marquez in 2011 and 2015 was another reason given for Hernandez not proving his See “Hernandez” p.11

Hot Mic Ends NHL Referee’s Career Early NEW YORK — NHL referee Tim Peel entered retirement earlier than expected following an incident with a hot mic during a Detroit-Nashville game March 23. Peel, who was scheduled to work his last game on April 24 before retiring, was overheard in the game’s television broadcast saying he wanted to call a penalty on the Predators. “It wasn’t much, but I wanted to get a (expletive) penalty against Nashville early,” a broadcast mic captured a few minutes after Peel called a tripping penalty against Predators forward Viktor Arvidsson in the second period. Peel worked the game with referee Kelly Sutherland. Nashville won the game, 2-0. The audio clip was shared widely on social media. The following morning, the NHL announced Peel, 53, would no longer be working NHL games “now or in the future.” “Nothing is more important than ensuring the integrity of See “Peel” p.10

BILL NICHOLS (HERNANDEZ), BILL GREENBLATT UPI (PEEL) INDYSTAR-USA TODAY SPORTS (SMITH)

Discrimination Suit Against MLB Dismissed

THE WIRE Referee Collapses During Elite Eight Game

NCAA men’s basketball referee Bert Smith collapsed early in the first half of the Gonzaga-USC Elite Eight tournament game in Indianapolis. He went down with 15:44 remaining in the first half as he backpedaled toward the baseline, falling on his back and appearing to hit the back of his head on the ﬂoor. After being tended to on the ﬂoor for several minutes, Smith was

taken off in a stretcher, but was not immediately taken to the hospital. The NCAA statement released at halftime said he was “alert and stable.” Smith, who later received treatment for a blood clot in his lung, was replaced by standby official Tony Henderson.

Man Pleads Guilty to Assaulting Referee

A Tennessee man pleaded guilty to assaulting a soccer referee

during a game in Dalton, Ga., on June 23, 2019. Indicted by a Whitfield County grand jury in 2019, Vicente PerezGonzalez, 30, punched a referee after being given a red card and ejected and “admitted to pushing the referee and causing him to fall,” according to The (Dalton, Ga.) Daily Citizen. After Perez-Gonzalez assaulted the referee, the other two referees chased him and “began to gang up on him by hitting and

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THE NEWS

Basketball Referee Charged With Assaulting Coach MUSKEGON, Mich. — High school basketball referee William Ripple was suspended by the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) for the remainder of the 2020-21 season after an incident with a head coach during a game March 19. A few days later, Ripple was criminally charged with assault. Late in the fourth quarter during a game between Muskegon and Zeeland East, video posted online shows Muskegon head coach Keith Guy and Ripple having a discussion near the sideline when Ripple appears to end the discussion by pushing Guy, before heading toward the scorer’s table. Zeeland East defeated Muskegon, 59-52. MHSAA Executive Director Mark Uyl said the association applied the same rule that governs physical contact with a game official. “We believe the road should run the same in both directions,” Uyl said. “Whenever there is intentional physical contact, that’s when the rule kicks in.” That penalty is the loss of eligibility to participate in the MHSAA tournament. The MuskegonZeeland East contest marked the end of the regular season for both teams. On March 24, a single misdemeanor assault charge was filed in Muskegon County District Court against Ripple.

“I’ve had an extensive opportunity to talk with coach Guy on this matter, and he and I have agreed upon a direction that we want to see the case go,” prosecutor D.J. Hilson told MLive.com. “It’s just blatant,” Guy told media members after the game in a video posted online. “It’s out of control. There’s no excuse for it. Something needs to be done. I’m not saying all officials are bad. I’m just saying tonight, that was inexcusable.” According to MLive.com, Guy was issued a technical foul by another official earlier in the game. “We all have to be professional and if anything that I did in the game that he thought was out of line he had every tool at his disposal, which means with the rules, T me up, eject me up, but putting your hands on me was out of line,” Guy told The Detroit News. Guy was previously ejected from a 2015 game after receiving two technical fouls. After that game, Guy told MLive.com he was yelling at one of his own players when he received the first technical foul and the second came when Guy believed a “correctable error” was made by the crew. When reached by phone, Ripple declined to comment.

Peel

continued from p.8

our game,” said Colin Campbell, NHL senior executive vice president of hockey operations, in a news release. “Tim Peel’s conduct is in direct contradiction to the adherence to that cornerstone principle that we demand of our officials and that our fans, players, coaches and all those associated with our game expect and deserve. There is no justification for his comments, no matter the context or his intention, and the National Hockey League will take any and all steps necessary to protect the integrity (of) our game.” Peel did not make any public statements in the wake of his on-ice career coming to an early end. Peel had been an NHL official since October 1999 and, as of the start of the current season, officiated 1,343 games during his career. He worked 90 playoff games. He also officiated the 2014 Sochi Olympics. In 2015, Peel was reportedly suspended for one game after a publicized meeting with Greg Wyshynski, editor of Yahoo Sports’ Puck Daddy blog. Wyshynski tweeted a photo of the Jan. 29, 2015, meeting, which featured the two taking shots of tequila at a New York City bar, and blogged about the encounter. See Pub Memo on pg. 6.

THE WIRE kicking him once he had fallen to the ground.” Referees Cayo Ignacio Torres, 33, of Dalton, Ga., and Leonel Ixmay-Xiloj, 51, of Chatsworth Ga., both pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct.

MLB Umpire O’Nora Pleads Down Charges

MLB umpire Brian O’Nora, who was arrested Dec. 6, 2020, in an Ohio sting targeting people using the internet to pay for sex, pleaded guilty to reduced

misdemeanor charges. O’Nora, of Austintown, Ohio, initially faced charges of misdemeanor soliciting and possession of criminal tools. He issued a plea of not guilty during his arraignment Dec. 9. On March 18, Judge Jeffrey Adler fined O’Nora $500 plus court costs for both counts, which are fourthdegree misdemeanors. O’Nora also agreed to pay $750 to the Liberty Police Department’s drug funds. The judge permitted

O’Nora, 57, to enter a written plea in absentia because of his work umpiring spring training games.

Swede Knox, Former NHL Linesman, Dies

Former NHL linesman Swede Knox, who worked five Stanley Cup Finals and 2,248 games in his career, died of lung cancer March 22. He was 73. Knox, who was born in Edmonton, Alberta, officiated in the NHL from 1972

to 2000. He was one of the first to wear a helmet while officiating, donning the protective gear in the mid-80s. He also officiated the NHL All-Star Game in 1982.

German Coach’s Punishment Questioned

For “unsporting behavior” toward referees during a Jan. 30 match, Borussia Monchengladbach’s under-23 men’s soccer coach Heiko Vogel was ordered to train the women’s team as punishment

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Former Coordinator Blackwood Dies

COURTESY OF TASO

SUNNYVALE, Texas — Jim Blackwood, whose career in football officiating spanned 60 years and covered multiple levels, died March 9. He was 81. Known for his expertise in rules and mechanics, Blackwood was a key figure as an onfield official, a replay official and a coordinator of officials. He was an early advocate of using video, producing and narrating training tapes that were used by officials in his conferences as well as nationwide. A native of North Little Rock, Ark., Blackwood officiated high school and collegiate football in Arkansas and Texas before becoming executive director of the Texas Association of Sports Officials in 1995. He retired from that position in December 2000. In addition to the high school administrative ranks, he was a major contributor to the collegiate scene, serving as coordinator of football officials for the Southland Conference from 1989 until 1999. He was then named the coordinator for the Western Athletic Conference, a position he held until the end of the 2012 season, when the conference dropped football. Blackwood was a proponent of instant replay as an officiating tool when the concept was still in its

— a move that sparked the ire of Germany’s elite female players. Vogel was also ordered to pay a $1,800 fine and suspended for two league games.

Serbian Referee Jailed Over Onfield Call

A Serbian court sentenced a soccer referee to a 15-month jail term and 10-year ban from the sport for awarding two contentious penalties — both resulting in penalty kicks that

infancy. In 2012, he was named the football instant replay coordinator for the Pac-12 and was briefly the league’s coordinator of officials. Blackwood was named the first CFO National Director of Instant Replay in July 2016. He was an NFL replay assistant from 1999 until 2008. In 2013, Blackwood was the second recipient of the David M. Parry Award. The award, presented annually by the CFO and named after the late former CFO national coordinator of football officials, is presented to a coordinator who exemplifies integrity, dedication, character and commitment to football officiating. “Friendship is one of the most important things we have in life,” said Bill Carollo, Collegiate Football Consortium coordinator of football officials. “We lost a great friend who dedicated his life to his family and football.

Hernandez

continued from p.8

case. According to the judge, those assignments “seemingly would not have been made were MLB discriminating on the basis of race or national identity.” Marquez also became the first Latino-born crew chief when he was promoted by MLB ahead of the 2020 season. With a small pool of minority

ended in goals — in a Serbian top league match in 2018 that decided Europa League qualification. In court, Srdjan Obradovic’s defense argued that for the most controversial penalty, the referee saw a handball, which was confirmed to him by his assistant. The sentence was handed down by the anti-corruption department of the Supreme Court in Novi Sad, Serbia. Immediately following Spartak Subotica’s

“It is not an overstatement that Jim did it for the good of the game and never for himself,” Carollo said. “Jim was a selfless individual and his integrity was beyond reproach. We will miss the officiating icon that Jim was, but we will never forget the impact he has made on the thousands of officials he trained and mentored.” Jon Bible, currently a replay official in the Southeastern Conference, described Blackwood as a “genuine, warm, caring, delightful person.” “I knew him for roughly 40 years,” Bible said. “In that time, I’ve known well over 100 officials who worked with him, or for him, or had game films graded by him, were mentored by him, or were just friends with him. I’ve yet to meet or hear of one person — not one — who has had anything negative to say about him.”

umpires and few promotion opportunities, the court felt the fact that no or very few minorities were promoted was “statistically meaningless,” as an MLB expert had suggested. Hernandez can appeal the judge’s ruling to a higher court and Kevin Murphy, Hernandez’s attorney, told the New York Daily News an appeal is “highly probable.”

2-0 win against Radnicki Nis in 2018, Obradovic was arrested and questioned on abuse of power charges.

Austin’s Role Changes With Conference USA

Gerald Austin is no longer coordinator of football officials with Conference USA, a position he has held for the conference since 2001. Austin, 80, is a former NFL referee. Russ Anderson, assistant

commissioner for football and baseball operations, told FootballZebras.com that Austin’s role had changed, but he would continue to work with Conference USA. During his time as coordinator, Austin hired Sarah Thomas from the ranks of high school officials. In 2021, Thomas became the first female NFL referee to work the Super Bowl. SOURCES: EDMONTON SUN, USA TODAY, THE DAILY (DALTON, GA.) CITIZEN, DW.COM, THE SUN, FOOTBALL ZEBRAS

REFEREE

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June 2021 |

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BASEBALL

EDITOR: SCOTT TITTRINGTON

stittrington@referee.com

RULES, MECHANICS, TECHNIQUES

While having to wear a mask may be seen by some umpires as a nuisance, do not allow it to become a distraction that prevents you from doing your job as you normally would, as MLB umpire Jordan Baker, Shawnee, Okla., does here.

JUST DEAL WITH IT!

Don’t Let Distractions Throw You Off Your Game

f umpiring were simply confined to ball/strike, fair/foul and safe/ out rulings, it would still be a game fraught with disagreements about arbiter judgments, but one of routine procedures. However, as any umpire with any experience knows, the routine is not how we earn our paychecks nor burnish our reputations, good or bad. That happens when we are forced to deal with the unexpected — in other words, any sort of distraction that requires our attention and takes the focus off the three basic judgments around which the game is built. As bad luck would have it, COVID-19 foisted a new distraction upon many umpires who were fortunate enough to see the field at

any point beyond mid-March during the 2020 season and continuing into the current 2021 campaign: the use of masks. Whether one comes down in favor of or against mask use by umpires in an effort to help stem the pandemic, there is no argument they pose the possibility of distraction on several fronts. There is the possibility of impaired vision should a mask get too close to one’s eyes, or by causing fogged-up sunglasses any time an umpire exhales. There is the possibility of impaired breathing should an umpire have to use a quick burst to get a look at a catch/ no catch in the outfield, or rotate up from home plate to take a bang-bang play on R1 coming into third base. And there are myriad communication issues caused by having fabric over

the mouth of both the crew and coaches (and sometimes players). None of these create an ideal situation for umpiring a baseball game. Then again, we face plenty of less-than-ideal situations every time we walk on the field. In some instances, we have specific rulebook language that allows us to either take care of possible distractions before they even surface, or to administer the game once they become a part of it. In other scenarios, we must employ some basic common sense and good communication to solve an unforeseen problem. Field conditions One of the beautiful things about a baseball diamond compared to any other sports facility is that almost no two fields are designed the exact

BILL GREENBLATT/UPI

By Scott Tittrington

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same way. Yes, they are all 90 feet between the bases and 60 feet, six inches from the pitching rubber to home plate. But almost everything else is fungible — the outfield dimensions, the location of the dugouts and bullpens, the amount of foul territory, the fencing (or lack thereof). It’s important during each game to identify any areas that may become problematic and to have them addressed by the home team’s coach/manager during the pregame plate meeting, and to make sure that any ground rules that are agreed upon are not in violation of rulebook language governing a particular level of play. If you or one of your partners is aware of a possible distraction that is specifically forbidden by rule — for example, a team drawing chalk lines to extend its dugout toward home plate — take care of it before the game starts so it does not become an issue once play has commenced. Another possible distraction related to the playing field is the weather. Remember, the home team’s coach gets to make the call on whether a field is ready to begin play. But once the game starts, the decision-making falls on the umpiring crew. Sometimes it’s easy to decide to pull players off the field due to heavy rain or snow that suddenly erupts over the field. Many other times, it’s a tough call about whether to continue play. If the weather causes any sort of unfair distraction to either team or to the umpires trying to do their job, don’t be afraid to suspend play.

Scoreboards In an ideal world, every baseball game would include a functional, easy-to-read scoreboard — accompanied by a functional scoreboard operator. However, many times, even when we have the former, we do not have the luxury of the latter. If the scoreboard ceases to be a helpful tool for whatever reason, recognize it as an umpiring crew and adjust. As the plate umpire, you may have to announce the count more frequently than usual. Every member of the crew may need to answer more queries from the defense or base coaches about the number of outs. The crew also must remain in contact with the official scorekeeper regarding the score, especially in situations where an adopted game-ending procedure (i.e. a 10-run lead after five or seven innings) is imminent.

QUICKTIP While it is always a good idea to communicate with a host school before an assignment regarding accommodations at the field, it’s even more crucial this season as teams return to play amid ongoing COVID-19 protocols. Many schools are limiting access to locker rooms, and the last thing you want to have happen is to show up at a game site and get caught with your pants down — both figuratively and literally.

TOOLS Baseball Umpires Quiz Are you a high school baseball umpire looking to sharpen your rulebook knowledge now that you 2021 are in the heart of the 2021 season? The 2021 Baseball Umpires Quiz is available online at referee. com. The free 20-question, multiple-choice quiz focuses exclusively on the 2021 NFHS rulebook and is sponsored by the National Association of Sports Officials and is prepared by the editors of Referee magazine.

QUIZ

Sponsored by the National Association of Sports Officials and prepared by the editors of Referee magazine.

Spectators A knowledgeable, vocal crowd can add a great deal of enthusiasm and buzz to any sporting event. However, spectators can also cause distractions in two very important yet different ways during a baseball game. The first is fan behavior toward players, coaches and umpires. While we do not want to be fan police, there are going to be times when we need to curb certain behaviors for the welfare of all participants on the field. It is important for umpires to understand what is acceptable jocularity and commentary, and tune it out so that we can focus on our work, and what crosses a

In each of the following, you are given a situation. Decide which answer is correct for NFHS rules. (Answers on

last page.)

On a potential tag play between home and first, the batter-runner retreats toward home to evade a tag. a. He shall be declared out if he touches or passes home. b. He shall be declared out if he leaves the baseline. c. The ball remains live. d. All the above answers are true.

The visiting pitcher walks the first batter in the bottom of the sixth inning. There have been no previous conferences. The pitching coach makes a trip to that pitcher. After the trip, the head coach of the home team puts in a pinch hitter. The visiting head coach comes out of the dugout to make a second trip and replace the pitcher.

When is a fielder legally allowed to block a base? See question 6.

a. Warn the head coach that he cannot make a second trip. If he continues, he is ejected but the pitcher may remain in the game with no penalty. b. Allow the trip but the substitution is not necessary. c. Warn the head coach that he cannot make a second trip. If he continues, he is ejected and the pitcher will be substituted for after he completes the at-bat. d. Allow the trip and the substitution is mandatory.

With R1 on first base, no outs and a 1-0 count on B1, the pitcher fails to come to a complete stop and is called for a balk. His pitch is wild and eludes F2, going all the way to the backstop. R1 attempts to advance to third and is thrown out. a. B1 and all runners did not advance at least one base. Return R1 to second base. b. The play on R1 stands and

THEY SAID IT “Baseball has a tremendous track record right now. They’ve done an excellent job as far as the testing policies they have in place, the protocols and everything. When you combine that with the vaccination, it was an easy decision for me to come back.” — Gerry Davis, on his decision to return to umpiring at age 68 after opting out of the 2020 MLB season SOURCE: THEATHLETIC.COM

BILL NICHOLS

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BASEBALL

TEST YOURSELF In each question, decide which answer is correct for NFHS, NCAA or pro rules. Solutions: p. 81. 1. Ground rules cannot supersede or conflict with the rulebook, and: a. Both coaches must agree to the proposed ground rules. b. The umpires formulate the ground rules if the teams cannot agree. c. The league may specify the ground rules for the game. d. Both a and b. e. All of the above. 2. The batter enters the batter’s box with a helmet that is cracked. a. The batter is declared out and the head coach is restricted to the dugout/bench. b. The batter is instructed to secure a legal helmet and the damaged helmet is removed from play. c. Both the batter and the head coach are ejected. d. The head coach and assistant coach are restricted to the bench for the remainder of the game. 3. The first batter of the game enters the batter’s box with an illegal bat. a. The batter is allowed to secure a legal bat since a pitch has not been thrown. b. The batter is out. c. The batter is out and he and the head coach are ejected. d. The batter is out and the head coach is restricted to the dugout. 4. A batted ball sharply hits the ground and rebounds high in the air. It comes down inside the second baseman’s shirt. a. Provided the fielder can pull the ball out immediately, it stays live and in play. b. The ball is dead immediately. c. The batter is awarded two bases. d. The batter is awarded bases at the umpire’s discretion. e. Both b and c. f. Both b and d. 5. A pop fly hits the bat which is lying in foul territory and then touches fair ground. a. The ball is deemed to be a fair ball and stays in play. b. It is a dead ball and the batter is awarded two bases. c. The batter is declared out. d. It is a foul ball and immediately dead.

line and must be addressed at an administrative level. The second area of concern is spectator interference with the course of play, as seen in the PlayPic on the previous page. Each level of play has rules in place to help umpires deal with possible distractions caused when players, fans and a live ball all coincide with one another. Make sure to know those rules and how they should be enforced when they rear their unfortunate head. Media We’ve all seen old film footage of photographers mere feet from the action in live-ball area in an effort to capture images of players in action. Those days are long gone. Each rulebook now makes clear where media are allowed to congregate and do their jobs, and never does the answer include “in live-ball territory.” Do not allow photographers or videographers to encroach on live-ball territory in order to get a better angle for their shot, and therefore create a distraction for players or your crew. Remember, the media have a job to do, just like you — but they need to do so within the rules and in areas where they are allowed by rule, as shown in the MechaniGram below. Our own gear Don’t be your own worst enemy by becoming distracted from doing

your job by faulty equipment. If you’re a plate umpire, remember your protective cup, your plate brush and your indicator. Nothing is worse than the pitch caller on a crew being distracted from that essential job for fear of being hit in an unprotected part of the body, or losing focus because of trying too hard to remember the count on each hitter without use of the one tool specifically designed for helping us do so. If you are going to wear sunglasses on the field, make sure you can see everything the same way you would without the fancy eyewear. Missing a call because your sunglasses did not provide an optimal look is never acceptable. By the same token, squinting into the sun while having a pair of shades perched on top of your hat is a bad look as well. Finally, don’t allow yourself to become distracted because you are not dressed appropriately. If it’s cold, wear a jacket — there is no need to be a hero who spends the next seven or nine innings shivering and thinking about the temperature instead of focusing on the next pitch or play. If it’s sweltering, make sure you have lathered on the sunscreen and have plenty of water available so that you aren’t worried about a nasty sunburn or dehydration. Scott Tittrington is an associate editor at Referee. He umpires college and high school baseball, and officiates high school basketball and football. *

Throw

R2 F5

Designated Media Area

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You Can Count on Me By Jon Bible

n my career, I was fortunate to have many partners with whom I enjoyed working. There were also a few at the other end of the scale. How can we get other umpires to classify us in the first group?

PHOTO COURTESY OF BILL MCGUIRE

Be on time When we’re late to the site, our partner(s) may get antsy. I’ve had people show up so close to game time that I feared I may have to work alone, which is unsettling to say the least, and forces us to take the field without a pregame chat. Sometimes we can’t avoid being late, but don’t make a habit of it. Plan things so you get to the field (the right one — partners have gone to the wrong place) in enough time that everyone is relaxed and there is time to prepare. If you know you’ll be late, have your partner’s cell phone number so you can let him or her know. As an aside, when I was in a supervisory capacity years ago, I did a survey of things that irritated coaches. Number two on the list — behind umpires talking too much to players — was umpires showing up so late that the game didn’t start on time. Also, if plate and base assignments haven’t been made so that you and your partner must work that out, arriving late may leave your partner no option but to strap on the gear. Put your partners in a position where they have no choice in the matter of who works the plate enough times and you’ll get the reputation that you’re trying to duck the hardest part of umpiring. In the same vein, don’t be the umpire who says, “Gee, I forgot my plate gear.” Very little used to tick me off more than being paired with someone who did this. Don’t bad-mouth others Umpiring and gossip go together, but don’t let it degenerate into snarky comments about how so-and-so

5 MINUTES WITH BILL McGUIRE Former MLB player, pro coach discusses move to college umpire. Age: 57 Resides: Omaha, Neb. Experience: Played collegiately at the University of Nebraska and was a firstround pick by the Seattle Mariners in the 1985 MLB Draft. Played two seasons in the big leagues before becoming a minor league manager. Transitioned to umpiring in 2000 and has worked as an NCAA umpire primarily in the Big Ten, Big 12 and Missouri Valley conferences since 2003.

REFEREE: When did you first get the idea to maybe transition from the coaching ranks to becoming an umpire? McGUIRE: I was a high school basketball official working with a guy who I played baseball with in high school. And they were just starting up a new organization in Omaha, the old regime versus the new regime kind of umpire stuff. And he goes, “Hey, you ever think about umpiring baseball?” And I said, “You know, matter of fact I did, and I was trying to call around to start how to do it.” And so basically it was dumb luck. If I wasn’t doing that basketball game with that particular person at that particular time (in 2000), I don’t know if I ever would have umpired to be honest with you. REFEREE: Take us through your first steps as an umpire. Most new umpires have to start at a fairly low level and gain the necessary experience before advancing. What was it like for you? McGUIRE: I’m probably an anomaly because my first steps were JV and varsity (high school) games. My first steps were NAIA baseball. I did some small-school college baseball my first year out. REFEREE: How many years were you in before you received your first NCAA Division I assignment? McGUIRE: A buddy of mine talked me into going to the Springfield camp down in Springfield, Mo., which is a huge camp to get into Division I baseball. And I went there in ’01 and ’02, then in ’03 I got my first Division I game. So it took me three years, two years of camps.

REFEREE: What was the transition like of seeing a game as a player, and specifically a catcher, to seeing it as an umpire as the guy behind the catcher? McGUIRE: I would say it was really kind of easy for me. It wasn’t about balls and strikes for me. It was more of the timing, how to even call a strike, you know? What’s your style of how you’re going to call a strike? What’s your style, your timing? I learned a lot about timing. So timing and positioning and those things were more what I had to learn. REFEREE: Why do you think that transition was so easy for you? McGUIRE: College baseball is not slow by any means, but I’m not overwhelmed by it. You can’t take a high school umpire and throw him on a college field and expect him to be able to slow the game down because his mind just can’t do that. So there are certain people that can do that. Fortunately, I’ve played with Ken Griffey Jr., Randy Johnson, Edgar Martinez, Tino Martinez, Jay Buhner, guys with great arms, great speed. So when you play a game at a high level, the speed of the game is — athletes that are at that level know how to slow the game down and do that. REFEREE: Umpires like to joke that players and coaches don’t know the rules. You were both. Was that in any way a rude awakening as you became the person on the field responsible for knowing the rules? McGUIRE: I was a catcher in pro ball. Most of my managers in pro ball were catchers. I was actually like another coach on the field. So I was very, very knowledgeable of the rules as a player, and I was very, very knowledgeable of the rules as a manager. One of the things that I cannot stand as an umpire is when a coach comes out and argues a rule, that he really just doesn’t know the rule. They lose all credibility with me. If you’re going to argue something, please know the rules. You can’t argue intelligently if you don’t. Or at least have somebody on your staff that is knowledgeable of everything that’s going on in the rules. It changes so much every two years.

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CASEPLAYS No Throw, No Call Play: B1 tops a pitch that bounces down the first-base line. B1 is running in fair territory as F2 starts to throw. He sees B1 just past the halfway point to first in fair territory (out of the runner’s lane). He cocks his arm to fire, then decides not to throw as he would most likely hit the runner. Ruling: The play stands. For a batter-runner to be declared out for running lane interference, a throw must be made (NFHS 8-41g; NCAA 7-11p; pro 5.09a11). Appeal Necessary Play: B1 hits a ground ball and beats the throw to first by a full step, but he does not touch the base as he crosses it. He is beyond the base when the ball arrives. F3 takes the late throw while touching the base. Ruling: B1 should be ruled safe as he has passed the base. This is an appeal play. F3 can retire B1 by tagging him or by tagging the base while making an appeal prior to B1 returning to first base (NFHS 8-2-1, 8-2-6a1; NCAA 8-6b3; pro 5.09c2). Easy Double Play Play: With R2 on second and R3 on third and no outs, the suicide squeeze is on. B3 bunts a pop-up toward short, but before the fielder can make the play, R2 hits him (not malicious contact) while advancing to third and the ball falls to the ground. B3 advances to first and R3 goes home. The umpire judges F6 would have caught the ball and had an easy toss to third for a double play on R3. Ruling: R2 is out. B3 is also out and R3 returns to third (NFHS 8-4-1h, 8-4-2g; NCAA 8-5d; pro 6.01a6).

screwed up a call, is in the assigner’s doghouse, etc. If you’re eager to tell your partners about some mess another umpire is in, why should they assume you won’t tattle on them if they pull a boo-boo? Umpires who get labeled tale-carriers, or worse, backstabbers, aren’t in demand as partners. Have my back Once I got in a mess with a coach who wouldn’t leave after I tossed him. All heck was breaking loose, and what did my partner (a two-umpire crew) do? He stood behind first base. Never moved a muscle to help out. Eventually, the players virtually dragged the coach off the field and order was restored. When we got to the dressing room, I verbally undressed my partner; fortunately, I was in a position to ensure I never worked with him again. We’re all we’ve got out there, and if you get a reputation for not having your partner’s back if he or she gets in trouble — for example, you won’t police a dugout that’s barking because your partner ejected their coach — it’s guaranteed that

others won’t want to work with you. Same thing if you’re viewed as the weak-kneed sort who won’t make a tough call — balk, interference, etc. — because you’re scared of the heat so that someone else has to make it or it doesn’t get made. Know the rules, but don’t be a nit-picker. I’m not sure what’s worse — not knowing the rules or applying them in a hyper-technical manner without regard to the advantagedisadvantage philosophy. Let’s just say both are bad. Whether you’re ignorant or a Rulebook Charlie, if you drag the game down and make life difficult for your crewmates, they’ll want to avoid you. Use the prescribed mechanics I had a friend (now deceased) who was a good umpire, but as he gained weight he made his crews use improvised mechanics designed to cut down his running. Because he had seniority, the younger umpires couldn’t do anything about it and it left a bad taste in their mouths. It also jeopardized their careers, because if someone who could help them advance was at a game and

P t

J m a g p d

Horacio Ramirez, left, and Donovan Johnson, both of Los Angeles, work together to get a ruling correct. Being a good partner others on the field can count on should be at the top of any umpire’s to-do list.

BOB MESSINA

Whoops Play: With R1 on first and no outs, B2 lines out to short. F6’s throw is to F3’s right. As F3 reaches for the ball, he collides with R1, who is trying to return to the base. Ruling: Incidental contact. The ball remains in play. Both players were doing what they are supposed to do (NFHS 2-211a, 2-22-1; NCAA 2-51, 2-55; pro Interference and Obstruction Definitions).

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didn’t know the circumstances, that observer might have inferred the crew just didn’t know proper mechanics; this could hurt an aspiring young umpire. In the 1980 College World Series (CWS), we had six umpires, but at that time no crew chief. Five of us agreed on mechanics (the prescribed ones were rudimentary) but the sixth guy, an obstinate veteran, wouldn’t go along. We didn’t want to complain to the games committee (we should have) so we hoped for the best. Sure enough, there was a play at the plate with no one within 90 feet, so the crew had to converge and call it from long distance. Thankfully, I was off the field for that game. When you don’t know, or won’t follow, the prescribed mechanics, you put everyone else in a bind. Now, instead of reacting instinctively when the ball is hit, people have to think, and that can be deadly, as the CWS situation shows. You may be the one that messed up, but someone else

may get blamed for it. Mavericks also create the risk of a confrontation with crew members who want to do the right thing. In the CWS, one of our mechanics discussions almost ended in a fight. Who needs partners who cause problems like this? Have a good attitude Umpiring can be tough when a crew member has a crummy attitude. This can drag down the others, and the affected individual may not be as focused as he or she should be. So, when we show up to work we should put on a happy face and forget about the spouse, work issue, kid or whatever other problem is bothering us. If we all take the field with a positive attitude, we’re likely to turn in a better individual and collective performance. In particular, don’t whine about the caliber of your game assignments, assigners who don’t sufficiently recognize your talents or umpires who get games they don’t deserve

because they’re suck-ups. This is tiresome to those around you. If you start down this road, there will hopefully be some internal mechanism that says, “Dude, shut up!” before it’s too late. 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. *

CORRECTION The 5/21 issue contained an error in Test Yourself question No. 4 regarding the DH rule. In NFHS, the role of a traditional DH is terminated for the remainder of the game when the DH assumes a defensive position. The role of a player/ DH is terminated for the remainder of the game when a pinch-runner is used for the DH and when the DH is ejected for arguing a strike three call. The correct NFHS rules reference for all three scenarios is 3-1-4.

Practical Answers to Tough Situations Just because you’ve been ofﬁciating for years, doesn’t mean you’ve seen it all. Ever grabbed the wrong bag? Had a difﬁcult partner? Get called by a reporter? What Now?!? gives you real-world advice for handling many of the pitfalls and unexpected situations that can occur before, during and after games. DIGITAL

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A Life in Offic By Peter Jackel

With the ‘Godfather of NBA officials’ as his father, Ron Garretson learned from one of the best in the business. Then he made a name for himself and built a career in the industry with his abilities.

t’s May 20, 2000, at Staples Center in Los Angeles. The Lakers are hosting the Portland Trail Blazers in the first game of the NBA Western Conference Finals. Rasheed Wallace is losing it. Nothing new there. Ron Garretson isn’t having it. Nothing new there, either. Wallace, the Trail Blazers’ high-maintenance forward, draws his second technical foul after glaring at Garretson in the third quarter, setting off the high-strung veteran official. “Whack! Get out!” Garretson shouts at the 6-foot-10 Wallace, who stands more than a foot taller than him. The Trail Blazers’ Steve Smith approaches Garretson to plead Wallace’s case and is instantly rebuffed. “Get away from me, Steve! Get away from me, Steve!” Garretson

shouts. “I asked him three times to stop trying to intimidate me. I’m done! He’s gone!” Case closed. This is just another night at the office for Garretson, who has a low tolerance level for taking crap from anyone. Just go out and play the damn game, like Charles Barkley, Steve Nash and Kyrie Irving, three of Garretson’s favorites. Garretson never backed down from anyone who didn’t.

Ron Garretson enjoying retirement — with his dogs (from left) Nash, Kyrie and Barkley, named after NBA players — at his home in the Phoenix area.

——— And now it’s over. All the commotion Garretson routinely handled for 32 years as an undersized enforcer who demanded respect has quieted down with his 2019 retirement, and he is digging the solitude of the Gilbert, Ariz., home he shares with

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KACY HUGHES/REFEREE

fficiating

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his wife, Julie. As he patiently answers questions for this story with his typically succinct style, the sound of barking dogs can occasionally be heard over the phone. Their names are Barkley, Nash and Kyrie. “On the court, they were decent guys,” Garretson said when asked why those names were chosen for his dogs. Yes, Garretson does place a premium on players he respected. Life has become a joy for the 62-year-old Garretson during these sun-kissed Arizona days. There is so much contentment to be found simply by tuning in daily to “The Herd with Colin Cowherd.” And it just doesn’t get better than when 2-yearold granddaughter Beverly Rose wraps Grandpa Ron around her fingers during frequent visits. She might be the only one who has ever dared to try that. “She’s sassy, she’s smart and she’s just a joy,” Garretson said. “She’s just the neatest thing — to have her in our lives.” What a pleasant departure his life has become. Through more than 1,900 career games in NBA arenas, which included more than 200 playoff games and 11 Finals assignments,

Then-NBA referee Ron Garretson takes charge during the Toronto Raptors game against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena in 2018.

Garretson walked with a swagger despite the enormous shadow of his famous late father, Darell, who is remembered by so many as the “Godfather of NBA officials.” And like his father, Ron helped cultivate officiating excellence for years to come with his Coast to Coast Referee School. His career came to an end soon after a 2019 DUI incident in Arizona, but Garretson said he’d had enough by that point. His body was barking at him and it was time to leave behind what he did so well for such a long time. Whether Garretson eventually decides he has more to offer with his unique ability to instruct remains to be seen, but until further notice, let Barkley, Nash and Kyrie bark. Let Cowherd babble. And let Beverly Rose bounce gleefully on grandpa’s knee. After 32 years of airports, hotels and arenas, life has slowed from a gush to a trickle for Garretson, and that’s just fine with him. “I’m going to hang with my dogs in my house,” he answers when asked what his plans were for this day. And why not? This man has earned that leisure time. “I had a great career,” Garretson said. “To be able to do something that you loved

for so long and do it at a very, very high level for as long as I did, I’m extremely proud of that. I wouldn’t trade that for anything.” This man has earned this legacy, not that he’s surprised. Hell, he expected this. One day while Garretson was working his way toward becoming an NBA official in the 1980s, he made a bold proclamation to his already esteemed father. “I told him point blank, ‘I want to be better than you.’ I’ll never forget. He looked at me — this is a guy who’s in the Hall of Fame — and he said, ‘Well, I’m pretty good.’” No arguments there. But Ron developed an edge from an early age after never backing down from challenges against his older, taller and athletically superior brother, Rick, while growing up in Westminster, Calif. Dealing with everything his brother dished out during competition back in the 1960s, the 5-foot-8 Ron became an exceptional athlete himself at state power Servite High School, an all-boys private school of about 800 students in Anaheim, Calif. After attending San Diego State, Ron went on to operate two Second Sole Athletic Shoes franchises with Darell and Rick in Arizona from 1981 until 1986. Ron broke into the NBA in 1987, married Julie and helped raise two children — daughter Nicole, 31, and son Jason, 29. All of this was enough to impress Darell, a tough, stern, taciturn perfectionist, who handed out compliments seemingly with the frequency of Halley’s Comet being visible from Earth. The magnitude of any compliment from this man was enhanced by how infrequently one came along, but one day in 1998, when he retired as the NBA’s head of officials, Darell sat down and penned a letter to his son that Ron cherishes to this day. “It was a letter telling me how proud he is not just of

MARK J. REBILAS-USA TODAY SPORTS

ron garretson A Life in Officiating

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my refereeing, but me as a husband and father,” said Garretson, who declined to reveal that letter’s exact contents. “That meant all the world to me. It was your dad taking the time to write you a letter and it reinforced that you were doing something right, something positive.”

‘Major Influence’

AP PHOTOS

There are so many more who fortify Darell’s thoughts about his son. “When I was first starting out, (Ron) was an individual I picked out and I imitated everything he did,” NBA official Billy Kennedy said. “He was a major influence on me becoming an NBA referee. He had an influence and his father had an influence on my career. With that being said, he is probably one of the most underrated individuals as far as teaching is concerned. Most of the referees in the NBA at some point in time came through the Coast to Coast Referee School. “When he established that school, it gave an opportunity for individuals to learn how to referee. And it didn’t matter what level they were at. He was willing to teach from a person who had never blown a whistle before to guys who were working Division I and Division II in college and aspiring NBA referees who wanted to further their careers. He has touched, I would say, probably between three and four thousand referees at some point in their careers.” One of those officials is Andy Nagy, who is in his first season as a full-time NBA staff official. At 17, Nagy was too young to rent a car or a hotel room when he attended his first Coast to Coast camp in Las Vegas in 2008, so he was joined by family friends to make it happen. His youth didn’t matter to Garretson, who was just as attentive to

Nagy as he was with the far more experienced officials in the camp. “I loved everything about that camp and I loved the way Ron taught me,” Nagy said. “There was so much information that was thrown at me and it was a little overwhelming at times. Ron is a teacher at heart. He was very tough, but his heart is always in the right place. I knew it was tough love. It was very, very necessary at times. It was never, ‘Hey, you’ll get the next play. It’s OK.’ No. It was, ‘Hey, you need to do this, this is why and this is how you’re going to do it. Now, let’s fix it.’ Ron was huge on mechanics.” Jason Garretson, a Division II official who works in the Big South, Colonial and Ohio Valley conferences, has a strong sense of his father’s presence while officiating. “I always hear him in the back of my head saying, ‘Referee the defense, call the obvious, don’t guess, trust your partners, trust the system.’” Jason said. “That’s what he taught me and those things translate to any level — YMCA, high school, college and NBA.”

Growing Up Ron Garretson was born July 1, 1958, in Compton, Calif., two years after Rick was born in nearby Long Beach. Darell and Jeanne Garretson raised their two boys in a single-level home at 10351 Nottingham Ave., in Westminster. Jeanne, who died in 2011, three years after her husband, was an assertive stay-at-home mom who kept her house in order during Darell’s extended absences while officiating. By night, Rick and Ron slept in a bunk bed before each boy got his own room when Darell and Jeanne built on to their house. By day, the two boys were constantly trying to get the

In this February 1988 photo, Ron Garretson, left, listens as his father, veteran NBA referee Darell Garretson, talks to him before a basketball game between the Philadelphia 76ers and the Golden State Warriors in Philadelphia. It was the first time the two worked a game together.

best of each other in whatever sport was in season. Rick, who was the catcher on the Bolsa Little League team of Santa Ana that placed third in the 1968 Little League World Series and who started at wide receiver for San Diego State as a senior in 1978, always had the upper hand against Ron. “He never beat me,” Rick said. Meanwhile, staying on the good side of their father was a shared goal between the brothers, who were certain to catch hell, and possibly some leather, if they strayed from the straight and narrow. “He didn’t have a lot of patience, he was very disciplined, very strongwilled,” Ron said. “He was a terrific man, but if you did something and he called you out on it, you’d better come clean. He didn’t deal with BS very well or deal with people who beat around the bush. He was very succinct to your face and whatever he had to say,

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ron garretson A Life in Officiating

he said it and then he moved on. He was a boss the same way he was a parent.” Of course, boys will be boys and that was the case one day when a basketball sailed through the sliding door of the new addition on the Garretsons’ house during a showdown between the two boys. “I was playing with my brother in the back yard and there was a heated argument,” Ron said. “He threw the ball at me and I ducked and it went through the sliding glass window. My dad was on the road at the time, so it was the proverbial, ‘Wait until your father gets home!’ Those were the worst words you could hear back then. The times I thought I was going to get into the most trouble, the waiting period was the worst time until you had to deal with him face to face. “We were brought up in the days where, when we did something really bad, there was a belt. Rick always had to go first and I had to watch him get whatever we were going to get. If it was bad enough

In 2016, Ron Garretson’s father, Darell, a legend in NBA officiating, was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame. From right, Ron Garretson; Ron’s wife, Julie; Ron’s son, Jason; and Ron’s daughter, Nicole (Garretson) Douglas.

where he had to step in, it was bare butt and belt. We probably got the belt for that because they had to go to the expense of replacing the sliding glass door.” It wasn’t always pleasant being Ron as the underdog to Rick as he grew up. But in retrospect, those years helped shape him into who he would become because Ron was slowly developing the fiery disposition that defined him as a standout athlete at Servite and as an official who made his father proud. “All we did was play against one another,” Garretson said. “We went from sport to sport. (Rick) was such a good athlete and I was the pesky little brother playing with him and his friends. We played baseball out in the front, basketball out in the back, football … that’s all we did. What ended up happening is when I ended up playing against kids my own age, it was easy because I was used to playing against someone like him, who was so talented. My competitiveness came from being up against him my whole life.”

By the time Garretson was a freshman at Servite in 1973, he had developed a commanding presence in the image of his father. Factoring into that is Darell and Jeanne held back Ron when he was in the sixth grade to give him another year to develop. “I was always older than the other kids, so it helped me a lot,” he said about his high school years. The dynamic had changed. Ron had grown up taking his whippings during competition from Rick and his friends, but he was suddenly the one in charge at Servite. He was no bully, but to question Garretson’s authority or talk trash to him at Servite was to risk instantly getting chewed up and spit out. No one got in the last word against Garretson. “He wasn’t a cheerleader type, he was a mouthy type,” said Larry Toner, Garretson’s freshman football and basketball coach at Servite. “If you were an opposing player and said something to him, he would (figuratively) cut the legs out from underneath you. He was very clever with his mouth. If you got out of line, you heard it from Ron. He wouldn’t physically do anything to you, but he would just destroy you verbally. You didn’t want to get him amped. If you came in as an altar boy, that was your best bet against him. The minute you left that altar, you were in trouble.” While Garretson was no Rick as an athlete, he was exceptional in his own way. Toner was asked by the varsity football coach at Servite to play someone else at quarterback because he favored a taller player at that position. But Toner still snuck the heady Garretson behind center when he could and recalls that Servite scored an average of once every seven snaps with him at quarterback. As a guard in basketball, Garretson was an assured ballhandler and scorer on a star-studded team. His

COURTESY OF RON GARRETSON

Leadership Roots

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COURTESY OF RON GARRETSON

teammates during the 197677 season — when Garretson was a senior — included Mike Witt, who went on to become the 11th player in major league history to pitch a perfect game while with the California Angels in 1984; Steve Buechele, an infielder in the major leagues from 1985-95; and Jon Weiglin, who was named Servite’s co-athlete of the year with Garretson in 1977. “He was very much a leader,” said Witt, a junior center when Garretson was a senior. “He had the ball 99 percent of the time because he was the point guard and our whole philosophy was to get the rebound, get it in his hands and then he took charge. It was three-on-two, for the most part, the whole game. He knew how to dish and he could take a guy one-on-one, too. It was kind of his show my junior year and he did really well.” Weiglin might have been Garretson’s equal in terms of athletic ability, but he did not hesitate to defer to the fiery point guard, who wore No. 12 (he wanted the No. 10 his father wore in officiating, but it wasn’t available) and loved to wear sweatbands. “We were all Type A personalities and we just basically let Ron run the show,” Weiglin said. “Sometimes we all laughed about how Ron was just so demanding, but we all got along great. The games I remember most were against the basketball powerhouse Mater Dei (about 12 miles from Servite in Santa Ana). They’re a terrific basketball program and our senior year, we never lost to Mater Dei and Ron was the driving force between those two games, really. He would guide the team with his vocal ability and tell us what to do. He would light it up, he would shoot, he would pass, he would just direct. We just deferred to him and for us to do that was pretty amazing.”

Officiating Footsteps The officiating bug didn’t bite Garretson until he was out of college and working with Darell and Rick in the shoe business in Arizona. Darell had never pushed Ron to follow in his footsteps, but he was a driving force once his son expressed an interest. “That’s when my dad started working with me,” Garretson said. “You find out very, very shortly whether you enjoy it or not because it’s such a negative profession with people screaming at you and telling you that you suck and you have to be able to deal with it. My brother couldn’t deal with it. He went a different way. He went into coaching. “My dad worked with me for a year before I got seen by anybody. We would go down to the Salvation Army gym and he would tell me the things I needed to do to get better. And then in the summer of ’84, the Olympics was in L.A., they moved the summer training to San Diego State and that’s the first time I got in a camp. He brought me there as a non-staff guy, but I worked two games there and I sat in on meetings. That’s when I really, really got the bug.” Within a year, Garretson was working in the Continental Basketball Association and then it was on to the NBA. It was a rapid ascent, but then Garretson had something other up-andcomers didn’t: the ultimate mentor. Darell Garretson’s impact as an NBA official and supervisor earned him enshrinement in the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. He was instrumental in starting the first union for NBA referees, developing the concept of “refereeing the defense,” implementing the three-person officiating crew and training new referees.

Ron Garretson officiated more than 1,900 games in the NBA, including 200 playoff games and 11 Finals, before retiring in 2019.

“I had the best teacher in the world,” Ron said. “There was nobody like him. If I had a game and I had let’s say 50 calls, he would go to the five that either I got wrong or I didn’t handle in the right way. That’s what we talked about. He was trying to fine-tune and tell me what I needed to do to improve.” A 32-year legacy of his own followed, during which Ron Garretson developed a presence similar to his father both as an official and an instructor. There were numerous highs, such as all the Finals games, and there were the inevitable lows. One of his toughest nights was working “The Malice at the Palace,” on Nov. 19, 2004, at The Palace in Auburn Hills, Mich. A shoving match between the Detroit Pistons’ Ben Wallace and the Indiana Pacers’ Ron Artest escalated into a brawl that included fans. “That was a black eye for the league,” Garretson said. “Whenever you have a fight, it’s always the referee’s fault. It’s always been that way. And this was a game that was

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basically over. Back then, we didn’t have replay and I was on the other side of the floor when the foul took place. It was actually scary because all hell had broken loose, I called the game and said it was over because there was basically a riot taking place on the floor. “Would I have done anything differently? I probably could have been more aggressive in separation. Hindsight is always 20-20, but I probably could have done something different in that sense.” Did that night cost Garretson in the long run? He doesn’t rule that out. “I had been in the Finals for years by then,” he said. “I worked in the Finals that year, but after that year, I never worked the Finals again. To say that had something to do with it, I don’t know. There’s a lot of things that go your way and certain things that don’t go your way. You just have to accept it and say you did your best. And sometimes, your best isn’t good enough.”

Career Legacy Garretson continued through the 2018-19 season, but by then, more than 30 seasons of running up and down hardwood floors had taken a toll on his body. He was dealing with neck and back pain and was using special pillows in hotels to deal with his discomfort. A brilliant career was drawing to a close. There was also that DUI incident, when Garretson crashed his Jeep Wrangler into a tree. He had a blood alcohol content of 0.19, more than twice the legal limit. “I just had enough,” he said. “My body was breaking down. It had been a good run. I had had an off-the-court incident that I don’t really want to go into, but I had a DUI during that offseason and it got a lot of publicity in a short term. But I was ready to come off the

At his Phoenixarea home, Ron Garretson enjoys a game of pool while surrounded by memorabilia from his days on the court.

floor. I had just had enough.” His legacy had long been secure at that point, as so many officials who worked with him can attest. “At the very beginning, I think he probably refereed me,” said Leon Wood, a longtime NBA official who also had played in the NBA. “For a guy who didn’t have great size for a referee, he had a commanding presence about him. He was in great shape, he was very articulate and he was a hell of a player. He was a person who knew the game, having a referee for a father.” NBA official Bill Spooner offered a twist. He admires Garretson for succeeding so much in the shadow of his legendary father. “It’s a difficult position to be the son of a very dynamic, strong man who was the boss, also,” he said. “He was one of the guys, but he couldn’t exactly be one of the guys because his dad was the boss. But I always thought Ron handled it as well as it could be handled. There was no better teacher and no better judge of talent than his dad, Darell. Ron paid attention along the way — quite well.” Said former NBA official Joe DeRosa: “Ron probably helped me as much as anybody, especially when I first started

out, to guide me in the right direction and to be successful as an NBA referee. He had a great mentor in his father, which was obvious, but overall, Ron was always professional, he was always honest, he was always critical of himself and he was always striving to be the best he could possibly be.” By the way, what would Darell think of his youngest son now that he has put away his whistle for good? Rick, who has led the Chandler High School football team in Arizona to the last two Division 1 state championships, didn’t hesitate to respond. “He would be beside himself,” Rick said. “Refereeing All-Star games, refereeing Finals, being a true pro in how he handled himself throughout his career and of having camps and teaching referees, he had a tremendous ability like my dad did. I used to say that when my dad passed away, I got to watch him on NBA Classics. You know you’re starting to get old when, all of a sudden, Ron is on the NBA Classics! It’s a unique line and he would definitely be proud of how his kid developed in that profession. Going 32 years, that’s a lot of games, man.” Peter Jackel is an award-winning sportswriter from Racine, Wis. 

KACY HUGHES/REFEREE

ron garretson A Life in Officiating

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/football 4/27/2021 11:31:44 AM

SOFTBALL

EDITOR: BRAD TITTRINGTON

btittrington@referee.com

RULES, MECHANICS, PHILOSOPHY

WATCH THE HANDS, PLEASE By Brad Tittrington

“A

riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma.” While Winston Churchill certainly wasn’t describing the actions in a softball game when he made this famous quote, he very well could have been if he was trying to decipher what some batters were doing in the batter’s box. While it can be difficult to determine whether or not a batter checked her swing, softball is unique in that umpires must also determine if the batter is bunting at the ball or slapping at it. The two are distinctly different and have very different outcomes, especially when the batter has two strikes. Using rulebook language, umpires can help themselves identify what it is a batter is doing in a particular situation. The four codes all agree a bunt is a legally batted ball not swung at but intentionally tapped

(NFHS 2-8; NCAA 11.7.2; USA Softball 1 – Bunt; USSSA 3 – Bunt). While that seems simple enough, batters have become very adept at moving their hands at the last minute, not to mention while moving through the batter’s box, which can cause an umpire to pause and think about what just happened. One of the best ways to decipher what a batter is doing is to watch her hands. If the batter is performing a slap, she will keep her hands together and have an actual swinging motion toward the ball. If she is bunting, usually she will move the top hand down the bat toward the barrel to give herself better bat control, keep the bat still and try to tap the ball. Where this can get tricky is if the batter is trying to perform a drag bunt. A left-handed batter performing a drag bunt will look eerily similar to a batter trying to slap for a hit. The difference, however, is the motion

of the hands. The hands will stay together on a slap while the hands, generally, will separate when she is attempting to bunt. The one exception is if the batter simply puts the bat over the plate and runs through the box. The only motion of the bat is in conjunction with the batter’s forward movement and there is no swinging motion. When you are the plate umpire, this can be a lot of information to try to decipher all at once. First, you must judge whether the pitch is a ball or strike. Then you need to decide if the batter was attempting to bunt the ball or was slapping at it. After that, you have to decide if the batter made contact with the ball. Then, if she did make contact, you must decide if she was legally in the batter’s box upon contact. Finally, you must decide if the catcher caught the ball on a potential foul ball/tip situation or on a potential dropped third strike.

DALE GARVEY

Know the Difference Between a Slap and a Bunt

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Joe Mihelick, Olympia, Wash., has a lot to consider on this play. He first must determine if the batter is bunting or slapping. If the ball is contacted, he then must rule if it is a foul ball or foul tip. Finally, he must see if the catcher catches the ball.

That can all seem overwhelming. And more than likely, a coach is going to ask you to go for help if there is any question whether the batter was attempting to bunt or swing at the pitch. As a base umpire, it is imperative to focus on every pitch and make a determination in your head if the batter was attempting to bunt or hit, even if your plate partner doesn’t come to you for help. By focusing on every pitch and making that determination, you will be ready if your partner does come to you. As a base umpire, you are not responsible for calling balls and strikes. In a situation where the batter starts moving through the box, focus your eyes on her. Watch the movement of her hands and the motion of the bat. This will help you make a determination on what she was doing on the play. If you try to

track the pitch from the pitcher’s hand to the glove you will find yourself having to bring your eyes and head back to the batter and you will miss those key indicators of what she was doing to help you properly rule on the play. This is especially true with two strikes on the batter as the outcome can be the difference in an out or simply a foul ball. If the batter makes contact with the pitch and the ball is an uncaught foul, the plate umpire needs to determine if it was a bunt or a swing. If the ball goes sharply from the bat to the glove and is caught, whether it was a bunt or swing doesn’t matter. Either way, the result is a foul tip and the batter is out. If the ball is not caught, the crew needs to know if the batter bunted the ball or swung at it. If it is ruled a bunt, the batter is ruled out for bunting a third strike foul. If the batter is ruled to have swung at the pitch, it is simply a foul ball and she remains at bat. It is also important to know the definition of an attempted bunt in each code as there is a unique situation that could catch an umpire off guard. In NFHS, NCAA, and USSSA, if a batter leaves the bat over the plate on a bunt attempt, even if she doesn’t move it toward the pitched ball, it is considered a bunt attempt and a strike. In USA Softball, leaving the bat over the plate is not considered an automatic strike. If the pitched ball is out of the strike zone and the batter does not move the bat toward the ball, it is not a strike. At the end of the day, know the definitions and let that verbiage dictate your decision making. If you are new to umpiring softball, watch as many clips as you can and focus on the batter’s hands until you feel comfortable knowing the difference between a bunt or a slap. And in no time, you will be able to nail this call 100 percent of the time with the utmost confidence. Brad Tittrington is an associate editor for Referee. He is a collegiate and USA Softball umpire. He also officiates women’s college and high school basketball, high school volleyball and high school football. *

QUICKTIP When taking lineup changes, allow the coach to look at your lineup card as you make the changes. Also, repeat back what the coach says. This confirms you heard what the coach said and it allows the coach to make sure you write down the change properly. This will help prevent illegal substitutions or potential appeal plays later in the game.

SURVEY SAYS … In a 2017 NASO National Officiating Survey of 1,561 softball umpires, 61.28 percent stated they regretted a decision to not eject a coach, while 38.72 percent said they did not. On the flip side, only 6.72 percent of those surveyed said they regretted a decision to eject a coach.

61.28%

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SOFTBALL

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. With R3 on third, F1’s ball-four pitch to B2 deflects off F2’s glove and rolls into dead-ball territory. a. B2 is awarded second and R3 is awarded home. b. B2 is awarded first and R3 remains at third. c. B2 is awarded second and R3 remains at third. d. B2 is awarded first and R3 is awarded home.

3. The pitching coach asks for time and requests a conference with her pitcher and catcher. While the coach is walking to the pitching circle, the runners on base and the next batter due up confer with their coach at the third-base coaching box. a. Both teams are charged with a conference. b. Only the defensive team is charged with a conference, provided the offensive team is ready to resume play when the defensive team concludes its conference. c. Since the runners left their bases, only the offense is charged with a conference. 4. B1, a left-handed slap hitter, runs out of the front of the batter’s box and is struck by the pitch before it reaches the front of the batter’s box, preventing the ball from entering the strike zone. a. The ball is dead and a strike is ruled on the batter. b. The ball is dead and the batter is awarded first base. c. No pitch is declared and all action on the pitch is canceled. 5. Team A’s pitcher has a nose ring that isn’t noticed in the top of the first. When she comes to bat in the bottom of the first inning, the plate umpire notices the nose ring. a. The nose ring must be removed. b. The nose ring must be removed if deemed dangerous by the umpires. c. The nose ring is legal.

Complete the Catch A

s players get bigger, faster and stronger, they continually make more spectacular plays than just a few years ago. This can be seen in the amount of diving catches that are clipped and shown on ESPN, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and a host of other media outlets. With this increase in athleticism, umpires are required to make more difficult decisions on plays, especially those involving diving catches like in the above photo. When it comes to these types of plays, it is crucial umpires understand the definition of a catch. All four codes have similar language in defining a valid catch: In establishing the validity of the catch, the fielder must hold the ball long enough to prove she has control of the ball and that her release of the ball is voluntary. NCAA, NFHS and USSSA add the word intentional after voluntary, while the USA Softball rule code does not use that language (USA Softball 1 – Catch/No Catch; NCAA 9.2.1; NFHS 2-9-2; USSSA Softball 3 – Catch). Where umpires often get confused

is when the fielder dives and secures possession of the ball but then hits the ground or wall and the ball pops loose. Too often, fielders are getting credit for a catch in these situations when they should be ruled as a no catch. When a fielder hits the wall or the ground (or even another player) and the ball is jarred loose, that is not voluntary (nor intentional) release. The length of time a fielder has control of the ball is not specified, but the only part of the rule an umpire needs to remember in that situation is voluntary release. If the fielder dives, catches the ball, hits the ground and then as she is standing up reaches into her glove and the ball falls out, that is voluntary release. Umpires should not be wowed by the player making a great play and instead should rely on the definitions to make sure these situations are handled properly. Otherwise, defensive players are getting rewarded for a play they really didn’t make as they didn’t complete the act of a catch. Let your definitions be the backbone of your call, not the reaction from fans or coaches. *

COURTESY OF LSU

2. With two outs and R3 on third, B4 hits a single to center. R3 runs toward the plate and jumps over home plate without touching it. After F1 receives the ball in the circle, F2 asks the umpire for time. Once time is granted, who from the defense may make a dead-ball appeal that R3 missed home plate? a. Only an infielder. b. Any defensive player. c. A coach. d. The official scorekeeper.

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No Assistance Required B It is important for umpires to signal the runner

ase umpires have a lot of responsibility, especially in twoumpire crews. This is especially true when there are multiple runners and it is nearly impossible to keep eyes on all runners and the ball at all times. One area that may get overlooked in these situations is a coach physically assisting a runner on the bases. This typically happens at third base and happens either on a runner tagging up or on a base hit to the outfield, as seen in the PlayPic. In the situation of a runner tagging up on a fly ball, a coach may either push the runner to the plate to give her momentum or a coach may physically put her arms out and stop the runner from advancing. It can be a difficult call for the plate umpire in the two-umpire system because the plate umpire is responsible for the catch/no catch and potential fair or foul call. If the ball is hit to right field, the plate umpire needs to get a wide view of both the tag at third and the play on the ball. In the situation of a runner advancing on a base hit to the outfield, a runner who starts on second and is trying to score on a base hit may take a wide turn at third. While experienced base coaches will come down the thirdbase line and stay well clear of the bag, some coaches stay near the bag or in the coach’s box and tend to get too close to the action. The plate umpire must be cognizant of a potential assisting call in these situations. Coaches will put their hands out to stop the runner and may not even realize they have assisted the runner. Or they may inadvertently put a hand on the runner’s back to push her toward the plate. In either case, this is a violation of the rule. An additional situation where a coach may physically assist a runner is at first base with an errant throw. If there is a play at first base and the ball gets past the fielder covering the bag at first, a first-base coach may either push a runner

is out but keep the ball live. If an umpire rules the ball dead, it takes away the defensive team’s opportunity to potentially record additional outs.

to advance to second or may grab a runner who starts to advance to keep her from running to second. In either scenario, this is a violation. With no other runners on base, the plate umpire should be coming up the first-base line to assist with a potential pulled foot or bobbled ball at first and the plate umpire can give assistance if the base umpire misses the contact. The last thing that should happen in this scenario is having both umpires follow the ball and neither sees the contact between the coach and the base runner. In all codes, when a coach physically assists a runner, the

runner is out and the ball remains live (NFHS 8-6-5 Pen.; NCAA 12.4.4 Eff.; USA Softball 8-7e Eff.; USSSA 8-18y). It is important for umpires to signal the runner is out but keep the ball live. Ruling the ball dead would take away the defensive team’s opportunity to record additional outs. The key to making these types of calls is keeping your eyes on runners at all times. Whether it is obstruction, interference or a coach physically assisting a runner, these are often missed when umpires take their eyes off the runners to either pick up the ball or simply look away from the action as they move to their next calling location. *

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SOFTBALL

CASEPLAYS DP/Flex Play: At the pregame conference, after the lineups have been made official, the home coach tells the plate umpire the DP, Jones, is going to play catcher. In the second inning, Jones gets a single and the coach tells the plate umpire her Flex is going to run for Jones. The defensive coach tells the plate umpire the Flex is tied to the person who is playing offense only and says the Flex should not be allowed to run for Jones. Ruling: The coach is incorrect in all codes. The Flex is tied to the person listed as the DP for the entire game, even if the DP goes in to play defense. If the Flex were tied to the person playing offense only (OP in NCAA), the Flex then could technically run for all nine positions if the offensive coach maneuvered the lineup effectively. That is not the case and the Flex is only eligible to enter the game offensively in one spot, the spot where the DP is listed (NFHS 3-3-6d; NCAA 8.2.2, 8.2.5.2; USA Softball 4-3, R/S 15; USSSA 5-4d). Catcher’s Obstruction Play: B1 swings at an outside pitch and hits the ball to left field. On the swing, B1’s bat makes contact with the catcher’s glove. B1 tries to stretch a single into a double and is thrown out at second base by three feet. Ruling: In all codes, the plate umpire should signal delayed dead ball for catcher’s obstruction for B1’s bat making contact with the catcher’s glove. However, the catcher’s obstruction only protects the batter-runner to first base. Once the batter-runner reaches first base safely (and all runners have advanced at least one base), the catcher’s obstruction is canceled and the batter-runner and all runners may advance at their own risk. Since B1 reached first base safely and there were no other runners on base, B1 is ruled out at second base as a result of the play (NFHS 8-11d Eff.; NCAA 9.5.2 Eff.; USA Softball 8-1d Eff.; USSSA 8-4e).

Runners on First and Third, Fly Ball to the Outfield

n the two-umpire system with the base umpire staying in the infield, with runners on first and third and a ball hit to the outfield, both umpires need to move to get to an advantageous position to get a clear view of runners tagging up. As seen in the MechaniGram, the base umpire needs to move into the diamond toward the back of the pitcher’s circle to close down the distance to the runner at first. The primary responsibility for the base umpire is the runner on first base if she chooses to tag up. This also puts the base umpire in position to have an angle if there is a subsequent play

on the runner at first. If the runner on first tags up, the base umpire can mirror her movement to second to be in perfect position to call the tag play at second base if the throw goes to that base. The plate umpire has the more difficult movement in this situation. The primary call is fair/foul, but the plate umpire is also responsible for catch/no catch and also has the added responsibility of watching the runner on third for leaving early on a potential tag up. If the ball is down either line, the plate umpire should get depth at either first- or third-base line extended in order to judge fair/

B B

P P

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foul and have depth to see the tag as well. After ruling on fair/foul and catch/no catch, the plate umpire then needs to read the play to dictate movement. If there is a potential play at the plate involving R3, the plate umpire needs to get to the point of plate and then adjust movement as the play develops. If R3 is going to score easily, the plate umpire needs to move to the holding area between home and third base and watch to make sure R3 touches home plate. If there is a potential play at third base on either runner, the plate umpire

needs to get up the line at third base and get an angle to see either a play on R3 retreating to third or R1 advancing into third. If there is a play at home quickly followed by a play at third, the base umpire should verbally communicate he or she is in position to take the secondary play at third as the plate umpire will have no opportunity to get in position to make a call at both home and at third. The base umpire, who is already inside the diamond, has an angle already and can quickly close down the distance to make the call. *

Base Umpire Interference N

o umpire wants to get hit by the ball. However, there are instances when the base umpire simply can’t move fast enough to get out of the way of a sharply hit ball. It is important to understand what, if anything, happens when an umpire is hit by a batted ball. All four codes agree on what constitutes interference by an umpire, as seen in the PlayPic. If an umpire is hit by a batted ball that has not passed a fielder, other than the pitcher, or after passing a fielder (including the pitcher) and another fielder has a reasonable chance to make a play, it is interference (NFHS 5-1-1f-1; NCAA 9.6; USA Softball 10-4d; USSSA 10-1-f1). Normally base umpires are situated behind infielders; however, there are times when the fielders play exceptionally deep, a batter hits a sharply driven ball and the umpire simply doesn’t have time to react and avoid being hit as in the PlayPic. In these instances, the location of the fielders is important. If the ball has not passed an infielder other than the pitcher when it hits the umpire or it has passed a fielder but another fielder had a chance to make the play, the ball is immediately dead. In this instance, the batter-runner is awarded first base and all runners who are forced to advance are awarded one base. Runners not forced to advance must return to the base occupied at

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the time of the pitch. If the batted ball has passed an infielder other than the pitcher and no other fielder has a chance to make a play or if the ball touches the umpire after having touched any infielder, including the pitcher, the ball remains live and all runners, including the batter-runner, may advance with liability to be put out. It is important to remember an umpire who contacts a fielder attempting to make a play on a batted ball is not interference. It is also not interference if an umpire is hit with a thrown ball or if the umpire contacts a runner. Umpires should always be cognizant of where fielders are positioned and where potential throwing lanes are in order to avoid getting hit with a ball or hindering a play. *

HUNDREDS OF FREE SOftball & OFFICIATING ARTICLES ON

4/27/2021 11:31:49 AM

THEY'RE

OUT BY SCOTT TITTRINGTON

urvey any random class of kindergartners and ask them what they dream of becoming when they grow up, and the answers typically fall into a bucket that one might label “heroes.” A doctor. An astronaut. A professional athlete. The president of the United States. No 5-year-old looks at a baseball umpire and thinks “hero.” The guys throwing the strikes — the Max Scherzers, Jacob DeGroms and Clayton Kershaws? Of course. The people calling the strikes? At that age, the only thing most kids know about umpires is that Daddy doesn’t like them and they have bad eyesight. John Bostwick was no different. Growing up in Southern California, he was a baseball player who, by his own admission, “never grew up in full support of umpires because I was a pitcher. I felt like they always had it out for me. I was one of those typical ignorant players.” A few years removed from high school, Bostwick found himself

playing in a local adult league when his attitude took an aboutface. Impressed by the work of one particular man behind the mask, he started asking questions. The queries led to an invitation to a summer barbecue, where he was regaled by fellow attendees with a story about spending five weeks on the beach with all the baseball he could handle. Umpire school. “Sign me up,” said Bostwick, who indeed enrolled in the Wendelstedt Umpire School in the winter of 2008. “I had fun, I worked my ass off and I was one of the lucky few who finished in the top of the class and made it to the evaluation course. That’s basically how I got there.” Over the next decade, he would move through the minor league ranks, reaching Triple-A in 2016 and then becoming a crew chief at that level for two seasons. In 2017, he had the opportunity to work MLB spring training. In 2018, he worked the plate in the deciding game of the Triple-A championship series pitting the winners of the International and Pacific Coast leagues.

ALL MINOR LEAGUE UMPIRES DREAM OF MAKING THE BIG LEAGUES. UNFORTUNATELY FOR MOST, THAT DREAM WILL NEVER COME TRUE. “When you get to Triple-A, one of the best pieces of advice I was told was, ‘Now it’s time to earn a job,’” Bostwick said. “That right there, it’s a different mindset. Obviously you’re fighting to move up, but now you’re fighting to get that full-time spot.” Unfortunately for Bostwick, reaching that pinnacle at Triple-A would become the final line on his professional umpiring résumé. Two months later, while driving to a collegiate umpiring camp in Riverside, Calif., where he was serving as an instructor, his cell phone buzzed. Area code 704. His dream of becoming an MLB umpire was over. “It wasn’t even from Major League Baseball. It was from the director of Minor League Baseball Umpire Development,” said Bostwick of the brief chat that ended his professional umpiring career. “I saw his name pop up and I’m like, ‘Are you kidding me?’ “No one wants to hear that kind of news," said the 33-year-old, now a package driver for UPS in Southern California and a college umpire on the West Coast. "But when they just

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ARTISTIC RENDERING VIA ROSS BRAY; SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; ALEXANDRIA KOKX

tell you Major League Baseball is no longer interested and they have no reason for it or they don’t tell you why, it’s like, OK, I only gave you 11 years of my life and now you’re just making a phone call.” *** Every winter, save for a pandemic-stricken 2021, several dozen umpires make the same pilgrimage to central Florida that Bostwick almost accidentally stumbled upon back in 2008. While Daytona Beach may be best known to the sporting public for a certain automobile race held each February, one month earlier it also serves as the mecca for baseball arbiters of all stripes. Whether it’s a fresh-faced teen straight out of high school looking for a potential career or a sexagenarian looking to tap into his own personal umpiring fountain of youth, “pro school” is available to anyone willing to lay down a tuition of a few thousand dollars and sacrifice five weeks away from family and friends to immerse in all things umpiring. Several different schools over the past few decades have now coalesced into two primary training grounds — the aforementioned Wendelstedt Umpire School (named after longtime MLB umpire Harry Wendelstedt and now owned and operated by his son, current MLB umpire Hunter) and the MiLB Umpire Training Academy, which is operated by Minor League Baseball. The umpire boot camps have two primary goals: provide ongoing instruction to umpires of all ages and skill levels, and identify possible candidates for professional umpiring. Each year, a select number of campers from the two schools are invited to the Umpire Evaluation Course, a oneweek umpire “graduate school” sponsored by the Professional Baseball Umpire Corp. (PBUC). That’s where they fall under the watchful eye of Dusty Dellinger, director of umpire development for Minor League Baseball since 2014. At the end of the evaluation course, job offers will be extended to the most promising graduates, some of whom will immediately begin working in MLB-affiliated minor leagues, while others will sharpen their skills in collegiate summer

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– John Bostwick

John Bostwick was a minor league umpire for 10 years, including three at Triple-A.

right track. And ultimately going to spring training and getting assigned to the (MLB) call-up list is your third indicator. Now you’re available to go work at the major league level.” Conversely, there are also indicators for Triple-A umpires that their professional umpiring careers may be short-lived once they reach that level. While there is no formal advancement policy, language remains from previous collective bargaining agreements that any umpire who has been at the Triple-A level for three or more seasons is subject to being released if MLB is not showing interest — regardless of that umpire’s performance. “You can be released at any time at the Triple-A classification. It just depends on whether it’s going to be based on your performance prior to that third year, or if you get into the third year if you’re more than likely going to be released just on the retention policy,” Dellinger said. The decision on who stays and who goes is made each October, when Dellinger and the minor league evaluation staff meet at their main office in St. Petersburg, Fla. The deliberation process is divided

into two key categories. First, the staff goes through each umpire’s evaluation, breaking down their performance, their progression and how they stack up against their peers at each classification. Second, the staff looks at the entire umpiring organization in pro baseball and tries to decipher what the needs will be for the following season. Some years, several retirements are anticipated at the MLB level, meaning more call-up umpires will be hired to the MLB staff, thereby creating more openings for Triple-A umpires on the callup list. Conversely, there are years when few or no MLB umpires leave, basically halting the progress of every other umpire who is lower on the food chain. “It’s a tough business, and I think every umpire knows that from Day One,” Dellinger said. “We’re open and honest with them. When they come to the advanced course, I talk to them about the odds of making it to the major leagues.” Three years ago, Dellinger crunched the numbers. Since the current program came into place in 1998, just three percent of the umpires hired

ALEXANDRIA KOKX

wood-bat leagues. “On average, we normally hire 41 umpires a year,” Dellinger said. But of course, there is a yang to that yin. In order for those 41 doors to open, others must close. “We release anywhere from 18 to 20 umpires, on average, each season,” Dellinger said. And they are not just lopped off from the bottom. Dellinger and his staff are responsible for evaluating umpires working at Minor League Baseball’s Double-A level and below, and each year there are employees who are not retained due to poor job performance. It may be a firstyear, rookie-ball umpire who never quite got up to speed, or an umpire who has been stuck at the Double-A level for multiple seasons and isn’t a candidate for Triple-A. Once an umpire reaches Triple-A, he or she is evaluated solely by MLB. However, unlike professional players, reaching the highest rung on the minor league ladder does not mean a promotion is imminent. Baseball aficionados are fond of saying that Triple-A players are just one sprained ankle or one sore shoulder away from becoming a major leaguer. That’s not the case for umpires. Their ladder includes several more steps before they can begin to dream about reaching the top rung. “The process generally is that you work in Triple-A, and after that given season, if (MLB) is showing some interest in you, you could receive an invitation to work the Arizona Fall League,” Dellinger said. “That’s the first indicator that the major league staff has interest in you. “In a normal year, you go to Fall League and, if out of the Fall League you receive a spring training assignment, that’s kind of step two in the process that you’re on the

When you get to Triple-A, one of the best pieces of advice I was told was, ‘Now it’s time to earn a job.’

“

THEY’RE OUT

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ALEXANDRIA KOKX

Despite arriving at umpiring school with no experience and no equipment, Bryan Fields was a one-time MLB prospect.

“

into Daytona Beach at 6 a.m., watching the sunrise,” Fields said. “And that’s when my umpiring career started. I had zero umpiring pants. I had zero shoes. I had never done any of this before. I’m the guy wearing track pants and the two shirts and the hats that they give you.” The rags-to-almost-riches story led to the evaluation course, a spot on the reserve list, six weeks in the Coastal Plains League — a collegiate summer league — then his first official minor league assignment with six weeks in the Gulf Coast League. Eight years later, in June 2015, he reached Triple-A, paving the way to the additional benchmarks that indicated he had a real shot at reaching MLB. However, four years in Triple-A without being added to the call-up list told Fields another story. “Because I wasn’t getting the shot, it started getting a little difficult,” Fields said. “It’s more like, ‘Why isn’t

my shot coming? What am I missing?’ The only thing that comes to your mind is, ‘What is the flaw that you guys are seeing?’ It’s like, do they know, or is there another guy that’s just better? “You’d love for them to spell it out for you. At the same time, it may just be that there’s a guy that had ‘it’ and I didn’t.” When Fields didn’t get invited back to spring training in 2019, he sensed his hopeful ascension to the MLB ranks was all but finished. However, he wasn’t about to make the decision for them. “I was like, ‘I’m not quitting. They’re going to have to fire me,’” he said. “By that time, I’d invested 11 years of my time.” That’s exactly how it played out. Less than a week before his first child was born in November 2019, he received the call that he was being released. Asked whether he would do it all over again, Fields first

If I knew full well that I was never going to make it on a bigleague field, I don’t know. If I knew I was going to get to the top and not get there … it’s like knowing how you are going to die.

“

by PBUC have ultimately been hired to the MLB umpiring staff. Only eight percent ever have the opportunity to work as an MLB call-up umpire. And just 30 percent make it to Triple-A. That means of all the umpires who reach the Triple-A level, approximately three out of every four will never work a regular-season MLB game. And each October, it means Dellinger will have to make at least a few phone calls telling umpires their services will no longer be required. “It’s the hardest day of my life, because I’ve been in their shoes and I’ve received that phone call as well,” said Dellinger, whose onfield career came to a close with his release in 2007. “I was an up-and-down guy going to the big leagues and I received that call, so I know what it feels like.” *** Bryan Fields initially thought he had done enough after reaching the Triple-A level to avoid that call. Like his good friend Bostwick, Fields had managed to achieve some of the mileposts referenced by Dellinger after he reached Triple-A in 2015: the Arizona Fall League in 2017 and 2018, 24 MLB spring training games scattered over multiple seasons plus winter ball in South America. It was quite the progression for the Dallas native who, by his own admission, didn’t have a clue about umpiring when he made a spur-of-the-moment decision to give umpiring school a try in 2008 following his collegiate playing career at the University of Northern Colorado. He was working at a restaurant when he decided to apply online to the Wendelstedt School. After hitting send, he was on the road one hour later. “I ended up pulling

– Bryan Fields

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“

THEY’RE OUT

“

– Alberto Ruiz

Alberto Ruiz decided time with his wife and son were more fulfilling than life as a pro umpire.

MLB picked a total of 12 new umpires to invite to spring training, and true to the supervisor’s word, seven came from the crop of Fall League newbies. The lone umpire passed over? Ruiz. “I think if you ask any other guys who are already in the game, they’ll agree, that’s the writing on the wall,” said Ruiz, a 36-year-old native of El Paso, Texas. That said, he did not get a phone call from Dellinger. By all indications, he was going to be welcomed back at the Triple-A level for the 2017 season. However, a minor league umpiring salary and months on the road away from his young son were not enough to convince Ruiz to stick around — especially with MLB having sent a clear message the ultimate prize was going to remain out of reach. “You’re only in it because it’s the best way to provide,” Ruiz said. “If you’re not going to make it to the major leagues, you move on.” Ruiz received all the validation he needed for that difficult decision when he shared the news with his son, Elijah, who at the time was 6 years old, while they were riding in the car. “He reached over from the back seat and gave me a huge hug,” Ruiz said. “I’ll never forget that.”

While confident and comforted in his choice, it nonetheless took Ruiz some time to fully accept the transition back into life outside the game that had dominated his every thought for most of his adulthood. “There was a very, very large stretch to figure out what I did wrong, and it was hard to move on,” he said. “It took a while to figure out what to do next. “You’re doing it for your kid, who misses his dad. You’re doing it for your wife, who is doing it on her own. You’re doing it for your brothers. It’s something I didn’t really move on to completing until the last year or so. I had to find a new house. I had to find a new career. I had a few things to figure out.” Once he did, he came to a realization — validation comes in many forms, and the ends are not always necessary to justify the means. “I did some pretty cool things,” said Ruiz, who is now working in real estate in the Las Vegas area and umpiring college and high school baseball. “Even though I didn’t reach the largest of goals, I was still able to do some pretty cool things.” Scott Tittrington is an associate editor at Referee. He umpires college and high school baseball, and officiates high school basketball and football. *

ALEXANDRIA KOKX

opted for melancholy before making a positive turn. “If I knew full well that I was never going to make it on a big league field, I don’t know,” he said. “If I knew I was going to get to the top and not get there … it’s like knowing how you are going to die. “Honestly, I don’t want to scare anybody away from chasing the dream. It’s some of the best experiences you’ll have in your life. You’re going to end up with some of the best friends you’ve ever had. I can go down a list of the guys I had at my wedding. I’ll never look back with regret.” Fields, now 36, is an umpire assigner for USSSA baseball in Phoenix and awaiting a collegiate umpiring debut delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic. *** At some point, the desire to pursue a dream and the realization that a pragmatic approach to life is the best option will inevitably collide. That’s where Alberto Ruiz found himself in 2017. After eight years as a professional umpire — a journey that began in 2009 when he attended the Wendelstedt School and would eventually include three years at Triple-A, one season of the Arizona Fall League, one winter ball season in Venezuela and a World Baseball Classic assignment in Mexico — Ruiz decided to hand in his resignation in February 2017. The “a-ha moment” began to formulate at the conclusion of his Fall League experience and carried into the next calendar year. There were eight new umpires in the Fall League in 2016, and a supervisor came into the locker room to tell them approximately seven would be invited to spring training in 2017.

There was a very, very large stretch to figure out what I did wrong, and it was hard to move on. It took a while to figure out what to do next.

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/FOOTBALL 4/27/2021 11:31:56 AM

SOCCER

COORDINATOR: JOHN VAN DE VAARST

jvandevaarst@referee.com

RULES, MECHANICS, TECHNIQUES

Beginning this fall, Washington state officials (from left) Steven Hopkins, Kirkland; Russell Moulton, Lake Forest Park; and Zoe Potter, Edmonds, will no longer need to see documented permission for a player to wear a religious head covering. However, head coverings worn for cosmetic or medical reasons still require documented approval from the state association.

RELIGIOUSLY ACCEPTED By John Van de Vaarst

Religious Head Coverings (4-2-10 NEW) The new rule indicates, “Head coverings worn for religious reasons shall not be made of abrasive or hard materials and must fit securely.” This change allows student-athletes to express their religious beliefs by wearing traditional religious head coverings without requiring state approval.

Play 1: Before the match starts, the referee notices A11 is wearing a head covering that appears to be worn for religious reasons (see PlayPics, next page). The referee requires team A’s head coach to provide written documentation from the state association. Ruling 1: Team A is no longer required to provide any approval documentation from the state association. The referee must allow A11 to participate unless the head covering poses a danger to the player or to other players.

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PANORAMIC/ZUMAPRESS/NEWSCOM

eligious head coverings are now permitted without state association approval in high school soccer. The NFHS Soccer Rules Committee met in January and recommended one rule change and the deletion of language and movement of existing language to a new article for the 2021-22 season that were subsequently approved by the NFHS Board of Directors. Both changes were additions

incorporated into rule 4, player equipment.

DALE GARVEY

State Association Permission No Longer Required for Religious Head Coverings

DID YOU KNOW? The IFAB has modified the number of substitutions permitted three times:

1972 — Five substitutions 1996 — Seven substitutions 2013 — 12 substitutions

SIDELINE PRO Officials Selected for FIFA List

Play 2: Before the match starts, the referee notices A2 is wearing a head covering that appears to be worn for religious reasons. A2’s head covering is held securely with two bobby pins. Ruling 2: A2’s head covering — worn for religious reasons — is legal and shall be securely fastened so it is not dislodged. Bobby pins are hard and not recommended to be used. Team A is not required to provide any documentation the covering was approved by the state association.

PANORAMIC/ZUMAPRESS/NEWSCOM

Medical/Cosmetic Head Coverings (4-2-11 NEW) Head coverings worn for medical and cosmetic reasons have always been addressed in the rulebook. It will now reside in a new article. Head coverings worn for medical or cosmetic reasons require proper approval and documentation from the state association (or designee). The player is required to provide a physician’s statement to the state association. In addition, the head covering cannot be abrasive, hard or dangerous to any other player and must be attached “in such a way it is highly unlikely that it will come off during play.” The key difference is religious head coverings are permitted without state approval. Any other head coverings worn for medical or cosmetic reasons must have a document from the state association or designee on official stationery, or an original signature from the designee at the match site that

June_21.indb 39

authorizes the wearing of the head covering. It is noted that in some states, the state rules interpreter is authorized by the state association to grant these approvals and that is why the signature of the designee must be an original. NFHS Director of Sports and Officials Theresia Wynns said the changes will allow student-athletes to express their religious beliefs through the wearing of headwear without the approval of the respective state association. The above two rule changes appear simple. However, the referee or head referee must make sure the proper procedure is followed. The referee must not request a document when a religious head covering is worn but must make sure proper documentation is at the match for ahead coverings worn for medical or cosmetic reasons. There cannot be any confusion on these matters. A player should never be denied the opportunity to participate in the match because he or she is wearing head covering for religious reasons and the referee denies participation because of the lack of documentation. The referee must make sure any head covering, worn for religious, medical or cosmetic reasons, is not dangerous. If the referee is certain the head covering can cause injury to the player or other players, the equipment is dangerous and cannot be worn or the player cannot participate. One example of when this may occur is when a player is wearing a religious headpiece that

A total of 36 PRO match officials, including first-time selections Tim Ford, Allen Chapman and Tori Penso, were named to FIFA’s 2021 international panel of match officials. Chapman, Drew Fischer, Ford, Dave Gantar, Edvin Jurisevic, Chris Penso and Armando Villarreal are listed as video match officials — the distinct category being used for the first time after the worldwide implementation of video review. Jurisevic (2010-17) and Chris Penso (2013-15) return to the list after previously serving as referees. Fischer, Gantar and Villarreal are also listed as referees. Jair Marrufo (referee) and Corey Rockwell (assistant referee) have international duties for the 15th consecutive year.

THEY SAID IT “I know that I am a role model. Young women are watching TV, so I know that if I am on the field, they can see that it’s possible. This is the first thing that will help some young girls start refereeing.” — Stephanie Frappart, speaking to BBC Sport after becoming the first woman to referee a men’s UEFA Champions League game.

4/27/2021 11:31:59 AM

SOCCER

TEST YOURSELF Decide which answer or answers are correct for NFHS, NCAA or IFAB rules/Laws. Solutions: p. 81.

1. The ball travels over the goalline, not in the goal, and was last touched by a defender. The score is 1-0 in favor of the defending team. The ball is being placed in the corner arc for a corner kick when time expires. a. Time may be extended for any time lost and the corner kick is taken. b. The match is over. c. The referee allows the kick to be taken and ends the match as soon as the kick is complete. 2. The referee awards a penalty kick for team A. A22 is identified as the kicker. The referee sounds the whistle and A22 moves toward the ball and miskicks it forward. A3 runs forward and kicks the ball into the net for a goal. a. The referee stops play and the kick is retaken. b. The referee disallows the goal since a player other than the kicker scored. c. The goal is allowed. 3. A3 is moving along the touchline near the team benches. Substitute B2, who is near the touchline, makes a degrading comment to A3 and A3 strikes B2. At the time of the incident, neither team has a potential advantage situation. a. Stop play and eject A3. Restart play with a direct free kick for team B at the point of the strike. B2 is not cautioned. b. Stop play and caution A3. Restart play with a direct free kick for team B at the point of the strike. c. Stop play and eject A3 for striking and caution B2 for the comment. Restart play with a direct free kick for team B at the point of the strike. d. Stop play and eject both A3 and B2. Restart play with a direct free kick for team B at the point of the strike.

is secured with metal clips. The clips are dangerous and the player should not be permitted to play. Another example is if the article has a hard bill that can be dangerous to other players. The referee must always make sure no player is participating in the match wearing any item that is dangerous. However, the referee must not overstep his or her duties and declare an item dangerous when it is clearly a religious covering normally worn by all members of that particular religion. Points of Emphasis The NFHS Soccer Rules Committee also developed five points of emphasis: properly worn uniforms and field markings, reckless or serious foul play, high school athletics is education-based, sportsmanship and professional responsibilities for officials. Above all, entering the field on time is essential to starting a match on a good note (see PlayPic).

Properly Worn Uniforms and Field Markings The referee or head referee must notify the state association when a field is improperly marked or players are wearing illegal uniforms. Also, the referee should notify the school administration during the pregame of the situation. Reckless or Foul Play While soccer is a contact sport, fair play and safety of the players are critical. Referees must know the difference between a foul and reckless play. Referees must be proactive and use preventive mechanics to control players and reduce the potential of reckless play. Tools the referee can utilize are: • Addressing fair play and good sportsmanship during the pregame conference with the coach and captains. • Talking to players and captains when the intensity of the match escalates. • Warnings, strong whistles and cards should be used appropriately. • Deal with reckless or serious foul play immediately.

4. A13, who is in an offside position, receives the ball from A4. The assistant referee raises the flag to indicate offside. Before the referee sounds the whistle, A13 enters the penalty area and contact is made with B7, but A13 simulates a foul by falling to the ground. a. Stop play and award an indirect free kick where A13 was offside. b. Stop play and caution A13 for simulating a foul and restart the match with an indirect free kick at the point where A13 was offside. c. Stop play and award a penalty kick.

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High School Athletics Is Education-Based Playing sports is a privilege for high school students and the match is an extension of the classroom. Players earn playing time based on their skills, maintaining academic standards and good conduct inside and outside of the classroom. The goal of interscholastic sports is for students to experience additional educational opportunities through their participation in sports. Sportsmanship, playing by the rules, teamwork and perseverance will help students throughout their lives and are critical to development.

Sportsmanship Student-athletes, coaches and all others associated with the team should adhere to the fundamental values of honesty, integrity, respect, caring, cooperation, trustworthiness, leadership, tolerance and personal responsibility. This also includes those attending the soccer match as spectators. The characteristics mentioned are also critical to the referee team. Professional Responsibilities for Officials All officials are part of educationbased athletics. All officials must prepare themselves physically and

mentally, dress neatly and be in the proper uniform, be a student and master of the rules, utilize proper mechanics, be impartial, control the match and stay current with game management, as well as health and safety requirements. Officials shall always be professional during interactions with coaches, studentathletes, school administrators and spectators. All officials should review and be familiar with the NFHS Code of Ethics in the NFHS Rules Book. John Van de Vaarst, Cape May, N.J., is an NISOA National Clinician, National Assessor and former State Level USSF Referee and Assessor. He is Referee’s soccer coordinator. *

Stop, Yield, Play On! By Dan C. Heldman

t’s one thing to recognize an advantage situation but it’s a somewhat different matter to know how to signal it properly. Most referees who have enough experience with the former don’t necessarily agree about the latter. The “how” of the signal is simple: arms/arm upswept to shoulder height, accompanied by a vigorously declared “Advantage!” or “Play on!” (or both). The “when” is more complicated. Here are some of the issues of “when.” Advantage is used but never signaled (see PlayPic, next page) inside the defending team’s penalty area. Any kind of advantage signal (arms up and loud verbalizations) would be distracting and, given the dynamics of intense play — offense and defense — inside a penalty area, it could distract the players, not to mention interfere with your immediate need to focus on play. The advantage “rules” (not in the Laws of the Game but incorporated in standard referee training across the world) are not the same inside the penalty area as compared to outside the penalty area. Specifically, the core of advantage inside the penalty area involves waiting to see if a goal

is scored immediately (or within no more than one or two plays). So, having seen a foul by a defender against the attacker with the ball, you wait to see what happens. If a goal is scored, this resolves the core issue of advantage (though the possibility of misconduct remains). If a goal is not scored, you signal for the penalty kick (usually) and either red card or caution the defender (depending on the foul as set out in rule/Law 12). Across the entire field, whether inside or outside any penalty area, the advantage decision is made when you decide the situation warrants it, not when the standard signal is given. Indeed, as noted above, the standard signal isn’t even given for defender infractions inside the defending team’s penalty area. Suppose, however, the advantage is decided for something outside the fouling team’s penalty area. That is where you must decide when to give it and that decision is based on several factors only you can evaluate — literally in fractions of a second. Here are a couple of issues that often arise. The Law itself provides that, if the offense committed by the defender involves violent conduct or serious foul play or would result in a second yellow card, advantage

is not to be used at all. There is a “however,” which is generally used only for the highest-level competitive games, and that involves a situation where “there is a clear opportunity to score a goal.” Do not even think of using this “however” if the game is not at the highest competitive level. If the offense did not include violent conduct or serious foul play or would not result in the offending player being given a second caution, but the nature of the offense would clearly spark further or retaliatory violence by either team, it may be useful to announce the advantage immediately in order for the aggrieved player or his or her team to avoid using a violent response in the heat of the moment. By giving this signal, you have made it clear you recognized the offense, evaluated the seriousness of it and also recognized the value to the attacking team of allowing them to gain or maintain their advantage. In short, “cool it — you’ll get the opposing team’s deserved punishment either by being scored against or by the victim being punished for the foul if the fouled team fails to continue their advantage for at least the next few seconds.” You face a different problem if more than a couple of attackers are

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SOCCER

CASEPLAYS Fouled on the Attack Play: A3 is on the attack and is fouled by B2 outside the penalty area. A3 continues forward and the referee awards advantage. As A3 shoots, B2 trips A3 in the penalty area. The referee delays the whistle and the ball enters the goal. Once the referee signals for the goal, she cautions B2 for persistent misconduct. Ruling: In all codes, this is a correct decision. B2 committed multiple fouls on the same player (NFHS 12-8-1b; NCAA 12.4.3.2; IFAB 12.3). Fair Charge? Play: A1 is moving down field and being chased by B5. A1 passes the ball forward in the direction of A6. After the pass is made, B5, in an upright position, makes shoulder-to-shoulder contact with A1. The pass that was made is intercepted by B4. The referee stops play and awards an indirect free kick for team A. Ruling: In all codes, this is a correct decision. B5 made a fair charge, but the ball was not in playing distance (NFHS 12-4-1; NCAA 12.1.10; IFAB 12.2). Drop Ball After Injury Play: Play is suspended for an injury and the ball was on the line that marks the penalty area. Once the injured player is attended to, the referee restarts the match with a drop ball to the goalkeeper. Ruling: Since the lines are part of what they mark, the ball was technically in the penalty area. The referee’s decision is correct in all codes (NFHS 1-2-6; NCAA 1.3.1; IFAB 1.2).

stopping their own play. Perhaps they saw the offense but did not recognize the advantage opportunity (or, for less-experienced players, don’t even know what advantage is) and stopped what they were doing in anticipation of your whistle. This can be tricky. On the one hand, you might give the advantage signal quickly, even if this was not the original intent, in the hope they will see that play is not being stopped and they need to continue playing. Or, on the other hand, you could just shrug your shoulders and give them the stoppage they are expecting by whistling even if they lose a potential advantage. The customer is always right … even when they are wrong. Under certain circumstances, whether the advantage signal is given immediately or not, you could make eye contact with or catch the attention of the defender who committed the offense and loudly/ forcefully state, “I’m coming back for you, number 10,” (or something like that) as you follow the play that you have allowed to continue. This serves multiple purposes. It is a public acknowledgement of the offense being committed and your intention to deal firmly with it (this option should not be used if all you plan to do is merely talk with the defender). It also tends to distract the defenders and enhances the benefit of the advantage for the attacking team. Finally, the public nature of the “coming back to you, number 10” statement helps you to remember

what you have promised to do as well as announcing this “threat” loudly enough to enable players on the offended team as well as other members of your officiating team to jog your memory. Sometimes, there simply is no time to make the announcement. If a goal is scored within the next few seconds of play, any announcement is unnecessary. Same is true of another foul coming within seconds of the first offense. The second, quick foul is usually treated as sufficient proof advantage was not received and therefore play should be pulled back to the first foul. Ironically, the second foul is no longer a foul because it occurred after a delayed stoppage, but this subsequent offense may involve misconduct, thus meriting a card of some color. On balance, experience suggests most experienced referees in modern times tend to take a middle position: Don’t announce advantage right away as doing so might distract your close attention to the subsequent play, unless there is a clear need to let the attacking team know you saw the offense (often combined with a forceful promise to the offender that he or she will not be forgotten), followed by a public advantage signal as you near the point that the advantage has been used up. Dan C. Heldman, Tyler, Texas, is a former soccer coordinator for Referee. He is a former state referee and assessor as well as a national referee instructor. *

Mass Injuries Play: During the course of play, three players — A2, A3 and B3 — appear to be seriously injured on the same play. The referee stops the match and athletic trainers from both teams enter the field to attend to the injured players. A2 and B3 are unable to continue immediately, but A3 wants to stay in the game. Once the players are able to move, the referee advises that all the players must be removed from the match and either be substituted for or the team may play shorthanded. Ruling: The referee’s decision is correct. In all codes, injured players must be removed from the match (NFHS 3-3-2b; NCAA 3.5.9; IFAB 5.3).

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e’ve all been living with the pandemic and its fallout for 15 months now. There is a light at the end of the tunnel – sports are slowly coming back, vaccinations are widespread – and we’re all starting to feel cautiously optimistic. But we’re still cautious. That’s why, the NASO board of directors decided in February to postpone this summer’s planned in-person Summit that was supposed to take place in Grand Rapids, Mich., in late July. Instead, for the second year in a row, NASO is building the biggest, most impactful online officiating event ever seen – and it’s completely free and available to the entire officiating industry. While not being able to be in-person has its limitations, providing a virtual program allows for more opportunities and a much wider audience. Last summer, the first Summit@Home online event drew 10,000 officials who registered and participated. The bar was set high, but the goal for 2021 is to go above and beyond in both engagement and presentation. “That means we can offer new and interactive sessions in a way we just could not in a ballroom setting,” NASO President Barry Mano said. “So, sadness at again

not being able to present the Summit as we like to but very energized and excited to now take this opportunity to help officiating, its leaders and the officials themselves in extraordinary ways.” The program is in the planning and building stages right now, but attendees can expect plenty in the way of sport-specific content, with special focus on football, basketball, baseball, volleyball, softball and soccer, as well as distinguished panels and speakers bearing down on the hottest and most pressing topics in the world of officiating. “We had a terrific program in 2020,” said Mano, “and you can expect that and more this year. We’re reaching out to the brightest people in officiating for their participation and insight. But it’s the 75-plus sports organizations that provide sponsorship dollars that really make this happen. We couldn’t do it without them.” To check out the sponsors for the 2021 event, please go to www.sportsofficiatingsummit. com. Additionally the Summit will feature a virtual exhibit hall with exclusive discounts and webinars from Summit sponsors, as well as a variety of NASO contests and giveaways. Check out the website for the most up-to-date details.

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GETTING IT RIGHT

INSPIRATION, MOTIVATION, ELEVATION

By Steven L. Tietz

arah Fuller of Vanderbilt scored a point in an NCAA Power 5 conference football game this fall and Sarah Thomas officiated the Super Bowl on Feb. 7. Adding to this past season’s female gridiron history, Garland, Texas, native Crystal Cooksey became the first female to officiate a Texas high school state title game on Jan. 5 when she served as the line judge for the Balmorhea-Richland Springs 1A-Division II six-player championship.

Crystal Cooksey, Garland, Texas, became the first female to officiate a state championship football game in Texas on Jan. 5.

The recreation supervisor for Mesquite is an 11-year member of the Dallas Football Officials Association (DFOA) and was surprised when she got chosen by the DFOA for the assignment. “Actually shocked,” she said. “I got a text message from the assigning committee that said: ‘Exciting news.’ It was amazing. I wasn’t expecting this.” Texas Association of Sports Officials (TASO) Executive Director Michael Fitch said Cooksey earned the assignment. “We (at TASO) only care about one thing,” he said. “Can you work the game assigned to you? Crystal’s performance proved this point. She

demonstrated that she was capable by doing an outstanding job.” TASO honored her achievement with a commemorative video. Cooksey, 43, has always been a high achiever. She is a graduate of Hardin-Simmons University, where she participated in golf and equestrian riding. She started officiating intramural basketball in college and continued after graduating. She was working YMCA flag football when the head of the DFOA asked if she would be interested in high school football. “He had seen me in some basketball games and thought I knew what I was doing,” she said. Cooksey jumped at the chance. “I read the rulebook and I learned the mechanics,” she said, “and I really worked hard on the basics. I loved it.” It didn’t take long before she started getting varsity games and she has not had a problem with sexism. “I earned respect quickly and I found some good mentors,” she said. “Guys who really took an interest (in my career) and gave me opportunities.” Cooksey earned a state semifinal assignment a few years ago and worked some XFL pro games last winter as a ball spotter before the pandemic, learning from some college supervisors in the process. All of that led up to the historic January state final. The 1A-Division II title game was delayed due to COVID and had a new site, but it all worked out. Cooksey said she had not worked with her crewmates before, but that they got along well. The game went smoothly and afterward she was inundated with congratulatory notes. “Word spread and the messages kept coming,” she said. “Even from Big Ten officials.” Now Cooksey, like Fuller and Thomas, would like to aim even higher. “I’d like to do college ball someday,” she said. Steven L. Tietz is an award-winning journalist from Milwaukee. 

South Dakota Officials Wear Patches to Honor Buck Timmins High school sports officials in South Dakota sported a “BT” patch in memory of longtime South Dakota High School Activities Association (SDHSAA) statewide coordinator of officials and veteran official Buck Timmins. Timmins, 72, of Mitchell, S.D., died Nov. 16, 2020, due to complications from COVID19. He had officiated football and basketball for more than 35 years, including several state championship football and basketball game assignments. The patches — placed by some SDHSAA officials on uniform sleeves, jackets or warmup bags — were sold to raise money for a memorial fund designed to develop, train and recruit new officials. “It’s a wonderful tribute because he had such a profound impact on our activities and athletics programs across the state and especially through officiating,” SDHSAA Assistant Executive Director John Krogstand told The Mitchell Republic. Timmins was also the recipient of several officiating awards, including the SDHSAA’s Distinguished Service Award in 2011.

Local Association Runs Toy Drive A local officials association in Texas worked to bring joy to children hospitalized during the most recent holiday season — despite potential difficulties due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Texas Association of Sports Officials members from the Coastal Bend Soccer Referees Association collected toys to donate to the Driscoll Children’s Hospital. The toys were delivered to the hospital on Dec. 9, 2020. Officials were invited to bring toys to the group’s end-of-season training meeting. The toys were donated to the local hospital.

Have you heard an inspirational or motivational officiating story?

COURTESY OF CRYSTAL COOKSEY

A First for Texas

Send your ideas to GettingItRight@referee.com

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/football 4/27/2021 11:32:06 AM

FOOTBALL

EDITOR: JEFFREY STERN

jstern@referee.com

RULES, MECHANICS, PHILOSOPHY

NOW YOU’RE TALKING By George Demetriou

ssuming a basic knowledge of football rules and mechanics, communication is arguably the greatest single attribute of an official. A coach’s evaluation form without that item is rare. Most coaches will list communication among the top three things they look for in an official. Once the whistle blows, the people in stripes are more communicators than officials. All available tools must be used to look good, especially speech and body language. The following is a look at the different groups an official must communicate with in what is arguably a descending order of importance. Coaches. Coaches have a need and a right to know what is going on in a game. The sideline is not a good vantage point (albeit most coaches won’t admit that). Consequently, they deserve to be informed. Signals are one form of communication, but in

many cases, the personal approach is preferable. At a minimum, when a foul is called, the coach of the offending team should be told the number of the fouling player. If the officials don’t have the number, their credibility will be questioned. In the absence of a number, a description of the offender such as, “There was movement on the right side of the line,” is better than, “I dunno.” Unusual situations must be explained to the head coach. In many circumstances, the explanation can be tendered by the sideline official. On others, such as a reversal of a call or an apparent reversal, it may be best if the referee gives the explanation. Crew members. Officials who work with the same crew all season have an advantage. They know each other much better and can be more open with one another. Long road trips and social events are a good way to get to know crew members.

Taking responsibility for your actions and providing encouragement to crewmates is a plus. Putdowns should be avoided. There is a fine line between putdowns and chiding. Locally, there are two officials who have been friends for more than 15 years. They delight in criticizing each other, usually over trivial matters, before, during and after a game. They are the exception. Most of the comments they make to each other would be resented by a third person. Understanding your crewmates is important when there may be differing opinions and a quick decision must be made. The most frequent is probably when there is a question as to whether the offense or defense fouled. If an offensive lineman lifts up from his three-point stance, was it a false start or did the defense first encroach (NFHS) or induce the act (NCAA)? When there is a controversial play and two officials make different calls, egos

DALE GARVEY

What to Say to Whom and When to Say It

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Washington officials (from left) Marc Devoir, Kennoway; Jeff Ausbun, Tacoma; Dan Meyer, Spokane; and Jim Meers, Aberdeen, meet Bob Akamian of the TV crew.

must be put aside. Players. Players are all students in a learning environment. Keeping that in mind can only help. Admonishing players for fouls is not one of an official’s duties. Never throw a flag with vengeance. The safest way to address a player is by number. “Captain” is acceptable when applicable, but “Hey, you” or “Son” should be avoided. As a general rule, the less you say to players, the better off you’ll be. Building rapport with the participants is part of good officiating. Under no circumstances, though, should you fraternize, criticize or threaten. Avoid “coaching” players, but don’t let that deter you from cautioning a player. Letting a player know his actions are close to being interpreted as a violation of the rules is smart officiating. There is a fine line between a warning and a threat. For example, if an offensive lineman briefly grabs

a defender’s jersey, a threat would be, “If I see you grabbing jerseys again, it’ll cost you 10 yards.” Instead, question the player in a mild tone, “You didn’t grab his jersey, did you?” No matter how he replies, he knows he is being watched and can expect a flag if he does it again. If the message had been delivered as either a threat or an accusation and overheard by an opponent, the response could very well be, “If you saw it, why didn’t you flag it?” Supervisor. In some conferences, the commissioner supervises the officials; in others, a separate individual is hired. At the prep level, there probably won’t be a supervisor. Instead, officials may have to deal with league or association assigners and perhaps a state commissioner for postseason play. All those individuals must be treated courteously and with respect, regardless of their degree of football competence. In almost all cases, state associations will publicly support officials whether they like what was ruled or not. However, regardless of whether they are dualhatted or not, it may not be politically feasible for them to do battle with a blowhard coach on your behalf. Spectators. Officials communicate with the fans via signals and it should stop there. If a spectator interferes with the game, the situation should be referred to the game administrator or security personnel. Generally, officials should not deal directly with spectators. At the lower levels, where spectators may be allowed to stand on the sidelines, it’s OK to answer a reasonable question. Media. There is not much to be said about the media because officials ought not say much to reporters. If the game was well-officiated, the press will show no interest. The NFL and major college conferences strictly limit contact between officials and the media during the season. Inquiries usually must be submitted to the league office. At the local level, statements are apt to do more harm than good. Remember, silence can’t be misquoted. George Demetriou has been a football official since 1968. He lives in Colorado Springs, Colo. *

DID YOU KNOW? The NFL debuted the side judge July 30, 1977, when the exhibition season opened with the Hall of Fame Game. The league experimented with the seventh official during the first four weeks of the preseason. By adding an official on what was then the head linesman’s side of the field, the league hoped to improve pass coverage. The position was made permanent in 1978. College football added the side judge in 1983.

SIDELINE CFO Honors Mitchell Harold Mitchell, former coordinator of football officiating for the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) and the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC), is the 2021 recipient of the David M. Parry Award. The award is presented annually to a college football officiating coordinator for exemplary professionalism, leadership and a commitment to sportsmanship on and off the field. Mitchell became the SWAC coordinator in 2007 and added the SIAC in 2011. As an official, he worked the 1987 Rose Bowl, 1992 Orange Bowl and two Southeastern Conference (SEC) Championship Games. In 1997, Mitchell became the first Black referee in the SEC.

BY THE NUMBERS Length of a college football field in:

1662/3 YDS. 1331/3 YDS. 110 YDS. 120 YDS.

1871

1872 1876 1912

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FOOTBALL

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. Examples of personal fouls include: a. Throwing a helmet to trip an opponent. b. A runner hiding the ball underneath his jersey. c. A runner grasping a teammate. d. All of the above. e. None of the above. 2. K1 wants to attempt a field goal via a drop kick. He kicks the ball before it hits the ground. The ball goes between the uprights and above the crossbar. a. Legal play; the field goal counts. b. K1 is guilty of illegally kicking the ball. c. It’s simply a punt that went out of bounds. 3. Runner A1 is downed on third down. The officials agree that team A is short of a first down. As team A is lining up to punt, the captain of team A asks the referee to measure. a. The referee is required to comply with the request and must measure. b. Such a request must be denied if it is made after the ball is ready for play. c. The referee may comply only if the team B captain has no objection. d. The captain is not allowed to make such a request under any circumstances. 4. R1 is in position to catch a punt. While the kick is in the air, R1 uses his left hand in an obvious attempt to shade his eyes. After lowering his left hand he extends his right hand above his head and laterally waves it twice. R1 then makes the catch. a. R1 has made a legal fair catch. b. Shading the eyes constitutes an invalid fair-catch signal. c. Shading the eyes constitutes a valid fair-catch signal. 5. R1 attempts to catch a punt at his own 15 yardline. The ball bounces off his shoulder pad and is caught by K2 at team R’s 13 yardline. K2 carries the ball into team R’s end zone. a. Touchdown for team K. b. Team K’s ball at its own 13 yardline. c. Touchback.

Formation Frustration? Here’s Your Salvation By Scott Aronowitz

emember playing football as kids, when everyone lined up wherever they wanted, anyone could catch a pass and nobody stopped moving before the ball was snapped? Sure it was fun, but it was also chaotic. Fortunately, the game we officiate has rules to help mitigate such potential turmoil. This article addresses only requirements for nonscrimmage kick plays. The snapper. The snapper is most integral to initiating formations because neutral zone restrictions begin after the ready-for-play and after the snapper has placed his hand(s) on the ball. The snapper is established when he places one or both hands on the ball (NFHS 7-1-6) or in NCAA, when he takes a position behind the ball and touches or simulates touching the ball (2-27-8). Player classification. Offensive players at the snap are either linemen or backs. A lineman is any offensive player who faces his opponent’s goalline with the line of his shoulders approximately parallel thereto and either (a) he is the snapper or (b) his head breaks the plane of the line drawn through the waistline of the snapper (NFHS 2-32-9; NCAA 2-274a). In NCAA, linemen can be further sub-classified as interior linemen, one who is not on the end of his line of scrimmage. A back is any offensive player who is not a lineman and whose head or shoulders do not break the plane of the line drawn through the waistline of the nearest offensive lineman. Each player not on the line of scrimmage must be a back (NFHS 2-32-3; NCAA 2-27-4d). Do not give offensive tackles an unfair advantage in pass protection. If you are working the line of scrimmage and your tackle is not up on the line, let him know he needs to move up. Also, be sure to let the coach know you have put the player on notice; not only will coaches

appreciate not being penalized, they will not be able to say you didn’t issue a warning. As illustrated in the PlayPic on page 50, with the exception of a player in position to receive a handto-hand snap, the area between the line and the backfield is known as “no-man’s land.” But keep in mind the “blade of grass” principle. If lines drawn through the shoulders of the two end players in the illustration are separated by even a blade of grass, consider one on the line and the other off. Regard them as being where they’re supposed to be. The offensive team must have no more than four players in the backfield and must have a minimum of five players numbered 50-79 on the line of scrimmage (NFHS 7-2-5a; NCAA 7-1-4a). Shifts and motion. NFHS defines a shift as action by one or more offensive players after a huddle or after taking set positions (2-39), while in NCAA it is a simultaneous change of position or stance by two or more offensive players after the ball is ready for play (2-22). There is no limit to the number of shifts that may occur before the snap, but all offensive players must come to an absolute stop and remain stationary without movement of hands, feet, head or body for at least one second before the ball is snapped (NFHS 7-26; NCAA 7-1-2a). One player may be in motion before the ball is snapped. That motion must be away from or parallel to the line of scrimmage. In NFHS, if the player in motion did not first establish himself as a back, he may start from his line of scrimmage if when he goes in motion he is at least five yards behind the line when the ball is snapped. In NCAA, he may not start from the line of scrimmage unless he first becomes a back and comes to a complete stop (NFHS 7-2-7; NCAA 7-1-4b). Keep in mind the snapper putting his hand on See “Formation” p.50

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‘

! f e R , ‘Hey Doncha Know the Rules?’

It’s a question all officials hear at some point in their careers. Unfortunately, fans yelling it from the stands are usually unaware the game they are watching isn’t played by the same set of rules they are used to seeing on TV. There are myriad examples of that sort of rules ignorance, but we’ve highlighted a few here. See if these look (and sound) familiar. “Blow the whistle! He’s in the grasp!” There was a time when NFL rules had “in the grasp” as a means of protecting quarterbacks. In NFHS and NCAA, a runner is not considered downed until something other than his hand or foot touches the ground or his forward progress is stopped. While the player in the photo may be being pulled backward and may no longer be gaining ground, the mere fact that an opponent has a firm grip on him does not make him down. “You can’t call a facemask foul on the offense!” Rules regarding grasping the facemask apply to both teams. In NFHS, officials have the option of enforcing a five-yard penalty if the facemask is grasped but not twisted, turned or pulled. Under NCAA rules, no player other than the runner may continuously contact an opponent’s facemask, but the runner is restricted from the same sort of grasping, twisting and turning as in NFHS.

BOB MESSINA; KEN KASSENS; JIM WHITE; DALE GARVEY

“Faceguarding!” If there is to be a flag on this one, it’s because of the early contact and not because the defender is obscuring the receiver’s vision. The NFHS changed its pass interference rule in 2017 and faceguarding alone is not considered a foul. College football has had the rule in place for almost as long as it has allowed the forward pass. “That’s not a foul! He didn’t grab the facemask!” We’re assuming the player in the white uniform will give the opponent’s helmet a good yank in the next second or so. At any rate, the personal foul for such action is not restricted to the facemask. Under both codes, it is also illegal to twist, turn or pull the chinstrap or any helmet opening of an opponent. The NFHS rule adds the tooth and mouth protector attached to the facemask. In NFHS, it is a foul with a five-yard penalty to grasp but not twist, turn or pull those items.

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FOOTBALL

CASEPLAYS Extending a Period Play: First and 10 for team A from its own three yardline. A1 drops back into his own end zone, which is on the north end of the field. A2 is flagged for holding in the end zone. A1’s pass is incomplete. Time for the first quarter expires during the down. Ruling: If team B accepts the penalty, the result is a safety; team B scores two points. In NFHS, the second quarter begins with team A’s free kick from the 20 yardline at the south end of the field. In NCAA, the first quarter is extended with team A’s free kick from the 20 yardline at the north end of the field (NFHS 3-3-3, 3.3.3A-D; NCAA 3-2-3, AR 3-2-3 I-IX). Receiver Kicks Loose Ball Play: K1’s punt lands untouched at team R’s five yardline. R1 kicks the ball at his own two yardline. K2 recovers the loose ball at team R’s one yardline and carries it into the end zone. Ruling: R1’s kick is a foul and a muff. The ball is dead when K2 recovers it. Team K will decline the penalty for the illegal kick and take possession at the spot of K2’s recovery (NFHS 4-2-2d and f, 8-5-1, 9-7-1, 10-4-2; NCAA 6-3-6a, 9-4-4, 10-2-2d-4). Incidental Contact Play: B1 is drifting downfield ahead of eligible receiver A2. Just as a pass is being thrown, B1 stumbles and falls. A2, looking back toward the ball, trips over B1’s prone body. Ruling: Incidental contact. B1 is entitled to any spot on the field and may maintain that position as long as he does not abruptly move into the path of a receiver and interfere with the opportunity to move toward, catch or bat a pass. Nevertheless, B1 may not block or push an eligible receiver who is no longer a potential blocker, even before the pass is released. The onus is on A2 to avoid a defender who has stumbled and already fallen to the ground in front of him. If B1 stumbles and falls into A2, causing contact while the pass is in flight, it would be a foul for defensive pass interference (NFHS 7-5-10, 7-5-11; NCAA 7-3-8c).

FORMATION

continued from p.48

the ball is a shift, so he must wait a second before snapping the ball. That prevents a quick swipe of the ball to catch the defense off guard. Certain shifts become illegal based on the status of the player. If a lineman between the ends in a three-point stance attempts to shift to another position, that is a false start (NFHS 7-1-7c; NCAA 7-1-2b-3). A player in no-man’s land who is not outside the player at the end of the line would fall into that category. In NCAA, if all offensive players never come to a one-second stop before the snap, it is an illegal shift that converts to a dead-ball foul for a false start (7-1-2b-5), while in NFHS it is a live-ball foul for illegal shift (7-2-6). Substitutes entering the game must also adhere to the shift rules. Also, after the ball is marked ready for play, each offensive player who participated in the previous down and each offensive substitute must have been, momentarily, between the nine-yard marks, before the snap (NFHS 7-2-1; NCAA 7-1-3b). The intent of that rule is to protect the defense from “hide-out” plays. However, if an offensive player covered by that rule has not been inside the nine-yard marks but is being covered by a defender, it has become accepted philosophy to not throw a flag. Eligible receivers. A team A player’s eligibility to go beyond the neutral zone and touch a forward pass depends on his position in the formation. Regardless of whether he lines up on the line or in the backfield, no player numbered 50-79 may be first to touch a legal forward pass. However, any player may catch a backward pass. When multiple receivers line up on the same side of the formation, they should

differentiate between which receiver is on the line and who is in the backfield. However, it is prudent for officials to not split hairs. As the saying goes, find a blade of grass between them and avoid nitpicky fouls. The rules pertaining to scrimmage formations are restrictive, and rightly so. Crisp formations, proper motion and sensible enforcement will make for a smoother — and less chaotic — football game. After all, those days on the playground are long past. Scott Aronowitz is an educator and attorney and lives in Orange Park, Fla. He has officiated NFHS football for 20 years and was an NCAA referee for seven years. He currently works replay in the Big Ten. *

The quarterback (A) is in legal position. The player marked (B) is in “no-man’s land.” He does not meet the definition of a lineman or a back and is in “no-man’s land.”

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FOOTBALL

Dead Time? Not on Your Life By Jon Bible

ne of the axioms of top-notch officiating in the NFL and college ranks is to be great dead-ball officials. Officials at all levels should make that a goal. An important ingredient of that philosophy is what the late NFL referee Red Cashion had in mind when he talked about the Halo Principle, a series of concentric circles. Say there’s a five-official crew and a run up the middle as seen in the MechaniGram on the next page. The umpire is responsible for deadball action in the immediate circle surrounding the runner and tackler. The next-closest officials, the wing officials and back judge, should stay a few yards back and, with their heads on a swivel, monitor action in the larger surrounding circle in the

field (15-20 yards in diameter) if any opposing players ended up there. The referee, also with a head on a swivel, should watch the rest of the field. Too often officials ignore the halos, so that all are looking at the pile where the runner and tacklers are. In short, just as we can’t officiate well if we’re ball-watchers who focus on the runner to the exclusion of what’s happening around him, we can’t be great dead-ball officials if too many of us focus on the pile at the end of a play. We’re so close to it that we lose sight of what’s going on around it, or we run so fast that we miss vital action or can’t process what we see. Another common mistake is to be too quick to turn around to get a new ball from a ball helper or to retrieve the one in play when a play ends.

Stop, hang back, wait a few seconds to be sure everything has settled down and then go for the ball. Even with a 40-second play clock, we’ll get it spotted in a timely fashion. We can also miss fouls if we relax too soon. Say a punt goes into the end zone or a receiver fair catches it. We let our guard down because we think it’s a nothing play. If we turn our head, we may miss someone knock an opponent to the ground 30 yards away, three or four seconds after the play ended. As you move downfield, stay alert and keep your head on a swivel for a few seconds after those plays end until you know things have calmed down. We also must use common sense in deciding what dead-ball action is sufficient to draw a flag. Pushing and shoving after the play ends generally isn’t, but it does warrant a stern

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talking-to. Different story if it’s a hard jam instead of a push, a runner is down and an opponent not already committed dives into him, a player knocks down an opponent away from the play or the runner is hit (not just touched) after he has crossed the sideline and is out of bounds. Be careful in the latter situation. Flags have been erroneously thrown when a tackler hits a runner at the sideline and they continue out of bounds and fall down. It can look like the contact was late when it wasn’t. For a flag to be warranted in that situation, there must be a second act like a body slam initiated out of bounds. Also remember that runners moving north-south down the sideline are fair game but not those who have given themselves up and are running east-west. Sometimes, an official farther away from the play has a better look than the one who throws a flag from three feet away. If you’re that other

HANDOFF

official and are positive the hit started inbounds, go to the calling official and encourage a flag pick-up (it’s still the calling official’s choice to do so, of course). Player safety is important, but at the same time we don’t want cheap fouls. When I was a referee, dead-ball

officiating was a focal point of every pregame. One big miss in that area can undercut everything we do well in the game. Jon Bible is a replay official in the Southeastern Conference. A resident of Austin, Texas, he formerly officiated collegiate and pro football. *

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S L A I C I T F R F U O H Y G N N I A K M R : O Y W D U T

S fficials are a tough lot. We know that — and a study in the international journal Research in Sports Medicine recently confirmed as much. The study, titled “Musculoskeletal Pain in Lacrosse Officials Impacts Function on the Field,” showed the prevalence of joint pain among lacrosse officials, whose general movements are like those of officials in football, soccer and many other sports. “We found that musculoskeletal pain was quite common in this group and pain interfered with enjoyment of

officiating and perception of the ability to perform duties, such as running the entire lacrosse field, starting and stopping on the field, keeping pace with the action and focusing on multiple actions of players at once,” said Heather K. Vincent, one of the study’s authors and director of the University of Florida’s Health Sports Performance Center and the school’s Human Dynamics Laboratory. Knee pain was the most frequent complaint — noted by 33.1 percent of former lacrosse players who now officiated and 39.8 percent of officials who were not former lacrosse players.

Among former players, low back and shoulder pain ranked next; non-former players cited foot and low back pain. On a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the worst imaginable pain, former players who had a previous injury reported pain levels at rest and during exercise ranging from 3.6 to 4.4. Nonformer players reported average severity between 3.5 and 4.6 points out of 10. There were differences between male and female officials. Women reported more ankle and hip injuries than men. Arm and elbow injuries were more commonly reported by men

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o l l e i ors

Percent of officials with a diagnosis of osteoarthritis

33.5% 10.5% Percent of the general population with osteoarthritis and were incurred in “real-time” play (ankle sprains and knee sprains) and from overuse (stress fractures, joint pain or soft tissue tendinopathies in a lower extremity). “A good number of those taking part in the survey said they still had persistent pain in the affected areas during officiating,” Vincent said. She termed osteoarthritis “an unappreciated and under-recognized issue” for sports officials. In fact, 33.5 percent of all officials reported a diagnosis of osteoarthritis in at least one joint; 15.3 percent reported multijoint disease. The rate of osteoarthritis among surveyed officials was also higher than the general population, which one study pegged at only 10.5 percent. “The burden of osteoarthritis pain appears to be worse for men than women at the knee and hip, and

T n h Jo

men overall reported higher rates of this disease at any joint compared to women,” Vincent said. For younger officials, persistent or nagging pain can occur especially if repeated injury had occurred at one site, the study showed. “For example, people who had repeated ankle sprains or shoulder subluxations had chronic pain,” Vincent said. “As people age, the joints have less ability to recover after loading and osteoarthritis can set in.” She said what makes musculoskeletal pain and joint disease more likely is a previous joint injury (such as an ACL rupture) and weight gain. “Those that gained more than 20 pounds since high school reported musculoskeletal pain more frequently than people who remained within five pounds of their high school weight,” Vincent said. While the study focused on lacrosse officials, there are lessons for other officials in other sports, such as football and rugby. “We believe that these sports induce similar cumulative loading stresses on officials due to similar field size to traverse, involvement of high running speed and similar maneuvering motions to view the action (pivot, stop and start, cutting),” Vincent said. “In addition, osteoarthritis is also reported by referees from these other sports as well.” The study pointed to other past studies on officiating injuries. One 2013 study found acute seasonal injuries occur in 46 to 56 percent of football referees, with most injuries in the abdominal region and lower limbs. Another 2013 study of Swiss

Common areas for persistent pain among former players who officiate:

Knee 33.1% Low back 17.7% Shoulder 11.7% soccer referees found 25.8 percent reported experiencing at least one musculoskeletal complaint and 22.5 percent reported an injury from officiating. Data for the recent study came from a survey of members of the US Lacrosse Officials Development Program — male and female officials from across the country ranging in age from 18 to 84. A total of 1,441 completed surveys were mailed back. A majority of respondents officiated at the youth and high school levels; more than half officiating boys’ and men’s games. The other authors of the study were Michelle Bruner, clinical research coordinator with the University of Florida Orthopaedics and Sports

Common areas for persistent pain among officials who were not former players:

Knee 39.8% foot 30.4% low back 17.3% REFEREE June 2021 |

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N I A OG

N N PAI

Medicine Institute; Charlie Obermayer, then-senior manager of officials development with US Lacrosse; Bruce Griffin, then-director of health and sports safety with US Lacrosse; and Kevin R. Vincent, associate professor at the University of Florida Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine Institute.

Injury Concerns Past studies cited by the authors have found chronic pain can negatively affect physical performance, executive function, attentional performance and mental thought processes — all things an official can ill afford to have impaired. If pain prevents an official from keeping up with the action or otherwise deters an official’s ability to monitor the action, it could increase the chances safety issues or unsafe play could be missed, the study stated. Pain also decreases the enjoyment of officiating, which could have implications for an official’s continuing involvement.

Former players who officiate who reported a prior lacrosse injury

73.7% “Retention of officials over the long term is critical for continued growth of the game and expansion of the available pool of experienced officials,” the study’s authors stated. “Musculoskeletal pain has the potential to diminish the enjoyment of officiating and deter continued involvement.” Vincent said the study’s authors believe if their work can help officials manage pain more effectively and provide solutions, it can “enhance engagement, ensure rule enforcement, and maintain safety” for those on the field.

Does pain from a previous lacrosse injury interfere with the enjoyment of officiating? Without With Persistent Persistent Pain Pain

Always. . . . . . . . .2.8%. . . 0.7% Often . . . . . . . . . .7.9% . . . 2.8% Sometimes . . . .17.6% . . . .8.1% Occasionally . . .32.1% . . 28.6% Never . . . . . . . . . 39.7%. . 59.9%

Injury Prevention Vincent advises officials to “maintain a healthy body weight, warm up before games, keep joints moving as individuals age (avoid the weekend warrior approach), perform regular resistance exercise with body weight and other loading, and try to avoid scheduling multiple games in one day, especially if an official has chronic joint pain or osteoarthritis.” Exercise programs that focus on a strong running motion and neuromuscular control and alignment during motion are keys to helping keep joints aligned during sports and preventing chronic or acute injuries, she added. “We also suggest if an official is suffering from pain, consider reducing the number of games officiated, working games for youth (with smaller field sizes to cover), or taking advantage of pregame or halftime icing or other medical services if available,” Vincent said. “If medication is taken for joint pain, try and time when the medicine has greatest effect for the time you are officiating.” Conditioning, she advised, should involve year-round aerobic-based activities that are rotated to avoid overuse and to “mix up” loading patterns. These include swimming, running, elliptical, stair machines and cycling coupled with strengthening and neuromotor-based exercises (multi-joint actions that support complex movements). Also, she recommended squats, lunges, dead lifts, single-legged movements (such as the half squat), single leg balance

Does osteoarthritis pain interfere with the enjoyment of officiating? Without With Persistent Persistent Pain Pain

Always. . . . . . . . .2.7% . . . . 0.1% Often . . . . . . . . . .7.1%. . . . 2.3% Sometimes . . . .15.4% . . . .7.6% Occasionally . . .32.0% . 26.9% Never . . . . . . . . . 42.8% . .63.1% on a Bosu ball or wobble board, core synergistic exercise, such as “mountain climbers,” and variations of planks using dumbbell rows or rehab balls for balance. “Flexibility exercise (dynamic and static) for the lower extremities, low back and shoulders can help maintain better range of motion around joints as we age,” Vincent said. “A wellrounded and diverse conditioning program will help your body retain movement pathways and control — both of which can minimize risk for injury over time.” US Lacrosse also wants its officials to be physically prepared for each season. “Officials that remain healthy year after year tend to be those that maintain a certain level of fitness and spend their preseasons building stamina, strength and flexibility to withstand the demands of (the) game,” said Liz Brush, manager of US Lacrosse’s Officials Development Program and an active NCAA lacrosse official. Included in these preparations, she added, should be some type of activity that replicates the variety of movement the game requires. Properly warming up, cooling down and stretching is important, along with rehydration and recovery. “Our officials development program has offered a number of webinars and sessions on all of these elements to prepare officials for the season, as well as maintaining their physical health through the season,” Brush said. John Torsiello is a veteran sportswriter and editor from Torrington, Conn. *

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4/27/2021 11:32:38 AM

VOLLEYBALL

EDITORS: BRAD TITTRINGTON

btittrington@referee.com

RULES, MECHANICS, PHILOSOPHY

When multiple players are at the net, it can be difficult to judge net faults. (R1) Dale Goodwin, Spokane, Wash., and (R2) Ami Filimaua, Bothell, Wash., keep their eyes locked on the action to see any potential faults.

NOTHING BUT NET By Bill Thornburgh

t should be easy, but there are many factors that play into our accuracy of whistling net faults. As a second referee (R2), the biggest factor that will improve your ability to whistle these violations is to focus on player action and not follow the ball. While as a first referee (R1), it is imperative you do not leave the net too early

after an attack hit or block. This article will focus on “when a net is a net” in our three different rule codes — NFHS, NCAA and USAV — and how we can improve in whistling these violations. NFHS In high school volleyball, where NFHS rules are used, it’s quite simple to get this call correct. If a

player touches the net, antenna or net cables, it is always a fault (9-67). In high school contests, it does not matter whether or not a player is in the action of playing the ball. When you see contact with the net, antenna or net cables, it is the responsibility of the referees to make this call. The only exceptions are when loose hair touches the net, antenna or net cables, or when the

DALE GARVEY

Work Together to Correctly Call Faults

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force of a ball hit by the opponent pushes the net or net cable into a player. Here is a common play to examine: An attack hit near the top of the net pushes the net (top of the tape) into the blocker’s hands (and there was possibly a touch, too). Possible outcomes: (1) Touch by the blocker and no net fault, play continues; (2) no touch and no net fault, four hits; (3) no touch and no net fault, ball contacts the floor; (4) touch by the blocker and net fault; or (5) net fault only. In your decision-making process, there should not be an automatic call, nor should it be based on suspicion. In this case, the R2 should focus at the net where the ball is being played, focus on player action and ask, “Did the blocker(s) jump straight up or were they pressing over/toward the net? Did the player touch the net or did the ball cause the net to touch the player?” Additionally (but unrelated to this article), “Was there a touch by the blocker, what happened to the ball next, was there a centerline violation and how can I help my partner?” It is such a routine play, but there are many possibilities based on what occurs. Just remember, when you choose to whistle a violation you must be 100 percent certain the violation occurred. When in doubt, it is always best to keep the ball flying. So how can we improve in this area? The communication and pre-match discussion between the referees are of the utmost importance. Although the net is the primary responsibility of second referees, they may occasionally be out of position, not focused in the correct area, or may be doing all the right things but get screened from the play. In these instances, it would be appropriate for the first referee to make the call, especially for net faults by the attacking team and plays occurring near the first referee (such as a backslide). If this is a topic of discussion, it could help avoid unnecessary multiple whistles, it will prevent

June_21.indb 59

referees from feeling like their partner is stepping on their toes and participants will feel like the officiating team is getting the call right. USAV The rules for net play are more lenient in USAV and they allow for play to continue more often. Players can only be whistled for a net violation if they make contact with the net, between the antennas, while they are in the action of playing the ball (11.3). This includes their takeoff, hit, attempt to hit or while landing. What I particularly like about the rule is a player can contact the net outside the antenna, the ropes, the standard or the referee stand and not be whistled for a fault. However, it is possible that a player’s contact with objects outside the antenna could cause interference. If this is true (and obvious), a whistle would be appropriate. Again, I would recommend a thorough pre-match discussion to discuss who will whistle net violations, situations where your partner may have a better view and when he or she will whistle them, and how you will communicate when play at the net is legal (or judged to be legal) and play should continue. Let’s look at one example and how the referees could handle it. Play 1: A high-flying attacker has a monster kill but contacts the net while landing. The ball contacts the floor prior to the player contacting the net. Ruling 1: The rally is over and contact with the net would not be a fault. R2s can use an informal “index finger point” to the floor to let the R1 know they saw the net fault, but the ball was down first or the player had landed (completed the attack), thus no violation. Or, let’s consider an alternate ending to the same situation and how the referees would handle it. Play 2: A high-flying attacker has a monster kill but contacts the net while landing. The R2 whistles and begins to signal a net fault on the

BY THE NUMBERS

88 The number of points scored in the second set of a Feb. 25 match between the Grand Canyon University men’s volleyball team and BYU. Grand Canyon won the match, 3-0, but it is what happened in that second set that marked the evening. Grand Canyon won the second set, 45-43, setting an NCAA record for the highest-scoring set in an NCAA men’s volleyball match. Grand Canyon went on to win, 25-22, 45-43, 25-10. The referees for the match were Gigi Prieto and Earl Capps, and the line judges were Elvin Ottley and Marilyn Dumbrell.

DID YOU KNOW? USA Volleyball announced an event called the Collegiate National Championship that allows college-aged players a chance to compete for a national championship. The event’s purpose is to give college-level athletes or athletes who just want to compete for fun at the collegiate level an opportunity to play competitive volleyball. These teams can be club teams or other teams organized by students. The event will be held alongside the USA Volleyball Open National Championship from May 28-30 in Louisville, Ky.

QUICKTIP When the antenna is contacted by a player, the first referee may indicate that more information is requested from the line judge by subtly touching the net cord using the hand on the fault side while making eye contact with the line judge. The line judge should respond with either a subtle head nod (to indicate a player contacted the antenna) or a subtle head shake (if the line judge did not see a player contact the antenna). Line judges are not authorized to initiate the fault signal when a player contacts the antenna or provide unrequested information.

4/27/2021 11:32:41 AM

VOLLEYBALL

TEST YOURSELF In each of the following, you are given a situation and possible answer(s). You are to decide which answer(s) are correct for NFHS, NCAA or USAV rules, which might vary. Solutions: p. 81. 1. Team B’s libero, B7, is redesignated during set 1. In set 2, B7 — no longer wearing a libero jersey — enters the substitution zone and the second referee whistles to acknowledge the substitution. a. Allow the substitution. b. Deny the substitution and issue an improper request. c. Deny the substitution and assess a delay sanction. 2. In the first set, team A’s head coach is assessed a yellow card warning for arguing the first referee’s ballhandling judgment. In the second set, the same coach is assessed a red card penalty for yelling across the court at the first referee. In the third set, the same coach yells at the second referee about a net fault decision. a. Issue a warning or penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct. b. Expel the coach for the remainder of set 3. c. Disqualify the coach for the remainder of the match. 3. When the wrong server is about to serve, what is the proper action for the scorer? a. Wait for contact of serve and then notify the second referee of a rotation fault. b. Alert the offending team’s coach to try to prevent the fault. c. Sound an audible device before the serve is contacted to notify the referees of the pending rotation fault. d. Sound an audible device when the serve is contacted to notify the referees of the improper server. 4. During a timeout, a player spills water near the court. The player is still cleaning up the water when the timeout ends. What action should the referees take? a. The match should resume while someone else cleans up the water. b. The player’s team is issued a delay sanction. c. The player’s team is charged a timeout. 5. After a charged timeout, the referees signal the number of timeouts each team has used. a. True. b. False.

attacker. The R1 disagrees with the call and judges the ball hit the floor first. Ruling 2: The R1 should draw attention to him or herself with a double whistle, gently tap the chest and signal the ball was down. This is a case where signaling the violation first and then awarding the point is acceptable. The R2 should be prepared to explain to the coach the R1 judged the ball to have contacted the floor before the net fault and the point will be awarded to the opponent. Be confident in your delivery. NCAA The collegiate rule for net violations is similar to the USAV rule and does not stop play for contact with the net or antenna if a player is not in the action of playing the ball (15.2.1). As is the case with almost all rules, though, there are some minor differences. The NCAA has included interference as rationale to whistle a fault, which means a player not in the action of playing the ball could be whistled for a net fault. An example of interference would be a blocker who begins to move out to the antenna to participate in a block. As the blocker starts moving, he or she gets wrapped up in the net and it affects the integrity of the net. This draws all players’ attention and interferes with play — whistle it. The NCAA also defines the action of playing the ball as being completed when the player transitions to his or her next action. The most common example of this is when a player attacks the ball, lands on the floor, then contacts the net while turning to get into a defensive position. This contact with the net is legal because the player’s action was completed and the net was contacted as he or she transitioned back off the net. Let’s examine a different situation that may make us think a little harder as to whether or not we whistle a net fault: An attacker completes an attack hit, but his or her momentum continues and he or she makes slight contact with

the bottom of the net. The R2 is unsure whether or not to whistle a violation. Things that may cross your mind: Was the player still in original action or had the player transitioned to a new action? How much contact was there? Were you the only one who saw it? Was it inside or outside of the antenna? Did the ball hit the opponent’s court? Will your partner whistle or not? Can I get out of this by whistling and signaling a centerline fault? Are the coaches yelling? Do we have CRS? The point of that situation is net faults are not always so clear. When coaches, players or fans yell at us, they are seeing, thinking about and wanting a different outcome. Our judgment factors into our decision-making and becomes more important when we officiate USAV and NCAA volleyball. What are the takeaways? Know the rules and know how to communicate. We must know which rule set is being used for each match, we must have good communication with our partner and we should use rulebook verbiage to explain to players or coaches why we did or did not make a call. How can you improve in this area? Proper positioning and focus will help you see net faults better. Both referees have the responsibility of being positioned in the right spot and focused in the right area to increase their chances of getting the call right. Be aware and use the “art of officiating.” It helps when referees know where the players are, what they are doing and where they are going. Also, knowing where the ball is helps us make decisions. We cannot be overfocused on one thing or we lose sight of the bigger picture. Knowing the rules and when to apply them (or not) is a skill that top-level referees acquire with much practice. Bill Thornburgh, Shelbyville, Ky., is a National USAV and PAVO referee, as well as a FIVB International referee. He works in the Big Ten, Atlantic Coast, Southeastern and other D-I conferences around the Midwest. *

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Prep-Work Makes Teamwork By Brett Myres

COURTESY OF USA VOLLEYBALL

ne of the biggest keys to having a successful match is your pre- and post-match communication with your partners. This doesn’t just mean your partner but the entire crew. Depending on the level of the match, you may need to communicate with your partner, line judges and scorers. The pre-match could begin days before the match is being played. The topics generally cover the date and time of the match, what color uniform the crew will wear, expected arrival times and phone numbers for the crew. This is usually handled in an email to the entire crew, but even now crews may set up an online meeting to go over logistics. Each conference, league or tournament uses the same general guidelines but there may be some differences. It is a good idea to communicate with host school personnel to let them know when the crew will arrive at the facility, where they want you to park and find out if there are any special events taking place. Once you arrive at the site and are ready to pre-match with your partners, set your expectations for the match. Even if you have experienced line judges, it is good to go over the current changes and any other forms of communication you may need them to do. For example, if my line judges call a touch off the back-row player, I need them to give me a “nod of the head” toward the back row, signaling that is where they saw the touch if it isn’t obvious. This allows me to communicate to my partner and the coaches exactly where the touch was called. This may prevent any questions the coaches have, and now with CRS in some matches, it gives them more information to make the decision to challenge. My partner and I may talk about who will be responsible for certain

5 MINUTES WITH PATI ROLF USA Volleyball’s Director of Officials discusses Athletes Unlimited partnership. Resides: Pewaukee, Wis., and Colorado Springs, Colo. Experience: Serves as USA Volleyball’s director of officials. Was a women’s referee for the 2016 Rio Olympic Games gold medal match as well as the 2016 NCAA Division I Women’s National Championship. Was the first referee for the 2019 NCAA Division I Men’s National Championship, the first woman to do so. Has been an FIVB international official since 2003 and a PAVO/USAV National Official. Referees at every level of the game from FIVB World Championship events to the youngest of ages. Also served as the chair of the USA Rules Commission. REFEREE: How did you get involved with Athletes Unlimited (AU)? ROLF: We were glad they partnered with USAV. It gives our referees a chance to have an incredible experience. I got communication with Chris McGown (director of sport for volleyball for AU). Karch Kiraly (USA women’s head coach and AU advisor) got him info to get in touch with us. The national teams were directing us over to them. It has allowed our international referees to work that event as well as top national scorers. We are fortunate they included us. REFEREE: How were officials picked to work that league? ROLF: In FIVB, they changed the international certification categorization. There’s only a few of us left. Just recently, in the last five months, we were able to get up to that highest category three people to be FIVB referees, which by the way now in this era is incredibly hard to get that selection. They are bringing in a new lean, slim and highly experienced group of referees. We selected the top three FIVB referees to work that event. They are really excited to be down there and working. They just got certified in FIVB this year. Those three are doing all those matches. There’s also one continental referee to do one match. We got lucky college freed some of these folks to work this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. REFEREE: The R1 is on the same side of the court as the team benches and scoring. Is that unique to this league? ROLF: That is one change they have for this event. It’s difficult with substitutions. Normally the R2 handles all the bench work. It’s a challenge but

they are working through it. They are trying something different. The men used to do that, but decided it wasn’t working so they switched back. These guys are trying it. One thing about referees I have been proud of is referees are flexible. REFEREE: The R2 handles reviews. Can you explain how that process works? ROLF: Internationally, we have a challenge review person. That is their only job. It became specialized about two years ago and they communicate that to the R1 and R2. In college, the R2 does that and it is cost saving. Public perception though is, how can you look at your own call and overturn yourself? The integrity I think is there and it is shown to be there in college men and college women. In the AU, they agreed our R2 would do the challenges. And those cameras, by the way, are amazing cameras. They’re very clear. REFEREE: How does having a league like this help the sport and the officiating community? ROLF: We have so many sports that allow athletes to play at the professional level. Athletes are able to stay in the USA and play at the highest level, raise families, their families able to watch them play. I can’t even tell you what it means to these players. If we had pro as young women, it would have been a dream come true. I’m so happy women in our country can stay home and play. The goal is to have great events happening where people see an amazing sport played in the U.S. This format is so clever and interesting. The goal at the USAV level is to allow Olympic players to stay in their country and play. We get to be right next to them, hearing everything that’s happening. It’s a free ride to the best games in the world. Officiating is such an opportunity for young people. That’s why we staffed these with emerging referees. This pro league gives everyone — coaches, players, fans — a city where they can see the best volleyball in the word. Refereeing is a profession when you are working, it should be fun.

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VOLLEYBALL

CASEPLAYS Centerline Through Logo Play: During the pre-match court inspection, the referees notice the portion of the centerline that passes through the school logo is not a solid line, but is shadow-bordered, with only an outline designating the 2-inch centerline. Ruling: In NFHS and NCAA, this is legal (NFHS 2-1-4 Note; NCAA 1.2.2.2.3). NFHS and NCAA allow for a shadow-bordered line through the centerline. In USAV, this line would be illegal (1.3.1). USAV requires all lines to be solid-colored 2-inch lines. Numbers on Jersey Play: Team A’s jerseys are white with black numbers on the back, except for A5, who has a red number. Ruling: In NFHS, this is a legal uniform. The rules state the uniforms must be like-colored but they are not required to be identical (4-2-1). In NCAA and USAV, the jersey is illegal. Jerseys are required to be the same (NCAA 7.1.2.1; USAV 4.3.3.1b, 4.3.5). Substitution After Timeout Play: Team A is granted a substitution. After the substitution is completed, team B’s coach requests and is granted a timeout. At the end of the timeout, team A requests another substitution. Ruling: In NFHS and USAV, team A’s second substitution request is denied. Only one substitution request per team is permitted during the same dead ball (NFHS 10-1-3; USAV 15.2.2, 15.2.3). In USAV, team A is also assessed an improper request for the second substitution request (15.11.1.3). In NCAA, both substitutions requests will be granted (11.3.3.2.6). Simultaneous Faults Play: A4, a front-row player, attacks a ball into a block consisting of two opposing blockers. The first and second referees blow their whistles simultaneously. The second referee indicates a net fault by A4, but the first referee has whistled a net fault by B2. The first referee cannot determine which fault occurred first. Ruling: In all codes, when opponents simultaneously commit a fault, it is a double fault and will result in a replay (NFHS 9-7-2 Pen. 2a; NCAA 8.1.1; USAV 6.1.2.2).

areas or where help may be needed. For example, if the ball goes behind and may be crossing the plane of the net, will I take the call or expect my partner to take it? When do I want any information or discreet signals? If we are using headsets, what verbiage will we use to relay information? For the whole crew, it is good to see if any unusual plays or situations have come up in their previous matches. Going through these situations allows us to talk about how we may deal with them and prepare for the match. The length of the pre-match depends on the level of experience of the crew and if we have previously worked together. When you have made it out to the floor, the referees will have a prematch with the scorer’s table. This is the time for both officials to meet the announcer, scorer and assistant scorer. If the match is televised, you may need to communicate with the timeout coordinator. The second referee will meet with the scorer, assistant scorer and timer. The discussions will include the communication with the table during substitutions, how challenges will be handled and timeout administration. The first referee will communicate with the announcer about how the starting lineups will be handled and playing music in between points. Both officials will tour the playing court and recognize how the court is laid out, any obstructions and how they will handle those situations. Once the match is over, it is time for the post-match discussion as seen in the PlayPic. As a trainer of officials, I find this to be the best learning tool we have as officials. During the debrief, the crew can go through the match while it is fresh in their minds. What

went right and wrong and how can we be better? So, what gets discussed in the debrief? Most of the time, we like to get the big things out of the way. How did the challenges go and how did we get to the outcome? If a line call was overturned, was the line judge a fraction late on getting eyes to the line or did he or she have to take a bad angle on the play because a player got in the way? If a net was missed, did the referees believe the ball hit the net or did we leave the net too soon? Were there issues with the coaches or any participants in the match? How was the situation handled and was it handled appropriately? Even the minor details of the match should be addressed. How was the tempo of the match, communication with the officiating crew and with the scorer’s table? The debrief is not just for what went wrong; make sure you also spend time on what went right. It is extremely important to leave the match knowing how you did, what you did well and what you may need to improve on for future matches. No matter the level you are officiating, it is important to have some sort of communication with your crew before and after the match. A successful match depends on each crew member working in sync. This success starts and ends with your preand post-match discussions. Brett Myres, Indianola, Iowa, is an NCAA and USA National official. He works in the Big Ten, Big East and Missouri Valley conferences and the Summit League. He was assigned to the NCAA Division I tournament in 2018 and 2019 and the National Invitational Volleyball Championship match in 2019. *

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BASKETBALL

EDITOR: SCOTT TITTRINGTON

stittrington@referee.com

RULES, MECHANICS, PHILOSOPHY

VOLUNTARILY VIOLATING? Players Can’t Leave the Court Without Consequences By Joshua Schroeder

When this player touches the ball, Joe Moreno, El Paso, Texas, must know if she is legally entitled to do so. His decision is subject to change based on whether she came back on the playing court from out of bounds and the circumstances that led to her leaving the court in the first place.

VICTOR CALZADA

ost everyone knows, in the game of basketball, when the ball touches a boundary line or anything outside the boundary line, it is out of bounds and play is stopped by a whistle from the official. But what happens if a player leaves the court during live play? If you do not already know, the answer to that question depends on several factors. Let us start with the first and most obvious situation, which is written in the NFHS and NCAA rulebooks under rule 9-3. Though the verbiage and circumstances are slightly different between the levels, the basic premise is the same. If a player leaves the court by voluntarily stepping out of bounds, he or she has committed a violation. If you are reading the NFHS rulebook, it ends just like that. There are no other possibilities or additional explanation to negate this violation. The simple action of leaving the court for an unauthorized reason is final and should be considered a violation of the rule as it is written. If you are holding either of the NCAA rulebooks in your hands, there is a bit more to it. The NCAA rule explains a player who merely steps out of bounds has not committed a violation unless that player is the first player to touch the ball after returning to the court. It is important to note, when referencing the reason a player leaves the court, “under their own volition” in college or “for an unauthorized reason” in high school, they both mean the same thing. For this action to be illegal, the player must leave the court “voluntarily.” So, when

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players make the conscious decision to go out of bounds, either to create an advantage for themselves or to put their defenders at a disadvantage, they are leaving the court voluntarily and therefore are then subject to possible penalty by the game officials. Let us go over an example of what would qualify. Play 1: Two players for team A set a double screen near the endline. A1, using the screen in an effort to lose a defender, intentionally runs around the screen in the out-of-bounds area behind the basket and returns to the playing court on the other side just beyond the three-point arc. After stepping back onto the court A1 is the first to receive a pass, shooting the ball for a successful three-point goal. Ruling 1: According to NFHS rule 9-33, a violation occurred and a whistle should be sounded the moment A1 stepped out of bounds. According to NCAA rule 9-3.1, since A1 stepped out of bounds voluntarily, the moment A1 first touched the ball after returning to the court, a violation occurred. As many may remember, not too long ago, the penalty for leaving the court voluntarily was a very harsh technical foul, but that has since changed to a kinder, more palatable sentence and is only ruled a violation. Once the whistle is sounded, the ball becomes dead and the usual procedure for a violation is followed, resuming play with the ball being awarded to the opponents of the violating team for a throw-in nearest the spot of the violation (NFHS 7-5-2; NCAAM 7-3.2; NCAAW 7-4.1). OK, so now we know how to handle plays when a player runs out of bounds of his or her own volition, but what if said player does not purposely go out? What if the player is bumped out, or better yet, what if the player is running so hard to save a ball from going out of bounds that his or her momentum carries the player off the court? And what if after coming back in and establishing inbound status, that player is the first to touch the ball again? When we reference the rulebooks at all levels, there is no direct wording prohibiting an accidental or unintentional exit of the playing court, therefore suggesting

any action causing a player to “go out” involuntarily would be legal. Many officials do not like to go on “assumptions” and find it hard to accept a one-size-fits-all ruling on plays that do not have explicit language telling them such. Luckily, those officials do have that luxury in this “unwritten” rule. The casebook in each of the three respective rules codes has a scenario that explains this exact type of play. Play 2: A1 deflects a pass near the endline. The ball falls to the floor inbounds but A1, who is off balance, steps off the court. A1 returns inbounds, secures control of the ball and dribbles. Ruling 2: This is a legal play because A1 did not leave the playing court voluntarily nor in control of the ball when entering the out-of-bounds area. The rules also state similar actions are legal, such as a player attempting a layup under the basket and missing, and even though the player’s momentum carries the player off the court, it would be legal to return and regain control (NFHS 7.1.1 B; NCAAM A.R. 165; NCAAW A.R. 197). Remembering all these scenarios and special stipulations may seem to be a daunting task, so to help keep it all straight to rule on these plays properly, ask yourself this one question: Did the player go out of bounds purposely or not? If the player stepped outside of the boundary lines of the playing court with intent to gain an advantage or put the opponent at a disadvantage, the player’s action should be considered voluntary. But if the player simply ran out of bounds accidentally, or because momentum from a hustle play forced the player out, there is no intent of wrongdoing and such action should be ruled legal. The next time you see this type of play when you are on the court, if you can successfully answer this one question, you should get the call right every time. Joshua Schroeder, Schaumburg, Ill., is a certified state clinician and the founder of the Officials Institute, a nationwide online officials association and YouTube training channel for high school basketball officials. 

SIDELINE Jamaican First This year’s NCAA Women’s Basketball Championship first-round game between fifth-seeded Georgia Tech and 12th-seeded Stephen F. Austin had a Caribbean flair with officials Tiara Cruse and Demoya Williams both on the floor. Both women are native Jamaicans, making this the first time two officials from the island nation have worked together in the same NCAA tournament game. Georgia Tech prevailed in overtime, 54-52.

THEY SAID IT “If you can control dead-ball periods better than the live-ball periods, your game will run smoothly.” — Nadine Crowley, FIBA referee instructor SOURCE: FIBA.BASKETBALL

BY THE NUMBERS The number of Final Fours worked by the 22 officials chosen to work the 2021 events.

Men’s Final Four 7 – Doug Sirmons 6 – Randy McCall 5 – Pat Adams 4 – Jeff Anderson 3 – Ron Groover, Keith Kimble 2 – Bo Boroski, James Breeding, Chris Rastatter 1 – Gerry Pollard, Larry Scirotto

Women’s Final Four 24 – Dee Kantner 10 – Melissa Barlow 8 – Felicia Grinter, Joe Vaszily 6 – Eric Brewton, Brenda Pantoja 4 – Maj Forsberg 3 – Chuck Gonzalez 2 – Gina Cross, Cheryl Flores 1 – Pualani Spurlock-Welsh SOURCE: NCAA.COM

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BASKETBALL

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. Following a successful goal by team A, B1 and B2 are both out of bounds during the throw-in. Which of the following is true after B1 releases the ball on the throw-in? a. If B1 is the first to touch the ball inbounds, it is a violation. b. If B2 is the first to touch the ball inbounds, it is a violation. c. It is a violation if either B1 or B2 is the first to touch the ball inbounds. d. It is not a violation for either B1 or B2 to be the first to touch the ball inbounds. 2. A1 has a throw-in along the endline. A1 throws a pass toward A2, who is located inbounds on the other side of the basket. All of the following result in a violation, except which? a. The ball passes through the basket stanchion arms but does not touch any part of the basket support system before being caught by A2. b. The ball glances off one of the basket stanchion arms before being caught by A2. c. The ball passes over the rectangular backboard before being caught by A2. d. The ball bounces on the endline before being caught by A2. 3. Which of the following results in a violation? a. A1 dribbles during a throw-in. b. A1 dribbles during a freethrow. c. A1 repositions both feet during a free throw. d. A1 repositions both feet during a designated-spot throw-in. e. None of the above.

Don’t Dally on DQs By René Ferrán

rior to the 2020-21 basketball season, the NFHS Basketball Rules Committee voted to tweak the timer’s duties to sound a warning horn to announce both the start and end of the 15-second (maximum) period for replacing a disqualified or injured player (2-12-5). This rule change puts a focus on how officials administer the procedure for replacing disqualified and injured players. Often, officials fail to follow proper mechanics for this situation or do not understand the penalties for coaches who fail to adhere to rule 10-6-2: “The head coach shall replace or remove a disqualified/injured player, or player directed to leave the game, within 15 seconds when a substitute is available.” The penalty associated with failure to comply with this rule is a technical foul charged directly to the head coach. Per rule 4-34-3, a player becomes bench personnel after his or her substitute becomes a player or after notification of the coach following his or her disqualification, while rule 4-142 states that notification of the coach

makes the player officially disqualified. The disqualification procedure differs slightly for two- and threeperson officiating crews. TWO-PERSON CREW Once the official scorer notifies the ruling official that the player has received a fifth personal or second technical foul, or the official completes reporting a flagrant foul, the official will notify the head coach of the player’s disqualification (PlayPic A). If a substitute for that player is already at the scorer’s table, the ruling official can beckon the player onto the court and resume play. Otherwise, the ruling official would request the timer sound the warning horn, marking the beginning of the 15-second replacement period (PlayPic B), then notify the disqualified player. The ruling official then takes a position on the division line halfway between the sideline nearest the table and the center circle to administer the substitution. While the ruling official handles the disqualification procedure, the non-ruling official takes a position with the ball at the top of the arc on the end of the court where play will

4. Which is true when a player excessively swings his or her arms and elbows? a. It results in a violation when contact occurs. b. It is a violation when no contact occurs. c. It is both a violation and a foul if contact occurs. d. It is only a violation if there is advantage gained by the action.

When a player is disqualified due to picking up five fouls, the ruling official must notify the coach (A) and then request the timer to start the clock on the replacement procedure (B). When a player is injured (C), if a coach steps on the floor to assist (D), the player must leave the game, with the replacement procedure starting once the player is off the floor.

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be resumed. Once the substitution is completed, the officials return to their proper positions to resume play with a throw-in or free throw. If the 15-second substitution period expires, as indicated by the second horn, and no substitute has entered the game, the ruling official can issue a technical foul to the head coach for failing to provide a substitute during the required period. However, the situation might require a little discretion before immediately calling a technical. Read the situation appropriately and use your people skills if necessary, but if a technical foul is warranted, don’t be afraid to call one. Keep in mind that timeout requests cannot be granted until the head coach has replaced a disqualified player. A coach cannot buy more time to decide on which player to enter the game by being granted a timeout. THREE-PERSON CREW The main difference between the procedures for two- and threeperson crews regards the positioning for non-calling officials while the ruling official administers the disqualification procedure. The two non-calling officials should go straight to their proper positions for the subsequent throwin or free throw. The ruling official should follow the same mechanics and procedures as in a two-person crew for allowing the substitute to legally enter the game.

made available for the injured player, the officials can beckon the substitute onto the court to facilitate the process of resuming the game once the injured player leaves the court. Otherwise, the officials should wait until the player has left the court and the head coach can turn his or her attention back to the game before notifying the coach that either a timeout may be requested to keep the injured player in the game or a substitute must be provided for the injured player. If the coach chooses not to call a timeout, request the timer sound the warning horn and start the 15-second substitution interval. Again, keep in mind you might need to exercise some discretion following an injury before taking the step of issuing a technical foul. Finally, remember this procedure applies only to disqualified or injured players. A single flagrant foul or the second technical foul charged to any adult bench personnel, other than the head coach, results in disqualification and ejection of the offender, while a single flagrant foul, the second direct technical foul or the third technical (any combination of direct or indirect)

Keep in mind that timeout requests cannot be granted until the head coach has replaced a disqualified player. A coach cannot buy more time to decide on which player to enter the game by being granted a timeout. charged to the head coach results in disqualification and ejection. Ejected adult bench personnel must leave the vicinity (out of sight and sound) of the playing area immediately and cannot have any further contact (direct or indirect) with the team for the rest of the game. Failure to comply with these requirements could result in the game being forfeited. 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. *

REPLACING AN INJURED PLAYER When the clock is stopped due to an injured player (PlayPic C) and bench personnel enter the court to tend to said player (PlayPic D), we know the injured player must leave the game until the next opportunity to re-enter after the clock has properly started, unless the injured player’s team calls a timeout. However, when do we start the 15-second substitution period? It would not make much sense to start the substitution period while athletic trainers and the head coach are on the floor rendering medical assistance. If a substitute is immediately

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BASKETBALL

Huddle Before Free Throw Play: A1 is fouled during an unsuccessful try. While the calling official is reporting the foul, team B players are getting lined up along the free-throw lane, and team A players huddle in the middle of the lane. The calling official finishes reporting the foul. While that official is taking position for the free throw, the team A players break their huddle such that the lead official is able to immediately administer the free throw after the calling official has taken position. Shall a warning for delay be issued for team A huddling in the freethrow lane? Ruling: Teams may huddle prior to the administration of free throws provided they do not delay the administration of the free throw. If the huddle delays that administration, a team warning shall be issued. In this play, there is no warning issued because there was no delay that prevented the ball from being promptly put into play (NFHS 4-47-2, 10-2-1d, 10.2.1C; NCAAM 4-10.1.c.1, 4-10.2, 10-4.1.p; NCAAW 4-9.1.d, 10-12.2.e.2). Reporting Substitutes Play: The court properly has an “X” in front of where the scorer is located. During a dead ball after a violation by team A, substitute A6 reports to the scorer’s table to enter the game but stops to report several steps short of the “X.” The substitute is in clear view of the scorer and has given his or her uniform number to the scorer. Shall the officials beckon the substitute into the game, or shall the officials direct the substitute to go to the “X” prior to being allowed to enter? Ruling: The “X” on the floor helps substitutes identify where on the floor the scorer is located. Substitutes only need to report to the scorer prior to entry into the game. There is no requirement for the substitute to literally go to that “X” to report to the scorer. As long as the substitute has met the other requirements as stated in the rulebook, the substitution is legal, and the officials shall beckon the substitute into the game (NFHS 1-17, 3-3-1; NCAAM/W 1-3.6, 3-6.1).

The ofRest the Story While a picture may indeed be worth a thousand words, the one word basketball officials should not automatically extrapolate from taking a quick glance at this photo is “foul.” Yes, there may be a foul on this particular play — and it may be against either player. From one perspective, it would be easy to view the player in black as illegally sitting on top of the player in white and therefore being guilty of creating illegal contact. Another vantage point might be the player on the bottom has tripped her opponent or is holding her leg and preventing her from moving freely, responsible for illegal contact in her own right. Officials need to make sure not to adopt an “anything goes” philosophy whenever there is a loose ball and bodies are suddenly flying and flopping all over the place in an attempt to secure possession. Plenty of illegal activity can and will occur in these situations — activity that coaches and players believe should be absolved in the name of “playing hard” and having a “right to the ball.” Neither of these axioms excuse illegal contact, and officials need to be willing to penalize such conduct when it happens.

By the same token, don’t make the mistake of believing that just because there is contact, someone must have done something illegal. With 10 players in a confined space engaged in athletic activity, contact is going to occur. The question is whether it is illegal or incidental. And taking one quick glance at a picture is not going to be enough to answer that question. Every bit as important as what we see in this photo is how we got here. Officials need to process the entire play — as it starts, develops and finishes — before making a ruling. There may indeed be a snapshot in time during this sequence that offers up the information that a foul must be called on one of these two players. However, this snapshot, of this moment, does not give us all of the information we need. It may indeed deliver a thousand words. However, it doesn’t offer the whole story. *

DALE GARVEY

CASEPLAYS

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trail officials have responsibility for following the ball and any ensuing activity. That said, there are situations during a game when officials know that if they see something, they

should say something. On this particular play, if either of these two officials sees the severity of the crash, they should not hesitate to come out of their primary coverage area and rule on the contact. *

1 3

PASS

1 CRASH 4

VISITOR

uring the 2021 NCAA men’s basketball tournament, a lategame play demonstrated the need for three-person officiating crews to discuss pass-and-crash situations during their pregames and which official is responsible for what activity. In the play, as shown in the MechaniGram, the crash happens near the low block on one side of the lane. However, the lead official is outside the opposite lane line when the crash occurs, and the center official — the lone official on that side of the court — is up near the 28-foot line as opposed to the free-throw line extended, where there may be a more open look at the play. Three-person mechanics as spelled out in the NFHS and NCAA manuals make the center official responsible for this contact, while the lead and

SCORER & TIMER

Who’s Calling the Crash? D

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PROFILES

PERSONALITIES PLUS

By Steven L. Tietz

s she looks back on her 35-year career in basketball officiating, retired Nebraska groundbreaker Ann Schroeder still wishes there were more women involved in the trade. “It’s been a little disappointing,” she said after finishing up her career at the Summit League Women’s Basketball Championship in March. “I’m still the only (NCAA) D-I woman official in the state of Nebraska.

Ann Schroeder recently wrapped up a 35-year career as a basketball official.

“On the plus side, there were two women working the girls’ state (high school) tournament and for the first time there was a woman working the boys’ state tournament, but we could use more.” Still, the family officiating tree does have branches — she has three brothers and a niece who are officials. “Maybe I’ll register in Iowa (where her niece lives) just to help out,” said the Lincoln, Neb., resident. In short, she has come full circle since starting in 1986 while a student at the University of Nebraska. Like her six brothers, Schroeder was active in sports growing up in Bellevue, Iowa, and it served her well. She

taught health and coached at Norris (Neb.) High School, leading the volleyball team to a state title in 1991. She started officiating intramural basketball and worked her way up. She worked 11 Nebraska state tournaments and broke into college at the NAIA and NCAA D-II levels. Schroeder worked in the Big 12, Big Ten, Big East, Summit, Missouri Valley and numerous other conferences as well as postseason tournaments. Along the way, she had to fight sexism as for a time she was one of only two female officials in Nebraska. ”I’ve been told to get back into the kitchen,” she said. “And in other situations we’d be booked for a boys’ game only to find that the visiting AD didn’t want (women) working the game.” But all-in-all, she called officiating “a great ride.” Schroeder, 57, retired from teaching about three years ago and said her body was telling her it was time to leave the court as well. Twice driving to games through a blizzard this winter was another reminder. “One of those times, I spun out on black ice,” Schroeder said. “I turned to my partner and said, ‘Now what?’” Remarkably, they still made the game. She’s going to miss the sense of control, the thing that hooked her into the avocation years ago. “People are running up and down the floor and I blow the whistle and they stop,” she said. “That was amazing to me. Sure, there was a lot of pressure, but nothing I couldn’t handle.” Now Schroeder is looking for a little relaxation. Following retirement, she headed to Arizona for a quick vacation and then took off for a month’s stay in Hawaii. “I could get used to that,” she said. Steven L. Tietz is an award-winning journalist from Milwaukee. 

Game Time, Air Time Burt Hurshe Age: 73 Waterford, Mich.

Burt Hurshe is known far and wide in metro Detroit. In his 50 years of officiating, he has worked about 10,000 contests in baseball, basketball, football and softball. He officiated one state final in basketball and two state finals in softball. He has been inducted into the Cooperstown Youth Baseball Hall of Fame, the Detroit Public School League Hall of Fame, the Catholic League Hall of Fame and the Michigan Jewish Sports Hall of Fame. Hurshe also spends an hour a week as a disc jockey on a local access radio station. “Ever since I was a teen, I loved rhythm and blues, doo-wop, and rock and roll,” he said. When the phone rings, Hurshe checks to see if it’s an assigner or a listener with a song request.

Postseason the Best Carey Smith Age: 42 Little Rock, Ark.

As a player at Central Arkansas University, Carey Smith admits she “wasn’t always the easiest person to get along with on the basketball court with officials.” But in 10 years of officiating, she’s learned admitting a mistake isn’t the worst thing in the world. “You have to hear the coaches and the kids,” Smith said. “Some of the things they are telling you are definitely happening and I may have missed it, and you definitely have to be human enough to say, ‘Correct, I missed it.’” She officiates high school and small-college games. “Postseason is the time of year that anyone can win or lose and I love it because this requires the utmost focus,” she said. “The athletes and coach are playing and coaching their hearts out. It’s definitely amazing.”

Do you know a person or group who should be profiled?

COURTESY OF ANN SCHROEDER, BURT HURSHE, CAREY SMITH

Not Quite One of a Kind, But She’s a Rare Bird

Send info to us at profiles@referee.com

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NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

OF SPORTS OFFICIALS

OFFICIALS SUPPORTING OFFICIALS As a voluntary membership association, NASO relies as much on our members as our members do on us. We know that NASO is not for everyone. The vast majority of NASO members are officials who care deeply not only about the games they are assigned to work, but they also care about the state of officiating in general. They care about things like how officials are treated, how we’re viewed and how we’re supported. Again, not just themselves and their partners. NASO members care about such things for every one of their fellow officials, regardless of the sport, state or level. That’s why the work that NASO does supports ALL officials. Yes, NASO provides membership benefits to our dues-paying members, such as insurance, educational resources and purchasing discounts. But much of the work NASO does falls under what we call “advocacy.” That work includes such things as working with state and national legislators to ensure officials are protected. It also includes celebrating officials and speaking out for officials in the media. Recently it has included providing resources, materials, programs and other services free to all officials while the nation deals with the pandemic. Last summer’s NASO Summit@Home program provided more than 70 video panels, speakers and other educational and entertaining sessions on a wide variety of officiating topics free on-demand for the entire industry. In addition, NASO has distributed dozens of free newsletters, position papers and officiating guides while conducting and disseminating officiating surveys and other data all for the benefit of sports officials. If those things are important to you – like they are to our 26,000 members – please consider joining us today.

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All the Mo By the Editors of Referee

Here are a few reminders of the reasons we do what we do:

LOVE OF SPORTS We all felt a huge hole when the sports world shut down and ESPN and other sports networks only had classic games to broadcast. We wouldn’t be doing this if we didn’t have some love of sports. And what better way to enjoy the intricacies of the sports we work than to work the games ourselves.

CHALLENGE You’ve had plenty of time to tackle those challenging DIY projects around the house these past months. They’re done and it’s time for the challenge offered by officiating. Every game will offer moments that will test you and provide a rush as you have to make the big call.

TRAVEL For a long stretch, there really wasn’t anywhere to go. It was all shut down. Even now, it’s not fully back to normal. Officiating provides a reason to get out of the house and see new parts of the city, state, region, country or world. It’s a chance to get out and get away.

CAMARADERIE We haven’t been able to gather like years past. But we’re still managing to conduct training and pregame meetings through video chats, phone calls and emails. It’s not quite the same as connecting in person, but hang in there. Eventually, those fun crew dinners and after-training stops at the local watering holes to swap officiating stories will resume.

DALE GARVEY (KENT JOHNSON, LAS VEGAS; LORENA AHUMADA, OAKLAND, CALIF.)

oodness knows officiating can be a tough avocation at times. There are myriad demands on those of us who answer the call to oversee the games on fields, courts and pitches. This year, beyond the usual testing and training, many had to endure wearing masks and navigate other pandemic protocols. Some had to undergo a barrage of COVID-19 testing — and all the uncertainty that brought about whether they would be working that day or about to embark on a long ride home. Nearly all sports officials had to deal with a barrage of scheduling changes, whether caused by state-mandated shutdowns or teams suspending play due to COVID-19 outbreaks. Amid all the extra chaos, it’s easy to get worn down — and easy to forget the reasons we do this. But it’s important we remember this is a rewarding avocation and sports officials play an essential role. In a time period where it felt like more was taken from us than given, it’s important not to lose sight of all that officiating gives back to us. It’s especially important for those who opted out this season to remember what brought them into officiating. Don’t let a temporary break from the action become permanent because of a break in your memory about the joys officiating can bring. There’s nothing else quite like this avocation. Consider this an opportunity to hit the reset button as we look forward to a return to normalcy. Perhaps you’ve had the chance to recharge while taking care of a few things at home. Now, it’s time to transfer that energy into a return to the court, field, ice and pitch.

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ore Reason STRESS MANAGEMENT Mental health experts have noted the pandemic has increased our stress levels. Focusing on game or match duties can provide a break from the external stress we’re facing in our lives, whether that’s job-related, in our personal lives or pandemic-induced. Of course, officiating isn’t a stress-free endeavor. But it’s a different kind of stress — a controlled stress. And learning how to balance stressful game situations can teach you how to better manage stress in other areas of your life.

EXTRA MONEY For many, the pandemic took a toll on pocketbooks. Officiating can be an excellent side gig, putting some Benjamins and Grants in your pocket. And there’s nothing better than making money doing something you enjoy.

DISCOMFORT ADRENALINE Binge-watching that Netflix series to its completion doesn’t quite deliver the same excitement as being in the moment and having to make that big decision in the game. You don’t have to be a Red Bull-level adrenaline junkie to appreciate the rush from being in the officiating hot seat.

BOB MESSINA (CHRIS DURAN, SOUTH OGDEN, UTAH)

DALE GARVEY (KENT JOHNSON, LAS VEGAS; LORENA AHUMADA, OAKLAND, CALIF.)

OPPORTUNITY It’s a blast to move up the officiating ladder and tackle higher-level assignments. That brings new opportunities, new challenges and often higher pay. With shortages of officials in some sports and regions, along with officials opting out for the pandemic, advancing more quickly than other years is a real possibility.

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Sure, the pandemic has meant many uncomfortable moments as we endured lockdowns, restrictions, masks and more in our efforts to stem the spread of the virus and save lives. That’s not the kind of discomfort we’re talking about related to officiating. Stepping on the field, court or pitch often means taking ourselves out of our comfort zone like no other job, hobby or activity. Sure, it’s great to be comfortable, but real growth — everything from increased confidence and adaptability to discovering unexpected opportunities — comes with a bit of discomfort.

FITNESS ESCAPE What better way to forget the chaos the world has had to endure this past year than by tuning that out and focusing on the playing action on the court, field, ice or pitch? Does your significant other think you’ve been home too long?

The “quarantine 15” is a real thing. In many sports, our duties require a bit of movement — we’re getting paid to get a little exercise (and that will help with the waistline). How great is that?

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ALL SPORTS

EDITOR: JEFFREY STERN

jstern@referee.com

FOR ALL SPORTS, ALL LEVELS

Paul Bean (foreground), Whiteland, Ind., tosses the ball to crewmate Larry Jacobs, Indianapolis. A good ball relay not only helps the crew look sharp, it helps maintain the flow of the game.

PACE COMMANDER Set and Maintain a Good Game Tempo

ow to set and maintain a good pace to a game is not often discussed at camps and association meetings. But if players are purposely delaying a game, or an official is rushing calls, it affects how well the contest is officiated. Game tempo is an issue. The type of contact involved and styles that teams bring to the court or field affect game tempo. Seasoned officials adjust to those factors. They know when the whistle is needed

(and perhaps more important, when it’s not) to keep a game flowing. Like most officiating issues, there is no magic formula to speed up a dragging game, or slow down a hectic one. Instead, it takes a combination of skill, timing, feedback and experience to find the right tactic for a specific situation. Here are some tips for ensuring your game has the proper flow. Start the game on time Get things off to a good start and set a good example by completing

pregame duties in a professional and concise manner so the game begins on schedule. If you appear lackadaisical or have that “I don’t want to be here” demeanor before the game, it will carry over to the game. Preventive officiating Body language, using your voice and having some stock phrases to defuse tense situations are all critical to preventing game delays and ensuring players hustle on and off the field or court.

JIM WHITE

By the Referee editors

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For example, if a soccer player deliberately kicks a ball away after a call, an immediate yellow card might not be necessary. Asking the player, “What are you doing?” lets the offending player know that’s not proper conduct and future acts will be dealt with more severely. The second such event then demands a yellow card. The third would lead to a red card and ejection.

sometimes it’s the official’s fault for not giving even token instructions to those assigned ball-helper duties. Relaying the ball from official to official is not only a way to maintain tempo, but an opportunity for a football crew to look sharp. Always toss it underhand and never over players. If the distance is too long, move toward one another to shorten the distance.

Timeouts and other breaks The plate umpire should keep track of how many have been thrown. After three pitches, the umpire should indicate to the first batter that two remain, then one, then get the batter to move to the plate. Once the ball is being thrown around the infield, the umpire should indicate to batters they need to step up before the plate is brushed off. Umpires can urge fielders to hustle onto the field between innings. If the catcher was the last batter or was on base the previous inning, the plate umpire should be aware of that. If there is no warmup catcher, the umpire should remind the coach someone needs to fill that role. The 25/40-second play clock has helped pace of play in football games. But getting teams out of sideline conferences following changes of possession, after timeouts and before kickoffs can prevent unnecessary drags in pace. Official-to-official discussions that interrupt game play should occur only when absolutely necessary to share information that may prevent an incorrect call.

Substitutions Each sport has its own process of administrating substitutions and you can’t rush them. But you also don’t have to prolong the outcome by being overly deliberate.

SHUTTERSTOCK

Game balls Umpires should have an adequate supply of spare game balls. Ask for replenishments before your ballbag is empty. When a foul ball is hit into the stands, give the catcher a replacement immediately or toss one to the pitcher, whichever is appropriate to your sport. Football officials know they won’t always have ball helpers who pay attention to the game and have a ball ready when one is needed. But

Ejections When your game has a situation, such as an ejection or a rule controversy, the best thing you can do is to get the next pitch thrown or the next play started. Admittedly, that has more to do with game control than maintaining the pace of the game, but it counts. Once game action resumes, players, coaches and fans will typically worry about that action and forget about the situation that caused the problem in the first place. Avoid unnecessary interruptions If you somehow don’t feel “in the game” because little if anything to rule on has occurred in your coverage area, back off. Don’t be that official with a quick whistle or flag to make it look like you’re “in the game.” Back off. It’s better for you, the crew and the game. Many officials think they aren’t doing their job if they don’t enforce the rules, especially if they haven’t been heard from early in a game or an extended period of time during the game. The best officials know when to stay out of the way and call only what needs to be called. Under no circumstances should you ignore fouls that involve player safety, but being too quick to insert yourself when you don’t need to will result in too many flags or whistles for minor violations that are better handled with preventive officiating. *

QUICKTIP It’s never a good idea to enforce an arcane rule just to let everyone know you know the book. But if it needs to be called, sell it and be prepared to back it up with confidence. The more unusual the situation, the more sure you must be.

SURVEY SAYS ... Are you seeing more flopping and feigning of injuries by players?

Yes . . . . .71.8% No . . . . . 28.2%

BASED ON A SURVEY OF 78 REFEREE READERS

TOOLS The Little Black Book of Decision Making

In his book, “The Little Black Book of Decision Making,” Michael Nicholas guides you through the different ways your mind approaches various scenarios. You’ll learn to notice that decision making is a matter of balance between your rational side and your intuition — the trick is in honing your intuition to steer you down the right path. You’ll learn to quickly pinpoint the right mix of logic and “gut feeling,” and use it to find the best possible solution, avoid traps set by the mind’s inherent bias and sharpen your professional judgement in any situation. The hardcover version is available from Amazon for $12.69. The Kindle version is priced at $13.

REFEREE

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ALL SPORTS

Hail to the (Crew) Chief By Jeffrey Stern

here is an old saying that a ship cannot have two captains. The same is true in officiating. There can only be one crew chief or referee. Ultimately the buck stops with one person. But that doesn’t mean other officials on the crew can kick back and let the “lead dog” do all the heavy lifting. A crew can only function effectively if everyone pitches in and pulls on the same end of the proverbial rope. It isn’t always easy to be placed in a subordinate role. It’s especially difficult for officials who may be on the downside of their career. Not so long ago they were the person in charge, but now have to take what they perceive as a step down or backward. And then there are those who often fill that role but are asked to take a backseat for one night. We all have our egos, and most if not all of us feel we are capable of being in command. Whether your feelings are bruised or not, you owe it to the crew and to the game to give it your best effort. Beyond the obvious — concentrating on your coverage area, abiding by the approved mechanics, etc. — here are some ways you can increase your value to the crew leader.

If the lead official has to wear a microphone, help him or her ensure the equipment is properly worn and the wires are untangled. Be active in the pregame without overstepping your bounds. If the crew chief inadvertently skips an important point or is incorrect, be respectful when you offer a correction. Ask pertinent questions rather than muddying the waters by asking how the crew will handle situations that are unlikely to occur. Communicate You can head off problems for the crew chief by answering questions or passing on information from coaches. Some coaches are under the impression that assistant referees, linesmen, wing officials or base

VICTOR CALZADA

Accept your role You do no one (least of all yourself) any good by moping around feeling sorry for yourself over something you can’t control. Your negative attitude can easily spread to others and lead to a dismal performance on the field or court. Don’t argue or refuse to comply if the crew chief wants things done a certain way but is not exactly sure how you do them. Be helpful. Crew chiefs have plenty on their minds. You can handle some minor tasks that normally come under the crew chief’s purview. Something as simple as filling out the crew rosters that are provided to the coaches is one less thing with which the chief needs to be concerned.

As the referee designated for the contest, Luisa Ruiz of El Paso, Texas, tosses a jump ball to start the game. It’s up to other officials to accept the crew chief’s position and work to maintain crew harmony.

umpires aren’t empowered to handle some situations. Others seem to think nothing is final until the head official says it is. Although there are some situations in which the rules demand the referee, crew chief, etc., make a determination, those are rare and the assistant, base umpire, line judge, etc., should steer the coach away from the crew chief. Officials have duties and responsibilities during breaks in the action such as timeouts or between innings. But if you notice something that might help the crew chief, take a moment to share it. If a plate umpire’s stance is too high or too low, adversely affecting his or her view of the strike zone, that can be communicated between innings. Note that some umpires don’t like to be disturbed in that way during a game, however. Don’t nitpick over a pitch or two; save the conversation during a game in which you notice a pattern. And regardless of sport, don’t initiate a conversation shortly after a close or controversial call. The perception is the non-calling official is correcting the partner. If a coach or player is complaining about calls made by your partner, cut them off. It’s likely the complainer will respond with something on the order of, “I’m not referring to you,” or, “I’m talking to my player.” Whether it’s true or not, coaches and players don’t get a pass because they are not directly addressing the object of their displeasure. In many sports, the officials have equal authority to make calls, eject, penalize and carry out their duties. But sometimes, someone else has to take command. In those situations, remember the old saying about too many cooks occupying the kitchen. Be part of the solution and not part of the problem, and no one will end up in the soup. Jeffrey Stern is Referee’s senior editor. He officiated high school and collegiate football and umpired high school baseball. *

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When Officiating Breaks Your Heart O

fficiating mimics life. There are times when you’ll experience incredible satisfaction and moments of pure joy. Conversely, there are times when officiating will break your heart. When you get knocked down, accept the news for what it is and try your best to move forward. Bad news can come in a variety of forms. It might be not getting the state finals assignment you’ve been working for your whole career. Maybe you’ve been going to camps and clinics for years but still can’t break into the college scene. It could be the breakup of a crew that has spent years working together. Whatever it is, you’re going to go through a few different emotional phases as you deal with the disappointment. Yell, curse, go hit the punching bag for an hour, do whatever it is you do in those situations. Contrary to public opinion, we are human beings. We

have emotions. It’s OK to be angry and frustrated. That means you care and officiating is important to you. After the initial pain has passed, accept what happened (or didn’t happen) and try to learn from it. That timeframe might differ for each individual. Step back and think about why you started officiating in the first place. Did you do it solely to reach the next level or check the next accomplishment off the list? Or did you do it because there is no other place you’d rather be on a Friday night? You might realize a few things that you’ve forgotten along the way. After the initial mourning period and taking some time to reflect, the only thing left to do is move on. Maybe you decide to keep working toward the goal that you want so badly. If you’ve been jealous and badmouthing those officials who have caught some breaks, realize that

engaging in that behavior doesn’t accomplish anything. Focusing your efforts on seizing future opportunities instead of rehashing the past might be what you need. It’s a cheesy line, but other doors do open when one closes. Commit yourself to becoming physically fit before next season so that you can look the part to the best of your ability. Whatever course of action you decide to take, do it with an open mind. You can’t control the actions of others, but you can control your mindset and outlook. Disappointment is inevitable. Dealing with it effectively and in a healthy way is a huge hurdle to overcome. When we all retire and reflect on our careers, it is highly likely the good times will outnumber the bad. It might not be easy at the time, but we don’t officiate because it’s easy. We’re a tough and relentless breed. After all, we’re officials. *

YOUR KEY TO BETTER

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GET YOURS TODAY STORE. /footBALL June_21.indb 77

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FOR THE RECORD AWARDS, ROSTERS, NOTABLES

POSTSEASON ASSIGNMENTS

HIGH SCHOOL • The following officials were selected to work the 2020 Montana High School Association fall state championships: Boys’ soccer — Class A – Darryl Byle, Kalispell; Guy Lavoie, Kalispell; Pete Metzmaker, Whitefish; Mike Stebbins, Kalispell. Class AA – Kyle Thompson, Belgrade; Jordann Brown, Big Timber; Jack Dockery, Bozeman; John Pugh, Bozeman. Girls’ soccer — Class A – Mike Woodring, Billings; Shawn O’Brien, Billings; Chad Kriskovich, Billings; Mark Weber, Billings. Class AA – Ryan Swenson, Helena; Keith Noem, East Helena; Dan Jankowski, Helena; Shannon Walker, Helena. Volleyball — Class C – Melissa Evans, Chinook; Arron Franzen, Glasgow; Nichole Gamas, Glasgow; Tim Hagen, Havre; Katie Heath, Havre; Patrick Sargent, Malta. Class B – Gail Davis, Cut Bank; Gail Hofstad, Cut Bank; Bill Nansell, Shelby; Lea Potoczny, Great Falls; Scott Donisthorpe, Great Falls; Bonnie Cook, Fort Benton. Class A – Sherrie Bawden, Sidney; Marnee Averett, Sidney; Tracy Gabbert, Glendive; Jackie Armstrong, Miles City; Nicole Smith, Miles City; Joanna Horsburgh, Cartwright. Class AA – Marilyn Tobin, Butte; Susan Huckeby, Butte; Charmayne Kaminski, Helena; Larry Sickerson, Helena. Football — 6-player – Jason Frederick, Poplar; Craig Smith, Wolf Point; Jeff Kent, Wolf Point; Dan Schmidt, Poplar; Eric D Peterson, Wolf Point. 8-player – Roger Spring, Great Falls; Joe Potoczny, Great Falls; Lance Boyd, Great

Falls; Ben Jaques, Great Falls; Kody Lambert, Great Falls; Patrick Ryan, Great Falls. Class B – Joel Fuhrmann, Charlo; Damian Droessler, Missoula; Marc Brekke, Missoula; Richie Borden, Hamilton; Brandon Ihde, Lolo; James Anderson, Missoula. Class A – Jim Gannon, Bozeman; Jared Silvey, Belgrade; Kevin Bethke, Bozeman; Wynn Krauss, Bozeman; James Christ, Belgrade; Byron Mckinney, Belgrade. Class AA – Travis Huntsinger, Bozeman; Matthew Heckel, Bozeman; Jared Bennett, Belgrade; Will Ralph, Bozeman; Michael Bell, Belgrade; Daniel Holland, Belgrade. • The following officials were selected to work the 2020 Ohio High School Athletic Association fall state championships: Football — Jeffrey Abshire, N. Ridgeville; Cary Allion, Worthington; Charles Anderson, Reynoldsburg; Ray Arnone, Wadsworth; Adam Barnes, Pickerington; Rick Barnes, Pickerington; Lawrence Bass III, Cleveland; Ronald Bate, Willowick; Christopher Bentley, Portsmouth; Bobby Bolin, Brook Park; Justin Bradford, Westerville; Kyle Brown, Stow; Chris Burns, Loveland; Justin Burton, Seven Hills; Dave Campbell, Cincinnati; Vinny Carozza, Kettering; John Clay, Gahanna; Phillip Colflesh, Dublin; Michael Dame, Brunswick; Jeffrey Davis, Poland; Andrew DeLotell, Portsmouth; Rod Dessecker, Dover; Carson Dixon, Huber Heights; Jason Edler, Marion; James Epperly, Wapakoneta; Kristopher Estes, Miamisburg; Matthew Ferdinand, Pickerington; Michael Filkins,

Designate NASO as a beneficiary of your retirement plan or life insurance policy. L E A R N M O R E AT N A S O . O R G / L E G A C Y O R C A L L 8 0 0 - 7 3 3 - 6 1 0 0

New Albany; A. Korry Frizzell, Germantown; Gary Garnet, North Royalton; Pete Gasparro, Parma; Chris George, Fairborn; Greg Compf, Cardington; Trey Green, Marysville; Jamie Harding, Maineville; Brian Harrell, Fairlawn; John Hinton, Mansfield; Shawn Isaac, Englewood; Lance Jacob, St. Clairsville; Joshua Jameyson, LaGrange; Adrian Johnson, Beavercreek; James Johnson, Mason; Samuel Jones, Tiltonsville; Ben JordanDowns, Gahanna; Jeff Klaus, Delphos; Damon Koverman, Lima; Derek Krueger, Archbold; Nathan Leigh, North Canton; Tim Maddocks, Strongsville; John Mandula, Fairview Park; Ben Mauch, Elida; Eric Mauk, Delaware; Robert Motter, Powell; Zachary Motter, Dublin; Michael Muzychenko, Lakewood; Dalon Myricks, Westerville; Richard Neale, Brooklyn; James O’Donnell, New Philadelphia; Matthew Orin, Portsmouth; Barry Oyer, Circleville; Daniel Palmer, Springboro; Mark Pape, New Philadelphia; William Pelka, Brunswick; Michael Pickarski, Hilliard; Doug Rathbone, Powell; Bart Ray, Carrollton; Fred Ribelli, Mentor; Mark Riley, Perrysburg; Bret Roberson, Lima; Randy Roseberry, Marion; Brian Samborsky, Dayton; Jack Schmiesing, Piqua; Kurt Schooley, Hilliard; Ryan Schwieterman, Columbus; William Smith, Centerburg; Andrew Stage, Springfield; Brandon Strain, Cardington; Kevin Sulecki, Mentor; Marcus Thompson, Ironton; Michael Thompson, Wheelersburg; Matthew Thompson, Lucasville; Bill Tilker, Northfield; Michael Varricchio, Twinsburg; Joe Waisanen, Dayton; Timothy Ward, Chardon; John Wellbrock, Columbus; John Whitson, Newark; Mark Widman, Columbus; Chris Wilhite, Monroe; Billy Willis, Beavercreek; Matt Zaborniak, Columbus. Volleyball — David Barnes, Walton Hills; Anne Bean-l’heureux, Athens; Rhonda Bellman, Bluffton; Mary Black, Dayton; Robert Blevins, Mansfield; Lisa Bowers, Brecksville; Michael Chandler, Powell; Denise Dilsaver, Findlay; Ronald Frame, Zanesville; Tim Hallauer, Tipp City; James Hammar,

Columbus; Anthony Hines, Cedarville; Lisa Horner, Canton; Tonya Kidder, Marietta; Mindy Leonard, Cincinnati; Luann Lister, Akron; John Love, Cincinnati; Jared Malott, Toledo; Kris Mcconahy, Medina; Lovell Mckee, Logan; Gary Ostkar, Broadview Heights; Joseph Polack, Kent; Gerald Price, Westerville; Dean Roble, North Royalton; Mark Rose, Wheelersburg; Marc Rosen, Harrison; Lisa Sanders, Parma; Brian Saterfield, Galion; Davina Stiles, Nevada; Jon Topp, Dublin; Katie Wagner, Cuyahoga Falls; Elizabeth Zicha, New Concord. Soccer — Dale Anderson, Lexington; Bill Astalos, Aurora; George Balasko, Broadview Heights; Jeffrey Bickley, Marion; Douglas Billerman, Maria Stein; Eric Deken, Pandora; Kevin Duff, Steubenville; James Duling, Coshocton; Charles Feucht, Grove City; Christian Freeborough, Youngstown; Tammy Gillogly, Albany; Kevin Guess, Williamsburg; David Habib, North Canton; Ibrahim Kassem, Struthers; Mark Kleman, Lima; Robert Krauss, Winchester; Dan Marshall, Lancaster; Dusty Matthews, Hudson; Douglas Niekamp, Centerville; Vincent Ragone, Cleveland; Daniel Thurmond, Reynoldsburg; Steve Wetzel, Beavercreek; Jeffrey Williams, Lewis Center; Steven Wootton, New Concord. Cross country — James Baumer, Cincinnati; Bruce Benedict, Columbus; Paula Coder, Sidney; Carl Fisher, Delaware; Charles Fondale, Cambridge; Julie Gauvreau, Grafton; Donald Groubert, Burghill, Kimberly Haddix, Fostoria; Thomas Halbedel, Rocky River; Gilbert Hartley, Wellston; David Hershey, Westerville; Philip Horvath, Wadsworth; Roger Hosler, Logan; Frank Jancura, Strongsville; Stephen Jones, Bedford; Patricia Julian, Salem; William Julian, Salem; Kenneth Keener, Thornville; Amy Kramer, Eaton; Bridgette Longino-Thomas, Bedford; Tony Longino-Thomas, Bedford; Diane Mcclellan, Toledo; Ed Miller, Sidney; Kurt Plouck, Bryan; Chris Roberts, Bryan; Dennis Sabo, Bellevue; Robert Smalling, LakesideMarblehead; Glen Smith, Bucyrus; Andrea Susil Williams,

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Worthington; Terri Tutt, Chillicothe; Eric Von Berg, West Chester; Thomas Weaver, Tiffin. Field hockey — Terence Harris, Etna; Marcus Lee, Columbus; Christin Weyn, Shaker Heights.

AWARDS & HONORS • David Mabe, Pilot Mountain, N.C., was named to the 2020 Class of the Surry County (N.C.) Sports Hall of Fame. Mabe has umpired more than 2,000 college baseball games and has officiated high school baseball, basketball, football and volleyball, as well as working college basketball and volleyball. He was named crew chief of the North Carolina High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA) 4A Baseball Championship in 2005 and worked the NCHSAA 4A Volleyball Championship in 2008. In 2010, he was assigned to the 2010 NCAA D-II Southeast Regional Volleyball Championship. He

is a Professional Association of Volleyball Officials national referee. • George Burke, Summit Point, W.Va., and Donald “Donny” Rose Jr., Leesburg, Va., were inducted into the Babe Ruth Baseball and Softball Southeast Region Hall of Fame as members of the class of 2020. Burke has been assigned to six Cal Ripken World Series and has been heavily involved with training new umpires throughout Virginia and West Virginia. Rose began umpiring baseball in 1982 and has umpired college and semipro baseball in addition to Babe Ruth. He has been assigned to 14 Babe Ruth World Series tournaments and has continually been appointed as the statewide Babe Ruth umpire-in-chief in Virginia.

OBITUARIES • Larry Wetzel, 70, of Santa Claus, Ind., died Oct. 25, 2020.

Wetzel was a high school, college and American Legion baseball umpire for a number of years. He was named the 2006 Indiana Baseball Umpire of the Year by the NFHS Officials Association. • Martin Navarro III, 55, of Corpus Christi, Texas, died Oct. 29, 2020. He was a member of the Texas Association of Sports Officials for more than 20 years working high school basketball, baseball and football games in the South Texas region. • Charles Eugene Hadley, 80, of Guilford County, N.C., died Nov. 9, 2020. Hadley officiated football for nearly 40 years and worked a high school state championship game in 2002. He served as president of the Greensboro Football Officials Association. • E. Lawrence McIntire, 85, of Salem, Mass., died Nov. 16, 2020. McIntire was a 57-year member of the International Association of Approved Basketball Officials’ Board 130.

He was a member of the original Big East Conference men’s basketball staff in 1979. He assigned high school games for more than 40 years. • William “Buck” Milton Timmins III, 72, of Mitchell, S.D., died Nov. 16, 2020, due to complications from COVID19. Timmins was the South Dakota High School Activities Association’s (SDHSAA) statewide supervisor of football officials. He had officiated football and basketball for 35 years, including several assignments to state championship football and basketball games. He was also the recipient of several officiating awards including the SDHSAA’s Distinguished Service Award in 2011.

Do you have any rosters, assignments or awards that warrant mention? Send info to us at ForTheRecord@referee.com

ROSTERS Major League Soccer Below are the 2021 MLS officials, along with their home country.

Referees United States Fotis Bazakos Allen Chapman Alex Chilowicz Marcos DeOliveira II Joe Dickerson Ismail Elfath Tim Ford Guido Gonzales Jr. Alan Kelly Jair Marrufo Rosendo Mendoza Chris Penso Victor Rivas Nima Saghafi Robert Sibiga Kevin Stott Baldomero Toledo Ramy Touchan Ted Unkel Rubiel Vazquez Armando Villarreal

Canada Drew Fischer Dave Gantar Silviu Petrescu

Assistant Referees United States Frank Anderson Ian Anderson Kyle Atkins Claudiu Badea Peter Balciunas Andrew Bigelow Cameron Blanchard Gjovalin Bori Eric Boria Logan Brown Jose Da Silva Brian Dunn Chris Elliott Adam Garner Jeffrey Greeson Benjamin HalVolpenheim

Jeremy Hanson Jeff Hosking Jeremy Kieso Kevin Klinger Peter Manikowski Apolinar Mariscal Eduardo Mariscal Felisha Mariscal Ian McKay CJ Morgante Matthew Nelson Kathryn Nesbitt Corey Parker Brian Poeschel Cory Richardson Corey Rockwell Mike Rottersman Nick Uranga Eric Weisbrod Jason White Adam Wienckowski TJ Zablocki Canada Micheal Barwegen

Philippe Briere Gianni Facchini Richard Gamache Oscar MitchellCarvalho Chris Wattam

Video Assistant Referees United States Malik Badawi Jon Freemon Hilario Grajeda Jorge Gonzalez Edvin Jurisevic Alejandro Mariscal Younes Marrakchi Daniel Radford Jose Rivero Ricardo Salazar Sorin Stoica Kevin Terry Jr. Canada Geoff Gamble

Assistant Video Assistant Referees United States Jozef Batko Jonathan Johnson Mike Kampmeinert Kyle Longville Craig Lowry Jeff Muschik Joshua Patlak Tom Supple Fabio Tovar Canada Rene Parra Rob Schaap

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LAW

ISSUES AFFECTING OFFICIALS

Spectator Trouble With Game Administrator Gone By Donald C. Collins If there’s trouble with a spectator, officials are advised to get game administration involved to handle it. What if game administration isn’t right at the field or court, such as at a large tournament or if the person is in another gym at the school? The law requires a site to be run with reasonable vigilance. This vigilance extends to the distant places such as parking lots, locker rooms and that distant field at a multi-field site. Game administration simply has to supervise five softball fields at a tournament. The law is a limited tool though. One needs a statute, a contract or some sort of quantifiable harm to best enforce it.

Officials should not directly speak to a spectator who is creating a sportsmanship problem — even if they can’t find the point person. Unfortunately, statutes aren’t going to generally tell you how a site should be run. An official may have the good fortune of having his or her association write certain obligations into a contract, but the official still needs to work with game administration on the mechanics of implementation. Officials may be able to win a lawsuit if they’re harmed by game administration’s failure to properly run a site, but who wants to be harmed? Proximity issues are best solved through administrative vigilance. For officials, we start with our rules and mechanics. The first question is whether our rules contemplate a lack of proximity. Some sports do. Track, for example, has rules that clearly contemplate various aspects of rules enforcement being spread out over a large area. Of course,

most sports don’t have mechanics dealing with connecting people from Point A with people from Point B. The normal softball game clearly doesn’t contemplate this. Whether it’s a softball tournament spread across five fields or a track meet that has rules that contemplate a spread-out event, the official faces the same issues. First, the official needs to know who is his or her point of contact. It may be the tournament coordinator. It may be a head referee designated in the rulebook. Next, the official needs to know how to get information to the point person or tournament coordinator when he or she is not proximate. Third, the official needs to know if there are assistants and volunteers who can make certain decisions or get things from Point A to Point B. The official needs to officiate, not chase down tournament directors. Fourth, the official needs to know what the rulebook allows. For example, some sports provide for team penalties for spectator misconduct, which might incentivize the coach to help with the spectator. And, of course, the official may have to temporarily suspend play if safety compels it. Finally, the official should not directly speak to a spectator who is creating a sportsmanship problem even if he or she can’t find the point person. The official may have to waive that rule if, and only if, overall safety demands it — but that’s a last resort. Still, there are times where an official will need to directly address non-participants, such as cheerleaders in an unsafe place and photographers standing in the line of fire. Whatever you do, just remember to get out in front of the issue. Don’t wait and let it become a problem. Donald C. Collins is the commissioner of the San Francisco Section of the California Interscholastic Federation. He is a longtime basketball official and lawyer. This article is for informational purposes and is not legal advice. *

If the P.A. Announcer Takes Things Too Far Public address (PA) announcers can be an official’s worst nightmare, especially when they make mention of one of the more unpopular calls during a game or match. Worse yet, when the “big shot” behind the microphone makes a threat, like announcing where the officials are parked, those officials suddenly might find themselves in a riot-like situation. The best course of action is to contact game administration immediately. If no game administration is available, call the police from the safety of the locker room or a locked, moving vehicle. When you are free from that situation, contact the assigner of the game so proper remedial measures can be taken. Submit a written report to your association. If the situation with the announcer occurs during the game with any appreciable amount of time remaining, stop the game, have the announcer removed and the police or security summoned immediately.

Partner No-Show Your partner is a no-show and the schools say they want to pull a fan from the stands to get the game in. There are things to consider before you agree to work the game: • Do the governing bodies allow a non-qualified official to fill in? That might stop things dead in their tracks. • Is this a varsity-level game with lots at stake between the teams? Even if your state doesn’t have rules against it, it’s probably not a good time for an unqualified person to step in. • Is it a lower-level game with limited physicality and a low potential for potentially injurious contact? That brings a lower risk of legal threat. Yet, even a JV or rec league game can get nasty depending on the teams and circumstances. • Finally, if you’ve agreed to proceed with help, but things quickly get out of hand, don’t be afraid to shut things down. SOURCE: LAW COLUMN 8/15 ISSUE

PRESENTED BY

Go to www.naso.org and click on member benefits for more on MICP.

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CLASSIFIEDS JUNE

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 262-632-8855 for more information.

LEADERSHIP RESOURCES * Association Advantage Membership to Association Advantage provides officials, associations and their leaders the tools to conduct well-run 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, Click 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. * Ump-Attire.com — The #1 website for officials’ sporting goods. Now serving free returns to go along with more brands, product reviews, same-day shipping and world-class service. * Smitty Outlet Store Visit the NEW Smitty Outlet Store featuring discontinued, factory seconds and individual slightly defective

items at great prices. Go to smittyoutletstore.com to shop now!

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 refereetrainingcenter.com.

MISCELLANEOUS * Follow Referee magazine on Facebook and Twitter Get officiating-related news from around the country, participate in conversations with Referee staff and fellow officials, and find out about new products and special offers from us and our partners.

QUIZ ANSWERS BASKETBALL 1 — All – a (NFHS 9-2-6; NCAAM/W 9-3.1.a, 9-4.1.f) 2 — All – a (NFHS 7-1-2a3, 7-12b, 9-2-2; NCAAM/W 7-1.2, 9-2.2, 9-4.1.b) 3 — All – e (NFHS 9-1, 9-2, Basketball Rules Fundamentals 5; NCAAM 9-1, 9-4; NCAAW 9-1, 9-4, Appendix VIII, Basketball Fundamental 5) 4 — All – b (NFHS 9-13-1; NCAAM/W 9-13.1)

SOFTBALL

1 — All – d (NFHS 8-4-3c Pen.; NCAA 9.11, 12.12.7.2; USA Softball 8-5c; USSSA 8-14d-1) 2 — NFHS, NCAA, USSSA – b, c (NFHS 2-1-3b-1; NCAA 7.1.2.2.1; USSSA 9-3); USA Softball – a, c (8-7i Eff. 3, R/S 3) 3 — All – b (NFHS 3-7-3; NCAA 6.12.1; USA Softball 5-7, R/S 9; USSSA 4-8b) 4 — NFHS, USA Softball, USSSA – a (NFHS 7-2-1h; USA Softball 7-4l Eff.; USSSA 8-4d Exc.); NCAA – c (11.13.3.4 Eff.) 5 — NFHS – a (3-2-12); NCAA – c

(rule not covered); USA Softball, USSSA – b (USA Softball 3-6f; USSSA 2-5) BASEBALL 1 — All – d (NFHS 4-1-2; NCAA 4-5; pro 4.05) 2 — All – b (NFHS 1-5-6, 4-1-3b Pen.; NCAA 1-15 Pen.; pro 3.08 Cmt.) 3 — NFHS – d (4-1-3b, 7-4-1a); NCAA, pro – b (NCAA 1-12a Pen.; pro 6.03a5 Cmt.) 4 — NFHS – e (5-1-1f5, 8-3-3c); NCAA, pro – f (NCAA 8-3L; pro MiLBUM 6.10) 5 — All – d (NFHS 2-16-1d; NCAA 2-35d; pro Foul Ball Definition) FOOTBALL 1 — NFHS – a (9-4-3f); NCAA – e (9-1) 2 — Both – c (NFHS 2-24-6, 2-248, 8-4-1a; NCAA 2-16-2, 2-16-3, 8-4-1a) 3 — Both – b (NFHS 5-3-2 Note; NCAA 5-1-3b and c) 4 — Both – a (NFHS 2-9-1, 2-9-3; NCAA 2-8-1b, c and d; 2-8-2) 5 — Both – b (NFHS 4-2-2 f, 5-1-

3f; NCAA 5-1-1e-2, 6-3-6a)

VOLLEYBALL

1 — NFHS, NCAA – a (NFHS 10-4-3a-2; NCAA 12.3.1.1.2); USAV – c (16.1.3, 19.4.2.2) 2 — NFHS – c (12-2-9 Pen. 1c and Note 2); NCAA – a (6.1.2); USAV – b (21.3.2.3, 21.4.2) 3 — NFHS – d (5-6-3e); NCAA, USAV – a (NCAA 13.2.3.1; USAV 25.2.2.2) 4 — All – b (NFHS 9-9-1j; NCAA 6.3.2.6; USAV 16.1.2) 5 — NFHS, NCAA – a (NFHS 5-43c-5; NCAA 19.2.4.4); USAV – b (24.2.7b) SOCCER 1 — NFHS, NCAA – b (NFHS 7-14; NCAA 7.1); IFAB – a (7.3) 2 — All – c (NFHS 14-1-4, 14-1-5; NCAA 14.2.5; IFAB 14.1) 3 — NFHS – d (12-1-1; 12-82a, f); NCAA, IFAB – c (NCAA 12.4.3.5; 12.7.4.9.1; IFAB 12.3) 4 — All – b (NFHS 11-1-4, 12-81f-9; NCAA 11.2, 12.4.3.5; IFAB 11.2, 12.3)

MISSION 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.

FLASHBACK 40 YEARS AGO …

1981

• NHL referee Dave Newell and linesmen Gord Broseker and Kevin Collins work a game Feb. 26, 1981, at the Boston Garden in which a record 406 penalty minutes were assesed to the Boston Bruins and the Minnesota North Stars. Newell had been assigned to officiate the next meeting between the teams a week later but was reassigned. The Philadelphia Flyers and Ottawa Senators broke the record March 5, 2004, with 419 penalty minutes.

30 YEARS AGO …

1991

• USSF appoints Jo Ann Fairbanks to work as a lineswoman (assistant referee) in Haiti during the North and Central American and Caribbean region (CONCACAF) women’s qualifying soccer tourney. Fairbanks was the first woman from the U.S. to officiate an international tournament.

20 YEARS AGO …

2001

• Arkansas Rep. Bob Mathis authors a bill to require Arkansas sports officials to undergo an eye exam every four years and provide proof of a high school diploma or GED. Mathis’ bill was voted down in committee and did not reach the full House for a vote.

10 YEARS AGO …

2011

• NBA referee Bill Spooner accuses an AP writer of libel after the writer tweeted, “Ref Bill Spooner told (Minnesota Coach Kurt) Rambis he’d ‘get it back’ after a bad call. Then he made an even worse call on (the) Rockets. That’s NBA officiating folks.” Spooner later dropped the suit pending removal of the tweet and a payment of $20,000 for his litigation costs.

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LAST CALL

A PERSONAL STORY BY DAVID GORE

I Answered the Call I would suspect that most folks now choose to look carefully at the caller ID when the phone rings. They may choose to respond to the call or choose to let it ring. For sports officials, it grabs our attention quickly when the caller is that assigner we are always ready to talk to hoping for a special assignment. I was thrilled to receive such a call toward the end of our recent football season, and was assigned to work the game clock for the Big 12 Championship Game. Little did I know at the time that same assigner would call again with a much more significant assignment.

Little did I know at the time that same assigner would call again with a much more significant assignment.

friends recruited me to give football a try. Because I had coached football and was sure I knew all the rules, I decided to give it a try. I quickly realized how much more there was to learn as I went to my very first varsity game without my whistle. I began to experience some level of success on the gridiron and was fortunate along the way to work some small-college football. I did not work my very first football game until I was 34, and I quickly discovered that anyone who wishes to advance to major college football as an onfield official needs to start that journey much, much earlier. Although that goal was no longer realistic for me, I was enjoying football as much as baseball. I then made two additional decisions. My experience as a public school teacher led me to the role of technical advisor in our local association for football and baseball. I enjoy teaching and thoroughly enjoy my work with the young officials in our area. My other decision was to become involved at our local university as a football clock operator. These new decisions led to more open doors and valuable friendships. I hope every young official realizes the incredible opportunities that can come your way if you choose to stay involved even when your journey takes unexpected turns. No, I never was the Yankees’ second baseman, but I will always have many incredible memories, many incredible friendships and many open doors because I chose to stay involved. That phone call from the assigner to notify us about the National Championship Game may turn out to be my ultimate officiating memory. We shall see what lies ahead. David Gore, Norman, Okla., is the NFHS Football Rules Interpreter for Oklahoma and a Big 12 football game clock operator. He is the official scorer for men’s and women’s basketball at the University of Oklahoma. * Do you have a personal officiating story to tell? Send your story or queries to lastcall@referee.com

SHUTTERSTOCK

Although I was quick to accept the first assignment, it was the second call that almost left me speechless. Regardless of the sport(s) we work and the specific role that is our responsibility, we always dream about the ultimate assignment. A crew of eight officials plus the alternate, two replay officials and two clock operators from the Big 12 Conference had been selected to work the College Football Playoff National Championship Game, and that phone call to each of us was certainly the thrill of a lifetime. This incredible experience caused me to think about the entire journey

I have traveled up to this point since stepping on a Little League baseball diamond for my very first officiating assignment. I would encourage every sports official to take the time to think about his or her own journey and the numerous paths they have traveled. I would suggest many of you may discover, as I have, that you have traveled paths you never had considered possible after that very first assignment. At a very young age, I was determined to be a professional athlete and planned to be the next second baseman for the New York Yankees when Bobby Richardson retired. Along the way, I discovered a major problem. I was not very big and I was slow. That is not a good combination for a professional athlete. Therefore, it was time for me early on to consider a different path. I thoroughly enjoyed the game of baseball and decided to stay involved as an umpire during my college days. This turned out to be a much better decision for me as I began to enjoy some level of success and progressed beyond those early Little League assignments to the high school varsity level and ultimately to major college baseball. I did not realize at the time where this early officiating journey was headed. One of the many memories officials are quick to mention during their journey is the opportunity to meet and become very close friends with so many other officials. The doors that open and the friendships that develop can lead to other changes along your individual pathway. Naturally, we meet officials who are heavily involved in other sports we may not have ever played or even considered officiating. I was a public school educator and did some coaching in football and basketball at the junior high level. I began to pay close attention to the officials in these other sports and realized the additional opportunities that were possible along the way. After my initial seven or eight years on a baseball diamond, several of my new

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