Referee Magazine - October 2021

SOCCER

ALL SPORTS

IFAB LAW CHANGES

BEFORE THE NEXT PLAY

BASEBALL

WHEN THIRD COMES FIRST

BASKETBALL

JUMP BALLS

VOLLEYBALL

PASS THE SYRUP

SOFTBALL

NFHS NEW RULES

OCTOBER 2021 // REFEREE.COM

YOU’VE GOT 8 SECONDS

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NCAA OFFICIATING P.32 STUDIED

SHE WAS THE FIRST

FOOTBALL

SECOND THOUGHTS P.44

WHITE HAT

CLAY MARTIN

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your voice member since edition 1976

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CONTENTS

OCTOBER 2021 Volume 46, No. 10 Issue 539 18

FEATURES 18

32

FEATS OF CLAY

Whether battling COVID or opposing basketball teams, Clay Martin comes out on top.

A NATIONAL REVIEW OF COLLEGE OFFICIATING

Concerned about the officiating pipeline, D-III commisioners examine the trends.

44

72

SHE RAN THE LINE

Forty years ago, Betty Ellis was the first American woman to officiate a men’s professional match.

ATTENTION PLEAS

How to make sure other officials get your message.

ON THE COVER

SPORTS 12

24

Pete Gautreau Glendora, Calif.

Age: 60 Occupation: CPA Officiating experience: Started officiating high school football in 1981. Also previously officiated college football, including at the D-I level in the Big West, Big Sky, Mountain West and Big 12 conferences.

38

50

FOOTBALL

Time’s A-Wastin’: Rules Regarding the Game and Play Clocks; Chuck it or Tuck it? Force of a Different Color

BASKETBALL

Opening Tip(s): A Clean Jump Ball Sets Proper Tone; Requests From Your Scorer

COLUMNS 4

PUBLISHER’S MEMO

78

FOR THE RECORD

6

THE GAG RULE

80

LAW

8

THE NEWS

81

CLASSIFIEDS

SOFTBALL

Equipment Commitment: Player Gear Major Focus of NFHS Rule Changes; Catch That Obstruction

56

SOCCER

Mind Over Matter: Mental Prep — Not Just Physical Fitness — Required for Top Performance; IFAB Introduces 2021-22 Law Changes

COURTESY OF CLAY MARTIN, VICTOR CALZADA (BASEBALL)

58

VOLLEYBALL

66

BASEBALL

74

ALL SPORTS

64

Words Matter

Letters: Rule Changes Urged; They Like Us; They Get It; Say What?; Snap Shot D-I Coach Suspended in Umpire Attack; Pappas Joins NFHS, Wynns Retires; NASO Presents 2020-21 Awards at Summit

GETTING IT RIGHT

Gone, But Not Forgotten; FIFA Referee Officiates High School Game; Tournament Played in Honor of Umpire

82

2021 NFL Crews

Fight or Flight? Liability Issues for Intervening; The Game of Football and Assumption of Risk; Safety Checks Camps/Clinics/Schools; Equipment/Apparel; Leadership Resources

LAST CALL

Stick With It: We’re a tough and relentless breed. After all, we’re officials.

PROFILES

Chic Digs Umpiring; Going Out on Top; The Next in Line

BASEBALL HIGHLIGHT THIS MONTH

Don’t Waffle on Pancakes: Tips to Judge Difficult Plays on the Floor; They’ve Got the Look So You Say You Want Games? Make Your Assigners’ Life Easy and You’ll Stay Busy; Three for Three You Got Next: No Daze Between Plays; Oral Exam: How to Help Coaches Hear What You Say; Partner Problems Prevented

There are things we do as officials that help us or hinder us in the eyes of assigners.

FOR MORE, GO TO PAGE 66

Find Referee Magazine on Facebook and follow RefereeMag on Twitter

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

Chief Strategy Officer/Publisher Barry Mano Chief Operating Officer/Executive Editor Bill Topp

Words Matter What we say and how we say it matter. What we write and how those words are presented matter. At Referee we are relentless in our pursuit of proper style and word usage. The bar set by our editors makes me proud. I say that because using proper grammar and understanding nuances of words were not particularly strong suits of mine, that is until I met and married Jean.

There have been so many benefits I have derived in our marriage I won’t be able to go into them all (hah!). But there is one I will go into.

In March 2020 I self-published a small book titled: Words Matter. The book measures just 4 and 3/4 inches by 8-1/2” and has 205 pages including a robust index. The story behind the creation of this book speaks volumes about why I like to use this space each month to entertain, inform and stir you the reader with specific words and word groupings. So, from the Introduction of Words Matter, here is the story.

This small book is the outgrowth of a unique set of circumstances in my life. I was kinda, sorta, matriculating at the University of Wisconsin in Madison, Wis., when I met a student named Jean Shepard. Jean was in a sorority, getting nothing but A’s in her classwork and on her way to becoming a teacher of French and Spanish. She also got a minor in English.

When we met, I had about worn out my welcome at the university, but they gave me one more bite of the apple. I took it and, with new wife Jean’s help, I was able to snatch a diploma from the system. Jean had begun her career as a high school teacher, rising through the ranks to become chair of the foreign language department at a large high school. It was during her tenure that she met Ella Gardina.

Ella, in her early 50s, had decided to drop out of the corporate world and become a teacher of foreign languages. She went back to school and when time came for her student-

4 | REFEREE October 2021

Chief Marketing Officer Jim Arehart

teaching regimen, Jean was given the assignment. From that moment on, for more than 40 years, Ella and Jean developed a special friendship. I came along for the ride.

Part of that journey had to do with Jean and Ella, both quite expert in the rules of English grammar, pointing out sweetly (I say bathetically), my janky understanding of proper grammar usage. The three of us would often grab a pizza or some Thai food after work and those conversations gave me an idea. Why not turn the tables?

With that simple concept in mind, so began the pre-dinner word quizzes proctored by me. I was the teacher and they were the students. On small yellow sheets of paper, I wrote down words that either had a similar meaning or words that sounded similar but had vastly different meanings. We would convene at the table, order our drinks and then out would come the tiny yellow sheet of paper. I would read the words aloud and then they, often with grimaces or frowns, would do their collective best to fashion an acceptable answer. Here’s an example of two similar-sounding words: Complacent means pleased and satisfied with the situation; Complaisant means wanting to fall in with the wishes of others.

Frankly Ella and Jean would be amazingly creative in conjuring up answers. They used their mastery of foreign languages to build on the core of the words on the table. When they finally gave me their answers, I then read them what I had on the yellow sheet. I would give them a grade (A through F) and do admit I was a damned hard grader. I had to get a little payback, don’t you agree?

As the dedication of the book notes, Ella died early in 2020 and our pre-dinner quizzes ended. By that time my little yellow sheets had become a stack numbering more than 450. Everlasting but not eternal. Good words to you.

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, 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, PO Box 292613, Kettering, OH 45429. Direct subscription inquiries, other mail to REFEREE, PO Box 292613, Kettering, OH 45429. 1-800-733-6100. © 2021 Referee Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved. (USPS Publication #107790.) Subscribers: Send address changes to REFEREE, PO Box 292613, Kettering, OH 45429.

STANDING BEHIND

YOU

AND YOUR GAME Baseball • Basketball • Football • Lacrosse • Soccer Softball • Volleyball • Wrestling

THE GAG RULE WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING

LETTERS

SNAP SHOT

Rule Changes Urged

She’s Fond of Referees, Too

The NFHS has shown its true politically correct self. It made modifications to the softball rules by eliminating the restrictions on decorative hard beads in hair only months after two umpires enforced that rule at a Durham, N.C., high school game and the issue was portrayed by the player and her parents as a racist incident. The rule has long standing in the softball rulebook as in other sports and has no cultural bias. The NFHS should also eliminate the restrictions on jewelry, as jewelry is more likely to hurt the player wearing it than an opponent. By making this rule change the NFHS threw two umpires under the bus for enforcing a long-standing rule that I know other umpires and referees have enforced. I have had to have girls remove items from their hair and have had to bar girls from entering games for jewelry including string bracelets. The NFHS needs to either eliminate the restrictions on jewelry and decorative hair devices, or stand up as a high school sports governing body and support officials as they try to follow the rules that appear in the rulebooks.

Some catchers frame pitches to steal strikes. But the catcher for Tottenville (N.Y.) High School tried a different strategy to get an edge with the plate umpire in a game against New Dorp High. Umpire Vincent J. Maligno of Staten Island, N.Y., reported, “In my 53 years of umpiring I have never seen anything like it. I know catchers sometime try to get the best of the home-plate umpire, but this beats it in my opinion.” Surely by coincidence, Tottenville wound up winning the game.

W. Kent Wheeless Rocky Mount, N.C. Editor’s note: The NFHS hair bead rule was adopted in 2012.

SURVEY SAYS …

Is facial hair becoming more accepted in officiating?

59.3% 40.7% YES

NO

THEY GET IT “Getting younger people involved may help fill the pool of officials, which is being depleted by retirement. However, the travel and especially the ‘experts’ on the field or in the stands who readily share their opinions may be the biggest obstacle to overcome. Thank you to all those who have taken on the role of a sports official. Your contributions to the sport should never be forgotten.”

SOURCE: REFEREE SURVEY OF 194 OFFICIALS

— Stephen Taylor, in a guest editorial in the Des Moines (Iowa) Register

“It’s very easy to focus on the two or three calls you think they missed — and it’s easier for you to see it based on the vantage point (sportswriters) have. Try going on the ice and being in the midst of everything that’s going on and making splitsecond calls. It’s extraordinarily difficult.”

— NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, responding to a sportswriter’s question about why officials miss calls SOURCE: TSN

SAY WHAT? “You’re talking NBA refs in the NBA. … They aren’t going to allow (a short series). … These games have been so off, it’s just ridiculous. I can say it. What are they going to do, fine me?”

— Retired NBA player Richard Dumas, commenting on the NBA Finals. (He can’t be fined, but he can be mocked.)

SOURCE: ARIZONA REPUBLIC

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.

6 | REFEREE October 2021

STEPHEN R. SYLVANIE-USA TODAY SPORTS, COURTESY VINCENT J. MALIGNO

THEY LIKE US

THE NEWS D-I Coach Suspended in Umpire Attack STONY BROOK, N.Y. — The head coach of Stony Brook University’s baseball team received a nine-game suspension for an “incident” at the America East Conference tournament on May 30 that neither the conference nor the school detailed in their statements, but what police reports indicate involved a physical attack of an umpire.

“The America East Conference announced today the suspension of Matt Senk, head baseball coach at Stony Brook University, for the institution’s first nine games of the 2022 baseball season,” the conference said in an Aug. 4 statement.

“Additionally, Coach Senk was issued a public reprimand. This disciplinary action is in response to an incident that occurred during the 2021 season in which Coach Senk acted contrary to NCAA Baseball Rules and America East Conference Bylaws governing conduct. The Conference will have no further comment on the matter.”

Referee contacted Stony Brook Director of Athletics Shawn Heilbron seeking information.

“We are aware of the incident that occurred during the weekend of the America East baseball tournament,” Heilbron said in an email. “The matter has been reviewed in accordance with our policies and procedures. Our coaches and administrators are held to the highest standards on and off the field. The University does not comment on

Video from the aftermath of a May 30 incident where an umpire was attacked shows coaches attempting to restrain Stony Brook University baseball coach Matt Senk (center). The incident occurred at the Stony Brook Indoor Sports Complex during a meeting to discuss weather conditions.

individual personnel matters.”

Details of what the school and conference would only call an “incident” can be gleaned from a police report from the Stony Brook University Police.

Officers responded to the Stony Brook University Indoor Sports Complex at approximately 12:15 p.m. on May 30 in response to an altercation. They spoke to William

Fisher, who was identified as the “presiding referee crew chief” for an America East tournament game between Stony Brook and the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT). The game was originally started the prior day, on May 29, but suspended due to weather. NJIT led, 2-1. Because of an earlier loss in the tournament, Stony Brook would have needed to win that suspended game and one additional game to win the tournament and earn the automatic bid into the NCAA postseason — and the tournament needed to be completed May 30 to meet an NCAA deadline.

A meeting was held at 10 a.m. to discuss weather conditions. In an interview, Fisher told Referee he attended the meeting because the umpire in chief (UIC) is part of the tournament committee.

Fisher told police that during the meeting there was a “level of contentiousness” between Senk and NJIT coach Robbie McClellan.

Senk “became belligerent while aggressively walking toward McClellan” and coaches had to step in and separate the two, according to police reports.

Due to Senk’s behavior, Fisher “disqualified him from playing a part in the possibility of a game and any discussion involved around getting a game in,” police reports stated.

Fisher told Referee McClellan did not respond to Senk or escalate See “Coach Suspended” p.11

THE WIRE Al Riveron Announces Retirement From NFL

Al Riveron, who succeeded Dean Blandino as the NFL’s senior vice president of officiating, announced his retirement from the league’s front office Aug. 5. The 61-yearold Riveron, a Cuban-American who became the NFL’s first Hispanic referee, was an onfield official from 2004-12.

In 2013, he joined the league office as a senior director of

8 | REFEREE October 2021

officiating. He ascended to the senior vice president’s role in 2017, succeeding Blandino. When the league restructured the department last season, Riveron’s duties were limited to overseeing the replay department. Senior Vice President of Officiating Walt Anderson and Senior Vice President of Officiating Administration Perry Fewell will take over leadership of the officiating department. Anderson

was an NFL official from 19952019, moving from line judge to referee in 2003. Fewell is a former assistant coach in the NFL who twice served as an interim head coach.

N.C. Officiating Group Comments on Legislation The Triangle Basketball Officials Association in central North Carolina added its voice to growing objections to state legislation that would dissolve

the North Carolina High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA) and replace it with a group appointed by elected leaders.

“The NCHSAA has expertly managed the officiating program and HB91 would destroy this relationship (with officials),” the group said in a statement signed by 114 basketball officials. “It would have a significantly detrimental effect on the retention of current officials and attracting the next

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THE NEWS

Pappas Joins NFHS, Wynns Retires Officials Association and the Officials Education Program, Wynns has been national rules editor for basketball throughout her tenure and served the sports of softball and soccer as well.

“This role has given me the opportunity to be a servant leader,” Wynns said. “It provided the opportunity to advocate for services for development of officials as services were provided for me as I came through the ranks. … I hope I have served the officials well who have taken advantage of our services.”

Before joining the NFHS staff, Wynns had a 41-year career in education in the state of Indiana as a teacher, coach, dean, assistant principal, principal and assistant commissioner of the Indiana High School Athletic Association. She was also a sports official for 19 years, working basketball, swimming, volleyball, and track and field.

Pappas worked directly with the New Mexico Officials Association (NMOA) during her 24-year career with the NMAA. As commissioner of officials for the NMAA since 2004, Pappas oversaw the training and education programs for more than 1,700 officials in 10 sports. She also oversaw the assignment of officials for postseason contests. In addition, Pappas coordinated the NMOA state clinic each summer.

NASO presented its 202021 awards during the Sports Officiating Summit @ Home held virtually Aug. 3-5.

The Gold Whistle Award, officiating’s highest honor, was presented to UMPS CARE, an organization that provides financial, in-kind and emotional support for America’s youth and families in need.

The first Inspire Award was presented to former NFL referee Jerry Markbreit, who continues to serve as a trainer focusing on officials in the Big Ten, MidAmerican and Missouri Valley conferences.

The Mel Nerol Medallion, which recognizes contributions to NASO, was presented to Steve Shaw, College Football Officiating national coordinator of officials and NCAA football secretary-rules editor. Shaw served on NASO’s board of directors from 2009-13.

The awards were originally scheduled to be presented at the in-person Summit in 2020 in Montgomery, Ala. That in-person Summit was canceled due to the pandemic. Further, the 2021 Summit in Grand Rapids, Mich., also was canceled and shifted to a virtual event.

SOURCE: NFHS

THE WIRE generation of referees so badly needed in all sports.”

The basketball group joins the NFHS, N.C. Coaches Association, N.C. Athletic Directors Association and a number of sport-specific coaching organizations voicing support for the NCHSAA.

Olympic Coach Expelled for Assaulting Referee A Belarusian member of India’s wrestling coaching

10 | REFEREE October 2021

staff was expelled from the Tokyo Olympics for assaulting a referee, the Indian Olympic Association said on Aug. 6. Assistant coach Murad Gaidarov, a former Olympic silver medalist, was sent home after he assaulted a referee following the 86kg freestyle bronze-medal bout that Indian wrestler Deepak Punia had lost.

The name of the referee and whether the referee was injured were not disclosed.

MAAC Names Men’s Basketball Coordinator

The Metro Atlantic Athletic and America East conferences announced on July 19 they would be joining the Men’s Basketball Officiating Alliance and hiring Michael Stephens as the coordinator of men’s basketball officials. Stephens is a four-time national championship official who additionally officiated three Final Four games between 2011-

2019. The Alliance, founded by the Atlantic Coast and Big East conferences, is a collaboration of several conferences on the East Coast for development and training of officials. Other conferences in the alliance include the Atlantic 10, Colonial Athletic, Big South, Ivy League, Patriot League, Northeast and Mid-Eastern Athletic conferences.

SOURCES: STATEHIGHSCHOOLOT.COM, AMERICAN EAST, THE (N.J.) TRENTONIAN, MID-DAY.COM, ESPN.

COURTESY OF DANA PAPPAS

INDIANAPOLIS — Dana Pappas, a longtime deputy director and commissioner of officials for the New Mexico Activities Association (NMAA), joined the NFHS staff Aug. 1 as director of officiating services — a newly created position devoted Pappas to officials programming, services and courses.

Pappas said she is excited to build on the work of others.

“It is the opportunity of a lifetime to be able to work in this role and to take the passion and commitment I have for officials to a new level,” Pappas said. “I look forward to being a part of the NFHS family and serving the state associations in a new and special way. To be on the NFHS staff and to have the opportunity to build on the foundation established

by Theresia Wynns is an honor. It is absolutely thrilling to be able to serve as an advocate for officials nationwide and to expand on the training and educational offerings for officials for all 51 state high school associations.”

Wynns, who has served as NFHS director of sports and officials education since 2012, retired July 31 after a 50-year career in education at the local, state and national levels.

In addition to directing the NFHS

NASO Presents 2020-21 Awards at Summit

Coach Suspended

continued from p.8

matters. Fisher escorted McClellan through the door so he could leave the room while Senk continued to try to get to McClellan while being restrained by three coaches.

“I said, ‘You’re done. We’re not doing this,’” Fisher told Referee.

Fisher, who umpired for seven years in professional baseball and 10 years in college baseball, said he acted on his umpire instincts in ejecting Senk. “It’s the umpire kicking in,” he said. “Initially, I treated this as an onfield situation. But it wasn’t. I was in my church clothes coming out of (Sunday) Mass.”

It was at that point that events took a turn. Fisher told police Senk “put me in a stranglehold with both arms around my throat when pinning me against the glass doors” and hit him in the ribs and face, according to the police report. Coaches got in between and Fisher was able to exit the building. He did not require medical attention and did not wish to prosecute, according to the police report.

Fisher told Referee he was hit three times in his ribs on his right side and once in the face.

The incident was viewed by NJIT players on the other side of the glass windows in the sports complex, Fisher said.

Spectator video of the incident aftermath was shared with Referee.

While it starts after the alleged attack, it shows two people struggling to restrain Senk, who nearly knocks over a table holding a laptop computer. Fisher is seen picking up a red hat and placing it on the table and exiting a door to the outside.

“Officers spoke with Matthew Senk, who, in retrospect, though very remorseful and saddened as a result of his players not being able to complete a very trying and difficult season, did corroborate details given to officers by complainant, William Fisher,” the police report stated.

Fisher said he was only going to file an NCAA ejection report, but at the urging of a crew member who was retired from law enforcement,

filed a police report to ensure there was a proper record of what transpired to support any actions the school or conference would take and prevent his being subject to claims of having contributed to or being a cause for Senk’s actions.

Fisher said he did not press charges because he wasn’t hurt and there were no damages, and New York doesn’t have any laws related to the assault of a sports official that might treat what occurred more seriously. “There’s nothing to press,” he said, noting what occurred is classified as a violation.

Fisher consulted with several attorneys in the two months since the incident and was told there wasn’t anything to pursue due to the absence of damages.

Senk, who led Stony Brook to the College World Series in 2012, did not respond to several emails seeking comment. The suspension means he will miss early season games, which are typically non-conference games.

Fisher said the incident with Senk and the environment it created prompted Chad Dwyer, America East senior associate commissioner, to end the tournament.

Conference statements only referenced inclement weather as the factor in the decision.

“With the NCAA deadline for completing conference baseball championships set at 11:59 p.m. ET on Sunday, May 30, and due to the poor weather forecast for the remainder of the day as well as the host facility not having lights, conference officials determined the championship could not be completed,” the conference said on its website on May 30.

Under conference rules for an incomplete championship, as the lone unbeaten team in the tournament, NJIT was crowned the winner and received the automatic NCAA bid.

On May 30, Heilbron took to social media to express disappointment in the tournament’s ending, but gave no indication the school’s coach played a role: “After everything our athletes have been through this year, this outcome is devastating. Championships should

be won on the field, and our team deserved that opportunity. The emotions are extremely raw. So many moments have been taken this year.

This didn’t need to be one.”

As for Fisher’s thoughts on the nine-game suspension, he said: “It’s like being a police officer; you just enforce the law. And whatever happens of it, that’s on America East and Stony Brook. I can’t control that, so it doesn’t affect me one way or the other.”

What bothers Fisher is the lack of leadership demonstrated by Stony Brook President Maurie McInnis and then-American East Conference Commissioner Amy Huchthausen, who left just days before the suspension was announced to

“They can choose to do whatever they want to do, but they basically evaded the situation.”

— William Fisher Umpire become chief impact and culture officer at a FinTech startup in Boston.

“They can choose to do whatever they want to do, but they basically evaded the situation. Both Stony Brook and the America East purport to ascribe to lofty ideals, yet the minute the university and conference were presented with a real, tangible incident, the president and commissioner were nowhere to be found,” Fisher said.

Referee requested information about the nature of the conference’s “public reprimand” — and if that reprimand was something beyond the four-sentence conference statement about the incident — but did not get a response from the conference.

United Collegiate Umpires, which handles assigning for the America East through coordinator Chris Marshall, declined to comment for this story.

REFEREE October 2021 |

11

FOOTBALL

EDITOR: JEFFREY STERN

jstern@referee.com

RULES, MECHANICS, PHILOSOPHY

TIME’S A-WASTIN’

By George Demetriou

T

ime is precious. That is especially true in a football game whether the playing time is 48 or 60 minutes.

The play clock regulates the pace of the game. If team A does not snap the ball before the play clock expires, the penalty is five yards, the value of which depends on the game situation, e.g., third and six is much more of a challenge than third and one. On the other hand, the five-yard pushback might be viewed as helpful in a punt situation when a greater distance to the goalline could help avert a touchback.

The rules have several safeguards designed to help ensure a team does not gain an advantage by delaying the game. Under NFHS rules, the

12 | REFEREE October 2021

game clock starts on the snap after an accepted delay penalty. In NCAA, it starts on the ready, unless there has been an abuse of the timing rules or team A is in a scrimmage-kick formation (whether or not the penalty is accepted) (NFHS 3-4-3i; NCAA 3-32d-11).

Play 1: First and 10 on team A’s 30 yardline. The game clock is running.

Team A, in a double-wing formation with the quarterback immediately behind the center, is flagged for delay.

The penalty is (a) accepted, or (b) declined. Ruling 1: In NFHS, in (a), the game clock starts on the snap; in (b), the game clock starts on the ready.

In an NCAA game, in (a) and (b), the game clock starts on the ready.

Play 2: Fourth and 10 on team R’s

30 yardline. The game clock is running.

Team K, in punt formation, is flagged for delay. The penalty is (a) accepted, or (b) declined. Ruling 2: Under NFHS rules, in (a), the game clock starts on the snap; in (b), the game clock starts on the ready. In an NCAA game, in (a) and (b), referees may order the game clock or play clock started or stopped whenever either team conserves or consumes playing time by tactics obviously unfair. The NCAA recommendation is referees should consider invoking that rule when the game clock is under five minutes of either half. That is a good suggestion for NFHS play as well (NFHS 3-4-6, 3.4.3B; NCAA 3-4-3).

Intentional grounding has specific clock treatment to preclude a team

JANN HENDRY

Rules Regarding Game and Play Clocks

When the 40-second play clock is in force, the ball is ready for play once the ball has been placed on the ground by an official and the official has stepped away to position. Eric Coss, Las Vegas, hustles to get the ball to the spot for the next snap, giving the offense a fair amount of time to get its play off before expiration of the play clock.

from gaining an advantage. Under NCAA rules, the game clock starts on the ready after team A throws an illegal forward or backward pass to conserve time. In NFHS, although intentional grounding is a running play, all illegal forward passes are treated the same as legal passes for clock purposes. Thus an incomplete illegal pass to conserve time results in the clock starting on the snap unless the referee applies the aforementioned discretion (NFHS 3-4-6; NCAA 3-3-2e-14, AR 3-4-3 III, IV).

Intentionally committing a foul to gain an advantage is not specifically mentioned anywhere as unethical, but there are some who believe that is not playing fair. Nonetheless there are rules to prevent an advantage from being gained via an intentional foul.

In NCAA, if the game clock is stopped to complete a penalty for a foul by the team ahead in the score (or either team if the score is tied) inside the last two minutes of a half, it will start on the snap, at the option of the offended team. In NFHS, the same rule applies except the offended team has the option regardless of the score (NFHS 3-4-7; NCAA 3-4-3, AR 3-4-3 II).

Another technique that has been used to gain a time advantage is failing to unpile in a timely manner after a down. At a minimum, the clock should be stopped while players unpile. A fiveyard penalty for delay may be enforced if the referee can determine which team is responsible for the delay (NFHS 3-62f Pen.; NCAA 3-4-2b-8, AR 3-4-2 II).

It is also possible for a team to gain an advantage by manipulating the play clock. Consequently, the rules provide for a differing play clock count after certain events. The play clock after timeouts for an injured player or the helmet coming off of a player is set to 25 seconds for a team A player and to 40 seconds for a team B player.

In NFHS, equipment repair is also a

situation for the differing play clock count (NFHS 3-6-1e; NCAA 3-3-5f-1, 3-3-9b-1). The preceding distinctions are most likely to have an impact at the end of the game. Consider the following.

Play 3: Third down and seven.

In the fourth quarter, team A leads, 14-12, and neither team has timeouts remaining. A1 gains five yards and is tackled in a side zone. The game clock is stopped because of an injury to B2 with 37 seconds remaining. Ruling 3: B2 must leave the game for at least one play. The clock starts on the ready with a 40-second play clock.

In the preceding play, if there were no injury, there would be a 40-second play clock and team A would not have to risk running another play. If the play clock were set to 25 seconds, team A would have to snap the ball, creating an advantage for team B (possibility of a fumble). Thus the rule is intended to prevent team B from gaining an advantage from the injury.

The rules also address delays in starting the game or the second half.

However, the possibility of starting a game with a delay penalty because of a team refusing to enter the field first has been virtually eliminated. If for the start of the game or the second half, both teams refuse to enter, the referee should tell the home team it must be the first to enter. The penalty is 15 yards from the succeeding spot (NFHS 9-8-1g-2, 1.1.6; NCAA 3-4-1a).

If the teams are ready to play, but the field is not, it is a foul on the home team. Home management is responsible for clearing the field (band, props, etc.) so each half starts on time. That foul should be avoided if at all possible, especially if the circumstances are beyond the control of home management. The penalty is five yards in NFHS and 10 yards in NCAA (NFHS 3-6-4 Pen.; NCAA 3-4-1b Pen.).

For the start of the second half, NFHS has an additional requirement that both teams must be on the field for the three-minute warmup when the halftime intermission expires (they do not actually have to warm up) (9-8-1g3).

George Demetriou has been a football official since 1968. He lives in Colorado Springs, Colo. 

DID YOU KNOW? The NFL introduced its first iteration of a sudden death overtime procedure for the regular season in 1974.

The NFHS came up with its recommended tiebreaking procedure in 1975. The NCAA extra periods rule was passed in 1996.

THEY SAID IT “Officials get graded out very carefully after every game.

Every time you throw the penalty flag you hope and pray you’re right. Well, we all kind of joked around after the Fog Bowl. You couldn’t see anything that day. No one would ever know whether we were good or bad.”

— The late Dave Parry, side judge for the NFL playoff game Dec. 31, 1988, played in a dense fog in Chicago

TOOLS A Tough Job Made Harder Richard Lister examines the demands on football officials as well as what makes the work so rewarding in his book, A Tough Job Made Harder. Lister’s sources include Fox Sports football rules analysts Mike Pereira and Dean Blandino as well as retired NFL referees Jerry Markbreit, Bill Carollo and Terry McAulay. Lister notes that despite the proclivity for fans to lay blame on officiating, those who undertake it do so with pride and professionalism. The book is available from Amazon, selling for $9.99 (Kindle version) and $16.99 (paperback).

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FOOTBALL

TEST YOURSELF 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. Team A is in shotgun formation with A1 six yards behind the snapper and no one in position to take a hand-to-hand snap. In the process of calling signals, A1 places one foot in front of the other and slowly rocks back and forth on his lead foot. a. No problem as long as A1’s movement doesn’t simulate the start of a snap. b. If another team A player goes in motion and A1 is still rocking when the ball is snapped, it will be a foul for illegal shift. c. If A1 is still rocking when the ball is snapped, it will be a foul for illegal motion. d. False start; the officials should prevent the snap and penalize team A.

Force of a Different Color O rdinarily, if the receiving team touches or muffs a kick beyond the neutral zone and the loose ball is recovered by the kicking team, possession is awarded to the kicking team. But the touching by team R is ignored if it is caused by team K — an act generally referred to as forced touching.

In PlayPic A, a team K player has legally batted a grounded scrimmage kick toward his own goalline. The

A

2. Which of the following is true regarding the free kick following a safety? a. Team K may put the ball in play via punt, placekick or dropkick. b. All players of team K must have been between the nine-yard marks at some point after the ready and before the kick. c. When a punt or drop kick is used, the ball may be kicked anywhere behind team K’s restraining line between the hashmarks. d. All of the above.

B

3. While the play is in progress, the referee and the umpire realize there are 12 team A players on the field taking part in the action. a. The penalty is five yards. b. The penalty is 10 yards. c. The penalty is 15 yards.

4. First and 10 on team A’s 20 yardline. A1’s forward pass hits the umpire, who has turned and ducked.

The deflected ball is then caught by ineligible A2. a. A2 is guilty of illegal touching. b. The ball is dead and the pass is incomplete when it hits the official. c. Legal catch.

5. Team A is illegally in motion at the snap. A1’s pass is intercepted by B2.

During B2’s return, B3 clips A4. a. Team B can retain possession by declining the penalty for illegal motion. b. If team B declines the penalty for illegal motion, team A will accept the penalty for clipping. c. If team B accepts the penalty for illegal motion, the penalties offset. d. All of the above are true.

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ball then deflects off a team R player (PlayPic B) and is recovered by a prone team K player (PlayPic C).

The ball is dead when team K recovers the loose ball. Because the bat caused the touching by team R, that touching is ignored. Team R may take the ball at the spot it was batted, which is the spot of first touching (NFHS) or illegal touching (NCAA).

Forced touching is also excused if team K blocks or pushes team R into the ball. There is one subtle difference in the rules. In NFHS, it is also forced touching if the ball is muffed by team K and then touches team R. Such is not the case in NCAA (NFHS 6-2-4, 6-2-5; NCAA 6-3-4, AR 6-3-4 III). 

C

t I k c Chu

? t I k c u T r o

One of the drawbacks of a five-official NFHS crew is exposed when a quarterback who is scrambling toward the sideline suddenly cocks his arm as if to throw. Head linesman Tyler Wadekamper, Seattle, has to sacrifice some downfield pass coverage in order to take care of business. Consider all that’s happening here.

The chain crew heeded the pregame instructions to start dropping the sticks and move out of the way if threatened. In addition to stampeding players presenting danger, it gives the official room to move back off the sideline to maintain a wide field of vision.

If the quarterback moves forward as he throws, Wadekamper’s position straddling the line of scrimmage is helpful in determining if the passer was beyond the line. In NFHS rules, a passer is beyond the line when either of his feet are beyond the neutral zone when the forward pass is released (7-5-1).

Wadekamper may have to rule if the runner stepped out of bounds at any point while he is in possession of the ball.

If a pass is thrown and either of these defenders contacts the passer, the decision on roughing the passer will belong to the unseen referee, who is trailing the play. The referee will also determine if a pass is intentionally grounded.

DALE GARVEY

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CASEPLAYS Missed Field Goal I Play: Team K’s field goal attempt from team R’s 23 yardline is wide right and lands untouched beyond the endline.

Team K is flagged for an illegal formation at the snap. How is the penalty enforced? Ruling: In NFHS, the result of the play is a touchback. Team R will choose to have the penalty enforced from the 20 yardline (succeeding spot) and begin a new series at its own 25 yardline. The other options — decline the penalty or have the five-yard penalty enforced from the previous spot and a replay of the down — are less likely (10-4-2 Exc.).

In NCAA, because the ball was snapped from outside team R’s 20 yardline, the ball is returned to the previous spot and team R will begin a new series there (8-4-2b-1).

Missed Field Goal II Play: In the first possession of overtime (NFHS) or extra periods (NCAA), K1’s attempted field goal is short. The ball is rolling at team R’s seven yardline when R2 touches the ball. K3 recovers the ball at team R’s three yardline.

Ruling: Under both codes, team K is awarded a new series at team R’s three yardline. The rules associated with team R’s touching of a scrimmage kick beyond the line apply the same in tiebreaking procedures as they do in regulation (NFHS 6-2-4, Resolving tied games procedure 5-2-1a; NCAA 6-3-3, 6-3-6a, 8-4-2b-2).

Double Change of Possession Play: Third and six from team A’s 20 yardline. A1 advances to team A’s 30 yardline where B2 grabs and twists his facemask, causing A1 to fumble. B3 recovers and advances to team A’s 10 yardline, where he is hit and fumbles. A4 recovers at team A’s five yardline. Ruling: Team A will accept the penalty to avoid having the ball deep in its own territory. Enforcement is from the end of A1’s run, team A’s 30 yardline. That yields first and 10 for team A from its own 45 yardline (NFHS 10-3-3b, 10-44; NCAA 10-2-2d-2).

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Hurrying Can Be Bad for Your Officiating Health

By Jon Bible

A

former supervisor had an oftrepeated saying: “No walking on the field.” By that he meant we can’t do our jobs well if we’re not where we need to be to officiate the play properly and we look lazy if it seems like we’re just taking a stroll in the park. I agree with that pithy phrase as a general rule of thumb. But one should not go overboard and infer it means that when the ball is snapped we should start running frenetically about.

The dictionary definitions of “hurry” and “hustle” don’t differ a lot. Hurry denotes rushed action, whereas hustle involves a state of busy activity. It’s a matter of degree.

Good officials, however, don’t need a dictionary to tell them there’s a difference, and they strive to do the latter when they can.

Referees, for example, hurry if, at the snap, they start darting here and there, immediately move with the runner as he runs upfield or to the right sideline, or races to follow him as he goes the opposite way.

They hustle if they stay stationary as long as they can — staying still, in the right circumstances, doesn’t mean one isn’t hustling — don’t start trailing the runner until he’s reached the neutral zone when going upfield or has passed the referee when going toward the right sideline, and move briskly, but don’t sprint, to follow him when he goes the other way. The longer we remain still, and the more we move in a cruise-control fashion instead of running all-out, the steadier our eyes are, and the better we can see, process and evaluate the action in front of us.

Referees hurry when they wait to the last second to retreat at a 45-degree angle as the quarterback drops back; then, they have to run to get out of the way, may get caught up in the traffic as the quarterback scrambles, and may end up with

the quarterback going behind them.

They can’t officiate when they’re in self-protection mode. But they hustle when they slowly drop back as the quarterback does so and continue to do so, roughly one step in retreat for every step the quarterback drops back. Again, moving slowly instead of madly bailing out allows the action before them to better register in their mind.

Officials hurry when, as a runner is tackled, they sprint to the pile and end up so close that their nose can almost touch the runner’s. They hustle when they trot in, keeping their head on a swivel so they can pick up unsportsmanlike acts near the pile. Don’t worry about getting to the ball too quickly; it’ll still be there a few seconds later, and you’ll be in a better position to officiate, not just see the play. And if too many officials converge on the pile, there will be a bunch of eyes on the runner and tackler and not enough monitoring the surrounding action.

Wing officials hurry if, when a runner passes them, they race to the dead-ball spot. They hustle if they move briskly, keep officiating the play (watching not just the runner but shifting focus to where a threat is) and arrive on the scene a few seconds after the play ends. An out-of-bounds spot isn’t going to move, so it’s not necessary, and can be counterproductive, to race there (the jiggling-eyes concept). Whether the runner crosses the sideline or the play ends inbounds (including when he’s driven back so we need a forward progress spot) wings can, if both wings are using proper cross-field mechanics, get at least an approximate spot from the partner on the other side of the field when they get to the right place. It may be off a foot or so (it shouldn’t be more than that) but except in a close lineto-gain situation that’s not enough to worry about.

We hurry when, after a play ends

in the side zone or out of bounds, we immediately turn away to retrieve the ball or get one from a ball helper.

We hustle if we’re great dead-ball officials who watch the action until we’re sure things have settled and then worry about the ball. Even at the college level I see officials who are too quick to shift their focus away from the action to get a ball into play. Don’t sweat it; there will be time for that after the dust has settled. If there’s a 40/25 play clock the referee can always pump it up if we don’t get the ball spotted in a timely manner, and if there isn’t, the referee can control when marking the ball ready for play.

To be sure, we must get on our horse at times. The back judge and wing officials have no choice but to do so when a quarterback connects on a 40-yard bomb and the receiver is racing for the goalline, and a referee had better get out of bounds

But one should not go overboard and infer it means that when the ball is snapped we should start running frenetically about. with a quarterback to protect him.

But a lot of years of doing that have convinced me that too many times we start needlessly racing about right out of the gate. I suspect that we’re fearful that if we don’t, it’ll look like we’re loafing and that may create a bad perception and hurt if someone who can help us move up the ladder is watching. In fact, if we work in cruise control as much as we

can, the better our officiating will be and the more we’ll look like we’ve been around the block a few times.

If a power-that-be is there, that combination will impress him or her a lot more than if we’re constantly racing around full-tilt.

Jon Bible is a replay official in the Southeastern Conference. A resident of Austin, Texas, he formerly officiated collegiate and pro football. 

feats of clay

WHETHER BATTLING COVID-19 OR OPPOSING BASKETBALL TEAMS, CLAY MARTIN COMES OUT ON TOP.

By Peter Jackel

A

s the always dapper Clay Martin takes his seat on his team’s bench at the Frank Herald Fieldhouse in Jenks, Okla., what one sees isn’t necessarily what one gets. The 6-foot-4 coach of the mighty Jenks High School boys’ basketball team is a deeply spiritual man who speaks in strictly G-rated language, addressing everyone as “Sir” or “Ma’am.”

“That’s just the way I was raised,” he said.

But Martin can instantly transition into a fierce competitor.

Darned right he’s going to get into the face of any player who isn’t cutting it for the Trojans. Martin will certainly speak up when he feels an official has missed a call.

As Shannon Martin, his wife of 22

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years, notes, “People are surprised because he’s so calm and peaceful outside of sports, but you get him on a basketball court or football field and he has such a determination and competitive spirit. He will stomp and he will get in your face.”

The Martin Method has clicked for nearly two decades at Jenks, the third-largest program in talent-rich Oklahoma, with the Trojans going 277-128 and advancing to the 2009 Division 6A championship game under Martin’s watch. Up to 2,000 fans a game usually file out of the fieldhouse with smiles on their faces after games and that starts with Martin.

But all of this doesn’t approach conveying what this man is all about.

As Martin walks into another NFL stadium on game days, his sharp duds are replaced by a striped

official’s uniform and a white hat he wears with enormous pride. Martin didn’t pursue football officiating until 2005 — just two years after he took over Jenks’ basketball program — but his sharp mind and cool disposition enabled him to rocket through the ranks. By 2015, he had reached the NFL and, within three years, he was a referee at the age of 43. You’d better believe this — he’s a fighter. Less than a month after testing positive for COVID-19 last Dec. 19, Martin was at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City for an AFC Divisional game between the Chiefs and Browns. Incredibly, he had been hospitalized with double pneumonia (bacterial and COVID-19) just 13 days before that game.

But that still doesn’t approach relating what Martin is all about. Not even close.

For an express trip to the core of this remarkable man, let’s go to the seventh floor of St. Francis Hospital in Tulsa, Okla., in July 2014. McKenzie Martin, Clay’s then-14-year-old daughter, had developed sepsis after complications from an appendectomy and she was fighting for her life. As

© REINHOLD MATAY-USA TODAY SPORTS

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featsofclay Martin recalls, “It was the toughest time of my life.”

McKenzie was so weak she couldn’t even brush her teeth.

Showers were prohibited because she was connected to medical equipment, making her feel grimy. The pungent smell of dirty laundry in nearby hampers hung in the air, darkening her disposition all the more. Even a welcome view of a local park below her room was obstructed by a broken window. But she never walked alone. Right by her side, literally step by step, was Martin. He practically lived at the hospital that month and was a pillar of strength for his devastated wife.

McKenzie recalls her father gently shaving her legs, just to help her feel clean. “Though it may seem insignificant, that act showed that my dad was willing do anything to ease my mind and establish as much normalcy as he could in such an abnormal time in our lives,” McKenzie said.

Martin would guide McKenzie down a corridor, gently challenging her to walk far enough to see a view of a children’s playground at the far end as she leaned on him for support. When McKenzie’s long nights were at their most

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martin says seeing his daughter fighting for her life was “the toughest time of my life.”

Left: The Martin family includes son Chase, daughter McKenzie, wife Shannon and Clay. Right: Clay and Shannon were high school sweethearts, attending prom together.

unsettling, her father would slide into the left side of her bed and stroke her hair. McKenzie could hear him gently murmuring as she drifted into a welcome sleep.

“I could not quite make out what he was saying, but I could hear the muttering of his lips as he prayed over me,” McKenzie recalled. “That alone was enough to calm my nerves enough to secure at least a few hours of deep sleep.”

There you have the real Clay Martin. Without question, he has achieved a remarkable double as an official and a coach.

He is a born-again Christian who married his high school sweetheart and is a devoted father to their son and daughter despite the long hours his dual careers have demanded. The closest he has veered to uttering a four-letter word might have been when Ed Hochuli, his first NFL crew chief, once heard him defiantly ask, “What the heck?”

Even though he’s young enough to win countless more games at Jenks and possibly officiate some Super Bowls, the decency and genuine compassion this God-fearing man projects each day is what stands out most about him. Just ask a now healthy McKenzie,

who keeps something from her hospital stay to this day that reminds her of the man her father is.

“One of my favorite lines that my dad delivered during that time was actually in a letter he had waiting for me before I got home,” McKenzie said. “In this specific letter, he closed his thoughts by stating that I am ‘as tough as nails.’

I likely would have brushed that comment off if it had come from someone else, but I cherished it coming from him.

His perseverance is on another level. I have always wanted to be like my dad and I took his praise of my strength as a testament that I am on the path to do so.”

Anyone who converses with Martin for five minutes will likely remember him in the most favorable light. NFL officials who are about to walk into a stadium on game days tune into Martin when he clears his throat. Hochuli speaks from experience on that subject.

“Clay led our Sunday morning devotionals as a crew and he was a master at it,” Hochuli said. “It wasn’t by preaching the Bible, although Clay is a very religious Christian. His devotionals

were not from the Bible, so to speak. They were stories and anecdotes that taught those same principles and he was extremely good at that. I was just immensely impressed by somebody who could take a fairly coarse group of people and get everybody on the same page and in that same mindset every Sunday morning like that before the game. It was a very cool experience.”

Martin was born to Gerry and Sharon Martin on April 29, 1975, in Pensacola, Fla., but only a quirk of fate allowed that to happen. Gerry had enlisted for the Vietnam War and served as helicopter pilot for the Marine Corps. During the first few months of 1970, a helicopter Gerry was originally supposed to pilot crashed into a mountain in Da Nang, killing everyone aboard.

“I remember him sharing with me that he was assigned a mission and the mission had changed the next day and he was taken off the mission because he was a higherranking officer,” Martin said.

“The guy who ended up flying that mission didn’t come home and that’s pretty surreal.”

Once Gerry returned from Vietnam, he married Sharon and they raised three children who were born two years apart — daughter, Brooke, came first, followed by Clay and then Josh. All three children grew up in a middle-class home located at 9124 E. 38th Place in East Tulsa. The virtues that define Martin today were ingrained during a blissful childhood. Make that blissful with one caveat — Martin’s intense desire to succeed.

“Mom and Dad were in the PTA and we were very active in church on Wednesdays, Sunday mornings and Sunday nights,” Martin said. “Whether it was Easter egg hunts or playing, people will tell you I wanted to win. And if I didn’t, I’d probably throw a

Clay Martin’s high school football crew: Joel Hale, Danny Dunbar, Don Thomas, Martin and Barry Stearns. Martin got started officiating prep football in 2005.

due to his leadership skills, Martin was nominated for coach of the year in his college conference even though he was a player.

fit. We’d re-do the Easter egg hunt until I found more. We’d replay the game until I won.

My childhood was filled with a lot of family moments because we were together so much — all five of us. The older we got, most of our family trips revolved around youth sports.

My folks never missed anything that we did.”

While at Nathan Hale High School in Oklahoma, Martin developed into an all-state player in football and basketball and his will to win was overwhelming by that point.

There were countless occasions when Josh was awakened in the dead of night in the bedroom he shared with Clay as his brother mumbled plays in his sleep.

Shannon says Clay has been doing the same with her since they were married in 1998. “I’ve woken up many times because Clay is talking in his sleep,” she said.

Martin started out as a wide receiver at the University of Tulsa in 1993 before transferring to Oklahoma Baptist. There he could concentrate on his preferred sport of basketball and became a four-year starter under Bob Hoffman. Martin was an extension of Hoffman on the court and he started for the Bison as a sophomore when they advanced to the NAIA championship game, a 73-64 loss to Life University. In his career, Martin averaged 9.2 points, 7.4 assists, 5.2 rebounds

and 2.2 steals and he was inducted into the university’s athletic hall of fame in 2011.

“He took scouting reports to another level,” said Hoffman, who was OBU’s head coach from 1990-99.

“He understood the game, he understood how to get opponents out of their game and he was just tenacious in everything he did. He played point guard for us even though he was 6-foot-4. His ballhandling skills were good, but that wasn’t what made him a great point guard. He just knew where everybody was supposed to be and he knew what other teams were trying to run.

“We used to meet as coaches to decide allconference and we were voting on Coach of the Year,” Hoffman said. “One of the coaches nominated Clay for Coach of the Year even though he was a player. That’s the kind of respect he had among other coaches, even back then.”

By 2004, Clay was married to Shannon and they were the parents of McKenzie and Chase. Clay served as an assistant coach at the University of Texas-Pan American from 1999-2001 before deciding with Shannon that high school coaching was his true calling.

“So I kind of worked my way backwards at a young

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featsofclay

age,” he said.

After one-year head coaching stops at Tecumseh and Muskogee high schools in Oklahoma, Martin took over Jenks’ program in 2003.

Any young couple with two children needs extra money and, in 2004, Martin was working a summer job at the Southern Hills Country Club, which has been the site of several major golf tournaments over the years.

“Man, it was the toughest work I ever did,” Martin said.

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Top: Martin, signaling at the 2012 Outback Bowl, began working college football with just two years of officiating experience.

Bottom: Under Martin’s coaching, the Jenks Trojans have proven to be a formidable opponent for Oklahoma high school foes.

“I was on the grounds crew and you’re talking about preparing greens, cutting rough, you name it. It was just the hours and the sweat and the heat.

That next summer, I said, ‘Man, I think I’m going to look for something else,’ and that’s what opened the door to officiating.”

Enter Charlie Myers, a retired principal at Jenks who drove school buses in his retirement just to stay involved.

Myers was a longtime high school football and basketball official who was among those who pointed Martin in that direction. With Martin’s extensive experience as an athlete, wouldn’t officiating be a way to earn extra income?

“We spent a lot of time on the school bus going to and from basketball games,” Martin said. “In the course of conversation, he would say, ‘You really ought to think about this.’ He said, ‘I think you’d be a really good official,’ and he was a man I trusted. He had actually officiated me in high school sports. He had been doing high school officiating for a long time and I trusted him greatly. It was like E.F. Hutton.

When Charlie Myers speaks, you listen. It was, ‘If Mr. Myers thinks I can do this, I might be good at some level.’”

A future NFL referee was born. Even as a first-year high school official at the age of 30 in 2005, Martin had a presence that serves him well to this day.

“We began officiating together on a crew with four guys that had only two to three years of experience,” former crewmate Barry Stearns said.

“Our crew chief, Don Thomas, was a veteran official with 40-plus years of service and several state championship games. He was fairly high strung and always a little anxious about being on the field with younger officials. Clay was able to figure out a way to keep Don calm mainly with his unique communication skills

and calm demeanor.”

What Martin singles out as perhaps the biggest break of his officiating career came in 2007 following an encounter with longtime NFL official Gerald Austin, who was coordinator of officials for Conference USA from 2001 until this February. Austin can take credit for being instrumental in Martin’s career.

“I’ve had people who have taken chances on me and seen things in me beyond what I could,” Martin said. “I go to Gerald Austin, who hired me in Conference USA after two years as a high school official, and he took a chance on me.

I worked at a University of Tulsa scrimmage in the spring of 2007, as a lot of high school officials do, and after the scrimmage, he introduced himself to me and said, ‘Hey, I just want to know why you haven’t applied,’ and I said, ‘Sir, I’ve only been doing this for two years.’ He said, ‘Listen, I like what I saw and I’d like to see your application.’ And I said, ‘Yes sir.’”

Needless to say, Austin was correct in his assessment.

“He has a good feel for the game,” said Austin, who was an NFL official from 1982-2007.

“I think that’s always the first quality for being an excellent official — that you have a feel for the game and you understand the application of the rules. You don’t give a speeding ticket at 58 miles an hour in a 55 mile an hour zone, but if it’s 68, then you give a speeding ticket. Clay lets the players play and the coaches coach, but when they go beyond the line, then he’ll make the call. And he’s also a basketball coach and a school administrator, so he has that leadership quality.”

While Martin was developing his resume as an official he was developing the Jenks basketball program

RICH GRAESSLE/ICON SPORTSWIRE CGV

into a state power. His first two teams at Jenks went 12-14 and 13-12. The Trojans improved to 22-5 in his third season and, by the 2008-09 season, they went 27-2 and advanced to the Division 6A championship game, which ended in a 72-48 loss to Putnam City. Jenks stayed on the winning path until 2015, when Martin stepped away from coaching after being hired by the NFL. After Jenks suffered through successive seasons of 12-10 and 3-20 without Martin on the bench, he was convinced to return in 2017. Success has since returned to the Trojans, but that should be no surprise since the man running the show literally talks basketball in his sleep. Just how consumed is Martin with the task at hand?

“During timeouts, I hand Clay the dry-erase board to draw things up for the players,” said longtime assistant coach Kalin Dahl. “I have an eraser attached to the board. Clay was so into the game that he erased with his hand what he had drawn on the board. At some point, he wiped his forehead with the same hand that he had erased the board and he left a long green streak on his forehead.

“The game was intense and none of us assistants said anything,” Dahl said. “After the game, he looked in the mirror in the locker room and asked how long he had the mark on his forehead. He said that in the future, please tell him he has marker on his face.”

Martin’s intensity is still secondary to his compassion.

“He definitely did a lot of things for a lot of kids,” said Christopher “Ike” Houston, who started on Jenks’ first three teams once Martin returned. “He’s a nice, but winning, guy. He wants to win every possession and

Martin was hired by the NFL in 2015 and has been a referee since the 2018 season.

clay martin bio Residence: Jenks, Okla.

Profession: High school administrator Coaching: Jenks (Okla.) High School boys’ basketball Officiating: NFL official since 2015; referee since 2018.

Worked AFC Divisional in 2020.

he always tells us, ‘That’s in basketball or your personal life,’ because he kind of treats it the same way.”

“He’s very charismatic as a man, he’s very disciplined and he does stuff the right way,” said 2007 Jenks graduate Nicky Sidorakis. “He’s a good leader on and off the court and he’s tremendously fun to be around.

He can joke. His sense of humor can be dry at times, but it’s a funny dry and it’s not an uncomfortable dry. He instills character traits. I could go on and on, but he’s just a good man all around.”

Would Martin ever lie?

Absolutely not. But would he sidestep the whole truth to work an NFL playoff game?

Well that’s a different story.

It was on Dec. 31, 2020, when Martin, terribly sick with COVID, was taken by ambulance to St. Francis Hospital, where McKenzie fought for her life in July 2014. At that point Shannon, suddenly sleeping in an empty bed, had serious doubts whether she would ever see her beloved husband again. Two weeks later, he was on national television, working that AFC playoff game in Kansas City.

“I’ll be honest,” Shannon said. “His doctor was not really optimistic that Clay would be able to ref a conference football game. I told his doctor, ‘He thinks he’s going to be able to ref,’ and his doctor said, ‘It’s going to be six months before he’s going to be able to run up and down the field.’

“Clay had been released and they obviously called and offered him a playoff game. He got home on a Monday (Jan. 4) and he had a follow-up with his doctor that Wednesday and he was planning to leave Saturday for the playoff game. His doctor went over his labs and said, ‘I think I’ll release you on Friday.’

And Clay said, ‘OK, if you’re going to release me to go back to work, I’m just going to need that in writing.’ He never told his doctor he was going to ref a playoff game. He hung up the phone and I said, ‘You are so sneaky. You never told him you were going to ref.’”

Just as Clay willed McKenzie back to health in 2014, he did the same with himself to officiate at the highest level. But doing anything at the highest level is all the man knows.

“Everyone has their chosen professions and Clay has excelled in both of the ones he’s chosen,” younger brother Josh said. “He’s passionate about his faith, he’s passionate about his family, he’s passionate about his players. He not only coaches these players, he gives them life lessons that help them grow up into young men. And then he’s passionate about football.

“He is not just a brother or a father. He’s the person he sees in everything he does. I don’t know one thing that he has put his mind to that he has not excelled in.”

Peter Jackel is an award-winning sportswriter from Racine, Wis. 

REFEREE October 2021 |

23

BASKETBALL

EDITOR: SCOTT TITTRINGTON

stittrington@referee.com

RULES, MECHANICS, PHILOSOPHY

OPENING TIP(S)

A Clean Jump Ball Sets Proper Tone

By Joshua Schroeder

I

A lot can go wrong during the jump ball to start a game. While referee Chuck Gonzalez, Huntington Beach, Calif., must be aware of the jumpers’ actions, his partner(s) must pay attention to the remaining eight players to make sure they are not doing anything illegal.

24 | REFEREE October 2021

DALE GARVEY

f you ask anyone how a basketball game starts, most everyone would probably tell you it begins with a jump ball. Unfortunately for officials, since this procedure routinely happens every game, barring any uncommon situations preventing it, it is almost always glossed over as standard operating procedure.

But what if it is not? What if something uncommon does happen?

Knowing what is legal and what is not could be the difference between starting your game cleanly or setting your crew up for continual unfocused complications down the line. So, what can you do to ensure you are ready?

Let us simulate the beginning of a game and find out.

Play 1: As the players enter the floor to start the game, the referee (or the official designated by the referee) stands with the ball at the division line, and the two remaining officials stand on opposite sides of the court at their respective 28-foot mark.

After the jumpers enter the center restraining circle, the official making the toss begins to walk toward them to toss the ball. This is when the official notices jumper A1 only has one foot in the circle with the other foot completely outside the circle, and jumper B1 is turned around, facing the opponent’s basket. Is this legal?

Ruling 1: A jumper is not required to face his or her own basket, but each jumper is required to have both feet inside the center restraining circle.

Even though jumper A’s position is in violation of the rule, since the

jump ball has yet to officially begin, assessing a penalty is not necessary.

Simply instruct jumper A1 to adjust his or her foot to correct the situation (NFHS 6-3-1; NCAAM/W 6-2.4).

Play 2: After the referee sounds the whistle, U2 notices A2 and A3 standing next to each other, shoulder to shoulder, on the center restraining circle. Since it is the primary responsibility of U2 to watch for the position and action of the eight non-jumpers, U2 quickly blows the whistle to break the two apart.

Ruling 2: This whistle is not needed because occupying adjacent positions around the center restraining circle is not illegal unless an opponent indicates a desire to have one of those positions. If there is no conflict between opposing players for the same spot on the circle, no correction is needed and interruption of the jump ball administration should be avoided (NFHS 6-3-3; NCAAM/W 6-2.8).

The referee removes the whistle from his or her mouth and is now ready to toss the ball, and according to the rule as it is written, it should be upward between the jumpers in a plane at right angles to the sidelines (NFHS 6-3-4; NCAAM/W 6-2.6). But what does that mean? Simply put, the toss needs to be straight up and not “leaning” closer to one side, favoring a closer position to the jumper on that side. If this does happen, either U1 or U2 should sound the whistle immediately and call the toss back to be readministered.

Play 3: Once the ball is tossed properly, U2 observes A5 move around the circle into a new position.

U2 withholds the whistle and allows the action to continue: Ruling 3: Movement onto and around the center restraining circle is only illegal between the time the referee is ready to toss the ball to the time the ball has left the referee’s hand. Since the ball was tossed and in the air, it is legal for players to move into a new position, as long as it is not already occupied by another player and as long as the players do not break the plane of the circle before the ball is touched by a jumper (NFHS 6-3-2; NCAAM 6-2.9).

The ball, having left the referee’s hands, is now on its upward flight and U1, whose primary responsibility is to watch the toss and rule on its legality, is focusing on just that, because if the ball is touched by a jumper before it reaches its highest point, it is a violation on that jumper.

But how do we know the ball has actually reached its highest point?

The rules tell us by stating the ball is to be thrown to a height greater than either jumper can jump so the ball will drop between them (NFHS 6-3-4; NCAAM/W 6-2.6). In other words, if the tossed ball is touched before U1 sees the ball move downward toward the jumpers, it should be judged to have not reached its highest point and therefore should be ruled a violation.

What if after the ball reaches its highest point, jumper A1 and jumper B1 each tap the ball simultaneously, causing the ball to travel back upward? A1 then taps the ball again, successfully deflecting it away from the opponent. The ball then falls to the floor and bounces back up and into the hands of A1. The referee, being responsible for the action of the jumpers, quickly puts the whistle in his or her mouth and blows the play dead for a violation. But was it?

Let us examine the four restrictions placed on the jumpers and find out.

As described earlier, we know the jumpers must allow the ball to reach its highest point before touching the ball. They are also required to stay in the center restraining circle until the ball is touched. These two restrictions were not violated and therefore not the reason the whistle was blown. The third restriction states the jumpers are not allowed to touch the ball more than twice and according to this scenario, this was not violated either.

Lastly, neither jumper shall catch the ball before the jump ball ends.

Wait a moment. One of the jumpers did catch the ball, but did the jump ball end? A jump ball ends when the ball touches a nonjumper, an official, the playing court, a basket or backboard (NFHS 6-3-8; NCAAM/W 6-2.2. According to this rule, as soon as the tapped ball touched the floor, the jump ball ended and along with it all restrictions as

BY THE NUMBERS The number of NBA Finals selections for the 14 officials assigned to work the 2021 Finals between the Milwaukee Bucks and Phoenix Suns: 14 – Scott Foster 10 – Tony Brothers, James Capers, Marc Davis 8 – Zach Zarba 5 – John Goble 4 – David Guthrie 3 – Kane Fitzgerald, Eric Lewis 2 – Pat Fraher, Josh Tiven 1 – Courtney Kirkland, James Williams, Sean Wright Tony Brown, a Finals official in 2020, was named an honorary referee after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in April.

DID YOU KNOW? The NBA is the only basketball league that plays with a 100 percent leather ball.

Every other league features a ball that is covered by a composite material.

SOURCE: THEUNDEFEATED.COM

THEY SAID IT “Referee the games like they matter.

You’re trying to get better. If you go to camp trying to get hired, you never referee well because of the pressure. If you go and put into practice the feedback that you get from evaluators — that’s what you want to do. Go to camp to learn and work hard; good things tend to happen to those people.”

— Jon Levinson, NCAAW secretary-rules editor SOURCE: WCBOO FORLIFE FACEBOOK PAGE

REFEREE

October 2021 |

25

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. How long does the head coach have to replace a disqualified player? a. 10 seconds. b. 15 seconds. c. 20 seconds. d. 30 seconds.

2. What is the result when a player makes incidental contact with the net while the ball is on the basket, and that contact with the net has no effect on whether the ball successfully enters the basket or not? a. No penalty. Play shall resume uninterrupted. b. Basket interference. c. Goaltending. d. Technical foul.

well. The fact that A1 caught the ball after it bounced back up is no longer relevant.

Knowing all the restrictions placed on jumpers and non-jumpers alike is important but knowing when these restrictions apply and when they do not is even more important to properly ruling on the legality of the jump ball. If you understand these restrictions in their totality, you should not find yourself in a situation having to explain to a coach why you missed or improperly ruled on a

violation before the game even gets underway.

Officials are in complete control on how the game will start and the jump ball should be executed with total dedication and focus to ensure the tone of the game is set at the highest level of expectation.

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. 

3. How far is the three-point line from the basket in the middle portion of the court? a. 19 feet, 9 inches. b. 20 feet, 9 inches. c. 22 feet, 1-3/4 inches. d. 23 feet, 9 inches.

4. What is the result if the home team does not have a proper red light or red LED lights mounted on the backboard? a. No penalty. b. Team technical foul. Two free throws awarded. c. Administrative technical foul.

One free throw awarded. d. Administrative technical foul.

Two free throws awarded.

5. The numbers on team A’s jersey are not centered horizontally on the front of the jersey, but instead are located on the left side on the front of the jersey. What penalty shall be assessed during the game for team A’s jerseys? a. No penalty as the jerseys are legal. b. One technical charged to team A. c. One technical for every team A team member that enters the game. d. No penalty is assessed during the game. The game officials should notify their conference coordinator about the illegalities, and it is up to the conference office to deal with the school and its uniforms.

The NFHS, NCAAM and NCAAW rule codes all state that the toss on a jump ball must be tossed at a height greater than either jumper can jump so that it will drop between them.

26 | REFEREE October 2021

Requests From Your Scorer

By Sarah Shartzer

I

f I told you I had injured myself keeping the official book at a basketball game, you’d probably think, “tiny papercut.” Or the very worst you could imagine might be, “knocked over by an errant ball or hustling player.” But nope — I’ve broken my ankle while keeping score.

Admittedly, it’s not as exciting as it sounds, as it involves falling off a bleacher because an official was calling me over during halftime to check a foul. But I say this up front to prove that I’ve put blood, sweat, tears and even compound fractures into high school basketball scorekeeping during the last 20 years.

During this time, I’ve worked games with hundreds (possibly thousands) of high school officials, and

many have handled the table in a way I truly appreciate. My dad is a high school official, so I know how hard officials work and how demanding the job is on the court. Through the procedures that require us to interact, casual conversations and actions that are likely indiscernible to anyone above court level, officials can make my job a lot easier and I can do the same for you. I try to run an efficient table and do everything literally “by the book,” so here are my requests for you: • Get to the reporting area.

When communicating with the table, do so from the designated area (see MechaniGrams A and B on pg. 30) and at a complete stop (NFHS Officials Manual 4.4.2C, 5.4.2C). In a noisy gym, I’m often wholly reliant on your hand signals instead of what you are saying,

and I need to be able to see you clearly.

• Be careful about your twohanded foul calls. I much prefer onehanded number signals, but two hands have been the rule since 2017 (2-9-1).

Please be aware of how and for how long you are signaling. Say the color first. Then I need the numbers to be in order (first digit on the right hand, second on the left hand) and I need you to hold them there long enough for me to see them. If you make a mistake and signal 42 while you say 24, that’s not a big deal, but take a moment to correct that with me rather than just assuming I’ll figure it out.

As a side note, the type of foul is not something I record — while players, coaches and spectators might want to know, I don’t mark whether it’s a handcheck or a block or a hold.

See “Scorer” p.28

BASKETBALL

CASEPLAYS

Incorrect Throw-in Play: Following a traveling violation against A1 in team A’s freethrow lane, team B is to be awarded a designated-spot throw-in on the endline in team B’s backcourt. But the administering official informs thrower-in B2 that he or she may make the throw-in from any point along the endline and bounces the ball to B2. B2 leaves the designated spot and completes the throw-in by passing the ball to B3, who is inbounds. At this point, the officials realize team B should have had a designated-spot throw-in. Shall this mistake be corrected? Ruling: Awarding a non-designated-spot throw-in to a team when it should have had a designated-spot throwin is not a correctable error in all three rule codes. In NFHS and NCAAM, that mistake shall not be corrected and the throw-in stands.

In NCAAW, the officials shall stop play and re-administer the throw-in (NFHS 2-10, 7-6-2; NCAAM 2-12, 7-6.5; NCAAW 2-12, 7-6.5, A.R. 25).

28 | REFEREE October 2021

Clean, crisp signals delivered to the table from the proper location on the floor, as shown

by Marcus Reed, Los Angeles, help ensure that the relationship between the game officials and the official scorer is a smooth one.

SCORER

continued from p.27

I obviously need to know if it’s a technical foul because that’s recorded differently, and if it’s an offensive foul, I will know that no free throws will be awarded. But otherwise, my focus is only on the color and number that you’re giving me.

• Tell me what you want. While we’re having our pregame conference (NFHS Officials Manual, 1.7.1E) and you’re signing the book, feel free to list your expectations or even to test me a little so that you can be confident that I know what I’m doing. If you do something a little differently, I am happy to comply. When you come over at halftime to confirm the score and watch me change the arrow, keep me updated — I’m open to constructive criticism, but it’s easier when I have a few minutes to think about the adjustments I need to make before play resumes.

• Hold your signals. Three-point signals are the only ones I have to see and record while the clock is running.

Hold them for just a millisecond

longer than you think necessary to be absolutely sure I’m recording the correct points and can confirm the visiting scorer saw the same thing.

Additionally, many held ball calls are very quick — it’s helpful if you keep your thumbs up while you look for my arrow so that we can both acknowledge that I’m going to change the possession as soon as the ball is back in play.

• When you’re reporting to the table, look at the scorer — not the timer and not the announcer. I’m your official scorer and I’m running the table. When you make a call, please make that call to me by making eye contact and pointing it in my direction.

Even when I’ve introduced myself before the game and am wearing my striped shirt, many, many officials make their calls to the older men sitting at the table with me. Also, look to me for bonus signals, foul disqualifications and timeout counts — while anyone can hold up their fingers, I’m the only one with the official numbers.

• Help me manage substitutions.

H P A

HESTON QUAN

Correctable Error Play: A1 is fouled while dribbling the ball. Team A is not in the bonus, but A1 is awarded bonus free throws. While A1’s first free throw is in flight, A2 contacts B2 in an excessive and unnecessary manner; the nearest official rules an intentional (NFHS and NCAAW) or flagrant 1 (NCAAM) foul. A1’s free-throw try is successful. At this point, the officials recognize team A is not in the bonus and A1 should not have been shooting free throws. Shall the free throw and foul be canceled? Ruling: Awarding an unmerited free throw is a correctable error. The last point at which to correct such an error is during the dead ball after the clock has been properly started. Since the error was recognized within that timeframe, it shall be corrected by canceling A1’s successful free throw. But an intentional (NFHS and NCAAW) or flagrant (NCAAM) foul that occurs during the unmerited free-throw attempt shall not be canceled. A2’s foul shall be assessed and play is resumed by awarding free throws to B2 (NFHS and NCAAM) or any team B player (NCAAW) (NFHS 2-10-1b, 2-102, 2-10-4, 4-19-3d, 10-7 Pen. 4; NCAAM 2-12.1.b, 2-12.2, 2-12.4, 4-15.2.c.1.a, 10-1 Pen. d.2; NCAAW 2-12.1.b, 2-12.2, 2-12.4, 10-13.1.e).

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BASKETBALL HOME

FOUL REPORTING AREA

X

1

T

1

3 3

4 FOUL

2

2

4

5

VISITOR

5

L

B

L L

FOUL

3 3

5

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SCORER & TIMER VISITOR

30 | REFEREE October 2021

A

SCORER & TIMER

I’m doing my best to get players up to the “X” and ready to check in before telling the timer to buzz the horn to notify you (1-17). Please don’t wave players in from the bench/coach’s box or let them check in after the first horn of a timeout after I’ve said “no” (3-31a). After this happens once in a game, it becomes a bit of a free-for-all and gets chaotic for all of us.

• Listen for interactions at the table. On a fairly regular basis, I have to tell someone to stop coaching or cheering from the table. Occasionally this is my own timer or announcer, but often it’s the visiting scorer or a statistician. Additionally, watch the way coaches are interacting with us — it’s rare, but I have been yelled at over a disputed possession arrow and had my timer berated while trying to correct points that he already knew he’d entered incorrectly. If you hear me ask someone to stop doing something more than once, I’d appreciate your help at the next opportunity.

• Rely on the game manager or athletic director for anything that doesn’t go into the book, or if you’re desperate, ask the announcer. During a game, I am always on duty, just like you are. If you run by the table and ask me to get someone to deal with an unruly fan or find a mop or anything else, it means my attention is off the book. Even texting someone else to deal with it isn’t always feasible.

Ideally, there will be a designated game manager nearby, and you can communicate any non-scoring concerns to them. But if you must have help from the table, the announcer is your go-to person because he or she is the only one with a role that isn’t absolutely necessary to continue the game.

• Remember that most of us are volunteers. A few schools pay their table workers, but most do not. While officiating is probably a paying gig for you, we’re usually compensated in popcorn and soda at best. Most of us are there because we love the game or the school or the kids, and we really are trying our best!

Sarah Shartzer, Louisville, Ky., has been the official basketball scorer and a math teacher at Kentucky Country Day School and Atherton High School for 20 years. 

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A National

review of

College Concerned about the future of the officiating pipeline, college commisioners study the trends and look for potential solutions.

T

he NCAA Division III Commissioners Association recognized trouble was brewing in collegiate officiating.

They saw a crisis as the pool of aging officials shrank without any signs of younger populations stepping up to the fill the ranks.

Since NCAA athletic events cannot be conducted without quality officials, they worried the trend posed a serious threat to college sports.

So they launched a study. The study initially focused solely on the D-III level, but at the NCAA’s request, it was broadened to include D-I and D-II. For a year, the Reno, Nev.-based consulting firm The PICTOR Group dove into the world of collegiate officiating, including surveying 15,000 officials. The consultants emerged in August 2020 with a 184-page report.

It confirmed what those in the officiating industry have long

known. The officiating pool at the collegiate level is aging — the average age of NCAA officials across all sports and divisions is 49.42 years. Those officials are concerned about fees not keeping pace with the demands of the job, assigning strongholds making it hard to advance, and poor sportsmanship and treatment.

Roughly a third of survey respondents perceived the quality of officiating slipping at the D-III

D-III Officials Mean Age by Sport Mean Age

48.92

60.99

41.85 35.48

42.62

43.58

45.36

45.84

49.82

49.89

50.54

51.36

51.71

52.66

52.84

54.66

61.08

61.48

55.13

37.65

y g ’s ’s ’s g ll ’s ll ld n’s n’s n’s n’s all n’s n’s n’s n’s ke lin en en en ba en ba vin tb Fie me me me oc Me me Me rest me Me ot se Di of -M -M om o o o o & o o H a l S l r F & l e B W is W ld al e ck - W cce -W - W ll - W - W tba ss ng nn eck yb er Fie cs e ro ey all Tra mi Te ss So ba lle cc Ho tb sk ck sti ac o y o m r o e a L a i o e e l V c S l B H sk Ic Sw mn La Vo Ba Ice Gy M y-

32 | REFEREE October 2021

e Officiating

By Rick Woelfel

and D-II levels because of a national shortage of officials. Some of the other interesting survey findings can be found in the charts that accompany this story.

Now more than a year since the study’s release, athletic administrators are dealing with the question of how to move forward in light of the data included in the study. Those involved with the study share some thoughts.

It Starts at the Top

DEAN REID (BOB COPAS, ELMHURST, IL)

“If you want quality officiating, you have to understand that officials are a necessary part of the game, not just because they’re a necessary evil, but because they’re there to ensure fair and quality competition,” said Carolyn Schlie Femovich, vice president of the PICTOR Group. Femovich is the former athletic director at the University of Pennsylvania.

She also served as the executive director of the Patriot League.

She said administrators need to recognize the importance of officials to intercollegiate athletics and set a positive tone for their coaches, student-athletes and fans.

“Coaches need to be held to a high standard for how they behave and how their studentathletes behave,” she said. “Because everybody thinks that part of a game for a coach is to work the officials. … That’s contrary to the spirit of the game but it’s part of our culture. So, I think athletic directors and conference commissioners should set standards and expectations and have serious repercussions when a coach or a fan or a student-athlete does not adhere to those standards.”

D-III Officials and Coaches Describe Sportsmanship and Treatment of Officials During Contests 60% 50% 45%

Coaches

40%

Officials

35% 30% 25% 20% 15% 10% 5% Excellent

Good

Finding Replacements, Filling the Holes The pool of officials is aging. An NASO survey conducted in 2017 determined that the average age of an official is 53.

Getting younger individuals involved in officiating is a desire.

But it’s also not a new challenge.

“We still have some of the same problems, but they are being exacerbated because fewer and fewer people are getting involved (in officiating),” said Mary Struckhoff, who worked on the report as an officiating consultant.

“We kind of knew back then that we were going to reach this crisis.

Unfortunately, administrators just go along and think that officials

Neutral

Less Than Desirable

Unacceptable

On average, the time from an official’s starting date in officiating to

entry to the D-III level

8

Years REFEREE October 2021 |

33

A National Review of College Officiating

D-III Officials Working At Least Some Contests in Other Sport Levels 80% 70% 60% 50% 45% 40% 35% 30% 25% 20% 15% 10% 5% l e h oo ut eg ch Yo oll S C gh Jr. Hi

IA pic NA lym O o/ Pr

are just going to appear out of nowhere.”

Struckhoff’s background includes 12 years working for the NFHS, overseeing basketball and softball. She was also the NCAA’s national coordinator for women’s basketball officials from 2006-11.

She also officiated basketball for two decades and said a key to retaining new officials is providing them with support early on.

“We also know that one-tothree-year period (is critical),” she said. “If you can keep them after year three, you should keep them for a while. They get the bug.”

But Struckhoff noted new officials become disenchanted well before the three-year mark. “It’s just not worth it to them,” she said, “with the hassles, a lack of mentoring, lack of sportsmanship.”

Struckhoff said because of a lack of numbers, officials can find themselves assigned to a contest that theoretically falls above their experience level.

“We don’t have enough people getting into it, so the people getting into it are moving along quickly,” she said. “They don’t have the opportunities to be mentored and

Size of Officials’ Roster Compared to 5 Years Ago 50% 45%

experience all these educational and training opportunities. It’s moving too fast for them because of the shortage.”

That can create pressures on officials that drive them from officiating.

Going Up and Down the Ladder Ensuring there was flexibility to move between high school and lower-level college assignments was identified as important for officials.

Sandy Hatfield Clubb, president of the PICTOR Group and co-lead on the study with Femovich, said stakeholders were exploring ways to accomplish that.

“What we’re doing is working with (the NFHS) and others to start at first with the concept that this could be good for everybody if we can help officials move more easily between high school, Division III, etc.,” said Clubb, who was formerly the athletic director at Drake University.

Clubb said making the multi-level model work requires flexibility on the part of assigners.

Mean Years of

Experience of D-III Officials

40% 35% 30% 25%

15% 10% 5% Much Larger

Somewhat Larger

D-III

34 | REFEREE October 2021

About the Same

D-II

Somewhat Smaller

D-I Non

Much No Knowledge of Smaller Prior Roster/Don’t Know

D-I FBS

12.26 Years

DEAN REID (LYNELL MITCHELL, CHICAGO, IL)

20%

Creating an Officiating Database The study recommended the creation of a national registry for NCAA officials.

“A national registry is something we strongly encourage,” Clubb said. “If you’re an NCAA official, there should be some minimum standard, whether that is a background check or simply a place where you’re registered. That’s only required in a very few sports that we’re aware of, and so we’re recommending that all sports require a single registration point. That would improve the ability for communication, and all kinds of other things.”

Femovich says such a registry could theoretically offer a host of benefits to officials and those who train, evaluate and assign them.

Officials’ Satisfaction With Compensation 50% 45% 40% 35% 30% 25% 20% 15% 10% 5% Very Satisfied

Neutral

Satisfied

D-III

Dissatisfied

D-II

Very Dissatisfied

D-I

Coordinator Hirings Align With Plan

T

he North Atlantic Conference (NAC) recently hired coordinators of officials in all team sports when it previously only had coordinators in men’s and women’s basketball.

While already in motion ahead of the release of the Pictor Group report and the D-III strategic plan, the move to conferencelevel assigners falls in line with the strategic plan by increasing conference-level engagement with officials and assigners. It could be a sign of things to come elsewhere at the D-III level.

“The primary goal is to have the best officiating on the field and consistency across fields and states so the studentathlete experience is the best it

could be,” said NAC Associate Commissioner Kate Roy. Prior to hiring conference coordinators, conference schools were largely on their own for hiring officials in sports other than basketball.

The sports with conference coordinators include men’s and women’s soccer, women’s volleyball, men’s and women’s basketball, baseball, softball, and men’s and women’s lacrosse, beginning with the 2021-22 academic year.

The NAC hopes having coordinators will help with the growth of the officiating pool in all sports, Roy said. So far, the conference has avoided needing to reschedule contests due to a lack of officials, something

that’s occurred in other D-III conferences, according to findings of the Pictor Group report.

“We don’t want to be in that situation,” Roy said. Each of the coordinators is committed to developing the next generation of officials, providing continuing education and training, and fostering a culture of sporting behavior consistent with D-III and NAC values, the conference said news release.

1in a“One thing we’re really hoping for is the growth of the 2 officiating pool in all sports,” Roy 3said.

The NAC’s 12 schools are 4located in Maine, Vermont and New York.

5

REFEREE October 2021 |

35

A National Review of College Officiating

D-III Officials — Financial Barriers to Enter or Advance in NCAA Officiating

“I think it’s more than just knowing who the officials are,” she said. “It’s using the national registry to make sure that there are consistent communication pathways, sharing of information, rules testing and feedback, and, ‘Here’s how you advance,’ and, ‘Here are places you can go to train and develop and so forth and so on.’”

25%

23%

15%

14%

Required Travel

Attending Multiple Officiating Camps/Schools

Attending a Coordinator’s Officiating Camp/School

Purchasing Officiating Equipment/Apparel

10%

9%

2%

2%

NCAA Cental Hub Registration

Background Checks

Other

The Next Steps The Division III Commissioners Association developed a five-year (2021-26) strategic plan to deal with officiating issues, based on the data contained in its review. Some of those recommendations include: • Recruitment initiatives that focus on diversifying the pool of officials with a priority emphasis on gender, race and age.

• Collaborating across divisions on recruitment and retention.

• Partnering with other groups, including the NFHS, NJCAA, NAIA and NIRSA, to develop strategies to recruit, retain and train officials.

• Evaluating and addressing sportsmanship issues, especially in men’s and women’s soccer, men’s and women’s water polo, field hockey, men’s lacrosse, men’s soccer and men’s ice hockey.

• Examining officiating fees and fee structures.

Attending an NCAA Preseason Clinic

The issues plaguing officiating at the NCAA level did not arise overnight. And Clubb made it clear they won’t be resolved overnight.

“The big thing is the depth of the problem,” Clubb said. “This isn’t something that is going to turn on a dime. This a marathon, not a sprint to change the culture, and it has to start with Divisions I, II and III recognizing that officials are an integral part of the game.”

Rick Woelfel is a freelance writer from the Philadelphia area. 

Top Reasons Officials Leave (D-I, D-II and D-III Combined)

COORDINATORS/ASSIGNERS Time Demands Retirement Pay Too Low Injury or Physical Condition Travel Demands

36 | REFEREE October 2021

When asked whether they had interest in officiating an additional NCAA D-III sport.

NO

53%

1/3

OFFICIALS

1 2 3 4 5

Injury or Physical Condition Retirement Pay Too Low Time Demands Number of Quality Assignments

Roughly a third of officials reported a perception that the national shortage of officials was having an impact on overall numbers and quality of officiating at the D-III and D-II levels.

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SOFTBALL

EDITOR: BRAD TITTRINGTON

btittrington@referee.com

RULES, MECHANICS, PHILOSOPHY

Changes involving the wearing of head coverings and beads were among the rules revisions approved in high school softball for the upcoming 2022 season. Updated language in regard to the runner’s lane and the anchoring of bases were also adopted. Lauren Montgomery, Logan, Utah

EQUIPMENT COMMITMENT

By Brad Tittrington

T

he NFHS Softball Rules Committee made two significant changes to player equipment, involving the wearing of head coverings and beads, and approved six other rule changes for the upcoming 2022 season. The Softball Rules Committee becomes the seventh NFHS sports rules committee to modify rules this year related to religious and cultural backgrounds.

The committee made those changes at its June 14-16 meeting held virtually and those changes were subsequently approved by the NFHS

38 | REFEREE October 2021

Board of Directors. The rule changes are outlined in perceived order of importance.

Special thanks to Sandy Searcy, NFHS director of sports and staff liaison for softball, for reviewing this article.

Hair Control Devices (3-2-5b) The committee removed language prohibiting hard items to control the hair. This rule change clarifies adornments such as beads can be worn in the hair and aligns with other NFHS rules codes. The committee did not believe the use of hard items,

such as beads, presented an injury risk to other players. In contrast, the prohibition of such items has been interpreted as adversely affecting one’s cultural background.

Plastic visors and bandannas are still prohibited with the rule change, but items such as bobby pins, barrettes and hair clips no longer have a size restriction as that language was removed from the rulebook.

Play 1: While walking the field before the game, the umpires notice two team A players wearing (a) beads in their hair, (b) bobby pins in their hair, (c) bandanas, or (d) plastic visors.

BOB MESSINA

Player Gear Major Focus of NFHS Rule Changes

Ruling 1: Legal in (a) and (b); illegal in (c) and (d) and those items must be removed before the players may participate.

Religious Headwear (3-2-5c) Players are permitted to wear soft and secure headwear for religious purposes without prior state association approval. In the past, players needed to secure prior approval from their respective state high school association in order to wear religious head coverings. The revised rule states head coverings worn for religious reasons must still be made of non-abrasive, soft materials and must fit securely so they are unlikely to come off during play. Head coverings worn for medical reasons still require state association approval, however.

Play 2: The pitcher for team A is wearing a (a) hijab, (b) yarmulke, or (c) helmet made of polyethylene foam due to a history of concussions.

Ruling 2: In (a) and (b), the items are legal provided they fit securely and are made of non-abrasive, soft materials. In (c), the player must have prior state association approval to wear it as it is being worn for medical reasons.

Runner’s Lane Interference (8-2-6) The committee clarified a runner is considered outside the running lane when either foot last contacting the ground is completely outside the lane. The new language more adequately describes the intent of the rule and will provide more consistent enforcement of the rule. The rule previously stated either foot had to be completely outside the lane and in contact with the ground. This led to inconsistency in calling interference when a runner had a foot in the air, but that foot had contacted the ground completely outside the line prior to being in the air.

Play 3: B1 lays down a bunt in front of home plate. F2 fields the ball and throws it to first base to try to retire B1. The ball hits B1 five feet in front of first base while (a) both feet are in contact with the ground completely outside the running lane, (b) one foot is completely outside

the running lane in contact with the ground, (c) both feet are in the air and her left foot is completely outside the lane when it last contacted the ground, (d) her left foot is in contact with the chalk of the running lane and her right foot is completely inside the lane, or (e) both feet are in the air and both feet touched the chalk of the runner’s lane when they last contacted the ground.

Ruling 3: In (a), (b) and (c), the runner would be guilty of interference if the umpire judged she interfered with the fielder taking the throw at first base. In (d) and (e), the runner is legally inside the runner’s lane when contacted by the ball and would not be out for interference.

Damaged Bat (3-6-21 & Penalty) A new article was added to the “bench and field conduct” area of the rulebook regarding damaged bats. While the committee made a significant rule change in 2019 to define a damaged bat, the rule didn’t specify what happens if a player brings back into the game a damaged bat that had been previously removed by an umpire. The new article and penalty addresses this situation with the batter called out and the offender and head coach restricted to the dugout for the remainder of the game.

Play 4: In the third inning, the umpire notices a crack in the bat A1 is using and removes it from the game.

In the fourth inning, A2 comes to bat and after the first pitch, the umpire notices the bat is the same one that was removed the inning prior. Ruling 4: A2 is declared out and both A2 and team A’s head coach are restricted to the dugout for the remainder of the game.

Coach Attire (3-5-3) This rule change clarifies items which can be worn by a coach in live-ball area. The new language helps clear up for umpires what is appropriate and inappropriate attire.

The new rule states a coach shall be attired in a school uniform or jersey/ coaching shirt with slacks, shorts, or other leg coverings in school colors or colors of khaki, black, white or grey.

The previous wording of the rule stated coaches had to be in slacks,

SIDELINE NPF Suspends Operations In August, National Pro Fastpitch (NPF) announced it was suspending operations indefinitely. NPF is the longest-running professional softball league in the U.S. The league, which began operating in 2004, was on uneven ground financially as the 2020 season was canceled due to the pandemic and the 2021 season was canceled to allow players to prepare for the Tokyo Olympics.

The 2018 season employed 45 umpires on its roster, which saw a significant drop in 2019 as fewer teams participated in the league.

QUICKTIP On pitches that come up and in on a batter and make contact with something, give yourself an extra second to figure out what happened. The batter will give you an indication of what the ball hit. If they start writhing in pain or shaking a body part, chances are the ball hit them. If they remain motionless, chances are the ball hit the bat. The last thing you want to do is kill the ball and have the ball roll into fair territory. Once you’ve ruled a foul ball, you can’t unring that bell, so take an extra second to read and process what happened before making a ruling.

TOOLS Binder Clips Umpires often struggle to keep lineup cards neat and tidy in their lineup card holder. An easy way to fix this is to attach the lineups to the lineup card holder with binder clips.

The clips are inexpensive and can be purchased from your favorite retail market for just a few dollars. The clips will prevent the lineups from blowing away on windy days and the clips will help keep the lineups neat and folded inside of the holder. They will help to keep you looking professional and organized and save both time and headaches when it comes to tracking lineup changes.

REFEREE

October 2021 |

39

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 R1 off on the pitch, B2 hits a fair ground ball along the first-base line. F3 fields the ball and moves toward B2 to tag her. R1 slides into second and touches second base shortly before B2 steps back toward home plate to avoid F3’s tag. a. The ball remains live and play continues. b. The ball remains live, but B2 is ruled out for stepping back. c. The ball is dead, B2 is ruled out for stepping back toward home plate and R1 is returned to first base. d. The ball is dead, B2 is ruled out for stepping back toward home plate and R1 remains at second base.

2. Team A has only 10 eligible players and uses Adams as a courtesy runner in the third inning for pitcher Baines. While Adams is on second base, Chase is hit by a pitch and unable to continue. What option does team A have? a. No courtesy runners are allowed. b. Adams must enter as a substitute for Chase and Baines must replace Adams on second base. c. Adams must enter as a substitute for Chase and team A will take an out as Adams is removed from second base. d. Team A may continue with eight players in the batting order and Adams may remain on second base.

3. R2 attempts to steal third base on the pitch. B2 swings at and misses the pitch and then takes a step back after finishing her swing. As B2 is stepping back, F2 tries to throw the ball to third base to retire R2, who has not reached third base. The ball ricochets off B2’s helmet and rolls into the third-base dugout. a. The ball is immediately dead and R2 is awarded home. b. The ball is immediately dead, B2 is guilty of interference and R2 is ruled out. c. The ball is immediately dead, B2 is guilty of interference and ruled out, and R2 is returned to second base. d. The ball is immediately dead, B2 is guilty of interference and ruled out, and R2 remains at third base. e. The ball is delayed dead and the defensive coach has the option of taking the result of the play or the batter is out and R2 is returned to second base.

40 | REFEREE October 2021

shorts or warmup suits and the new language allows more options for leg coverings.

Play 5: At the pregame meeting at the plate, team A’s coach is wearing (a) black leggings, (b) grey dress slacks, or (c) blue jeans. Ruling 5: Both (a) and (b) are legal attire for the coach. In (c), the coach would not be permitted in the field of play after the pregame conference for the duration of the game or until the coach changed into appropriate attire. Blue jeans are not allowed.

Distracting Items on the Pitcher (6-2-2 and Note) The rules committee removed language from rule 6-2-2 and placed it into a note under the penalty. The reasoning was to remind players, coaches and umpires about distracting items worn by a pitcher, but that is not part of rule 6-2-2’s penalty, which is an illegal pitch. Instead, the penalty is addressed in 3-2-9 and the distracting item is considered illegal equipment and shall be removed.

Play 6: Team A’s pitcher has an optic-yellow wristband on the wrist of her throwing arm. Ruling 6: The pitcher shall remove the wristband before she is allowed to participate.

Base Anchor Systems (1-2-1) This rule change clarifies bases may be designed to disengage from their anchor system. The change places rule language with other regulations covering the field and its equipment. The language was added to rule 1 where all field and equipment rules exist. Similar language is already addressed in rule 8-8-14 Eff., which states that a runner reaching a base safely will not be out for being off the base if it becomes dislodged.

Ball Specification (1-3-3) This rule change states new ball specifications will be required effective Jan. 1, 2025, for high school competition. Balls manufactured with current specifications will be permitted through the 2024 season. The change in 2025 will occur in compression and weight/circumference for balls in fast-pitch competition. The changes in the way the requirements are

specified do not represent a difference in ball performance but allow for better control over the manufacturing process. This change aligns ball tolerance specifications with other rule codes.

“High school softball is indeed in a good place relative to rules,” Searcy said. “Most rule modifications can be considered editorial in nature, simply clarifications to current rules.

However, it is vital to continue to monitor changing trends in equipment, injuries as they relate to overuse, and how rule changes affect risk. The NFHS Softball Rules Committee continues to be vigilant in this regard.”

Points of Emphasis Huddles between innings. Player safety is always a concern. For this reason, huddles between innings by the defensive team coming off the field is a point of emphasis for the 2022 season. If a team chooses to huddle on the field after the third out while the other team is warming up, it should do so in a safe location. In between innings as the defensive team takes the field and begins to throw the ball, the offensive team should only huddle in an area that does not impede the warmup of the defensive team nor places it in an area where overthrows are likely. Huddling should be limited to the amount of time needed for the defensive players to make their warmup throws, during the one minute permitted by rule. Huddling in appropriate areas will assist minimizing risk to participants.

Guidance for pitcher utilization.

The past several seasons have seen an increasing concern regarding overuse injuries of the shoulder and elbow among softball pitchers at the high school level. The NFHS Sports Medicine Advisory Committee (SMAC) and the NFHS Softball Rules Committee continue to monitor injury rates through the National High School Sports-Related Injury Surveillance Study (RIO), which is an annual collection of injuries experienced while participating in high school sports. At this time, the available injury data do not warrant the implementation of pitch or inning

limitations, however the NFHS Softball Rules Committee and the NFHS SMAC will continue to monitor RIO and other available research regarding shoulder and elbow injury risk for high school softball pitchers.

Assisting a runner. Coaches or any other team personnel are not permitted to assist a runner in any manner during playing action. When a home run occurs, although the ball is out of play, runners have live-ball running responsibilities and are still required to run the bases legally. If someone other than another runner physically assists a runner, the assisted runner is ruled out. Similarly, a runner would be out for passing another runner. If a runner misses a base and it is properly appealed, the runner would also be ruled out.

Pitcher simulating taking a sign.

While the pivot foot is in contact with the pitcher’s plate and prior to bringing the hands together, the pitcher must take or simulate taking a signal from the catcher. A signal may be taken from a coach either by hand signal, verbal call or by looking at a wristband with a playbook/playcard.

This signal can be taken while in contact with the pitcher’s plate or while standing behind the pitcher’s plate prior to taking a position in contact with the pitcher’s plate. None of these actions are illegal by rule; the only requirement is that no matter where or from whom the actual signal is obtained, the pitcher must take a position with the pivot foot in contact with the pitcher’s plate with the hands separated and simulate taking a signal from the catcher. Requiring the pitcher to take a position in contact with the pitcher’s plate and simulating taking a signal from the catcher prior to bringing the hands together allows the batter to prepare for the start of the pitch. If the pitcher does not pause after stepping onto the pitcher’s plate, an illegal pitch shall be called.

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. 

Catch That Obstruction T

here is one type of obstruction that can catch plate umpires off guard if they aren’t prepared for it and that is catcher’s obstruction on a swing, as shown in the PlayPic below.

Plate umpires should be aware if the batter is deep in the batter’s box or if the catcher is up close to the batter’s box and has a tendency to reach for the pitch, there is a good chance of obstruction occurring.

This type of obstruction can occur at all levels and plate umpires need to be ready for it. The one thing to be aware of with this type of obstruction is you will most likely hear it more than you will see it. If a bat just tips the glove, it will be hard to see with the naked eye. However, you will hear a second sound that will clue you in to what happened.

Depending on how hard the contact is, sometimes the catcher will recoil or the glove may come completely off. If the bat just knicks the glove, neither of these will likely happen and you will have to go on sound alone.

Usually when this type of obstruction occurs, the ball doesn’t travel very far as the glove will slow the bat down. However, it is important for plate umpires to slow down and process this situation and

it is imperative to keep the ball live.

This is a delayed dead ball in all codes and the plate umpire should give the delayed dead ball signal as shown below. In all codes, if the batter reaches first base safely and all runners advance at least one base, the obstruction is canceled. If the batter does not reach first base safely or if any baserunner does not advance at least one base, the offensive team coach has the option to take the result of the play or have the batter awarded first base and all baserunners advance one base if forced or returned to the base they occupied at the time of the pitch if not forced (NFHS 8-1-1d Eff.; NCAA 9.5.2 Eff.; USA Softball 8-1d; USSSA 8-4e).

In these types of situations, base umpires may be able to help discern if there was catcher’s obstruction if the plate umpire did not signal it. If the plate umpire misses it, typically a coach will approach the plate umpire to ask the plate umpire to get help. Base umpires should provide information that could assist the plate umpire in these situations. It should not be a guessing game, however. If base umpires are not 100 percent sure there was catcher’s obstruction, it should not be called. 

REFEREE

October 2021 |

41

SOFTBALL

CASEPLAYS Helmets Off Play: With R2 on second base and R1 on first base, B3 hits a ground ball down the third-base line. B3 intentionally removes her helmet and tosses it toward the first-base dugout as she leaves the batter’s box.

F5 fields the ball, steps on third base and throws to F4 at second base, which beats R1 to second base. B3 arrives safely at first base ahead of F4’s throw to F3. Ruling: In NCAA and USA Softball, B3 is ruled out for intentionally removing her helmet and the ball remains live. The outs at third base and second base are both considered force outs as intentionally removing the helmet does not remove the force, even though B1 is immediately out. Three outs are recorded and the half-inning is over (NCAA 3.7.1 Eff.; USA Softball 3-5e-1 Eff.) In NFHS, the umpire will issue a team warning to the head coach. The next offender and the head coach will be restricted to the dugout/ bench for the remainder of the game (3-6-1, 1.6.2A). In USSSA, the umpire will issue a warning to the coach. For a subsequent violation the coach is ejected and the offender is restricted to the bench area (2-1).

Two Conferences, One Inning Play: Team B’s head coach conducts her first defensive conference with her pitcher in the second inning after the pitcher loads the bases. After going 3-0 on the next batter, the head coach requests time and wishes to hold a second conference.

Ruling: Legal in NFHS, USA Softball and USSSA as there is no restriction on when a team may hold its three defensive conferences during a seveninning game (NFHS 3-7-1; USA Softball 5-7b; USSSA 4-8a).

In NCAA, only one defensive conference is allowed per half-inning. A coach or team representative who initiates another charged conference shall be immediately ejected. There is no penalty to the pitcher in this situation and only the coach is penalized (6.12.4 Eff.)

Runners on Second and Third, Batter Bunts

A

ny time there are multiple runners on in the two-umpire system, things can get a little chaotic.

This is especially true when the batter chooses to bunt.

In this situation, the plate umpire must see the bunt and decide movement based on the location of the bunt. If responsible for fair or foul, the plate umpire must get to a spot first- or third-base line extended in order to get an angle to rule on that.

If there is a throw to first, the plate umpire must move to get an angle to help with a swipe tag or a potential pulled foot, and must also read if R3 is running home. If so, take a few steps back along the first-base line extended in foul territory to avoid getting hit by the runner. After watching for the pulled foot or potential swipe tag at first and seeing R3 touch the plate, be prepared to move up the third-base line for any potential plays on R2 at third base.

If the bunt does not require a ruling on fair or foul, first step back and clear the catcher and allow the field to open up. If the play goes to first, that movement is the same as

detailed above. If the play comes home, simply take a step or two back and then read and react. If there is the potential for a swipe tag, move to keep an open angle to see between the fielder’s glove and the runner to get a view of the play, while not losing sight of the plate. After the play at the plate, be prepared to take any plays on R2 at third base as well.

The base umpire needs to be prepared for a variety of plays as well. If the play goes to first, read R2’s movement. Avoid R2’s running path, but also make sure there is a clear, unobstructed view at first base to make a call. That may require just a step or two to the left or it may require stepping in toward the back of the pitcher’s circle. R2’s movement dictates the base umpire’s movement.

If the play doesn’t go to first, read and react to the play. If there is a throw to third, be ready to make a call there.

Since there is no play at first, there is no reason to abandon the runners at second and third. Move to get an angle to see an unobstructed view of the tag at third base, either on R3 diving back in or on R2 diving in. 

R2

B

B

B

B B R3

P P P

42 | REFEREE October 2021

N AT I O N A L AS S O C I AT I O N

OF SPORTS OFFICIALS

VISION ACTION IN

2021 SUMMIT@HOME ONLINE, ON-DEMAND

M

ore than 12,000 sports funds and resources to the event. officials, administrators, Due to their contributions, the assigners, supervisors and Summit was able to be presented association leaders signed up free of charge to attendees and to experience the 2021 Sports will remain available to anyone Officiating “Summit@Home” online who wants to access it on demand event held from August 3-5.. at sportsofficiatingsummit.com/ The digital event took the athome. place of the annual NASO Sports Shortly after the Summit event, Officiating Summit due to the NASO archived all of the sessions ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. to a dedicated webpage, and they The Summit@Home featured remain available to anyone for easymore than 20 different seminars, to-access on-demand viewing. panel sessions “The entire and mini-clinics digital Summit Unlimited all devoted to has been Free a wide variety archived for On-Demand of officiating the benefit of Access topics, such as the officiating the current state industry, helping SPORTSOFFICIATINGSUMMIT.COM/ATHOME of the officiating to fulfill NASO’s industry, mission to recruitment & retention, law and provide continuing and ongoing legal topics, messages from such officiating education not only to our organizations as the NFHS, and member officials but to all officials leadership and self-improvement everywhere,” said NASO President seminars.

Barry Mano. “Without our sponsors The Summit@Home also and without the individual showcased six fully-realized miniofficials who pay dues and support clinics during “Training Night NASO’s work financially, NASO in America” on Wed., Aug. 4, in simply could not lead the way in the sports of basketball, football, advocating on behalf of sports baseball, volleyball, softball and officials and officiating. We thank soccer. Those sport clinics featured each of them for their commitment.” video breakdown by officials and The Summit closed with a coordinators as well as “You Make message from Colorado High the Call” segments that allowed School Activities Association attendees the interactive ability to Commissioner Rhonda Blanfordmake their own rulings. The clinics Green who welcomed everyone also featured video quick tips and to next year’s 2022 NASO Summit techniques from some of the top in Westminster, Colo., a suburb officiating minds in the country. of Denver. The 2022 Summit will Making the Summit possible as be held July 31-Aug. 2 and will always were the 78 Summit Support celebrate the return of in-person Organizations that committed Summits.

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A stadium in Santa Rosa, Calif., had no women’s locker room that trailblazer Betty Ellis could use while officiating a men’s professional soccer match in 1981.

B

by MICHAEL LEWIS efore flagging her first offside infraction in a pro soccer game four decades ago, Betty Ellis realized she shouldered a huge responsibility for women’s referees.

On May 16, 1981, Ellis made history, becoming the first female to officiate a professional soccer game in the United States. She ran the line in the North American Soccer League (NASL) encounter between the host Portland Timbers and Calgary Boomers at Civic Stadium (now Providence Park).

“I knew that I was opening a door,” Ellis said recently. “I thought of other women that I knew who were interested in reffing.

I felt the responsibility on my shoulders

AP/SHUTTERSTOCK

FORTY YEARS AGO, BETTY ELLIS WAS THE FIRST AMERICAN WOMAN TO OFFICIATE A MEN’S PROFESSIONAL MATCH.

to do not just a good job, but a real good job, so they would have the opportunity when it came to them.

That responsibility was really big.

I’d been doing college games, men’s recreational and women’s games. But I never did it with the idea of being responsible for opening a door. My kids were saying, ‘Mom, you’re going to be the first one.’”

May 16, 2021, was the 40th anniversary of that milestone and the game.

In the early ’80s, women in professional sports — as players, game officials, coaches and front office personnel — were virtually nonexistent.

“It was just an amazing step for football in the early ’80s,” said CONCACAF director of referees Brian Hall, indicating it was a first step toward gender equality. Hall, a former FIFA referee and four-time MLS referee of the year, came through the ranks at the same time as Ellis when he was 19.

“Female referees are very much part of the game today (in large part) thanks to Betty Ellis,” said former FIFA referee Toros Kibritjian, who worked several games with Ellis, including her first game as a linesperson. “She was absolutely the perfect pioneer.”

When it was announced Ellis

would officiate her first NASL game, some individuals thought it was a publicity stunt. “This is no lark like when the Chicago Sting once drafted a Playboy Bunny,” NASL director of information Vince Casey told the Chicago Tribune at the time. “You can be certain that Betty has paid her dues and from all accounts she’s a very capable official.”

A week prior, Ellis had worked as a fourth official for the NASL match between the San Jose Earthquakes and the Edmonton Drillers on Mother’s Day, May 10, 1981.

Six days later, the 40-year-old Ellis found herself in the spotlight as a linesperson for the game in Portland.

REFEREE October 2021 |

45

It was not without a bit of controversy.

In the 25th minute, Ellis caused some confusion on a goal by Portland’s Canadian international Dale Mitchell. She signaled for a corner kick although the ball actually had gone into the net. Ellis said her depth perception was confused because the Timbers used new black nets. Kibritjian ruled the goal was good.

“It looked as though there was something wrong with the goal,” said Ellis in 1981. “Both teams got very excited. It was extremely tense. The referee (Kibritjian) came over to me and asked what was wrong.

Did anything happen? Was it offside? What it looked like to the crowd was that Toros came over and to nullify the goal. But it was a good goal.

“I just about died. If I could, I would have pulled up the carpet and crawled in.”

Overall, Ellis received high marks from the referee assessor in what was a 2-0 Portland win.

“I was really tested, and not just by the fans and by the players and by the coaches, and the couple assessors that were sitting in the stands,” she said recently. “I was being tested by myself. Do you have the heart to do this? Do you have the mindset to do this?

Are you prepared?”

On May 31, Ellis worked the Earthquakes’ home game against the Boomers at cozy Spartan Stadium.

Beforehand, she was introduced to the crowd and received a standing ovation.

That reaction eventually changed.

“I don’t know if you’ve ever been in the old Earthquakes’ stadium in San Jose, but it’s

46 | REFEREE October 2021

Now an octagenarian, Betty Ellis made history in the early 1980s by becoming the first female to officiate a U.S. men's professional soccer match.

not very big, and the crowd is really close to the sidelines,” said Ellis, who brought her five children to the game from their Santa Rosa, Calif., home.

“The kids were small, and people were yelling and screaming.”

Mostly because she had called the Quakes’ No. 11, a Northern Ireland midfielder, offside, not once, but twice.

“A good-looking guy,” Ellis remembered.

That good-looking guy happened to be George Best.

“I thought people were coming out of the stands and screaming,” Ellis said. “But even the coach later said that they were good calls.”

The calls didn’t impact Best, who, doing things that Best did, ended up scoring twice in the Earthquakes’ 4-3 win.

When someone is a pioneer, she needs to have the right attitude, demeanor and talent to take criticism, taunts and abuse, and even when sexism raised its ugly head.

“Many referees reacted differently working with female referees in a professional game,” Kibritjian wrote in an email. “Some of them were very comfortable and some very nervous. I felt privileged

having her on the sideline.

She worked harder than most male assistants.”

Ellis became a student of officiating, taking criticism to heart.

“She always took pregame instructions seriously and asked if her performance was acceptable at halftime and at the end,” Kibritjian said. “Betty improved tremendously game after game.

“Her most professional attitude toward players and coaches made her popular with everyone involved, even though they disagreed with some decisions. She was most graceful whenever being questioned by a coach about a crucial decision she had to make.

“She was the most graceful lady I have ever met in my lifetime.”

Ellis became an instant celebrity. She was interviewed on Good Morning America and was the subject of many newspaper stories.

“It was very exciting,” she said. “It’s nice when something like that happens, but it still was a huge responsibility. I loved doing it. I was thankful that for the most part it turned out pretty good. I was very sad that the

COURTESY OF US SOCCER

SHE RAN THE LINE

COURTESY OF US SOCCER

NASL folded so soon after I got in. That didn’t allow me to sort of keep pushing my ability to move ahead any further.”

But Ellis said she found a lot of satisfaction in teaching referees “about the requirements of ethics and confidence, and a passion for it.”

Ellis started officiating in 1970 after noticing a young referee getting verbally abused by coaches in a California Youth Soccer Association game.

“The kid in the middle looked as though he was having an awfully tough time,” she said in 1981. “He was being intimidated by the coaches. The kid was doing the best he could. My grandmother told me not to gripe about something unless you want to do something about it. So, I took a referee course.”

She moved up the ladder, officiating more challenging games until she met Keith Walker, the director of NASL referees, who was a guest speaker at a referee clinic in 1979. He told her if she passed the tests, she would get a shot at the NASL. Between being a single parent of five children, her day job as a special education teacher and officiating, she certainly had a very full plate. “My kids were always very supportive of me, especially when I was trying to pass that physical,” she said. “They never gave me a hard time about any time that it took.”

Some 140 men and one woman — Ellis — attended the tests in Memphis, Tenn., in February 1981. After a written exam Ellis easily passed, the candidates did situps and pull-ups, a 25-meter square drill in which referees needed to run forward, backward and sideways within a 19-second span,

From left, Betty Ellis, Brian Hall and John Davies have a conversation before a men's professional match in Santa Rosa, Calif., in 1981.

before a quarter-mile run.

Ellis passed every test but the 440-meter run and needed to take every physical test again the next morning in foggy and humid conditions.

About 12 colleagues showed up.

“They didn’t have to be down there at all,” Ellis said.

“They had these shirts. They read: ‘Men of Quality are Never Threatened

by Women of Equality.’ I don’t know when or how they got them made.”

One referee would do push-ups with Ellis, another did sit-ups. For the 440 — one lap around a standard track — a few of the male referees ran in front of Ellis, trying to cut the wind for her. She passed.

To no one’s surprise, her officiating career was not

without some interesting incidents. Ellis admitted she didn’t remember the name of the British team when she worked the middle of a friendly against the Earthquakes in 1981. The team’s manager entered the referee’s room.

“They gave you a little flag or a little memento of their team and tell you, ‘Hope you have a good game,’ Ellis said. “It’s a gentleman’s polite way of doing things. I was tying my shoe and they approached my linesman. He gave him the whole spiel, and then gave them a little flag, and he said, ‘Why are you giving this to me?’”

He was then told who the referee was.

“He was taken aback,” Ellis said. “His face turned so red. I just laughed because

REFEREE October 2021 |

47

it was something that along the line would have been expected. The game went well thankfully.”

There also was one constant factor: no separate rooms for female officials to dress. “I learned to not be humiliated by dressing in the shoe room,” Ellis said. “It wasn’t like there were a lot of female referees around.”

Ellis worked in the NASL until its demise in 1984 before officiating in the Major Indoor Soccer League.

She also worked many games as a goal judge in Tacoma, Wash., home of the original Tacoma Stars. That team lasted until 1983, the league until 1992.

Even though she is now an octogenarian, she is still embracing life and challenges. She has continued to scuba dive. Last year she was in Argentina pursuing competitive Tango dancing.

Three days after returning home, Ellis came down with COVID-19.

“There was not much media about it at the time, so I was a really early case,” she said. “I couldn’t figure out what was going on.

My kids were bringing me my groceries on the porch because I wouldn’t let him in.” Thankfully, she recovered.

Today’s female game officials have made great strides. The Women’s World Cup is officiated by all women.

Many women have worked professionally in Major League Soccer and Europe. FIFA referees Sandra Hunt and Kari Seitz, who have officiated at the Women’s World Cup and Olympics, are among the finalists on the 2021 Builders Ballot for the National Soccer Hall of Fame.

Most recently, American female referees Kathryn Nesbitt, Tori Penso, Brooke Mayo and Jennifer Garner all worked the recent CONCACAF World Cup

48 | REFEREE October 2021

Betty Ellis, the first female soccer official on a U.S. men's professional match, works with referee John Davies on a 1981 match in Santa Rosa, Calif.

qualifiers. Nesbitt, Penso and Mayo work MLS games as well.

German Bibiana Steinhaus recently retired after refereeing in the German Second Division for 12 years and the Bundesliga for three years.

French referee Stephanie Frappart, who was in the middle for the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup Final, has officiated a men’s UEFA Champions League match. She also became the first female referee to take charge of a French Ligue 1 match and was in the middle for a Europa League game as well.

Ellis also helped open officiating to women beyond soccer.

“When I first saw the gal that’s the referee for the NFL, I had to do a double take,” she said. “I said, ‘Is that a guy with a ponytail?’ No, I said,

‘Oh my God, it’s a woman.’

Having gone through that myself and all that it meant for me, what it did for me, I felt pride.”

Ellis has looked on with amazement as women’s soccer has continued to grow and she is a big fan of the U.S. Women’s National Team.

“When I see a World Cup or a high-level women’s game, I always think about how that was just not a part of my time,” she said. “I would have loved to have been involved in it. Women have more opportunities now. It’s been an uphill fight and I give a lot of thanks to the Women’s National Team for doing that.”

The U.S. Women’s National Team can also thank Ellis as well.

This story originally appeared on ussoccer.com and is reprinted with permission. 

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RULES, MECHANICS, TECHNIQUES

MIND OVER MATTER Mental Prep — Not Just Physical Fitness — Required for Top Performance

By Marc Block

W

hile it would be improper to call a foul or punish a misconduct before it actually happened, there are many things referees can do to proactively manage a situation and be better prepared when they are required to reactively deal with a variety of events in a match.

Janette Schwark, Woodinville, Wash., is on her way to her next assignment, but before Schwark takes the field, she’ll need to flush the previous game from her memory to approach the next match with a fresh slate.

50 | REFEREE October 2021

Prior to the match What part of the season is it?

Early — Players, especially youth, may not yet be match-fit, leading to more substitutions and more reckless-type fouls as they fatigue. The teams may not have yet “gelled” so the cohesive passing and building up of an attack may not be there. Teams have not yet seen each other, so there is less history between them. What does this mean to the referee? If the players don’t know what is happening next, how can the referee? The referee must keep his or her head on a swivel and expect the

DALE GARVEY

Prepare, Perform, Reflect We’ve heard this mantra from U.S. Soccer, but for most referees, the focus has been predominantly on perform.

Lost in that focus is prepare — how “proper prior preparation prevents poor performance.”

Though preparation begins well before the first whistle, it does not stop once the match begins. Rather, preparation and performance continue as an iterative cycle throughout the match, and arguably preparation begins anew prior to proper reflection, too.

Leaving the physical aspects of preparation (i.e., fitness, warming up, stretching, etc.) to the experts to explain, this article will focus on the mental aspect of preparation: anticipation.

unexpected. Listen to the direction being given by the coaches to their players. A referee who is a player or former player can use what the coach is saying to help anticipate play by asking himself or herself, how would they react to the coach’s advice?

Midseason — Players are fit, teams know their teammates’ abilities/habits, skills and strategies are sharper, and rematches are starting to happen. The referee can review the standings. Are the two sides close or far apart? Another helpful tool could be to look at the statistics, especially the goal differential. Should the referee expect a defensive chess match (both sides have given up few goals, but not scored many either), a scoring fest (both sides have scored frequently, but also given up many goals), a game played mostly on one side of the field (a high-scoring team against a low-scoring team)? This information will allow the referee to consider the implications of his or her positioning — whether he or she can follow each play as it develops, or brace for the quick counter-attack.

End of season — In addition to the midseason concerns, what does the match mean? Is this a battle for first place or a position in the postseason tournament? If so, expect a hard-fought match, with plenty of comments from players, coaches and fans attempting to help with every decision.

Is one of the teams in a “spoiler” role, with only one side having anything at stake? If the higherplaced team is losing, will it react in a manner that will result in more fouls? If the underdog is losing, will it maintain a good level of sporting behavior or just attempt to hurt opponents since the season is complete? Proactive player management (the “gentle word”) may help minimize any misconduct.

Is this a contest between basement dwellers, both of which feel it has nothing to lose? These matches can be difficult to prepare for, as they may be nothing but fun play to ride out the season or mass mayhem by players not realizing punishments can carry into future seasons. This is

especially so if it is a high school or college match and the seniors on the team do not care what happens since their playing for the team is over.

Do not get lulled into a false sense of security, simply because these are not top-notch teams. Many of these matches have resulted in chaos and even abandonment because the players did not want to play.

During the match What phase of the game are you in?

Early in the half — This phase will last longer in the first half than the second, but expect it for some time at the beginning of the second half too. The players will have a great amount of energy, therefore play will likely be quicker and fouls may be more physical. The referee must be aware of “statements” being made by tone-setting challenges. Some referees shy away from the early caution when it would have nipped things in the bud and prevented future damage to the match (and the players). This time should be used to gain an understanding of the style of play of each team. Is the style to dump and chase? To the corner and cross?

Straight down the center? Develop in the midfield with probing attacks on goal? Are the teams prone to negative play, bringing the ball back to their defense or goalkeeper and resetting the play? This information will greatly assist in the referee being in the proper position.

Middle of the half — Players will have settled into the match, so the referee should have a decent idea of how the match will flow. Is the referee sensing the temperature of the match rising? This is a good opportunity to “take some air” out of the match with some well-placed calls and perhaps replace a stern look with a short conversation. Does the match need a caution to settle things down? The referee must utilize proper positioning and related skills to manage the match.

End of game — If the game is a blowout, how is it being received by the losing side, or rubbed-in by the winning side? Will the teams be simply playing to run out the clock, or are players looking to send a

QUICKTIP After awarding a penalty kick, it is a sound mechanic to retreat to the edge of the penalty area nearest the touchline. In most instances, any player wanting to question the call or create problems will first go toward the penalty spot to find the referee.

They then must turn and come toward the referee. This time allows the player to settle down and the referee to advise the player not to continue toward him or her.

SIDELINE NCAA Clarifies Hand Ball, Offside Position The NCAA Men’s and Women’s Soccer Rules Committee met virtually in June and discussed the handball rule — opting to align the rule with the IFAB Laws of the Game. The committee determined that not every contact of the ball to a player’s hand or arm is a violation. Officials should judge a player’s hand or arm position in relation to their body movement in a particular situation. A player should be judged on whether the hand or arm is being used to contact the ball away from his or her body. The IFAB indicates that it is a hand ball when the hand or arm is extended to make the body unnaturally bigger.

In a separate clarification, the committee determined that the hands and arms of all players are not considered when judging if a player is offside. The upper boundary of the arm in line with the bottom of the armpit for purposes of determining whether or not the player is in an offside position.

TOOLS Quiz Announcement Are you rules-ready for the 2021 season? Test your NFHS rules knowledge by taking the annual soccer officials quiz, prepared by the editors of Referee. The 20-question quiz — available to download or take online — is available at Referee.com.

SOCCER

In each of the following you are given a situation and at least two possible answers. You are to decide which answer or answers are correct for NFHS, NCAA or IFAB rules/Laws.

Solutions: p. 81.

1. The officiating crew arrives at the site approximately 15 minutes before the match. During the pregame field inspection, A1 uses abusive language toward one of the assistant referees. a. A1 is cautioned for the language. b. The officiating team ignores the comment since the match has not started. c. A1 is ejected and team A must play short one player. d. A1 is ejected and team A starts the match with 11 players.

2. Sixty minutes into the match a storm begins and, in the opinion of the referee, the field becomes unplayable. The referee suspends the match. The score is 2-0 in favor of the home team. a. The home team is declared the winner since the match is in the second half. b. The game must be replayed because it was suspended prior to the end of the match c. The game is resumed at the 60th-minute mark the next day when the field is playable. d. The game is declared a no contest since it did not reach the 70th minute.

3. A1, the goalkeeper, saves a shot on goal and appears to be injured.

The referee stops play to check on the status of A1. A1 gets up and is not seriously hurt and can continue to play. The referee restarts play by: a. Indirect free kick for the defense since the goalkeeper had possession at the time of the injury. b. Drop ball where the goalkeeper was injured between two teams. c. Drop ball to the goalkeeper at the point where the play was stopped. d. Direct free kick for the defense at the point of the injury.

4. A1 is inside the penalty area on the left side and moving toward the goal.

A2 is in the goal area on the right side of the goal and attempts to distract the goalkeeper. A1 shoots and scores. a. Disallow the goal and declare A2 offside and restart the match with an indirect free kick for the defense. b. Allow the goal since A2 did not interfere with play and was merely in an offside position. c. Disallow the goal, caution A2 for being in the offside position, restart with an indirect free kick for the defense.

52 | REFEREE October 2021

message for the next meeting?

Is the score tight? Look for the leading team to try to waste time, while the trailing side complains about the tactics. The referee must make sure the match keeps moving and attempt to keep the losing side calm. Is a caution needed for the time wasting? Does everyone simply need reminding that you will add time, so don’t bother wasting it or worrying about it being wasted? In a high school or college match, a good tactic is to stop the clock when time-wasting tactics are being used.

This sends a message to the teams this tactic is not acceptable. Expect desperation moves such as lunging tackles, simulation tactics (especially in the penalty area) and long balls.

How exhausted do the players

appear? Tired players do foolish things and tired players react poorly and may foul excessively. The referee’s job is not complete as he or she must work through to the final whistle. Get to the area of the offense quickly, talk with the players, manage the entire match and don’t “phone in” the final minutes. This is what the referee has trained for!

Anticipating play and being in good position goes a long way in helping a referee control a match and make the proper decisions so that the game is played safely and fairly.

Marc Block, Marlton, N.J., is a USSF National Referee Emeritus, Instructor and Assessor. He was the state high school rules interpreter in New Jersey. Block is also a video referee communicator. *

IFAB Introduces 2021-22 Law Changes

By John Van de Vaarst

T

he IFAB introduced several Law changes for the 2021-22 season.

These changes deal with the VAR/ VMOs and the video operating room (VOR), the field of play, the ball, player equipment, duration of the match, offside and fouls and misconduct. These changes provide clarity to the Laws and definitions for officials.

The field of play measurements were clarified to indicate that when there is a difference between a metric measurement and imperial units, the metric units are authoritative.

Another change to Law 1 deals with the goals. The language has been amended to indicate that “the goalpost and crossbar must be the same shape, which must be rectangular, round, elliptical or a hybrid of these options. It is recommended that all goals used in an official competition organized under the auspices of FIFA or confederations meet the requirements of the FIFA Quality Programme for

Football Goals.”

Play 1: During the pre-match warmup, the referee notices both goalposts are elliptical and the crossbar is rectangular. Both goals are the same. The referee does not permit the match to be played.

Ruling 1: The referee is incorrect. In the event a goal or both goals do not meet the requirements of Law 1 but are still structurally sound and safe, the match shall be played and the referee must report the instance to the authority responsible for the match.

The text in Law 2 has been amended to indicate that “all balls used in matches played in an official competition organized under the auspices of FIFA or confederations must meet the requirements and bear one of the marks of the FIFA Quality Programme for Footballs.

Law 7 was modified to emphasize that allowance for “time lost” refers to “playing time” only. This permits the referee to adjust the time so it is longer than the additional time displayed by the fourth official when there is a stoppage near the end of a period.

BOB MESSINA

TEST YOURSELF

HAN

?!?

ALL! B D

The ball is in a position to create a hand ball situation.

Here are questions to consider: Did the defender push the attacker in the back prior to the ball arriving, causing the hand to extend?

The hand extended is clearly making the body unnaturally larger. If the ball makes contact with the hand, it is a hand ball.

Does the ball just miss the hand and is played with the chest, which is a legal play?

Does the ball miss the hand and hit the shoulder area, which is legal?

The assistant referee is observing the play very closely to determine if any of the above possibilities occur.

No Hand Ball

Hand Ball

SOCCER

CASEPLAYS Heads Up Play: A1 plays the ball forward. A2 is in an offside position near B3. A2 and B3 attempt to head the ball and miss. A4, who was not offside, runs forward and gains possession of the ball. Ruling: A2 attempted to interfere with play and therefore offside must be called (NFHS 11-1-4a; NCAA 11.2; IFAB 11.2).

Return to the Match?

Play: At the end of a postseason match, the score is tied. A winner must be decided by kicks from the penalty mark.

Team A had a player ejected during the match. Which players are eligible to participate?

Ruling: In NFHS, team A must use all five kickers who have not participated in the first five kicks (Sample Tie-Breaking Procedure). In NCAA, team B has the option to reduce the number of kickers by one (7.1.1.1b). In IFAB, team B must be reduced by one kicker (10.3).

Outside Force Play: The ball is rolling along the touchline and a substitute thinks the ball crossed into touch and picks up the ball.

Ruling: In all codes, the referee must stop play and award a drop ball to the team that had last touched the ball at the point where the substitute touched the ball (NFHS 9-2-1c; NCAA 9.3.2; IFAB 8.2).

Back in Action Play: After a temporary suspension of play, the match is restarted with a drop ball for team A — the last team to play the ball. The ball is in the defensive area of the field approximately 20 yards from the goal. A1 takes the drop ball and plays it in the direction of the goalkeeper. The goalkeeper does not touch the ball and it enters the goal. Ruling: The match is restarted with a corner kick (NFHS 9-2-6; NCAA 9.3.3; IFAB 8.2).

54 | REFEREE October 2021

Play 2: The fourth official displays five additional minutes of playing time at the end of the period. At 4:35 into the added time, an injury occurs and the referee allows play to continue beyond five additional minutes. Ruling 2: The referee’s decision is correct.

The referee is authorized to allow for longer playing time than the additional time displayed by the fourth official.

Language has been added to Law 11, Offside, to provide additional information on how to judge if a player is in an offside position: “The hands and arms of all players, including the goalkeepers, are not considered. For the purposes of determining offside, the upper boundary of the arm is in line with the bottom of the armpit.” This means the shoulder is not part of the arm and the shoulder is used for determining offside.

Play 3: At the moment of last contact on a pass from A1 (PlayPic A), A2 (wearing number 3) has her arm beyond the body of B3 (wearing

A

number 10) — the second to last defender. B3’s body remains closer to the goaline than A2’s body. The assistant referee raises the flag and rules A2 offside. Ruling 3: Incorrect decision. When determining if a player is offside or not, the player’s arm cannot put the player in an offside position.

Play 4: At the moment of last contact on a pass from A1 (PlayPic B), A2 (wearing number 5) has her shoulder just beyond the body of B3 (wearing number 10) — the second to last defender. B3’s arms extend beyond A2’s shoulder. The assistant referee opts to not raise the flag and rules A2 is not offside. Ruling 4: Incorrect decision. Despite B3’s arms extending beyond A2’s shoulder, the hands of all players are not considered when ruling on a possible offside infraction. Instead, A2 is offside since A2’s shoulder is beyond B3’s body.

There are several changes to Law 12, Fouls and Misconduct, that help clarify the Law and how to interpret it. The first deals with spitting. The

B

new language reads “a direct free kick is awarded ... if a player bites or spits at someone on the team lists or a match official.”

12.1 dealing with hand ball offenses has been significantly restated. For example, the wording in dealing with handball has had several items deleted from the language and the new language is more concise while still clearly explaining a hand ball incident. The change was made so officials understand that not every contact with the hand or arm by the ball should be considered a hand ball.

Also, accidental hand ball creating a goal-scoring opportunity has been amended.

It is an offense if a player: • Deliberately touches the ball with a hand/arm moving the hand/ arm toward the ball.

• Scores in the opponent’s goal directly from a hand/arm, even if accidental, including the goalkeeper.

• After the ball has touched a hand/arm, even if accidental, immediately scores in the opponent’s goal.

• Touches the ball with a hand/arm when it has made the body unnaturally bigger. A player is considered to have made the body unnaturally bigger when the player’s body movement occurs for that specific situation. By having a hand/arm in such a position, the player takes a risk of the hand/ arm being hit by the ball and being penalized.

Play 5: A1 plays the ball and the ball accidently touches his hand. A1 takes two dribbles and scores for an apparent goal. The referee rules no infraction occurred and allows the goal to stand. Ruling 5: Correct decision. Since A1 continued to play after the accidental touching, A1 is not guilty of an infraction since the goal was not scored directly as a result of the touching.

Play 6: A1 receives an errant pass from A2. The ball takes an unnatural bounce and accidently touches A1’s hand, which is extended outward away from A1’s body. The referee whistles and rules A1 has committed a hand ball. Ruling 6:

Correct decision. Because A1’s hand is outstretched, A1 has made her body unnaturally bigger.

Not every touch of a player’s hand/arm with the ball is an offense.

Another portion of Law 12 has been adjusted to describe when an indirect free kick is to be awarded for attempting to circumvent the law.

“An indirect free kick is awarded if a player: Initiates a deliberate trick for the ball to be passed (including from a free kick or goal kick) to the goalkeeper with the head, chest, knee, etc., to circumvent the Law, whether or not the goalkeeper touches the ball with the hands; the goalkeeper is penalized if responsible for initiating the deliberate trick.”

In addition, “the goalkeeper is cautioned if responsible for initiating the deliberate trick.”

The language for restarts after fouls and misconduct has been clarified to deal with certain situations. Replace with, “if the referee stops play for an offence committed by a player, inside or outside the field of play, against an outside agent, play is restarted with a dropped ball, unless a free kick is awarded for leaving the field of play without the referee’s permission.”

Lastly, there are two new Glossary entries: • Offensive, insulting or abusive language/action(s): Verbal or physical behavior which is rude, hurtful, disrespectful; punishable by a sending-off (red card).

• “Video” match officials (VMOs): These are the VAR and AVAR who assist the referee in accordance with the Laws of the Game and the VAR protocol.

This article is a summary of the Law changes for the 2021-22 season. Every official should review the Laws of the Game on a regular basis to ensure he or she is very knowledgeable of the Laws and prepared for any situation that may occur during a match.

John Van de Vaarst, Cape May, N.J., is a NISOA National Clinician, National Assessor and former State Level USSF Referee and Assessor. He is Referee’s soccer coordinator. 

HUNDREDS OF FREE SOCCER & OFFICIATING ARTICLES ON

GETTING IT RIGHT

INSPIRATION, MOTIVATION, ELEVATION

By Luke Modrovsky

T

he Arizona Interscholastic Association (AIA) has a great deal of communication with its officials. In fact, the AIA is responsible for assigning officials to games from the first pitch, tipoff or kickoff of the regular season through the final horn or walk-off home run at the state tournament.

The AIA lost a number of its sports officials to COVID-19 — 21 in fact were reported to have succumbed to the virus.

“In speaking with my baseball

During its state tournament, the Arizona Interscholastic Association displayed banners with the initials of baseball and softball umpires who died due to COVID-19.

and softball leadership, they wanted to do something for the umpires that passed away,” said Brian Gessner, AIA state commissioner of officials.

“It hit me personally. There were two weeks in a row we sent notices out where we had lost three officials in each week.”

Gessner said he learned of the impact during various formal and informal meetings during the spring season — meetings he said are pivotal in learning that kind of information.

“Well, in speaking with my baseball and softball leadership,

they wanted to do something for the umpires that passed away,” Gessner said. “When you start sending out notice after notice after notice, it’s like we need to take note. In the conversation with the three of us they said, ‘Well, what if we create a banner and hung it in the outfield?’

These guys came to me and said we need to do something, and I thought this was a great tribute.”

That banner — with the initials of 10 baseball and softball umpires — was displayed in the outfield in right-center field during the 2021 Class 5A and 6A state baseball championship games at Diablo Stadium in Tempe, Ariz. — the spring training home of the Los Angeles Angels. Prior to the games, the names on the banner were read and a moment of silence was held to remember the umpires, which Gessner called “a very touching moment” for the officiating community.

“I don’t think we as administrators, we as an officiating community, really recognized the effect of COVID when it comes to the officiating community,” Gessner said.

Gessner said after the banner was made, two more umpires had died due to COVID-19.

On the banner seen in the photo were the initials of Gary Appleberry, Larry Colar, John Diaz and Robert Frazier. Initials of Frank Amparano, Michael “Angel” Diaz, Paul Garabedian, Gaye Kelly, Mark Larkin and Norman Towns were also displayed. Not on the banner were Aaron Kennedy and Travis Jodie.

While some seasons were delayed and/or abbreviated during the 2020-21 academic year, the AIA was able to host some form of seasons and championships in every sport.

Luke Modrovsky is an assistant editor for Referee. He officiates five sports. 

FIFA Referee Officiates High School Game As a FIFA official since 2016, Karen Abt officiates soccer’s top levels. But on June 26, she worked a match at a way lower level — and was completely thrilled.

Abt received an assignment that had her working the high school level for the first time since 2009. She served as referee for the Class 5A girls’ soccer state championship game in Colorado.

“I’m really excited to referee one of the Colorado high school state championships because it allows me an opportunity to give back to soccer,” Abt told CHSAAnow.com before the match. “The game and the people I have met over the years have afforded me so many opportunities to travel the world, experience things I had never imagined and make lifelong friends.”

Abt is a Colorado native who grew up in Fort Collins. She works at the Colorado School of Mines in the Advanced Steel Processing and Products Research Center.

SOURCE: CHSAANOW.COM; 9NEWS.COM

Tournament Played in Honor of Umpire The Illinois High School Association (IHSA) honored the late Chris Long, a longtime sports official, by playing the 2021 state softball tournament in his honor.

Long was a five-sport official, working basketball, baseball, football, softball and volleyball, who died unexpectedly in June 2019 at age 62. He umpired high school softball for 38 seasons, working the state finals five times and serving as the UIC at the state finals 15 times. He was also the IHSA softball rules interpreter, head IHSA clinician and served three terms on the IHSA Officials Advisory Committee.

Long was superintendent for Kansas (Ill.) Unit #3 Schools.

Umpires who worked the state tournament — which was the first since the pandemic; the 2020 tournament was not conducted — wore a special patch on their sleeves with Long’s initials: CSL.

Have you heard an inspirational or motivational officiating story?

Send your ideas to GettingItRight@referee.com

56 | REFEREE October 2021

COURTESY OF THE ARIZONA INTERSCHOLASTIC ASSOCIATION

Gone, But Not Forgotten

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EDITORS: BRAD TITTRINGTON

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RULES, MECHANICS, PHILOSOPHY

DON’T WAFFLE ON PANCAKES Tips to Judge Difficult Plays on the Floor

By Brad Tittrington

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As players dive to the floor, all officials need to be aware a potential pancake could occur.

It is important to move and get an angle to see the play to make a correct ruling and it is also important to rely on fellow officials to help give information on these types of plays.

Sandra Freeman, Morrilton, Ark.

58 | REFEREE October 2021

Pregame on pancakes Use your pregame with your fellow officials to discuss pancakes.

This is the time to get the entire crew on the same page on how to deal with these situations. This is where the first referee can request informal signals from the second referee to help with these types of plays. Some first referees want the second referee to provide a signal either way — the ball was down or play should continue. Most first referees will simply say no signal indicates the ball was played legally and play should

TED McCLENNING

hen it comes to volleyball officiating, pancake calls are perhaps the most difficult call for an official. Especially at the higher levels, the athletes are quicker and faster and the ball moves at such a high rate of speed, it can be difficult to judge these contacts. Players are able to get to more and more balls with their athleticism and it is imperative officials focus to get these types of plays correct.

Anytime a player dives after a ball, there might be a potential pancake play. In some lower-level matches, you may work the entire match without seeing one. In other matches, you may see multiple pancakes each set or even each rally.

Working together as a crew to get these calls right is what helps elevate your game and gives you credibility with players and coaches.

Below are some tips and techniques to help with adjudicating these types of plays. While no two situations are ever the same, these general practices should help you feel more confident in ruling on these difficult situations.

continue. Others may want some sort of signal just to confirm the second referee saw the play and is indicating play should continue as opposed to no signal which may simply mean the second referee didn’t see the play and can’t provide any information.

This is also a time where first referees can indicate how they may wave off the second referee if the second referee indicates the ball was down, but the first referee sees it differently and wants play to continue. Here is also where to discuss how the second referee should handle a situation where the ball is clearly down and the first referee doesn’t see it, which will be covered later.

Take your time There is no need to rush your call when ruling on a potential pancake.

The only thing rushing will do is potentially cause you to have to issue a replay. If you kill the play and signal the ball down and your crew, or replay if you are lucky enough to have it, provides information to show you were incorrect, you will have to give the dreaded replay signal. It is better to allow the play to continue until you are 100 percent sure the ball is down before you whistle. It is better to be late and correct than early and wrong.

Rely on your partners In these types of situations, the first referee often does not have the best look at the play. The play is either going away from the referee stand or there are players in the way of the contact and the first referee is unable to determine what happened. It also doesn’t help that the first referee is not at floor level and the angle can be distorted. In these types of situations, the first referee should use the information provided by the second referee and the line judges to make a determination. If neither the line judge nor the second referee signals the ball in, chances are the player was able to make a successful pancake and play should continue. If all three signal the ball in, chances are the ball landed before the player was able to get a hand under it and the play should be whistled and a point awarded. If there

is doubt and everyone doesn’t agree, it is better to let play continue and get the crew together at the end of the play if need be.

Move to improve As the first referee, you can’t move too much as you are on a stand.

But you can bend down, look around, raise up, etc., to get a better look at the play. As the second referee, you are already on the blocking team’s side of the net, so you should be close to the play, unless it is over by the first referee’s side of the court.

You can simply move a step or two to open up your angle to stay away from being straight-lined to help with this call.

The same goes for line judges.

Having a line judge in each corner and on each side allows the play to be viewed from multiple angles.

Line judges need to be prepared to move along their sideline or endline to create an open look at the play.

During warmups, use that time to see how teams react to dumps over the net. Also, use the information from previous plays to get an idea how the team covers these specific plays and if the opposing team setter likes to dump the ball or if their hitters use a lot of tips over the net. Teams typically develop a pattern and use all that information to help you manage the game and be ready for these situations when they happen.

Being able to anticipate a potential pancake can help you get an extra step or two as opposed to being caught flat-footed and completely off guard. The one thing to remember is if you give the in signal, stay with it long enough for the first referee to scan and see you. Then drop it once acknowledged by the first referee.

The first referee may have a different view and allow play to continue.

Don’t get discouraged, simply continue to officiate the play.

SIDELINE Rolf Leads All-Female Crew

History was made at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo on July 30 as Canada and Venezuela squared off in men’s volleyball. For the first time in Olympic history, an all-female crew officiated a men’s volleyball match. It was also the first time a female official was the first referee for a men’s match in Olympic history. Pati Rolf (USA) was the first referee, Susana Rodriguez (ESP) was the second referee and Heike Kraft (GER) was the challenge referee for the match. Canada beat Venezuela 3-0 (25-13, 25-22, 25-12) in the match.

THEY SAID IT “You have to remember when the official is making the call, we’ve trained for hours and hours and hours on how it should be done.

But you’re given not even a half second to judge and execute the rule you studied for so many years. It happens so quickly. It’s so easy for fans to say, ‘Gosh, how did they miss it?’ … have some patience and if you’re really outspoken (as a fan) I would encourage you to give it a shot. We desperately need more officials.”

— Allison Cook, NCAA Division I volleyball line judge and reigning Miss Oregon on what people need to know about referees SOURCE: THE OREGONIAN

Second referee step in As mentioned earlier, talk about how the second referee is going to handle these plays during your pregame. If you are the second referee and you see a ball clearly down, give the in signal and hold it

REFEREE October 2021 |

59

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. At the end of a rally, the referees notice that a player has blood on a kneepad. What action should the referees take? a. Require the player’s team to take a timeout to address the blood situation. b. Require that the player be replaced immediately by a substitute.

The player cannot re-enter until the kneepad is removed or changed. c. Allow the player a reasonable amount of time to remove, replace or clean the blood-stained kneepad.

If the blood situation cannot be resolved in a reasonable amount of time, a substitution should be made for the player until the issue is resolved properly. d. Allow the player to continue playing.

2. Which of the following is true for an injured player replaced by exceptional substitution or an injured libero replaced by re-designation? a. The injured player/libero may not play for the remainder of the match. b. The injured player/libero may not play for the remainder of the current set but may play in later sets during the match. c. The injured player/libero must leave the bench and warmup area for the remainder of the set. d. The injured player/libero cannot be sanctioned for unsporting conduct after they are replaced.

3. When are lineups due prior to the start of a match? a. Three minutes prior to the end of timed warmups. b. Two minutes prior to the end of timed warmups. c. One minute prior to the end of timed warmups. d. 30 seconds prior to the end of timed warmups.

4. A libero wearing a sleeveless white jersey may wear a black longsleeved shirt underneath her jersey. a. True. b. False.

60 | REFEREE October 2021

so your first referee can see it. If the first referee doesn’t acknowledge you, take a step toward the endline on the side the ball landed and give the in signal again. If the first referee still doesn’t acknowledge, blow your whistle to stop the rally and allow the first referee to award the point.

The second referee should only do this when 100 percent certain the ball is down and the first referee has not acknowledged your in signal. If the first referee acknowledges you, continue officiating and move on.

The most important thing with ruling on pancakes is to be decisive.

If you aren’t 100 percent certain the ball is down, allow play to continue.

Only kill a rally when you know for

sure the ball is down so you don’t end up having to have a replay. Rely on your partners, use all information available to you and then make a ruling on the play. Again, it is better to whistle two seconds later than to whistle early and not have all the information.

Be confident in your calls, work as a team, move to improve, know the tendencies of the teams and in no time, making these calls will become second nature.

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. 

They’ve Got the Look

By Dan Van Veen

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ou’ve seen it. Intense play at the net — blockers and attackers challenging each other as they battle to win a point; defensive specialists diving on the floor to pick up balls; and setters tracking down errant passes keeping the action going. And then, clear as Team USA’s Jordan Thompson’s attack going over the top of the Chinese block in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, you see a net or a touch as the ball sails out of bounds.

Whistle, side, infraction, followed by “the look,” which clearly communicates, “What? Are you kidding me? I never touched it.”

The look is so real, and the silent (and sometimes not-so-silent) declaration of “innocence” is so convincing, as a referee, you may find yourself thinking, “Did I really see it or did I just mess up and anticipate something that didn’t happen?” Of course, you could have a different thought, too, “What a liar, keep it up and a yellow card is coming your way.”

However, the truth of the matter is in many cases, you would both pass a lie detector test.

As a volleyball junkie, parent and referee who’s played, watched,

officiated and videoed thousands of hours of volleyball, what I’ve come to see, as I’ve watched video over and over again, the vast majority of the time, the referee has made the right call — video doesn’t lie.

But, in my opinion, neither do a majority of players.

Yet, I’ve seen hundreds of players, give refs “the look” more than once.

And as a referee, I know the players are making judgments about the soundness of mind and eyesight of the referees. And from time to time, believing that one team was being favored when it comes to calls.

So, what’s going on? Can both the referees and players be right?

Absolutely — the referees and the athletes are telling the absolute polar opposites of each other. Yet both can be the truth, or some version of it.

Consider how adrenaline works and mix it with focus. Tired, worn-out players will be much more in tune with their bodies (everything hurts, the focus is more survival than domination — any contact registers). However, compare those players to highly energized, focused players who are burning adrenaline — they’re nearly numb to physical contact outside certain “focus” zones.

You’ve no doubt heard of people

In the heat of the moment, sometimes players think something happened that really didn’t. And in those times, they may give officials a look of incredulousness. Officials need to know how to deal with that look when it happens.

TED McCLENNING

being in an accident and suffering an injury or who have been hurt in some way, but they didn’t realize they were injured until after the adrenaline had stopped pumping and the shock had worn off. I believe the same happens in sports, volleyball included.

A finger touch or a net brush when your adrenaline is burning and you’re hyper-focused on transitioning or attacking — say reaching with your left hand and your right hand or shoulder brushes the net — sometimes just doesn’t register in the brain.

The player never felt the net or the touch. And they had no idea they just stepped all the way over the line during their transition away from the net. In fact, they probably can’t even remember how they got to where they are on the court as so much is “automatic” and their focus is on the ball and the match.

This places the referee in the

A finger touch or a net brush when your adrenaline is burning and you’re hyper-focused on transitioning or attacking — say reaching with your left hand and your right hand or shoulder brushes the net — sometimes just doesn’t register in the brain. position of his or her abilities being questioned. But a good piece of advice my mom shared with me once was, “Remember who’s the adult.” I believe a simple nod confirming the call helps the player know you are sure of the call, and now it’s his or her turn to start thinking, “Hmm. Did I?” And in those cases where players judge the referee for a bad call, understand they are doing so because they are 100 percent convinced they didn’t commit a violation and probably won’t realize it until they watch the video (if one’s available) or a coach or teammate confirms they saw it too.

Of course, this also requires referees to not make calls anticipating violations — to be sure to make only the calls they actually see. Just as it holds true for players, video doesn’t lie.

So, next time a player gives you “the look,” recognizing the emotion — the “distraction” of focus and adrenaline in play — of the situation may make it easier to understand the player as well as not question yourself or your call.

Dan Van Veen is an NCAA and NAIA line judge, and a high school volleyball referee from Willard, Mo. 

REFEREE October 2021 |

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VOLLEYBALL

CASEPLAYS Prolonged Interruptions Play: A long rally is interrupted when (a) the gym lights go out, (b) a fire alarm sounds, or (c) a light fixture shatters. Ruling: In all cases, the set is suspended and resumes with a replay with score, lineup, etc., the same as at the point of interruption as soon as the situation is corrected. If the problem cannot be resolved in a reasonable amount of time, the match is rescheduled for another time, unless the state association/ conference determines otherwise (NFHS 1-7-1; NCAA 11.4.3; USAV 17.3.2.2).

Premature Service Play: The server unintentionally tosses and contacts the ball for service before the first referee signals to authorize the serve.

Ruling: The referees should immediately whistle to prevent further play, signal replay and reauthorize the serve (NFHS 8-1c; NCAA 13.1.3.7; USAV 12.4.5).

Back-Row Attack Play: A back-row player attacks the ball from in front of the attack line, and the ball is higher than the net. The first referee immediately whistles the play dead and signals illegal attack. Ruling: Incorrect procedure. The referee should wait until the attack is completed, meaning the ball either crosses the net completely or is legally contacted by the opponent. No fault has occurred until one of those actions occurs. Simply being a back-row player and contacting a ball higher than the net in front of the attack line is not illegal. Completing an attack makes it illegal and the attack is not yet complete in this situation (NFHS 9-5-5b Note; NCAA 14.5.1, 14.5.4.1; USAV 13.1.3, 13.3.3).

Position Fault Play: Team R’s center front setter is straddling the feet of the center back player at the moment of service. Ruling: No position fault has occurred. The rules require the center front to have at least part of one foot closer to the centerline than the feet of the center back player (NFHS 6-4-3b; NCAA 10.3.1.1; USAV 7.4.3.1).

62 | REFEREE October 2021

Ins and Outs of Libero Re-Designation Editor’s note: The following is an excerpt from All About Libero. It is available at store.referee.com for $11.95.

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here could be a time in a match you are working where the libero may need to be re-designated.

NFHS, NCAA and USAV rules allow for this in some situations, but not in all. Knowing when and how to implement this rule will be discussed in this article.

In NFHS, NCAA and USAV, under specific conditions, it allows a libero who is injured/ill (as shown in the PlayPic) to be removed from the set and the team then designates a new libero. This new libero is chosen by the head coach or game captain, depending on the rules code being used for the match.

When is a libero re-designation allowed?

In NFHS (rule 10-4-3a), the following criteria apply: 1. Re-designation does not need to occur immediately after the injury but may occur at the discretion of the head coach. It is not mandatory for

re-designation to occur.

2. When re-designation does occur, any substitute may be designated for the injured/ill libero.

The injured/ill libero may not play for the remainder of that set.

3. The player re-designated as the libero shall wear a libero uniform and shall remain the libero for the remainder of the set. The re-designated libero’s uniform shall have a unique number (not worn by any teammate).

In NCAA (rule 12.3.1), the

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following criteria apply: 1. Re-designation does not need to occur immediately after the injury and replacement but may occur at the discretion of the coach(es)/captain.

2. When re-designation does occur, any substitute may be re-designated as libero for the injured libero. The injured libero may not play in the remainder of the set.

3. The player re-designated as the libero must wear a libero uniform as described in rule 12.1.3 and must remain the libero for the remainder of that set. The re-designated libero’s uniform must have a unique number (not worn by an teammate), but not necessarily the same number with which the player started the match.

In USAV, it becomes a bit more complex because USAV rules allow a team to designate up to two liberos on its line-up sheet. If a team has designated one libero for the set, or the team has designated two liberos and both liberos are unable to continue, all

of the conditions for NFHS rules apply (see previous page).

However, if the libero is expelled or disqualified, he or she may be replaced immediately by the team’s second libero. Should the team only have one libero, then it has the ability to make a re-designation (19.5.1). Both of the original liberos are then unable to re-enter the match.

When is a libero re-designation not allowed?

In NFHS (10-4-3d), if the libero is disqualified while playing, he or she must be replaced by the player he or she replaced. The team continues to play with no libero.

In NCAA (12.3.1.2), if the libero is disqualified while playing, she must be replaced by the player whom she replaced. The team continues with no libero player.

In USAV (14.4.3.1), when a team has registered two liberos on the scoresheet, but one becomes

unable to play, the team has the right to play with only one libero.

No re-designation will be allowed, however, unless the remaining libero is unable to continue playing for the match.

Who is eligible to serve as a re-designated libero?

All three rules codes state the re-designated libero must be “any substitute” (e.g. a player not on the court at the time of the re-designation).

Can the injured/ill libero who was re-designated, re-enter the match?

In NFHS and NCAA, the libero player who was replaced by re-designation cannot re-enter the set for which he or she was replaced.

In USAV, the libero player who was replaced by re-designation cannot re-enter for the remainder of the match. 

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PROFILES

PERSONALITIES PLUS

By Brad Tittrington

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or Hopewell Junction, N.Y., umpire Chic Schuler, a chance encounter at a shopping mall 43 years ago has led to an impressive career. In June, Schuler worked his 4,600th softball game, a feat that potentially wouldn’t have happened if not for a memorable shopping experience four decades prior.

“I was in one of the malls Christmas shopping at night and I saw this guy wearing a jacket with patches all over it,” Schuler recalled. “I asked him what they were for, and he said they were from umpiring.”

Chic Schuler (center) has umpired threegeneration families three times. The first time occurred in 2016 when he umpired Tori Nazzaro (front) to complete the trifecta after umpiring her mom, Lynn (right) and grandmother Mary Ellen Alexander (left).

The man in the jacket, Levi Horton, told Schuler his association was looking for umpires and he should come to a meeting. Forty-three years later, Schuler is still going strong.

“Levi was my mentor,” Schuler said. “I worked most of my first-year games with him. He was actually a baseball umpire and he was asked to be a scab umpire in the first MLB strike, but he said he wouldn’t cross a picket line. Levi retired a few years later and Jiggs Vetter became my mentor. Levi got me in and Jiggs was my biggest influence and became a lifelong friend

and role model.”

That mentorship has led to some incredible experiences for Schuler, who’s worked three New York state public high school state final fours — including two state finals — and two New York state Little League softball championship finals. He also had the opportunity to umpire Eddie Feigner (of King and His Court fame) twice, which is incredible since Schuler had the opportunity to play against Feigner years earlier while in the military.

“He struck me out while pitching from second base,” Schuler said of the trick pitch artist.

Schuler has umpired multiple third-generation games. The first time it happened was in 2016 and it has happened twice since.

“I umpired the grandmother in a women’s fastpitch game, the mom in high school and travel, and the daughter in high school and travel,” Schuler said.

While his two sons were growing up, Schuler coached them in soccer, which ultimately led to a 25-year career officiating “the beautiful game.”

“I coached them when they were playing,” Schuler said. “And I yelled at the referees and was wrong 95 percent of the time, so I went and got certified.

I gave it up when my boys stopped playing.”

Now he focuses exclusively on softball. Schuler was ready to retire during the pandemic. He had told his wife, Angela, that he was done after losing most of the 2020 season.

However, he decided to work a tournament last September to help raise money for a family in need.

“After working that tournament, I told my wife I wasn’t ready to retire,” Schuler said. “You don’t have to tell a good umpire when they have to retire.

They know when it is time. I am going to be 75, but I think I am in good shape.

That 75 minutes of exercise, that’s what keeps me going.”

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. 

Going Out on Top Marty Clark Age: 63 Lawrenceville, N.J.

Marty Clark’s stellar career had to end one way: a state baseball championship game. After all, that made it 20 finals for the veteran umpire who worked baseball and softball for 47 years.

“You got to love the game,” Clark told The Trentonian. “You just don’t progress that way without showing some type of passion for what you’re doing.”

Clark was one of the first clinicians for the Umpires Association of New Jersey. The program has produced nearly 2,500 new umpires.

Clark will miss the games but is confident he’s doing the right thing. “I feel like the time is right,” Clark said. “I’m going to go out on top.”

SOURCE: THE TRENTONIAN

The Next in Line Jeanann Lemelin Age: 23 Billings, Mont.

No one who knows the Lemelin family should be surprised that Jeanann has taken up officiating.

Her brother, Kale, and dad, Jay, officiate. Her grandfather was posthumously elected to the Montana Officials Hall of Fame.

Jeanann took up officiating while in college to earn money for an overseas trip with the basketball team.

Working basketball has given her a chance to gain real-life experience from Jay, something she enjoys.

“I really like reffing with my dad, because I feel comfortable,” she told 406 MTsports.

“I told my dad that before he’s done reffing, he, my brother and I all have to ref a game together,” Jeanann said.

SOURCE: BILLINGS (MONT.) GAZETTE

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

Send info to us at profiles@referee.com

64 | REFEREE October 2021

PHOTO COURTESY OF CHIC SCHULER; KYLE FRANKO/TRENTONIAN; MIKE CLARK/BILLINGS GAZETTE

Chic Digs Umpiring

THE OFFICIATING EVENT ALL YEAR LONG The Sports Officiating Summit is over, but the fantastic collection of video sessions is still available to all sports officials and officiating leaders on-demand.

EVERY SESSION on-demand

Catch anything you missed the first time around at your leisure.

GREAT FOR ASSOCIATION MEETINGS!

sportsofficiatingsummit.com/athome

BASEBALL

EDITOR: SCOTT TITTRINGTON

stittrington@referee.com

RULES, MECHANICS, TECHNIQUES

SO YOU SAY YOU WANT GAMES? Make Your Assigners’ Life Easy and You’ll Stay Busy

By Jon Bible

If he wants to continue to receive a solid schedule of games, umpire Santana Tafoya of Albuquerque, N.M., knows he must not just take care of business on the field. He also has to prove his value to the assigners who decide which umpires work which games.

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spent years as an umpire assigner from Little League to major college and, of course, I worked for my fair share. All have pet peeves and most have the same ones. I’m sharing some today because I’m not sure that all umpires know what they are.

First, a few words about assigners. Most of those I’ve known were fair, but not all of them. Some had favorites to whom they gave the best games. Some ran things like a fiefdom. Some charged fees for assignments. A couple who were still working on the field held back newer umpires with potential whom they saw as threats. I hired two such up-and-comers in a collegiate conference in which I was coordinator, and both made the College World Series. They needed a break and weren’t going to get it locally. So you need to figure out who you’re dealing with.

Attitude matters. In one college game I asked a young umpire to switch with a crewmate with a health issue and take the plate. He grudgingly said OK but made a big deal of the fact he had worked one of the teams from behind the plate three times that season. I thought fine — if you want to balk, I’ll ask someone else. Another crew member — a veteran with years in pro ball — said no problem (good answer). When he heard about this, the younger guy said he’d do it, but I said too late — I had asked someone else and, by the way, he switched without complaint.

Was I trying to send a message? You bet.

I didn’t expect people to kiss my rear, but it did bother me when someone did something I asked them to do or accepted an assignment

VICTOR CALZADA

I

ANDY ALFARO/ZUMAPRESS/NEWSCOM (SWEENEY), JOHN RIVERA/ICON SPORTSWIRE (WINTERS)

but griped about it all the way. In contract law we call this a “grumbling acceptance” — you end up accepting an offer, but you make it clear how much you dislike it. If you’re new, this applies in spades; a reputation for being difficult or a prima donna acquired early in one’s career can have a long shelf life.

Repeated turnbacks are a big deal. We know that last-minute stuff happens, but often? If you do this, understand that at some point I may reduce my headaches by choosing a more reliable person to begin with.

No one is so good that he or she is irreplaceable. Also, realize that your turnback may not be the only one I have to deal with that day. The more I have, the harder it may be to find replacements (especially today, with the number of officials falling), which makes the whole process timeconsuming and onerous and reduces my patience level.

One guy turned back kid-ball assignments every few days. After a while I quit assigning him anything.

When he asked why, I told him.

He asked for another chance and it worked out. Which told me that some of his “can’t avoid it” cancellations weren’t so unavoidable after all. As the saying goes, I may have been born at night, but I wasn’t born last night.

Don’t let your assessment of how good you are make you complain about the caliber of games you get.

Other umpires think they’re pretty good, too. I may share your opinion but just think that for whatever reason you’re not best suited for that game.

My advice is to take what you get, keep quiet and work to the best of your ability. The last thing an assigner needs is a slew of divas working for him.

Some umpires don’t understand that many factors, about which they’ll likely know nothing, may affect the assignment process. Have you had one team often, especially recently?

Has bad blood developed so that it may be best to keep you and a team apart for a while? Is the assigner getting orders from someone else?

Does the assigner want to mix newer and veteran officials? Is the assigner spreading the cream so that everyone

gets an even quota of top, mid-level and not-so-great assignments? Does the assigner feel the crew chemistry would be better by choosing someone else given the personality of who is already assigned for that game? And so on. So there may be sound reasons for assignments that, on the surface, don’t seem to make sense.

Game shopping is a flagrant offense. I’ve assigned for smallercollege conferences and had officials who also worked in larger ones. If I give you an assignment and you get a last-minute opportunity in a larger conference (not a lateral move), I’ll gladly replace you if you’re honest about what happened. I want to help people climb the ladder, just as assigners helped me. But if I find out that you lied and said you had a work or family issue to get out of my game and take someone else’s, you’ll pay down the road. And, because assigners compare notes, someone other than I may exact that payment.

Don’t belittle or tell me stories about other umpires to try to make yourself look better or try to kiss up; we assigners have been around the block a few times and can smell this stuff a mile away. And take it to the bank that trashing me behind my back will get back to me.

Now, most assignments are handled online. Don’t wait until the last second to accept or, worse, not accept by the due date. Assigners don’t like having to continually send out reminders about past-due acceptances, especially to the same people. I know a couple who, after one reminder one time, just replace that umpire with someone else when a due date passes.

In sum, assigners are human and can’t help but be affected by stuff that umpires do that causes us heartburn.

Don’t be high maintenance, especially if your assigner isn’t the most patient person around. Above all, be 100 percent honest at all times. We’ll tolerate a lot of things, but dishonesty isn’t one of them.

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. *

THEY SAID IT “There are times it’s impossible for one of your eyes to go one way and the other to go the other direction. The key is to get set, slow your timing down and see the whole play.”

– Tom Hiler, speaking on a play like a drag bunt when you have to see both the pitch and batter’s attempt.

Hiler retired as NCAA Director of Umpire Training on Aug. 31 after 13 years in the position.

DID YOU KNOW? Two American umpires were selected to work the 2020 Olympic baseball tournament, held this summer in Tokyo due to a one-year delay caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Kevin Sweeney, Bristow, Va., and Mark Winters, Springfield, Ill., are both former minor league umpires who now each work at the NCAA Division I level.

Sweeney

Winters

QUICKTIP There is nothing in the rules that says an umpire can’t wear jewelry.

However, if you are working the plate, it’s always a good idea to take off any rings that may typically adorn your fingers.

The last thing you want is to take a foul ball off your ring-wearing digit, have it swell up and need a jewelry saw to remove your beloved bling.

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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. An obstructed runner who is being played on and is returning to a base is awarded: a. The base to which he was returning. b. A mandatory two bases. c. A minimum of one base beyond his position on base when the obstruction occurred. d. There is no minimum award for an obstructed runner returning to a base.

2. Jones, while advancing from first to third, fails to touch second base and is standing on third when the throw from the outfield goes into the dugout. a. The umpire is to immediately declare Jones out for missing second base. b. Because Jones missed second base, he cannot be awarded home from the errant throw to the dugout. c. If Jones attempts to return to second base, the defense cannot appeal his missing second until Jones has completed his opportunity to correct the mistake. d. Jones cannot legally return to his missed base and is subject to being declared out upon proper and successful appeal.

3. Obstruction of a batter is ignored if: a. The batter-runner reaches first base. b. Any other runners advance at least one base. c. Both a and b. d. Obstruction of a batter can never be ignored.

4. When a runner dives over a fielder: a. The runner is out and the ball is immediately dead. b. Unless interference occurred, the ball remains in play and the runner is only out if he was tagged. c. The runner is out and the ball remains live unless interference occurs. d. The runner will be warned for committing a dangerous act.

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Three for Three

By Scott Tittrington

T

his summer, while engaged in a pregame discussion with a fellow umpire with whom I had worked several games in the past, I uttered the following phrase when discussing rotations by the plate umpire in the two-umpire system: “I’ll be at third base whenever I am supposed to be.”

After taking another couple steps toward the ballfield from the parking lot, the realization hit me — I might know when I am supposed to be there, but I should not assume my partner does. At that point, I shared the three situations when I would be rotating up to third base, he nodded in agreement and we proceeded to work a game where there were no issues related to rotations.

I wish I could tell you that’s the norm. That would be a lie.

Having seriously committed myself to umpiring about 15 years ago, I am extremely comfortable in the two-umpire system, and when I am working with someone who I know has more than a few years of experience under his or her belt, I expect the same. Basic rotation mechanics are something each of us should have been taught early in our careers, and something from which we should not waver.

However, it became apparent to me this summer it’s not just freshfaced rookies who sometimes struggle to understand when they should be moving to cover third base as a plate umpire. So, a bit of a refresher is in order.

Runner on first, clean hit to the outfield Whenever there is a runner on first base only and there is a clean hit to the outfield, the plate umpire should be rotating up to third base to take any play that is going to be made on R1. The plate umpire also maintains responsibility for any plays that develop at the plate, such as on an overthrow. Because of this dual role, the plate umpire should come

up the line into fair territory and make any call at third base from the cutout, to avoid getting caught in a bad position should the ball (and subsequently, defensive players) end up in foul territory due to an errant throw (MechaniGram A).

F9

F8

A R1

U1 F7

BR

U1

HIT

R1

THROW BR

This rotation allows U1 to stay in the working area, watch R1 touch second base, and then release him to the plate umpire while shifting attention to the batter-runner. Should R1 put on the brakes and not attempt to advance to third base, he remains U1’s responsibility for all plays back into second base.

Of course, every rule (and in the case of sports officiating, every mechanic) has its exceptions. There are three key exceptions on this rotation, and they require solid pregame and in-game communication between the two umpires on the crew.

The first exception involves a ball hit down the right-field line that is going to require a fair/foul ruling or a catch/no catch ruling. Both of these are the plate umpire’s responsibility — remember, U1 is in the middle of the field in the working area — and require the plate umpire to maintain a position on the first-base line rather than vacating the plate area to rotate to third base. The plate umpire should verbally inform the base umpire that PU is “on the line” or “taking the ball,” which signals to the base umpire there will be no rotation and the base umpire will be responsible for all plays involving R1 at third base (MechaniGram B).

The second exception involves a ball hit to the outfield on which it

Steve Pullbrook, Hemet, Calif., arrives at third base, completing a rotation as the plate umpire. It is important for all members of a crew to understand when such a rotation is required.

NO CATCH

B

F9

BR

R1

U1

R1

U1 THROW BR

BOB MESSINA

is clear there will be no play against R1 at third base but during which a play at the plate may develop — in other words, a clear extra-base hit to the gap or over an outfielder’s head. Again, the plate umpire should verbally notify the base umpire that PU is “staying home,” signaling to the base umpire there will be no

rotation and the base umpire has all plays at all the bases.

The third “exception” isn’t truly an exception, as it involves a slight wrinkle to the original premise that the ball is hit cleanly to the outfield.

How should the umpiring crew handle a situation where a batted ball ends up in the outfield because it caroms off an infielder and R1 decides to try for third base? Again, this type of action involves both pregame discussion about how you as a crew will ideally handle such a situation, and the ability to verbally communicate during the play to put the crew in the best position to rule on all runners.

Runners on first and third, clean hit to the outfield The rules for a rotation by the plate umpire to third base are exactly the same in this situation as with a runner on first base only. The exceptions are also the same, with the plate umpire staying home on the situations described above.

Too often, plate umpires allow the fact there is a runner on third base to change their thinking about rotating up to take plays on R1 into third base. They seem to believe they need to stay home and worry about what is happening with R3. However, the only attention they must give R3 in this situation is checking to make sure he touches the plate. Remember, the rotation only kicks in on a clean hit to the outfield. In that situation, R3 should be scoring easily, without a play. The plate umpire, while moving toward third base, should take a look to make sure R3 touches the plate and continue on to third base, creating a situation where each umpire is responsible for one of the remaining baserunners (MechaniGram C, next page).

Runners on first and second, less than two outs Whenever this situation comes to fruition, the umpiring crew needs to be aware of two key possibilities. The first is an infield fly situation is now

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CASEPLAYS Shoulder Loin Play: With R1 on first, B1 smashes a line drive toward F3, the ball deflects off R1’s shoulder and is caught by F3 playing behind him. The umpire judges that R1 did not intentionally interfere. Ruling: The ball is dead.

R1 is out for being hit with a fair ball and B1 is awarded first base (NFHS 8-4-2k; NCAA 8-5k; pro 6.01a11).

Goldie No Lace Play: In the third inning Paul reports as a pinch hitter for Adam and doubles. Before the next pitch or play the defensive coach tells the umpire that Paul is wearing a gold necklace. The umpire inspects the chain and determines it is not a medical alert necklace.

Ruling: In NFHS, the umpire will require Paul to remove the chain and give a warning to Paul’s team that the next player who is discovered wearing jewelry will be ejected. In NCAA and pro, wearing jewelry is legal, so there is nothing for the umpire to do (NFHS 3-3-1d Pen.; NCAA 1-14; pro interp.).

No Sanctuary Play: With R1 on first, B1 hits a line drive toward first. R1 standing on the bag leans over to avoid being hit, but gets hit by the fair ball. Ruling: R1 is out; award B1 first base. Being on the base does not give the runner immunity (NFHS 8-4-2k; NCAA 8-5k; pro 6.01a11).

No Hands Up Play: With R1 on first and R2 on second with no outs, B1 hits a ground ball to F5. F5 throws to second to start a double play.

R2 reaches up and touches the thrown ball. Ruling: R2 is out for interference and B1 is also out for his teammate’s actions. R1 returns to first (NFHS 8-4-2g; NCAA 8-5p; pro 6.01a6).

Not Yours Play: With R3 on third and one out, B1 hits a pop-up just past the dugout. A spectator interferes with the catch. Ruling: The umpire should declare B1 out on the interference; R3 remains at third (NFHS 2-21-3; NCAA 7-11t; pro 6.01d).

F9

C

CLEAN HIT THROW

BR

R1

U1

U1

R1 BR

R3

R3

in effect. The second is the possibility of a double tag, and this is where the rotation comes into play.

On any fly ball hit into the outfield with less than two outs, the plate umpire should be rotating up to third base to take any plays being made against R2. This allows U1 to take any plays at second base being made against R1. Again, if an overthrow develops and R2 advances toward the plate, that play also remains the responsibility of the plate umpire (MechaniGram D).

F9

E

CATCH

BR

R1

R1

R2

U1

R2

D F8

THROW CATCH

U1 BR

R1

R2

BR

U1

THROW

R1

U1

R2 BR

A couple of things to remember about plays that start with this

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situation. First, like the two previous situations, if a trouble ball is hit down the right-field line, the plate umpire will need to stay home to ensure those rulings that take precedence, communicate that PU is doing so, and leave all plays against R2 and R1 on the bases to the base umpire (MechaniGram E). Second, remember that while the plate umpire has the play being made involving R2 at third base, the base umpire is responsible for R2 tagging up at second base and ensuring that it is legal. The plate umpire should be watching R1 for a legal tag (if PU does not have the catch/no catch responsibility on the play) while advancing up the third-base line for any possible plays against R2.

Signaling Each of these three rotation situations should be discussed during your pregame with your partner to make sure both members of the crew are on the same page.

And once these situations present themselves during the game, both umpires should be signaling to one another as a reminder of where they will be should a play develop that requires a rotation. Shown are the correct signaling for a simple rotation (PlayPic A, next page) and an infield fly situation that also could necessitate a double-tag rotation (PlayPics B and C, next page).

A

Rundowns The only other time a plate umpire should be moving to third base is during a rundown situation involving R2 as the lead runner. With no responsibilities at the plate in this

B

situation, the plate umpire should come up the line, allowing the base umpire to remain on the back side of the play and allowing for the two umpires to “box in” the action.

Again, if an overthrow occurs on this

C

play, the plate umpire would also be responsible for all plays at the plate.

Scott Tittrington is an associate editor at Referee. He umpires college and high school baseball, and also officiates high school basketball and football. 

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ATTENTION 00:00:08 PLEAS How to Make Sure Other Officials Get Your Message

By Brent Killackey

G

ot some information you need to deliver to your fellow sports officials at the next officials association meeting or clinic? Want them to remember the message you’re trying to get across, such as some key points about this year’s rule change or mechanics officials keep tripping over?

Sure, your information is important. But we all know today’s attention spans aren’t what they used to be. In fact, author and communications consultant Paul Hellman’s book title says it all: You’ve Got 8 Seconds. The title is based on an insight gleaned from a 2015 study on attention spans conducted by Microsoft.

(Which, incidentally, is a shorter attention span than that of a goldfish.)

If you think the officiating industry somehow bucks the trend, you haven’t been paying much attention to the vacant stares — and heads lowering to check cell phones — during recent association meetings. Or

72 | REFEREE October 2021

on Zoom, those eyes darting aren’t darting around because they’re engrossed in what you’re offering — they’re looking at other browser windows they’ve opened.

You may have information to present — vital information for the work officials do on the fields, courts, pitches and other game venues — but you’re vying to be heard amid a constant bombardment of information.

“We’re in the information age,” Hellman said in an interview with Referee.

“Nobody wakes up in the morning feeling we’re lacking information. Most of us are drowning in information.”

Hellman’s book targets the business world. But many of the insights apply to the business of officiating — and the business of presenting information to others. Hellman offers some tips that can help win that battle for people’s attention and keep it, so more information is retained. And that’s vitally important in an industry where we’re expected to know all the rules and

mechanics without being able to look at reference materials while we’re doing that job.

Here are a few tidbits you can use to craft your next presentation to grab your fellow officials, hold them and help them retain what you’re saying.

Before Your Presentation Three Questions “Focus doesn’t just mean to say less, but also to design a compelling message,” Hellman writes. One of the methods to improve the focus of your message is to ask three questions.

Hellman’s “Fast-Focus Method” advises presenters to ask themselves three key questions when formulating their presentation: 1. Why should I listen (or read this)? Have a purpose statement with the audience in mind that guides you in crafting the presentation. Put yourself in the audience and ask what reason they should listen.

Or, it might be telling your audience the cost of not listening, he said. In officiating, the message might be: Pay attention or you’ll repeat this mistake and end up on next week’s videos. That can be compelling to a degree.

2. What exactly are you saying? Spend some time finding and crafting your main message. Determining

your key points will help you hone in on your main message, which ideally should be short — 10 words or less, Hellman writes.

Sometimes the most important message about your material isn’t about the material itself — it’s about the importance of the material.

If you’ve got 12 rule changes you need officials to learn that day, “The most important thing might be why you need to learn these 12 things,” he said.

It becomes a motivational message that sets them up a little better to absorb the material.

3. What should I do with this info? Provide a call to action. What do you want them to do with this information now that they’ve got it?

In officiating, the answer is usually pretty clear: Absorb it and apply it as you work the next contest.

Bill Fitzgerald (center left), Kirkland, Wash., and Terry Granillo, North Bend, Wash., try to capture the attention of their fellow umpires during an outdoor presentation.

during Your Presentation

DALE GARVEY

Observe Your Audience You can sense if people are listening and potentially retaining information you are presenting based on body language.

Eye contact is on the top of the list. You should be making eye contact with your audience, working the room. Hellman trains speakers to look at a person for 3-5 seconds, “until you can see the color of their eyes,” and move on.

“It’s the absolute most reliable way to do a pulse check on your audience,” Hellman said. “You can tell by looking at them if they’re tuned in or tuned out.”

If you’re facing a room full of officials not making eye contact, it’s time to do something different.

Ask a question, take a break, etc. Change things up to get their attention again.

If you’re facing a room full of officials not making eye contact, it’s time to do something different.

Share the Burden Let the audience participate.

“The trick is to engage the other person and move from monologue to dialogue,” he said.

Ask the audience, what’s the best strategy to master the important material tonight?

“We need to leave this room tonight and everybody needs to know these 12 things,” he said. “What’s the best way to approach that?”

Look for ways to be interactive. That makes it more interesting and engaging.

Perhaps even opposite questions can work. “If I wanted to make sure that nobody remembered any of the 12, what would I do?”

That sets up a slightly different expectation for the presentation.

But Hellman offers a tip that comes from industries that are highly regulated and need to have lots of information presented to attendees — two decks.

One deck has all the information (for officiating this would be all the rulebook language, caseplays, etc. — all the specific verbiage that an official would need to fully master things).

The other deck is a slimmed down version of that information — a whole lot less text — the presenter actually uses during the presentation.

So they still get all the info, but they get what’s needed to hold their attention during the talk.

Brent Killackey is Referee’s managing editor. 

Keep Their Attention So now that you’ve grabbed their attention, how do you keep it?

“Gamify” things, Hellman said. Have a quiz. Make it a contest.

Ask a question, such as, what do you think the biggest mistake people will make with this rule?

Make it interactive and you’ve got a better chance at keeping them engaged.

Points About PowerPoints When you throw everything but the kitchen sink on slides, how much of that do you think will really be remembered in the moment?

You’ve Got 8 Seconds by Paul Hellman is available on Amazon.com for $12.29.

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ALL SPORTS

EDITOR: JEFFREY STERN

jstern@referee.com

FOR ALL SPORTS, ALL LEVELS

YOU GOT NEXT No Daze Between Plays

By Jeffrey Stern

A

t a time when scrutiny of officials is greater than ever before, the need to get plays right is Job One. Most evaluators won’t judge too harshly an official who may not be in the absolute best position according to the manual but still makes a correct ruling on the play. Unless the official freelances his or her positioning the entire game, judgment trumps mechanics almost every time.

With all of the pressure officials face while play is in progress, it’s easy to forget what happens while play is stopped is just as important as what happens during active play.

An official who views timeouts or the time between plays as dead time is asking for trouble. Preparing for what will or may happen next helps officials maintain game control and puts them in a frame of mind to cover the action that follows.

Here are six things you need to do before play resumes after a stoppage.

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2. Consider the game situation Understanding what strategy

DEAN REID

Time is out, and plate umpire Drew Fowler, Tinley Park, Ill., won’t resume play until he’s sure his partner and all the players are ready to go. During the break, he can also mentally process the game situation and anticipate a possible strategy that will prepare him to cover what happens next.

1. Make eye contact with your partners Just because you’re ready to go, it doesn’t mean those you’re working with are in the same state of preparedness. They may be tying a shoe, addressing a clock or equipment problem, talking to a coach or player or just plain daydreaming. Restarting the game before everyone’s ready can result in having to redo the restart, which makes you look less than professional.

You should also make sure game-related auxiliary personnel (e.g. the chain crew, scorers, timers) are in place and ready to go as well.

the teams may employ helps you plot your positioning ahead of time.

The score, juncture of the game and other factors should all be noted and analyzed. Will the offense throw a long pass? Will the trailing team pull the goaltender? Could a double steal be coming?

In addition to strategies, knowing which rules may come into play when the action resumes will prevent you from being surprised when a situation arises.

How many free throws are awarded and how is play resumed after an intentional foul? What are the receiving team’s options if the kicking team touches an onside kick before it goes 10 yards?

3. Check for obstacles or other potential dangers Cheerleaders or dance teams using props such as pompoms or run-through banners sometimes leave debris behind on the playing surface. Make a quick but thorough visual scan of the area to be sure it’s safe to proceed.

Fans anticipating the end of the game will sometimes move closer to the court or field. If necessary, get the help of game management to keep the spectators back so they don’t become entangled with athletes or officials and don’t interfere with play.

If the game was stopped because a player was bleeding, be sure any affected areas are properly cleaned.

Ensure that game apparatus (e.g. nets, pylons, goals) is in order.

Teams should be sure that warmup baseballs and softballs have been gathered up from the field and that the team now on defense has removed items from its on-deck area.

If a player goes down to the floor, sweat may be transferred to the playing surface. Ensure that is removed with a towel or mop.

Water or sports drinks that spill in the bench area after timeouts also need to be cleaned up.

4. Count the players Don’t allow a team to put itself at a disadvantage by restarting

play with fewer than the required number of players.

By the same token, if the rules of the game allow you to help a team correct a situation in which it has too many players, take advantage of the rule. That is preventive officiating, not coaching.

5. Know the clock status In sports that use a game clock, know if and when the game clock is supposed to start. If time incorrectly ran off the clock and you have positive knowledge of how much time was involved, have that time put back on the clock. That is especially important at the end of periods when time is precious.

Sad to say, some clock operators are less than scrupulous. In some cases, particularly at lower levels, they are not well trained. If there are repeated timing errors, consider asking game management for a replacement or taking over timing duties yourself.

6. Observe injured players If play was stopped because a player was injured, note if the player is attempting to return to the game. In some cases, the rules require that if play was stopped because of an injury, the player may not return to action immediately. If the injury is so severe that the rules require the player to receive written clearance from a physician before participating, you must obtain the document and keep it for your records.

If a player needs assistance getting off the court or field, don’t resume play until the player and any support staff have completely cleared the area.

When blood is involved, enforce whatever rules apply to your sport.

If a player’s jersey is saturated with blood, that will entail having the player change uniforms. Be sure the player’s number is changed in the scorebook and the opposing team is notified to prevent any confusion.

Jeffrey Stern is Referee’s senior editor.

He officiated high school and collegiate football and umpired high school baseball. 

THEY SAID IT “Baseball players are smarter than football players. How often do you see a baseball team penalized for too many men on the field?”

— The late author and former major league pitcher Jim Bouton

QUICKTIP Project confidence even if you don’t feel it. You might be nervous about the rivalry game that is about to start. You might be a little unsure if you’re ready for your first varsity game. No matter what doubts you have, exude assurance in your manner and body language. If there’s a close call, sell your decision … even if you’re unsure about it.

Participants don’t need to know you’ve got butterflies doing the Texas two-step in your stomach.

Show them confidence and they’ll buy what you’re selling.

DID YOU KNOW? In some sports, it is tradition for athletes to mark their final competition by removing their shoes and leaving them on the playing surface. That is a symbol a part of them will always remain with the sport. That tradition is not exclusive to athletes, however.

According to USA Wrestling officials, wrestling referees mark their retirement by leaving their whistles on the mat.

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Oral Exam: How to Help Coaches Hear What You Say

By Jim Corpora

I

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Dealing with coaches can be a frustrating exercise. Teresa Turner, Cottonwood Heights, Utah, maintains her composure while explaining a call to an unhappy coach.

the incredible passion many coaches have.

• Many coaches are, to some extent, paranoid. That is nothing new. I believe it will always exist to some degree. Officials need to accept that and understand that without questioning why that is the case. It’s unavoidable.

• Too many officials stereotype all coaches as crazy, out of control, vindictive, unknowing, etc. That is a dangerous approach for officials to take. There are coaches (at all levels in all sports) who are really fine people. Go into every game with a clean slate. Always be professional.

Remember not to use stereotypes.

• Sometimes, the best thing for an official to say to a coach is, “Coach, I missed that play,” or, “Coach, if it happened the way you say it did, I missed it.” Reassure the coach you are working hard and will continue to do so. The ability to admit a mistake increases your credibility. Most, but not all

coaches, are understanding to some degree. The key, of course, is not to make too many mistakes. Too many apologies should cause you to examine your mechanics or your positioning.

• When dealing with coaches, listen first, then respond. Always maintain your composure. That is mandatory. It is fine to be firm with coaches when warranted, but strive to not make it personal or vindictive.

• Under the right circumstance, it is OK to say, “Coach, I have heard enough.” I suggest following that with something to the extent of, “Coach, I need you to get back to coaching your team now.” Of course, officials have to learn when that point is reached. Officials need to choose their words more carefully than does a coach. That’s the reality of how it works. It’s part of what we signed up for.

Jim Corpora lives in Whitehall, Pa. He has officiated football in the Atlantic Coast Conference since 2001. 

DALE GARVEY

have officiated since 1975, served for 22 years as a high school softball assigner and 14 years as an NCAA Division III college football conference coordinator.

What follows are my observations and thoughts as they pertain to what I have learned and what I recommend officials do to enhance their careers.

• In many instances, the many “officiating philosophies” have served to create a bigger disconnect between coaches and officials. Many coaches have never been made aware of officiating philosophies.

Coaches tend to think more in terms of “black and white” and not the “gray” that often permeates officiating philosophies. That disconnect is not good for either group. Much better communication and explanation in that area are needed.

• Some officials put the onus of knowing the rules on coaches.

That is our job far more than it is the coaches’ job. It amazes me when I hear an official say, “The coach did not know such and such rule,” when there are too many officials who don’t know the rules of their sport.

• Interpersonal/communication skills are, and will always be, critical to an official’s success.

Unfortunately, that is often overlooked. Assigners will concur that the majority of “officiating issues” involve the manner in which an official communicates to a coach. Officials should be taught to develop a “game plan” to use in their interactions with coaches.

• Coaches come in a variety of personalities, approaches and styles.

Their one commonality is that they all want to win — some more than others. Some coaches would rather die than lose. I think officials in general would do well to respect

Partner Problems Prevented W e don’t always get a choice when it comes to partners or crewmates. Certain assigners force you to accept contests before you know who your partners are. That’s when you need to show a little decorum.

Upon learning you’re paired with an official with whom you have a difference in personalities or philosophies, you might want to talk to your assigner and see whether a change of partners can be made. If not, enter the contest with a clean slate.

Perhaps the conflict was a onetime thing. With luck, the other official may have received new training and is much improved.

It benefits the entire chapter or association if members work with and know one another — particularly on the lower levels.

Those sub-varsity games might be the only chance for new officials to work with chapter veterans.

What else can you do to make the best of a potentially bad situation?

Keep an open mind Just as it’s important for officials and players to have a rapport, it’s crucial for officials to work well together, too. Everyone prefers to work with certain people — that’s human nature. But it benefits no one if you walk into a contest thinking, “This is going to be a disaster.”

If you’re a veteran and see you’ll have an inexperienced official with you, be ready to help him or her. Make him or her feel at ease and provide a confidence boost.

Remember, you were a young official once. Think back to what a veteran said or did that helped you and

try that with your less-experienced partner.

Set an example There’s no excuse for giving less than 100 percent just because you’re not thrilled with your partner. If the other official kicks a call or performs a mechanic incorrectly, maintain good body language. Don’t let players, coaches and fans see you roll your eyes, drop your shoulders or shake your head.

Coaches who are more familiar with you or those who recognize your partner isn’t as skilled or confident will sometimes attempt to have you overrule another official.

Politely but firmly decline those requests. By overruling, you can ruin any confidence your partner has, or obliterate the other official’s credibility. 

FOR THE RECORD AWARDS, ROSTERS, NOTABLES

POSTSEASON ASSIGNMENTS

COLLEGE • The following officials were selected to work the 2020-21 NAIA championships: Men’s basketball — David Carter, Westmoreland, Tenn.; Chris Chumley, Benton, Ark.; Robert Dowling, Bourbonnais, Ill.; David Egge, Denton, Neb.; David Highfill, Leawood, Kan; Jacob Hirz, Papillion, Neb.; Eric Lowe, Mooresville, Ind.; Kris Mealer, Mountain Home, Ark.; Shaun Seales, Dallas; Justin Seuser, Hutchinson, Kan.; Chris Stephens, Olathe, Kan.; Chad Waller, Parkville, Mo. Women’s basketball — Chad Beck, Speedway, Ind.; Mike Kolness, East Grand Forks, Minn.; Leah Lanie, Edmond, Okla.; Josh Madsen, Bronson, Iowa; Jeremy McHugh, Murdock, Neb.; Rhonda Mont, Aurora, Ill.; Tracy Mulligan, Fulton, Mo.; Shanna Lonsberry, Quincy, Ill.; Gary Pauls, Hutchinson, Kan.; Jason Schmitz, Highland, Ill.; Lauren Talley (Thomas), Conway, Ark.; Jared Wilson, Belton, Mo. Football — Bryan Beckering, Imperial, Mo.; Craig Demaree, Indianapolis; David Green, Carmel, Ind.; Ross Hayden, Indianapolis; Timothy Robinson, Indianapolis; David Rusk, Fortville, Ind.; Timothy Streit, Carmel, Ind.; Dale Wagner, Carmel, Ind. Men’s soccer — Khalaf Al-Latayfeh, Tinley Park, Ill.; Nikola Aleksic, Darien, Ill.; Joshua Brooks, Lexington, Ky.; Amin Hadzic, Acworth, Ga.; Jarred Mosher, Sandy Springs, Ga.; Larry Pachon, Marietta, Ga.; Shane Richards, Westerville, Ohio; Tarik Veledar, Lilburn, Ga. Women’s soccer — Sam Bilbo, Petal, Miss.; Andy Boyle, Powder Springs, Ga.; Wes Caouette, Collierville, Tenn.; Kelsey Harms, Everett, Wash.; Sya Magee, Seattle; Benjamin

Meyer, Collierville, Tenn.; H. Adorae Monroy, Seattle; Katina Salvey, Vancouver, Wash.

Women’s volleyball — Steven Arnell, Overland Park, Kan.; Shawn Davis, Nashville, Tenn.; Marek Fracz, Roselle, Ill.; SuzAnn Jansen, Sioux City, Iowa; Denise Jett, Jefferson City, Mo.; John Nelson, Nelson, Wis.; Tom Rastok, Tonganoxie, Kan.; Craig Wiedel, Omaha, Neb. • Sam Houston State defeated South Dakota State, 23-21, to win the 2020 (2021) NCAA Division I FCS Football Championship. The officials assigned to the game were: Steve Cadorette (referee), Bryan Gross (umpire), Sam Mattaway (head line-judge), Ray Pittman (line judge), Tim Gallagher (side judge), Jeff Muha (field judge), Ron Roberts (back judge), Todd Boyd (alternate), Bart Conlon (replay official), Rick Garger (communicator).

• Santa Clara defeated Florida State, 1-1 (4-1 in PKs), to win the 2020 (2021) NCAA Division I Women’s Soccer College Cup. The officials assigned to the game were: Christina Unkel (referee), Sam Bilbo and Rachel Smith (assistant referees), Carmen Serbio (fourth official).

Selected for the semifinal matches were Laura ChambersWolinski, Elvis Mahmutovic, Meghan Mullen, Alyssa Nichols, Salma Perez, Abass Piran, Kayla Polonsky, Matt Rodman.

• Marshall defeated Indiana, 1-0, to win the 2020 (2021) NCAA Division I Men’s Soccer College Cup. The officials assigned to the game were: Sorin Stoica (referee), Ryan Graves and Eric Weisbrod (assistant referees), Brandon Marion (fourth official).

Selected for the semifinal

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

78 | REFEREE October 2021

matches were Nikola Aleksic, Jude Carr, Justin Howard, Alyssa Nichols, Salma Perez, Daniel Radford, Ryan Starr, Jeremy Smith.

POSTSEASON ASSIGNMENTS

HIGH SCHOOL • The following officials were selected to work the 2020-21 Wyoming High School Activities Association winter state championships: Basketball — Class 1A/2A – Britt Bath, Burns; Jesse Birch, Fort Bridger; Dan Borgialli, Buffalo; Joe Bridges, Powell; Lane Buchanan, Laramie; Greg Carroll, Sheridan; Corey Davidson, Douglas; Shawn Eisenrich, Casper; Kurt Engle, Douglas; Ralph Ginestar, Green River; Kaila Haskvitz, Gillette; Cameron Jaure, Cheyenne; Bill Lyons, Casper; Macey Mortimore, Riverton; Tom Ness, Diamondville; Nick Pisciotti, Cheyenne; Eric Quinney, Lyman; Scott Redman, Cheyenne; Katie Reeves, Big Horn; Keith Reichert, Dayton; Kaare Sigvartsen, Lusk; Jim Willox, Douglas; Joe Wilson, Lingle; Buck Wood, Kemmerer. Class 3A/4A – Ryan Baumeister, Worland; Casey Bramlet, Casper; Dennis Fanning, Cheyenne; Jake Finn, Upton; Andy Flores, Laramie; Matt Freze, Green River; Ted Gardner, Casper; Brandon Gilbreath, Douglas; Ryan Gross, Gillette; Jake Hagar, Casper; Annie Humphrey, Cheyenne; Brady Humphrey, Laramie; BJ Kidgell, Worland; Kody King, Green River; Wacey Lym, Laramie; Mike Maloney, Cheyenne; Ben Partlow, Gillette; Scott Quayle, Riverton; Scott Rigg, Cheyenne; Jonathon Robbins, Greybull; Michael Robertson, Casper; Rory Robinson, Lander; TJ Tavegie, Buffalo; Tom Wells, Lyman. Wrestling — Vinny Alcarez, Lander; Beau Fulton, Powell; Dustin Grant, Rawlins; Jared Leithead, Cheyenne; Matt Miller, Worland; Riggen Moon, Evanston; Zack Newton, Worland; Reed Pebbles, Thayne; Jay Rhoades, Douglas; Lanny Schneider, Billings, Mont.; Jason Wasserburger, Cheyenne Bobby Wickard, Cheyenne.

• The following officials were selected to work the 2020-21 Louisiana High School

Athletic Association winter state championships: Softball— Dilton Anderson, Baton Rouge; Patrick Broussard, Lafayette; Eddie Brown, Shreveport; Roland Deleon, New Orleans; John Eastham, Hammond; William Goleman, Alexandria; Darrell Guidry, Lafayette; Chase Kraft, Hammond; William Lanphier, Lafayette; Roger Leonard, Lafayette; Jacob Martarona, Lafayette; James Martarona, Lafayette; Tim Miller, Alexandria; Kelvin Moffett, Shreveport; Josh Perkins, Lake Charles; Keith Schexnider, Lafayette; Ron Seals, Baton Rouge; Todd Sharpe, Hammond; Stephanie Simpson, Baton Rouge; Jerry Toussaint, Baton Rouge; Jesus Vasquez, Hammond.

• The following officials were selected to work the 2020-21 Missouri State High School Activities Association winter state championships: Basketball — Chris Ackman, Kwabena Asante, Don Bickham, Tim Bishop, Rick Bowen, Lucas Branson, Glenn Brinkman, Scott Brown, Mike Buck, Evan Busen, David Byrd, Matt Cooley, Trent Crenshaw, Bobby Edwards, David Fast, Richie Fretwell, Landon Gray, Russell Gray, Bobby Hall, Josh Hughes, Jonathan Huskisson, Jerome Jackson, Spencer Kelly, Angel Killian, Blake McPheeters, Aaron Mitchell, Brad Mitchell, Patrick Remis, Melvin Respress, Cathy Shoup, David Spriggs, Jim Stoverink, Jeremiah Timlick, Jason VandeVen, Curtis Whiters, Garrett Wood. Girls’ swimming — Chuck Bremer, Julie Elliott, Bruce Holder, Ann Merten, Scott Tacke, Tom Yaeger.

OBITUARIES • Tim Edward Anderson, 58, of Caledonia, N.Y., died April 4 after a battle with brain cancer.

Anderson was a baseball umpire in the Genesee Valley Umpires Association and was inducted into the association’s Hall of Fame in 2020.

• Mary Elizabeth Birdwell, 82, of Atlanta, died March 31.

Birdwell was a track and field official and rules interpreter in Alabama. She was inducted into the Alabama High School Athletic Association Hall of Fame.

• Homer Jackson “Jack” Cash, 72, of Winfield, Ala., died

Jan. 4. Cash officiated basketball, football and track and field as a member of the Alabama High School Athletic Association for nearly 50 years in northeast and northwest Alabama.

• Jerry Faust, 73, of Quincy, Mass., died March 30 of Alzheimer’s disease. Faust was a longtime high school and

collegiate football official and was a contributor to Referee’s football coverage.

• Roger W. Frank, 85, of Norfolk, Va., died March 5.

Frank was a softball umpire for more than 20 years and served as a district commissioner. He was inducted into the Nebraska Softball Association Hall of

Fame in 1999.

• Anjinea LaSha “Sha” Hopson, 49, of Chicago, died March 13. Hopson worked NCAA D-I women’s basketball.

She was a basketball assigner for the Chicago Public League.

• Robert F. Shaw Jr., 74, of Watertown, Conn., died March 30. Shaw was a member of

the Greater Waterbury Softball Umpires Association and a basketball official with IAABO Litchfield Board 7.

Do you have any rosters, assignments or awards that warrant mention?

Send info to us at ForTheRecord@referee.com

ROSTERS NFL The following are the NFL officiating crews for the 2021-22 season. They are listed by uniform number, name, hometown and years in the league. Crews are listed in the following order: referee, umpire, down judge, line judge, field judge, side judge and back judge.

122 102 113 85 15 41 38

Brad Allen, Lumberton, N.C., 8 Bruce Stritesky, Belmont, N.C., 16 Danny Short, Davidson, N.C., 5 Daniel Gallagher, Hudson, Ohio, 2 Rick Patterson, Gaffney, S.C., 26 Boris Cheek, Charlotte, N.C., 26 Greg Yette, Bowie, Md., 12

29 81 24 75 31 5 61

Adrian Hill, Bowie, Md., 12 Roy Ellison, Windermere, Fla., 19 David Oliver, Topeka, Kan., 5 Mark Stewart, Sedan, Kan., 4 Mearl Robinson, Haughton, La., 5 Jim Quirk, Holmdel, N.J., 12 Keith Ferguson, San Jose, Calif., 22

34 110 8 10 3 18 46

Clete Blakeman, Omaha, Neb., 14 Tab Slaughter, McKinney, Texas, 2 Dana McKenzie, Zionsville, Ind., 14 Julian Mapp, East Point, Ga., 13 Scott Edwards, Blanco, Texas, 23 Clay Reynard, San Diego, 2 Perry Paganelli, Lakewood Ranch, Fla., 24

83 77 134 98 97 125 39

Shawn Hochuli, Newport Beach, Calif., 8 Terry Killens, Mason, Ohio, 3 Ed Camp, Hawthorne, N.J., 22 Greg Bradley, Carmel, Ind., 13 Tom Hill, Ponce Inlet, Fla., 23 Chad Hill, Oxford, Miss., 4 Rich Martinez, Davie, Fla., 8

23 20 44 59 22 120 17

Jerome Boger, Conyers, Ga., 18 Barry Anderson, Atlanta, 15 Frank LeBlanc, Frisco, Texas, 2 Rusty Baynes, Birmingham, Ala., 12 Steve Zimmer, St. Petersburg, Fla., 25 Jonah Monroe, Baltimore, 7 Steve Patrick, Oneonta, Ala., 8

35 76 53 101 26 56 88

John Hussey, Huntington Beach, Calif., 20 Alan Eck, Cumming, Ga., 6 Sarah Thomas, Brandon, Miss., 7 Carl Johnson, Thibodaux, La., 18 Jabir Walker, Louisville, Ky., 7 Allen Baynes, Birmingham, Ala., 14 Brad Freeman, Oxford, Miss., 8

51 33 91 45 42 103 96

Carl Cheffers, Whittier, Calif., 22 Tra Blake, Clermont, Fla., 2 Jerry Bergman, Pittsburgh, 20 Jeff Seeman, Chaska, Minn., 20 Nate Jones, Dallas, 3 Eugene Hall, Frisco, Texas, 8 Matt Edwards, Dublin, Ohio, 4

55 49 63 32 117 104 93

Alex Kemp, Greenville, Miss., 8 Rich Hall, Tucson, Ariz., 18 Mike Carr, Oregon, Wis., 5 Jeff Bergman, Mars, Pa., 30 John Jenkins, Spring, Texas, 8 Dale Shaw, Holly Springs, Ga., 9 Scott Helverson, Norwalk, Iowa, 19

130 121 68 40 72 90 78

Land Clark, Albuquerque, N.M., 4 Paul King, Worcester, Mass., 13 Tom Stephan, Lenexa, Kan., 23 Brian Bolinger, Fort Wayne, Ind., 5 Michael Banks, University Park, Ill., 20 Anthony Flemming, Waxahachie, Texas, 2 Greg Meyer, Benbrook, Texas, 20

19 Clay Martin, Jenks, Okla., 7 11 Fred Bryan, Minneapolis, 13 6 Jerod Phillips, Eucha, Okla., 6 100 Maia Chaka, Virginia Beach, Va., 1 95 James Coleman, Pottstown, Pa., 17 73 Joe Larrew, Bridgeton, Mo., 20 119 Greg Wilson, Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif., 14

99 Tony Corrente, La Mirada, Calif., 27 64 Dan Ferrell, Franklin, Tenn., 19 13 Patrick Turner, Lakewood, Calif., 8 47 Tim Podraza, San Diego, 14 36 Anthony Jeffries, Fultondale, Ala., 4 58 Don Willard, Bloomington, Ill., 4 30 Todd Prukop, Rancho Mission Viejo, Calif., 13

1 128 74 65 116 118 111

Scott Novak, Highlands Ranch, Colo., 8 Ramon George, Jacksonville, Fla., 6 Derick Bowers, Ada, Okla., 19 Walt Coleman IV, Forth Worth, Texas, 7 Mike Weatherford, Edmond, Okla., 20 David Meslow, Mahtomedi, Minn., 11 Terrence Miles, Denver, 14

126 124 79 87 50 114 12

Brad Rogers, Lubbock, Texas, 5 Carl Paganelli, Grand Rapids, Mich., 23 Kent Payne, Aurora, Colo., 18 Tom Eaton, Jupiter, Fla., 2 Aaron Santi, Jacksonville, Ore., 7 Dominique Pender, New York, 2 Greg Steed, Bowie, Md., 19

14 Shawn Smith, Farmington Hills, Mich., 7 92 Bryan Neale, Indianapolis, 8 28 Mark Hittner, Kansas City, Mo., 25 123 Mike Dolce, Grand Rapids, Mich., 2 109 Dyrol Prioleau, Bristow, Va., 15 107 Dave Hawkshaw, North Vancouver, British Columbia, 3 105 Dino Paganelli, Wyoming, Mich., 16 62 131 16 84 25 7 67

Ron Torbert, Hanover, Md., 12 Mark Pellis, Bethel Park, Pa., 8 Kevin Codey, Pittsfield, Mass., 7 Mark Steinkerchner, Akron, Ohio, 28 Ryan Dickson, Fruit Heights, Utah, 6 Keith Washington, Bowie, Md., 14 Tony Josselyn, Lakeside Park, Ky., 4

52 115 106 9 57 86 82

Bill Vinovich, Newport Beach, Calif., 17 Tony Michalek, Evergreen Park, Ill., 20 Patrick Holt, Russett, Md., 3 Mark Perlman, Las Vegas, 21 Joe Blubaugh, Shawnee, Kan., 2 Jimmy Buchanan, Ridgeland, Miss., 13 Jimmy Russell, Land O’Lakes, Fla., 3

4 54 48 37 43 21 27

Craig Wrolstad, Lake Tapps, Wash., 19 Steve Woods, Franklin, Ind., 5 Jim Mello, North Andover, Mass., 18 Tripp Sutter, Elkhorn, Neb., 3 Terry Brown, Knoxville, Tenn., 16 Jeff Lamberth, The Woodlands, Texas, 20 Grantis Bell, Plantation, Fla., 2

REFEREE October 2021

|

79

LAW

ISSUES AFFECTING OFFICIALS

Fight or Flight? Liability Issues for Intervening

By Rob Feightner A fight breaks out in a game you are officiating. Several players square off.

One player is wrestled to the ground and is being punched mercilessly by his opponent. What do you do?

The primary duty is to look out for player safety and maintain control of the game. But several legal and practical principles also come into play. While the law is not fully settled on the duty to break up fights or the standard for liability for the failure to step in and protect a player, legal scholars believe officials have a duty to protect players from fighting injuries and should not be liable for

One player is wrestled to the ground and is being punched mercilessly by his opponent. What do you do? doing so unless excessive force is used in breaking up fighting players, according to Michael Mayer, writing “Stepping In to Step Out of Liability” in the DePaul Journal of Sports Law. Two important legal principles come into play in a fight (and football is the example here, but there are principles that apply to other sports): 1. The duty to protect players from injuries not common to the game of football. Football is a violent sport, and a player assumes these risks. But he does not assume the risk of injuries from a fight.

2. The risk of liability if an official uses too much force. How far can you go in using force to separate fighting players?

Player protection is the first concern. The player on the ground needs protection. An official would have broad latitude in pulling off the punching player.

80 | REFEREE October 2021

The officials must also defuse the rest of the fight. So breaking up nonfighting but shoving players would be conduct that is necessary and protected.

Under the prevailing view, sports officials are only liable for an injury to a player when the official’s actions are reckless, malicious or wanton misconduct. For example, consider a situation where a running back is held up but still churning his feet, still trying to get the first-down yardage. You are a little late on the whistle. The vulnerable player takes a hard hit that takes him out of the game. But you made a reasonable call. It may have been wrong (negligent), but you were not reckless nor was there malicious intent.

Now consider what would happen if you turned away from the field during the play and walked to the bench to get a water bottle.

Same play, same result. You did not watch the play, so you did not see the runner in a vulnerable position.

You did not see the vicious hit. Your conduct is reckless and wanton misconduct.

Football is a violent sport where tempers can flare. But if a fight breaks out, officials properly performing their duty are protected from liability. They can physically engage players to protect another player and to separate scuffling players. They can use the force necessary to do so.

The job of the official is to keep the game under control and protect players from untoward harm.

Using common sense and uniform application of the rules, the sport can keep plaintiff’s lawyers out of the game.

Rob Feightner is a licensed Indiana football official and attorney from Fort Wayne, Ind. He is also the developer of GameNite, a mobile app for football officials. This column is for information purposes and is not legal advice. *

The Game of Football and Assumption of Risk Football puts many legal principles into play. An obvious one is assumption of risk. There are 10 or 12 batteries on every play. Tackle a guy at the bus stop and you will spend time in jail.

But football players accept these risks. As do officials.

The main column notes the legal standard is not a certainty.

Richard Hunter, professor of legal studies at Seton Hall, argues ordinary negligence is the standard by which officials should be judged to protect players. This position is shared by John Cadkin, author of “Sports Official Liability: Can I Sue if the Ref Missed a Call?” Denver Sturm College of Law, 2007.

The standard of liability an official might face, reckless and wanton conduct, or ordinary negligence is critical to the outcome of the case. There is a legal procedure to dismiss meritless cases called a summary judgment motion. Most cases are dismissed using summary judgment when the legal standard is reckless or wanton. Few case are dismissed if the legal standard is ordinary negligence.

If state courts adopt the ordinary negligence standard, more sports officials could be sued, and more liability created.

Safety Checks Reasonableness and foreseeability are key when it comes to officials’ liability for safety-related issues.

In some areas, reasonable behavior is established by rule.

For example, a number of sports have mandatory safety equipment, and mandatory procedures for ensuring that safety equipment is being worn at the start of the contest. An official’s failure to follow procedures is going to be construed as negligent behavior.

If the rules require something, enforce it. If the sport has a particular procedure for checking, the official must follow the procedure. An official who passes on safety rules could pay a price in court.

SOURCE: 1/11 LAW COLUMN

PRESENTED BY

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CLASSIFIEDS OCTOBER

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APPS/WEBSITES  GameNite Seeking Beta Testers – GameNite is a mobile app that puts the football official’s gamecard and timer on a mobile device.

We will launch GameNite in the 2022 season. For 2021, we are seeking Beta Testers to use GameNite in game situations. If you become a Beta Tester, you will get a free one-year subscription to GameNite. Email gamenightfootballapps@ gmail.com for a beta copy of GameNite.

QUIZ ANSWERS BASKETBALL 1 — All – b (NFHS 2-12-5; NCAA M/W 2-10.9) 2 — NFHS – b (1-10-1, 4-61, 9-11); NCAAM – a (1-14.1, 9-15.2.a.1); NCAAW – b (1-14.1, 9-15.2.a.1) 3 — NFHS – a (1-4-1); NCAAM/W – c (1-7.1) 4 — NFHS – a (1-14); NCAAM/W – c (NCAAM 10-2.1; NCAAW 10-12.2.a.2) 5 — NFHS – b (3-4-3b, 10-64); NCAAM/W – d (NCAA M 1-22.7.b.3, 10-2.3.c; NCAA W 1-22.7.b.3, 10-12.2.c.3) SOCCER 1 — All – d (NFHS 12-8-2f; NCAA A.R.3.1.c; IFAB 3.6) 2 — NFHS – a (7-1-3); NCAA – d (7.5.3); IFAB – b (7.5) 3 — All – c (NFHS 9-2-3; NCAA 9.3.2.1 IFAB 8.2) 4 — All – a (NFHS 11-1-4; NCAA 11.2; IFAB 11.2)

BASEBALL 1 — All – c (NFHS 8-3-2; NCAA 8-3e; pro 6.01h1) 2 — All – d (NFHS 8-2-5; NCAA 8-6a Note 2; pro 5.09c2 AR B) 3 — All – c (NFHS 8-1-1e; NCAA 6-3d; pro 6.01h) 4 — NFHS – c (8-4-2d Pen); NCAA, pro – b (NCAA 2-51; pro Interference Definition) 5 — All – b (NFHS 8-1-1, 8.1.1A; NCAA 8-5n; pro 5.09b10).

FOOTBALL 1— Both – a (NFHS 7-1-7a; NCAA 7-1-2b-4c, 7-1-3d) 2 — NFHS – a (2-24-6 through 8, 6-1-2); NCAA – d (2-16-5b, 6-12a and d, 6-1-4c-4 and 5, 8-5-2) 3 — NFHS – c (9-6-4c Pen.); NCAA – a (3-5-3b Pen.) 4 — NFHS – a (2-44 Pen., 7-513); NCAA – c (7-3-5, 7-3-11 Pen.) 5 — Both – d (NFHS 10-2-1b, 10-2-2b, 10.2.2A; NCAA 10-1-4 Exc. 1, AR 10-1-4 III)

SOFTBALL 1 — NFHS, USA Softball, USSSA – d (NFHS 8-2-5 Pen.; USA Softball 8-2h Eff.; USSSA 8-17g); NCAA – c (12.5.7, 12.10.4 Eff.) 2 — NFHS, USA Softball, USSSA – b (NFHS 8-9-4 Exc.; USA Softball 8-10d Exc.; USSSA 8-3d Exc.); NCAA – a (no rules provisions) 3 — NFHS, USA Softball, USSSA – c (NFHS 7-4-4 Pen.; USA Softball 7-6s Eff.; USSSA 7-12 Pen.); NCAA – e (11.20.2 Eff., 11.21.16) VOLLEYBALL 1 — All – c (NFHS 11-4-3; NCAA 11.3.7.3; USAV 17.1.1, USAV Guidelines for Dealing with Blood) 2 — NFHS, NCAA – b (NFHS 10-3-6 Note, 10-4-3-a2; NCAA 11.3.6.1.3, 12.3.1.1.2); USAV – a (15.7, 19.4.2.2) 3 — NFHS, USAV – b (NFHS 7-2; USAV 7.3.2); NCAA – a (10.1.1.1) 4 — NFHS – b (4-2-1h-3); NCAA, USAV – a (NCAA 7.1.1.3; USAV 4.3)

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

• An out-of-court settlement is reached in a lawsuit where two basketball referees sued a Florida junior college coach for defamation.

For his comments to a newspaper critical of Les Lawn and Carlton Benton, coach John Pellegrino of Hillsborough Community College issued a written apology and paid an undisclosed sum.

30 YEARS AGO …

1991

• The National Association of Basketball Coaches seeks a national rating system and limitations on the numbers of games referees can work each week. The proposal sought to use the ratings to determine which officials were selected for postseason events.

20 YEARS AGO …

2001

• MLB asks umpires to call more strikes and notes a “suggested goal” for each game.

In a memo to umpires, Sandy Alderson, thenMLB executive vice president for baseball operations, suggested games should have 270 pitches per game. The World Umpire Association filed a grievance and MLB agreed not to use pitch count and pitch-count averages.

10 YEARS AGO …

2011

• Nine different soccer goalline technology systems undergo testing

by FIFA. Testing, under standards set by the International Football Association Board, included a goal indication to the referee’s watch through a vibration, 100 percent recognition of free shots on goal and utilization during both daytime and nighttime matches to ensure consistency.

REFEREE October 2021 |

81

LAST CALL

A PERSONAL STORY BY HAROLD “BUD” BOUGHTON

Stick With It I am currently a certified official with both USA Hockey and US Lacrosse.

In fact, I have been officiating in both sports for 10-plus years and I am currently the oldest official (70 years old) in the Indianapolis Hockey Officials Association. I am also a member of NASO, and as part of that membership receive a copy of Referee every month. But why? After all, how much emphasis and how many articles do you see in Referee that deal with either hockey or lacrosse? Very few, if any. But every month I look forward to it.

We’re a tough and relentless breed. After all, we’re officials.

82 | REFEREE October 2021

drop the puck, or blowing the whistle for the opening kickoff of a football game, we all are charged with similar responsibilities and duties. Keeping order and making sure it is a fair contest, calling what you see and not what you “think” you see, and doing the very best you can to see the contest is played within the confines of the rules as stated in the rulebook. And yes, there are other similarities — we are all human beings and we will make mistakes. We have emotions and in the heat of any athletic contest, as officials, we must do everything in our power to control our emotions.

And, for as much as we are sometimes maligned, booed and berated by spectators, without us, they could not play the games.

So now you know why I, a hockey and lacrosse official, am happy to get my copy of Referee every month — it gives me the wonderful opportunity to learn from other officials in all sports and in doing so, makes me a better hockey and lacrosse official.

I wish I had started officiating 40 years ago when I was a young man.

Why? Because I thoroughly enjoy officiating. I love the camaraderie and the relationships I have built with other officials, coaches and even the players themselves. When I skate onto the ice or run onto the lacrosse field, I know that for the next hour or so, mentally, I can be nowhere else — I have to be right there, in the moment, paying attention to every detail and doing my very best to make quality calls and make it a fair contest. What could be better than that?

As another article said, “We’re a tough and relentless breed. After all, we’re officials.” Indeed, we are a special kind of fraternity. Be thankful for being a part of it.

Harold “Bud” Boughton, Indianapolis, is a certified official with both USA Hockey and US Lacrosse. He has authored three books and is a professional speaker. * Do you have a personal officiating story to tell?

Send your story or queries to lastcall@referee.com

SHUTTERSTOCK

Why? Well, let’s take a quick look at the June 2021 issue. I read an article titled “When Officiating Breaks Your Heart” and the opening sentence reads “Officiating mimics life.” Could any statement be more true? I continue reading and see the words “bad news,” “angry and frustrated,” and then “accept what happened and try to learn from it.” I feel proud when I read the closing sentences of the article — “We don’t officiate because it is easy.”

In an article titled “Now You’re Talking,” written primarily for football officials, I read, “Communication is arguably the greatest single attribute of an official.” I ask myself, “How

well do you communicate as an official?” I read on, and as an official I am reminded that once the whistle blows, the people in stripes are more communicators than officials. It doesn’t matter if it is a holding call in football or a “loose ball push” in lacrosse, you need to communicate the call effectively and if necessary, explain the call to a questioning coach. As the article states, “Coaches have a need and a right to know what is going on in a game.”

Then I read an article titled “All the More Reason” that explains why we choose to be sports officials. In the article I see words and phrases such as “challenge,” “love of sports,” “camaraderie,” “escape,” “fitness,” “stress management” and yes, “extra money.” Interesting, however, that nowhere did I see the word “fun.”

Finally, on the last page of the magazine, I see an article titled “I Answered the Call.” The article dealt with a story about an official’s rise to a very high level of officiating and how he once answered the call from an assigner for a mediocre assignment only to be contacted later by that same assigner to do what was for him the officiating experience of a lifetime. But, somehow, the title of the article said something totally different to me.

As sports officials, whenever we run onto the field, court, pitch or skate onto the ice, each of us has made the choice to “answer the call” and put ourselves on the line. Whenever we take on an officiating assignment — at any level, in any sport — we are putting ourselves “out there” and we will be judged based upon the job we do. How we look in our uniform, how we hustle, our positioning, how we make our calls, the way we handle irate coaches. And knowing that, it makes me realize we are all part of a very special kind of fraternity, a brotherhood if you will, that, yes, also includes women officials.

And whether you are on the pitch refereeing a soccer match, behind home plate calling balls and strikes as an umpire, skating to center ice to