Georgia’s Ernie Yarbrough has touched lives in myriad ways.
38 DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION
The 2023 National Officiating Survey provides insights on underrepresented groups in the avocation.
50 WHAT’S MY LINE?
Differences between common elements of sports often leave officials wondering.
78 YOU ARE THERE: A-ROD’S INTERFERENCE
The umpiring crew for the 2004 AL Championship Series came together to get a call right.
ON THE COVER
Age: 49
Occupation: Semi-retired
Officiating experience: High school and junior college football official for four years. Worked 2023 American Division Championship Bowl. Also officiates high school basketball and swimming.
COLUMNS
18 FOOTBALL
Sweet Spots: The Challenges of Marking Forward Progress; Shift Your Thought Process to Motion; What to Call and When It’s Time to Call It; Benefits of Preventive Officiating
32 VOLLEYBALL
Libero, Libero: A Breakdown of the New NCAA Rule
Allowing 2 Liberos; Wave the Flag; The 411 on the 6-2; 5MW Devonie McLarty
42 BASKETBALL
Building Bricks: Ball Location Alone Does Not Dictate Lead Movement; A State of Control; In or Out?
54 SOCCER
Get a Grip: How to Identify, Enforce and Record Violent Conduct; Goal Work; Cleat Exposure
62 SOFTBALL
Electric Signal Callers: Communication Devices
Allowed for NFHS Catchers; NCAA Tweaks Rules for 2025; NFHS Adopts Two POEs for 2025
70 BASEBALL
Just One More Thing ... Postgame Key to Umpires’ Growth; Charting the Collegiate Course; A Core Four to Three-Person Success
80 ALL SPORTS
Try Angle: The Right Look Improves Call Accuracy; Need Help? It’s Out There; 5MW Dr. Megan Buning
4 PUBLISHER’S MEMO You Are On Call
12 THE GAG RULE
Snap Shot: Legends of the Pac-12; Survey Says
14 THE NEWS Wrestling Official Speaks Out After Assault; Big 12 Seeks to Put Ads on Officials Uniforms; Former MLB Umpire Poncino Dies
68 GETTING IT RIGHT Here’s to Hugh, Part II; Negro Leagues Tribute; Moyer-Gleich Makes Pitch
76 PROFILES
The Prevets are a Triple Threat on the Pitch; Up-North Softball History; MLB Umpiring Royalty
Confirming Integrity in Writing; Scrimmage Safety; Contract Red Flags
87 CLASSIFIEDS Camps/Clinics/Schools; Equipment/Apparel; Leadership Resources; Training Resources
88 LAST CALL PAC It In: “Our crew felt an unbelievable honor and responsibility in working the final games.”
SOFTBALL HIGHLIGHT THIS MONTH
Kristi Wilson Irvine, Calif.
PUBLISHER’S MEMO
You Are On Call
There is an old adage in this business that goes like this: “Don’t call ’em the way you see ’em. Call ’em the way they are.” That can be quite a mind veer for us since we have been taught since Day One to call them the way we see them.
I submit these viewpoints don’t have to be at odds if we can come to agreement on what is meant by “seeing them.” There is seeing in the strict sense of looking at a play, watching it unfold, discerning a foul or violation and then responding to that. There is also, though, the deeper meaning of “seeing,” that of placing things in context, of quickly determining what has occurred and its material effect on the game.
Historically the principle of “advantage/disadvantage” has been the primary guide used by sports officials in making their calls. Unfortunately over its long run this principle seems to have been perverted into a justification for officials to call plays any old way we like. At times, the elasticity of our enforcement under this principle has led many in positions of authority to question our impartiality, indeed, our competence. We need to rein ourselves back in. We need to recommit to, or construct anew, a philosophy guiding our calls.
Let’s take a minute to consider the term “philosophy.” Its primary meaning is the investigation of the causes and laws underlying reality. Further, as a secondary meaning the word signifies a “basic theory; a viewpoint.” And finally, a philosophy is “a system of values by which one operates.” In the case of sports officials, it would be a system of values underpinning the calls we make.
Foul, violation or not? Those are the questions. On what basis does an official properly pass on a call or not pass? To be fair,
impartial and believable an official must have a consistent and wellreasoned philosophy. It’s delusional to believe: “It is nothing until I call it!” I say this especially with the memory that at Referee magazine we have marketed and continue to market a hot-selling T-shirt with that very saying on it! Wink-wink! The level of today’s scrutiny of officiating performance is such that our strengths and weaknesses are on full view. The world watches. Replay replays.
The concepts stated above should be thought-provoking and, in some cases, controversial. Good. It is my belief that only through consideration, development and implementation of a true philosophy of officiating decision-making will you, can you, become an effective and respected official. The finest officials have walked that path.
Many bright, dedicated people as well as forward-looking organizations have for years been teaching and mentoring officials. They have done yeoman service to our industry. They are to be applauded. With that said, though, I urge you to build upon what you know. Impose upon yourself a disciplined study. Come to know the philosophical process and apply it to your officiating. It can sound daunting I know. Yet realization of your potential will rest upon your willingness to experience the discomfort of breaking trail.
Allow me to close with one of my favorite aphorisms, which is included in a new collection of aphorisms I just self-published: “Go the extra mile. It’s never crowded there.” (Words from Wayne Dyer, USA motivational speaker, 1940–2015).
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Working with captains throughout the game can bring consistency and respect if done the right way. Stephan Holland, Okemos, Mich., knows his game management toolbox includes warnings.
For Warned Used Wisely, Warnings Can Correct Bad Behavior
Warnings come in a variety of forms.
There’s “the look,” “the stop sign” and “the quiet word,” to name a few. Each can be appropriate in certain situations. Officials must know when a warning is appropriate based on what is happening in the game at the time. It might be the right action in response to questioning of a call. A warning can be issued as a form of preventive officiating. In certain sports, the rules mandate warnings or cautions in response to acts or violations.
This is not to say warnings are a cure-all or a substitute for enforcement. Warnings are not appropriate when basic rules are being broken during a game. Officials must manage the game and know when to get rid of the warnings and replace
them with penalties, technical fouls, bench restrictions, cards or ejections. And without question, the old “One more word and you’re outta here” warning — which is more of a threat, anyway — is to be avoided at all costs. Still and all, a warning can be an effective technique in game control. Here are some tips on how to warn various participants.
Coaches
Because of the nature of their job, more than a few head coaches are going to create conflict for officials. Use preventive officiating whenever you can and tolerate a bit more from them than you would other participants. Use the full range of warnings for head coaches, from a silent look that says, “I’ve heard you,” to a more formal verbal warning
that you’ve heard enough (meaning they’ve used up their leash and the next time you deal with them it will be with a penalty).
Assistant coaches, reserve players and other personnel on the bench such as team managers, trainers, etc., should be afforded much less tolerance. When there’s a problem with someone on the bench, go directly to the head coach and tell the coach about the problem. More often than not, the coach will fully support you. Almost no coach will tolerate a mouthy benchwarmer who caused the team a penalty.
Players
Constant communication is the key to preventive officiating with players who are in the game. Many times, upset players only want you to listen
to them. Acknowledge their concern and often that will mollify them. Reckless or rough play gets no warning — penalize immediately. But if the overexuberance hasn’t reached that level, serving notice lets the player know an authority figure is paying attention.
Fans
Booing the officials is as old as sports themselves. Officials can’t be so thin-skinned as to respond or be bothered by it. Standing in front of the rowdies and wagging a warning finger will only inflame the situation. If it goes beyond razzing, get the game manager involved. Profanity directed at game personnel, tossing of material onto the playing surface, fights, threating acts or gestures must be dealt with by game management.
When to Warn
As noted, warnings can be issued for a number of reasons. In football, for example, a player who would have been flagged for holding had the play not gone to another area of the field can be alerted to block rather than grab. Baseball umpires
often have a catcher or infielder tell the pitcher to avoid a balk by taking a longer pause in the set position with runners on base.
When a player’s overaggressive play is threatening the orderly progress of a game that has free substitution, an official can suggest the coach have the player taken out of the game temporarily to simmer down. Note that is not an order, merely a suggestion. The coach can reject your suggestion and run the risk of the player being penalized or ejected, or accept the advice.
When it comes to warnings, a look can be as good as the spoken word. Often fewer words get the message across than a longer oration. Assuming the rulebook doesn’t mandate use of the actual phrase, “I’m warning you” or “That’s a warning” needn’t be the best thing to say.
End a verbal altercation with, “That’s enough.” You may want to supplement the warning with the “stop sign,” an upraised hand that indicates the conversation is at an end. “Let’s play” is a good way to move forward and get the game going again. By telling the
participants to resume action by putting the ball into play, you can end further dialogue and help let everyone move on.
An effective official is able to deal professionally with coaches, even in the most heated situations. Voice control is a must; maintain an even, yet confident tone. An official who exercises good voice control will slowly bring an excited coach down to a manageable emotional level. Be pleasant, yet firm when necessary, in explaining calls or relating information to coaches.
One way to quickly implement that technique is to ask the coach a question. For instance, an official can ask a coach, “What did you see?” That triggers the listening process as the coach relates his or her opinion and, in the process, feels the satisfaction of having your attention and getting something off the chest. For continuous-action sports, there may be no time to stop and talk directly to a coach. In those circumstances, it’s a good idea to catch the coach’s eye as you’re going past and give a wave or a thumbs up of recognition.
So You Think It’s Game Over, Eh?
Theclock has hit triple zeros. The last out has been made. The winning point has been scored. It’s all over.
However, your duties and responsibilities as an official are far from over. Just as officials should have a good plan for before the game, they should also have one for afterward.
1. Follow the rules. Any rulerequired duties must be addressed. For example, basketball officials are required to verify the final score. While most officials do that with a nod since they’ve checked the book during a late timeout, it still has to be done.
2. Leave together. In all likelihood you entered the field or court together, and that’s how you should leave it. No official should linger for any length of time after the game is over, nor should any official sprint off the field or court so quickly that
he or she leaves a partner behind. That is especially true if there is any possibility of an official being confronted by a player, coach or fan.
3. Items that require reports. If the game had an ejection or other incident that requires a report be filed, the officiating crew should discuss the situations and any incidents that happened before or after that were directly related to that event. All officials should agree as to what will be included on the report. In general, the official who had the ejection should be the one to write and submit the report. However, he or she should not actually turn it in until it has been read by others on the crew.
4. Crew evaluation. Upon reaching the locker room (if you’re lucky enough to have one) or parking lot, the most senior official on the crew should initiate the discussion and be the one to
admit mistakes first. That will open the discussion for newer officials to feel less threatened for admitting mistakes.
Officials should never begin the discussion by asking, “Did you see anything?” and being satisfied with no response. A better question to ask might be, “Was there anything out there today that you saw that I could have done better or that you didn’t understand?”
Among the topics to think about: judgment plays, rule interpretations, proper positioning, crew mechanics and situation management.
5. Departure. Once all discussion is completed, everyone should leave at the same time. Be sure each official’s car starts and that all cars are moving. That’s especially important on those cold winter nights. Someone might have to stay a little later to give a crewmate a warm place to sit while waiting for roadside assistance.
From the Desk of Sam Davis …
This week’s bulletin will include tips on game management techniques, gameday communication reminders and a mentoring invitation. We hope these tidbits will be added to your “officiating toolbox” and assist you as the season progresses.
Game Management
A skilled official manages a game effectively by collaborating well with people. Excellent communication is often more than words. It involves having a presence as an official that includes effective eye contact, a confident posture, an athletic appearance and movement with a calm demeanor to influence the game positively. The most successful officials have learned to balance strong knowledge of the playing rules while applying those rules with common sense in mind. Avoid being that official who becomes a “rulebook nitpicker” but instead focus on the bigger picture by managing people and situations first.
A few things that officials can do to exercise control and minimize issues are:
• Your words, actions and body language set the tone for acceptable and unacceptable behavior by players, coaches and spectators. Be the example!
• Be “present” and “locked-in” during your assignment, but don’t become the focus of the contest.
• Exercise more direct game control when players’ actions and behaviors indicate they do not want to play within the letter and spirit of the rules.
• Consistently apply and enforce all safety-related rules, regardless of the contest’s time, score or situation. Safety takes precedence over everything else!
• The contest should be fun for everyone. Enjoy your time officiating. Everyone should see that you like what you are doing and that you want others to have the same positive experience.
Game Day Communication
While this may seem simple, contact and communication with the host school a day or two before the contest will reduce confusion and logistical issues when you arrive at the site. It is crucial to clarify such things as:
• The date, site and start time.
• Whether the contest format includes “senior night,” “Homecoming,” special events, a quad vs. dual match, etc.
• Contact number for emergencies that arise. This quick communication can solve many problems in advance! Plan!
Mentoring
A “newbie” needs an experienced mentor as they travel the officiating road. The mentoring process is critical for new and inexperienced officials getting started in this great avocation. It is necessary for an
official’s development and involves much more than critiquing their performance in a contest. Instead, mentoring requires time, effort, and a desire to build relationships and connections with a fellow official. Once this relationship starts to develop, that veteran official can then provide information and input to make others better. Mentoring in the right way and for the right reasons reinforces officiating fundamentals. It creates an ongoing support system that allows mentees to face the challenges of the sport better individually. From a global perspective, this process strengthens recruitment and retention efforts. Our new officials need the support, guidance, and wisdom that best comes from a caring and committed veteran official. We invite all new and experienced officials to become more involved in this process.
The MHSAA appreciates all that you continue to do for school sports!
Sam L. Davis MHSAA Director of Official Services
Sportsmanship Stewards
Attending sporting events as a spectator can be a thrill. Perhaps you pay attention to the officials working the game more than anything, but even so, there might be people paying attention to you, despite being out of uniform.
Carrying the label of a sports official brings much pride, but an equal amount of responsibility. After a game is completed or even during an off day, the uniform might be off your back, but you are still a representative of the officiating industry.
So what does it mean to be a “Steward of Good Sportsmanship?”
Criticizing Decisions by Others
It can be difficult to watch a game on the sideline when you have a child playing, fan-ship or other vested interest in the game. Despite your opinion of a play, it’s best to keep your opinion to yourself when attending these events. Openly criticizing another official typically leads other to join in, which widens the fracture in improving relations between spectators and officials.
Officials have been subject to discipline not for their performance on the court, but their behavior off the court while attending games as a spectator.
This means supporting or staying neutral to officiating decisions made by others. If you wouldn’t throw a partner under the proverbial bus during a game, why would you throw another member of the officiating industry down? We have plenty of critics willing to critique our work on gameday, so it’s a simple reminder that you’re still carrying the stripes, blues or whatever your officiating uniform may be.
Learning Opportunity Is Different
It’s good to review video during association meetings or privately among officials because it’s not the same as openly criticizing another official for all to see. Typically, uninvited critique should be left to coordinators, supervisors and association leaders, as appropriate. However, this should not discourage association leaders from breaking down a video when one of the members made an error. When doing this, it is important to identify teaching points as opposed to focusing on the identity of the official.
Good Sports, Bad Sports
When you permit an action, whether you realize or not, you’re now promoting that action. Conduct detrimental to the game must be dealt with. Sure, dealing with misconduct early in the game is preferred but reporting a coach who seeks out and engages officials after an official’s jurisdiction of a game has concluded must be reported. Comments such as, “I don’t want to file the paperwork,” or “I don’t want to receive a bad rating from the coach,” plague officiating’s battle to curb
Successful officials are role models for the community in promoting fair play and sportsmanship. (L-R) Brian Mishler, Portland, Mich., Sydney Gray, Grand Rapids, Mich., Jill Maloy, Ann Arbor, Mich., Thomas Rau, Owosso, Mich.
negative influences from disrupting the recruitment and retainment of officials.
Finally, escalating or antagonizing situations is discouraged. Providing an explanation of a call or decision before asking the interested party to move on should be considered prior to any sporting behavior penalty is issued. The exception, of course, is for major conduct issues when no warning is suggested or required by rule. After a reasonable explanation has been provided and you’ve asked the participant to move on, “coming back for seconds” should not be permitted.
Coaches, Beware
Coaching can be an extremely rewarding experience as a way to spend time with a son, daughter,
nephew, niece, etc. However, sports officials who coach are under a microscope — wanted or not. Officials who coach must ensure they address the game officials in a respectful manner at all times. If fans from your team become unruly, you have a duty to curb the negative behavior as soon as possible. Should the official come to you and request the removal of someone from your fanbase, you have failed in this regard.
Simply put, being a “Steward of Good Sportsmanship” means treating others the way you would want to be treated. Officials are role models as they take a great responsibility in making decisions with integrity — both at and away from the site of competition.
New Partner, Now What?
It
is 5 o’clock on a Wednesday, and you are on the way home from a long day at work. You have a game at 8 p.m. So you get home, check your game schedule one more time, and see that one of your partners is John Smith. You do not recognize the name.
In a few hours, you get to the game. You meet with your crew members that you have known for years. Then John walks in the locker room. The crew shakes hands with John and you ask, “How long have you been officiating?”
“Well actually,” John says sheepishly, “this is my very first game.”
“Oh wow, that’s great!” you say. But under their breath, your whole crew mutters, “Uh oh. We are doomed.”
Now what do you do?
Sadly, many officials are uncomfortable meeting and working with new partners. Sometimes it is a challenge to work with a new official, regardless of how much experience you may have under your belt. What may be an exciting time for a new official might turn into disaster without knowing how to deal with all the issues that can crop up during
quick tip
Replace your accessories when necessary. Are those pants beginning to wear down in certain spots or have they faded fast from the summer sun? Is the armpit area of that striped shirt getting stained and smelly, even after a wash? By investing in your equipment in the offseason, you will save yourself the trouble of any last-minute shopping and begin your season looking your best.
the game. In short, things can go wrong if we are not careful.
To start, we generally have low expectations about working and getting along with a brand new official. Our thoughts automatically turn to the negative. What if he misses a call? What if he is lazy? What if he is too shy? Or too talkative? But if our expectations about our new colleague are critical, guess what? We are whipped before we even meet them. We start off on the wrong foot.
It has been said that 85 percent of your success in any area has to do with your ability to communicate well with others. The success of an officiating crew ultimately depends on how well we get along with our partners, no matter their age or experience. It is important to get acquainted with all the members of our team, especially somebody new. The better we are able to communicate with one another, the more likely the game will go smoothly. And that is always our main goal.
So what steps can we take to make this new relationship a positive one?
First, communication begins the moment we see who our partner is for the game. As mentioned earlier, if our attitude toward working with a new partner is a doubtful one, we communicate that feeling immediately before we even show up. In fact, we find ourselves dreading the car ride. On the other hand, if our attitude is one that says, “I am going to make this game enjoyable for this person,” that will tend to be true. What a difference that will make.
Second, in getting to know someone you just met, or even someone you have not seen for quite awhile, a great method you can use is FORM. FORM is an acronym which means: Family, Occupation, Recreation and Message. Start by asking questions about their family or other questions about themselves, like, “Where do you live?” Then
ask about their occupation or other things they do besides officiating. You can then go into questions about what they like to do for fun. Finally, finish with a message that says, “I am looking forward to working with you tonight.”
You can use FORM almost every single time. It is one of the fastest, easiest way to build rapport with somebody new.
Third, it is useful to have a productive pregame meeting. Take some time to review game protocol, procedures, signals and situations that may arise during the contest. Even reviewing something as basic as positioning could be the difference between a successful game and an unsuccessful game. The more on the same page you are with your partners, the better off the game will be. Allow enough time for your new partner to ask questions. Be patient, and above all, stay positive.
Fourth, during the game itself, it is critical for you to take the leadership position. At the same time, remember that all members of the crew are equal. Allow your new partner to make mistakes, but be ready to step in when necessary. Be a role model. When your partner makes a good call, acknowledge it with a verbal compliment. Save your criticisms for after the game.
Remember when you were a brand new official? Keep that in mind before you have anything negative to say. Make the other person feel important, and they will respond better to any critique.
Lastly, it is our attitude toward others that determines their attitude toward us. As long as your attitude remains excellent (or at least good), your new partner’s attitude will reflect back to you the same way. And not only will he or she become more confident, they will regard you as one of the best officials they will ever work with.
Officials will always remember their very first game, but will it be a game they want to remember? It is up to you.
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THE GAG RULE
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING
GIVE US A BREAK THEY GET IT
Chair umpires at Roland Garros were equipped with head-mounted cameras during the 2024 French Open tennis tournament. The move was an attempt to provide spectators with a clearer view of ball marks following close calls. Andy Murray provided his two cents via X, formerly known as Twitter, when he wrote, “Is there a worse use of technology in sport than the introduction of the umpire head cam at Roland Garros?! Looks horrendous and from what I’ve seen offers nothing to anyone involved in the match!”
SOURCE: TENNISUPTODATE.COM
SNAP SHOT
legends of the pac-12
The crew working the Pac-12 baseball tournament — the last Pac-12 tournament before conference reorganization — felt the weight of the moment and created an impromptu wall of honor in their locker room to celebrate the many influential officials and administrators in the “Conference of Champions.” For the full story, see the Last Call on p. 82 written by Pac-12 Coordinator of Baseball Umpires Dave Yeast.
“An umpire’s life is exceptionally tough, from the 6am flights to tv commentators (second) guessing every call. May Angel Hernandez spend a peaceful life, and never again get booed.”
–Post on X, formerly known as Twitter, from former ESPN writer and in-studio analyst Peter Gammons after the midseason retirement of MLB umpire Angel Hernandez
SAY WHAT?
“We think the WNBA, more specifically, their refs, need to stop trying to screw her over at every single turn.”
—
Pat McAfee, on his ESPN show, shortly after Caitlin Clark’s professional career began with the Indiana Fever
Wrestling Official Speaks Out After Assault
CONCORD, N.C. — A Virginia man has been charged with assault of a sports official after he allegedly shoved a referee during a wrestling match in North Carolina.
Footage of the incident at the wrestling tournament — an independent folkstyle tournament at the Great Wolf Lodge in Concord, N.C., on June 22 — went viral. The video, posted to TikTok, shows the referee — who chose to only identify himself by his first name, Sean — being shoved by an individual later identified as Joshua Hammond of Virginia.
The conflict arose when Hammond took issue with what he thought should have been a non-call during a U-12 finals match, according to Sean, a wrestling official of nine years.
“About 15 seconds into the first period, the green wrestler indicated
THE WIRE
Referee Severely
Injured by Player
A referee was brutally attacked by a player during a ball hockey match
July 16 in Quebec. The 39-year-old official working in a Dek Hockey league had just ejected the player when he was struck
Big 12 Seeks to Put Ads on Officials’ Uniforms
he may have gotten hit in the eye as he was being taken down,” Sean said in an email. “His dad (Hammond) was yelling that his son got poked in the eye. I did not see any eye poke. I called injury time. … After injury time, I asked if he was ready to wrestle and he indicated he was good, and I did not see anything that would have indicated an eye poke.”
Later on, Sean called an illegal hold in which Hammond’s son was holding the opposing wrestler’s leg in an awkward position. Sean whistled for Hammond’s son to release his grip, and when he didn’t, walked over and told him loudly to “let go of the leg.” That was when Hammond approached the mat.
“I walked over to (Hammond’s son) and said, ‘When I blow the whistle, you need to stop,’ in a calm voice,” Sean said. “Then I was immediately shoved from the back under my shoulder and I flew off my feet and kind of rolled on the mat.”
Sean immediately ejected Hammond.
“I could hear (Hammond) cursing, as he was giving me the middle finger and puffing his chest out saying, ‘What?’ and ‘I’ll be outside,’” Sean said.
Sean was not hurt but called authorities, who showed up and told him Hammond could not be
See “Assault” p.11
PARADISE, Nev. — Will collegiate football officials’ uniforms be the next to display advertisements? Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark is lobbying for the answer to be yes. In his opening statement at the Big 12 media days, Yormark said the conference is looking at as many revenue streams as possible, including advertising on officials’ uniforms.
“We will push at the NCAA level,” Yormark said. “In fact, I love what they recently did with onfield logos. I’ve been very vocal about the NCAA to push for making commercial patches permissible for officials’ uniforms, similar to what the NBA has done.”
Yormark mentioned officials are on board with the possibility.
“I’ve spoken to our football officials, and they are in favor of it, and I’m optimistic this will happen soon,” Yormark said.
several times with a hockey stick, suffering significant injuries including a fractured skull, broken jaw, several broken teeth and a concussion. A statement from the National Ball Hockey Players Association (NBHPA) said the offending player will be suspended for life. The unidentified victim filed a complaint with police and the suspect has been approached by authorities.
Umpire, Coach Suspended After Brawl
An umpire and an assistant coach were both suspended after an altercation during a Little League game
mask before the fight moves off screen. The incident took place during a North Carolina state tournament matchup between Cherryville and Bull City at Gillette Baseball Complex.
July 15 in Wilson, N.C. Video showed the coach walked up to the umpire and shoved him. The umpire is then seen trying to hit the coach several times with his
“We have absolutely no tolerance for abuse anywhere in the Little League program,” a statement from Little League International read. The coach and umpire were suspended indefinitely.
See “Big 12” p.10
Video from a youth wrestling tournament in North Carolina shows the referee being shoved during a match.
Yormark
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Former MLB Umpire Larry Poncino Dies
TUCSON, Ariz.
— Larry Poncino, whose career as a professional umpire spanned more than 20 years, died July 14. He was 67. According to an obituary, he succumbed to an undisclosed illness.
Poncino umpired in MLB from 1985-88, 1991-99 and 2002-07, when he retired due to a neck injury. Among his notable assignments were the AL Division Series in 2006; the NL Championship Series in 1998, 2003 and 2005; and the AllStar Game in 1996. Poncino was the plate umpire for Dennis Martinez’s perfect game in 1991 and was behind the plate when future hall-of-famer Craig Biggio recorded his 3,000th hit against the Colorado Rockies in 2007.
A native of Los Angeles, Poncino started umpiring Little League games in San Clemente, Calif., as a teenager. He worked Babe Ruth League and college games while attending the University of Nevada-Reno before attending the Al Somers Umpire School (now the Harry Wendelstedt Umpire School) in 1977.
Poncino spent time in the California, Texas and Pacific Coast leagues before making his MLB
Player Sentenced After Punching Referee
An Oztag (non-contact rugby) player was sentenced July 25 to a 12 months’ intensive corrections order after his assault on a referee in Brisbane, Australia, in July 2022. Benson Leipau Pauga approached referee Jason Fernie in the second half after his team accused the official of favoring the opposition. After a verbal exchange, Pauga punched Fernie in the jaw, leaving him with a brain bleed and concussion.
debut in 1985. He served as a callup umpire for the NL until 1988; after not appearing in the Majors for several seasons, Poncino returned as a call-up umpire in 1991 and was then hired as a full-timer by the NL in 1993.
In 1999, Poncino was a participant in the MLB Umpires Association’s failed mass resignation strategy and was among the 22 umpires who lost their jobs. He was rehired in 2002.
Poncino, who was of Italian descent, worked on an all-Italian crew alongside Dan Iassogna, Tony Randazzo and Ed Rapuano for several games in 2002, according to the “Italian Americans in Baseball” website. When the Cleveland Guardians hosted the Detroit Tigers on July 23, just over a week after Poncino’s death, another all-Italian crew — Dan Bellino, Phil Cuzzi, Randazzo and Alex Tosi — wore patches that read “LP” in Poncino’s honor.
Poncino is survived by his wife, Joann; sister, Lisa; brother, Joe; and many extended family members. The family has asked for donations to UMPS CARE Charities, which helped Poncino and his wife amid the former’s battle with illness.
SOURCE: IRON MOUNTAIN DAILY NEWS
Two years later, Pauga was tearfully apologetic in court, and Fernie shook his hand after sentencing. However, Fernie acknowledged he was disappointed in the light punishment given the offense.
“I can’t ref anymore, that’s what hurts the most,” Fernie said. “I miss my Oztag family.”
Tourney Ends Early After Referees Depart
The Bay State Games wrestling tournament was thrown into chaos July 13 when the referees
Big 12 continued from p.8
The NBA referee uniform patches Yormark referred to advertise Emirates Airlines, the league’s global airline partner. They debuted at the NBA All-Star game in February. G League referees will wear the same patches during the 2024-25 season and WNBA referees will wear them for the 2025 season.
MLB and MLS have also allowed sponsor logos on officials’ uniforms in the past, but their current uniforms do not have such advertising. While commercial sponsor logos on officials’ uniforms is a relatively new phenomenon in the U.S., pro leagues in other countries have used advertising for many years.
In Spain, Würth has been sponsoring the referees and assistant referees in the first and second Spanish soccer leagues since 2003. And in the 2004-05 season, a sleeve sponsor was first added in the English Premier League, with the Fly Emirates logo appearing on both arms.
In recent years, league referees have worn EA Sports patches.
SOURCE: ON3.COM
left the event prior to its conclusion. The Games, which are an annual showcase of high school and middle school wrestlers from across New England, had several issues, including late registrations and power outages. Those issues caused the event to run late, leading to the volunteer referees leaving the event before many of the weight categories had been completed. Event organizers told referees the event would end by 5 p.m., but after nine hours of competition, there were
still several matches left to be completed when referees began leaving.
Copa America Referee Collapses
An assistant referee collapsed midway through the first half of a Copa America Group A match between Canada and Peru on June 25. CONMEBOL, the tournament organizers, announced assistant referee Humberto Panjoj suffered from dehydration due to the hot and humid conditions at Children’s
NCAA, RefQuest Plus Extend Agreement
INDIANAPOLIS — The NCAA announced July 15 it has extended its agreement with RefQuest Plus (RQ+), its officiating services provider.
Starting with the 2024-25 academic year, the NCAA will cover the cost of the RQ+ officiating platform, including payment transaction fees and signature software costs, for Division II and III and single-sport conferences. Additionally, the NCAA will supplement up to $10,000 in platform costs for Division I conferences.
“This agreement with RQ+ puts in place a long-term strategy to help solve some of the biggest concerns we’ve heard from the membership regarding officiating,” Anthony Holman, NCAA vice president of championships, said in a press release. “We are committing the financial resources to aid conferences and growing the next generation of officials while better educating and supporting current ones.”
The initiative is expected to
arrested despite the video evidence. After posting his video to TikTok the next day, Sean was contacted by the sheriff of Tazewell County, Va., where Hammond lives. The sheriff
increase the number of NCAAregistered officials from about 23,000 to more than 35,000 and ensure better-educated officials and consistent officiating through national standards in education and training opportunities. Additionally, regions experiencing officiating shortages will be identified and addressed. An enhanced compliance program including background checks and sports wagering education will be another feature.
Officials will have broader opportunities to work across conferences and divisions as well as general liability, professional liability
recognized Hammond and said he would wait to receive a warrant to arrest him. Hammond was arrested and released on bail about a week later. A court date for his charges has yet to be scheduled.
“I do not intend to drop any of
and accident/medical insurance.
“With this initiative, the NCAA is demonstrating an unwavering commitment and dedication to its membership and the officiating community,” Bo Boroski, RQ+ founder and CEO, said in the release. “This collaborative initiative was founded on the need to provide opportunities, education and protections for all stakeholders.”
The RQ+ platform will specifically aid with assignments, secure payment, document management with integrated signature software and education engagement tools.
A primary component of the initiative is the officiating compliance program, a recurring report to conference offices that assists in ensuring officials have completed NCAA central hub registration and background check consent. RQ+ will offer administrative support to conference offices and officials regarding these requirements.
the charges,” Sean said. “I believe that people should be accountable for their actions, and sports officials and kids at sports events should be kept safe and not have to worry about stuff like this happening at sports events.”
Mercy Park in Kansas City, Kan. Panjoj tried to continue but was eventually stretchered off and replaced by the fth of cial, Ricardo Fabian Baren Cordova. Panjoj was discharged from the hospital June 26 and was “stable,” according to CONMEBOL.
Euro 2024 Referee Served Match-Fixing Ban
A referee who worked a Euro 2024 semi nal match between England and the Netherlands on July 10 previously confessed
to match- xing. The UEFA assigned Felix Zwayer to the match, which England won, 2-1, despite Zwayer having been banned for six months in 2005 after taking a €300 ($325) bribe from another of cial, Robert Hoyzer. A 2005 investigation found Zwayer accepted a bribe to favor German club Wuppertaler SV in their match against Werder Bremen Amateure in May 2004.
SOURCES: AUSTRALIAN ASSOCIATED PRESS, CBS17.COM, ESPN, REUTERS, SANTA MARIA TIMES, TORONTO SUN
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Assault continued from p.8
SWEET SPOTS
The Challenges of Marking Forward Progress
By George Demetriou
Afew years ago a local prep official moved to the East Coast. He had been picked up by a small-college conference and one of the first things he learned was he should mark forward progress where the ball is when the runner’s knee touches the ground. He saw that as different from his high school officiating days, when he marked progress at the spot where the knee touched the ground.
He probably isn’t the only official to have made that mistake. Forward progress is the same regardless of the level of play. The challenge officials
will always face is noting two places at once: the spot where and if the runner is down by rule and the spot where the forward-most point of the ball is when that happens.
Forward progress is the end of advancement of the ball toward the opponent’s goal (NFHS 2-15-1; NCAA 2-9-2). It is the spot indicated by the forward-most point of the ball when it becomes dead by rule. In the vast majority of cases, it is obvious the ball has become dead by rule. A runner is down when any part of his body other than a hand or foot touches the ground (the wrist and ankle are considered part of the hand and foot,
respectively). Additionally, a runner is not down if any part of his body touches another player (teammate or opponent) who is lying on the ground. The ball also becomes dead by rule when a runner steps out of bounds, his helmet comes completely off or an inadvertent whistle is blown.
When a player is knocked forward as he is tackled, as is often the case, the likely progress spot is where the ball meets the turf. However, if he is grabbed in such a manner that his knees touch the ground before he falls forward (called double action), the spot is where the ball was when the knee went down. When
When the runner touches out of bounds with his hand or foot, Ron Feller, Honolulu, will mark the spot where the ball was when that touch occurred.
the quarterback is sacked, there is often a substantial difference (three to five yards) between the spot the quarterback is contacted and where he goes down. The referee has to get that spot. If he spots the ball where it landed, you know there was an error.
There are too many possibilities to describe, but the covering officials must not only be able to discern when the runner is down by rule, but also where the ball is when that happens.
Sideline plays. If a striding runner goes out of bounds, the forward progress spot is where the ball crosses the vertical plane of the sideline. Otherwise, the spot is the foremost point of the ball when the player touches the sideline. That applies whether the ball is held inside or outside the sideline. When a runner’s foot touches the sideline, officials will almost always mark the ball where the foot touched the sideline. That often is a reasonably correct spot, but the true spot is where the foremost point of the ball was when the foot hit paint.
The covering official should note how the runner was holding the ball. If it was in his outside arm, the rearmost point of the ball was probably at about the same location as the out-of-bounds foot. If the ball was in his inside arm, the “foot spot” may have been in advance of the ball. In the vast majority of cases, the difference between the spots will be inconsequential, but when the runner goes out of bounds near the line to gain, the wrong spot may deny a properly earned first down or may incorrectly award one.
The judgment call. The challenging aspect of forward progress is the runner’s advancement can end without any of the aforementioned events occurring. The exact moment the play has ended becomes a judgment call. When the runner’s voluntary movement is stopped, the whistle should be blown. If the runner is physically controlled and held stationary, it’s a very simple call. If he is carried back and placed on the ground, the only additional task is ascertaining he won’t get away.
The challenge for officials is when the runner is pushed back (not carried) and appears to be free to advance.
That scenario is inconsistently officiated, probably because there is virtually no documentation on how to deal with it. If such a runner is immediately able to break free and continues to run, the ball clearly should remain live. However, if he is contacted again and brought down at the spot he broke free, he is entitled to forward progress at his farthest advance. Some officials will deny forward progress because the runner broke contact with the defense.
When a runner appears to be stopped, he should be given an opportunity to escape if such an opportunity exists. If he’s stopped, forward progress is marked at the ball’s farthest advance. If he breaks free and renews his charge, or runs backward of his own accord, progress is marked at the farthest ball point of his subsequent advance.
The scenario requiring most judgment occurs when a runner breaks free and renews his charge, but staggers and goes down without further contact by the defense. If the official judges the runner went down as a result of the initial contact, the runner is entitled to forward progress at the spot he was first contacted. If not, forward progress is marked at the spot he went down.
When a runner is taken backward, the spirit of the rule entitles him to the spot where he was originally contacted unless he is subsequently able to move forward under his own power. Whether or not the defense continually maintains contact with the runner is not a factor.
The down side. The forward progress rule is designed to benefit runners by giving them the yardage they have properly earned, but there is one situation in which the rule works against the team in possession. A player who intercepts a ball in the end zone near the goalline and is tackled from behind so that his progress spot is in the field of play is “entitled” to his farthest-most spot. That spot will be significantly behind the 20 yardline, where the ball would be placed on a touchback.
George Demetriou has been a football official since 1968. He lives in Colorado Springs, Colo.
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DID YOU KNOW?
For many years, teams had to use a timeout in order to get an injured player off the field. The NCAA added a referee’s timeout for injuries in 1971 and the NFHS adopted a similar rule in 1975. In those same years, the respective codes reduced the number of available charged team timeouts from four to three.
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TEST YOURSELF
In each of the following you are given a situation and at least two possible answers. You are to decide which answer or answers are correct for NFHS and NCAA rules, which might vary. Note: In kicking situations, K is the kicking team, R the receiving team. Solutions: p. 81.
1. In the first quarter, team A’s coach is flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct. In the third quarter, A12, who is on team A’s sideline, curses the sideline official and is flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct.
a. Team A’s coach is ejected.
b. A12 is ejected.
c. Team A’s coach and A12 are ejected.
d. None of the above.
2. Team A is attempting a two-point try. A1 is tackled at team B’s six yardline in the middle of the field, but B2 is flagged for grabbing and twisting A1’s facemask while making the tackle. Team A accepts the penalty and wants the ball placed at the far hashmark after enforcement.
a. The request is denied.
b. The request is granted.
3. Team K’s ball, fourth and 18 from its own eight yardline. K1 is at his own one yardline when R2 blocks his punt. The ball deflects to K2, who is at his own two yardline. His momentum carries him into his own end zone, where he falls to the ground.
a. Touchback; team K’s ball at its own 20 yardline.
b. Safety; team R scores two points.
c. The momentum exception applies; it’s team R’s ball first and goal on team K’s two yardline.
4. The penalty for which of the following fouls includes a loss of down if committed by the team in possession:
a. Pass interference.
b. Illegal forward handing.
c. Originally ineligible player while inbounds intentionally touches a legal forward pass before it has touched an opponent or an official.
d. Planned loose-ball play.
e. Illegal scrimmage kick.
f. Eligible receiver goes out of bounds, returns inbounds and touches a legal forward pass before it has been touched by an opponent or official.
Shift Your Thought Process to Motion
By Judson Howard
Oneoffensive team strategy is to move players around before a play starts in order to confuse the defense, or to catch them off guard to create an advantage. A shift and motion are two types of movements after team A or team K players have broken the huddle or have all become completely still before a snap and move to another position. Both player actions can be legal or illegal.
Legal motion is one player moving parallel to the line or backward before the snap (NFHS 7-2-7; NCAA 7-1-4b). In NFHS, that player is commonly a back, but initially could be a lineman under certain conditions. In NCAA, that player must be a back. Before starting motion, he needs to be motionless for at least a second after all teammates are set.
All team A players are initially still before the snap in the following.
Play 1: Back A1, positioned outside the tackle, starts to run toward the sideline. When the ball is snapped, the direction of his motion is (a) toward his own goalline, (b) parallel to the line of scrimmage, or (c)toward the line of scrimmage. Ruling 1: Legal motion in (a) and (b), illegal motion in (c). To be legal, a player may not be in motion toward the opponent’s goalline. Illegal motion is a live-ball foul, penalized five yards from the previous spot (NFHS 7-2-7; NCAA 7-1-4b).
Play 2: Two backfield players start in motion and are still moving when the ball is snapped. Ruling 2: Foul for illegal shift/motion. Only one player can be in motion when the play starts.
Play 3: Tight end A1, lined up on the line of scrimmage, comes out
of his stance and is moving in the backfield parallel to the line. At the snap, he is (a) just behind a tackle, or (b) seven yards in the backfield. Ruling 3: In NFHS, illegal motion in (a). Legal motion in (b) as he is more than five yards behind the line at the snap. In NCAA, illegal motion in both cases. A lineman can establish himself as a back by repositioning to a legal back location and stopping for a full second. Then he can legally go in motion.
Motion is not limited to running while facing a sideline. A player can face his line in a sidestep motion, or he can mark time in place.
A shift involves a combination of team A or team K players moving to different positions prior to the snap. A shift in NFHS is the action of one or more offensive players who, after taking initial positions, relocate to a new set location before the snap (2-39). In NCAA, a shift is a simultaneous change of position by two or more offensive players after
the ball is ready for play and before the snap (2-22). An illegal shift is a live-ball foul, penalized five yards from the previous spot (NFHS 7-2-6; NCAA 7-1-4c).
Players can legally shift from a line position to another line position or to the backfield. NCAA numbering-exception players must remain in the interior of the line to avoid a foul for illegal formation. Backs can legally shift to another location in the backfield or to the line.
Play 4: Tight end A1 relocates into the backfield. Slot receiver A2 then moves up to the line. Both are stationary in their new positions for two seconds before the snap. Ruling 4: Legal shift.
Play 5: Back A1 goes in motion and, while still moving, two other backs switch sides of the formation. A1 continues in motion at the snap three seconds after the two other backs reset. Ruling 5: Illegal shift. Multiple team A players were moving at the same time prior to the snap
which constitutes a shift, and the entire team was not set after the shift and before the snap.
Play 6: Five linemen are standing up. When they go down to a threepoint stance, two backs shift to a different position in the backfield while the ball is snapped. Ruling 6: Illegal shift. Not all players were motionless prior to the snap.
In NCAA, if the entire offensive team never comes to a one-second stop before the snap, this is an illegal shift that coverts to a false start (7-12b-5).
Play 7: Team A breaks the huddle. Ten players stop at their position. But one player never sets and is still moving when the ball is put into play. Ruling 7: Illegal shift, a live-ball foul in NFHS. False start in NCAA. Shut the play down and penalize team A five yards.
Judson Howard, Los Angeles, was an onfield and replay official for more than 30 years, many at the NCAA Division I level.
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CASEPLAYS
Consecutive Timeouts
Play: Team K sends kicker K1 to kick a field goal. Team R is granted a timeout. After the timeout, as the teams are lining up before the snap, R2 turns to the nearest official and requests another timeout. Ruling: In NFHS, assuming team R has timeouts remaining, the request is granted. The request is denied in NCAA, as consecutive timeouts in the same dead-ball period are not allowed (NFHS 3-5-4; NCAA 3-3-4a).
Possession Changes Twice
Play: Second and five at team A’s 25 yardline with one minute remaining in the second quarter. A1’s pass is intercepted by B2 and returned to team A’s 10 yardline, where B2 fumbles. Inbounds A3 recovers there.
Ruling: Team A is awarded a new series as the play ended inbounds. Team A will start a new series at its own 10 yardline. The play clock is set to 40 seconds and the game clock starts on the ready in NFHS (NFHS 5-1-3d, 3-43; NCAA 3-3-2e-1, 5-1-1e-1).
Blocked Kick
Play: R1 blocks K2’s attempted kick try from team R’s three yardline by jumping onto R3’s back and leaping high into the air. Ruling: Players may not use the shoulders or body of a teammate to gain an advantage. The foul is considered a personal foul. The penalty is enforced half the distance to the goal and the down replayed (NFHS 9-4-3e; NCAA 9-1-11d-1).
Each Team Fouls
Play: A1’s legal forward pass is intercepted by B2 at team A’s 40 yardline. During B2’s advance, B3 blocks A4 in the back at team A’s 30 yardline. While making the tackle at team A’s 20 yardline, A5 grasps and twists B2’s facemask. Ruling: Team B may keep the ball because it gained possession with “clean hands.” To do so, team B would decline the penalty for team A’s foul in NFHS (or decline offsetting fouls in NCAA). The 10-yard penalty for B3’s block in the back is enforced from the spot of the foul. That moves the ball to team A’s 40 yardline, leaving team B with first and 10 from there (NFHS 10-3-2, 10-4-4d; NCAA 10-2-2c-1).
What to Call and When It’s Time to Call It
By Jay Rowan
The best advice you can give a young or newer official: Know what to call and when to call it.
If you read the rulebook, you already know what to call. In practical application, however, be sure you see a foul before you throw your flag. I always tell my crew, “If you only think you have something, you have nothing.” The only wiggle room you have is with player safety fouls, namely those of a personal or unsportsmanlike nature.
Most of the time rules and their interpretation are the same, but not always. An example is the rulebook definition of a runner. The NFHS defines a runner as a player who is in possession of a live ball or is simulating possession of a live ball (2-32-13). If a player pretending to be in possession of the ball is moving through the line of scrimmage and his helmet comes off, the ball is dead by rule because he is by definition a runner. But if another player possesses the ball and crosses the goalline at the same time the ball is declared dead, does the score count? No, not by rule.
Critical thinking should lead you to ask if that is what the rule is supposed to be about. I believe it’s not. It really means the ball is dead if the helmet comes off the ball carrier. In that case, if the player simulating possession of a live ball loses his helmet and is in a situation in which contact from an opponent could risk the player’s safety, officials should always err on the side of safety. The definition doesn’t have to change for a runner but we have to change our thinking about “the helmet coming off the runner” to the following: “The ball should be declared dead if the helmet comes off the ball carrier or the runner simulating possession of a live ball who is endangered.”
Counting the score then comes down to timing and the crew will need to work together toward a conclusion.
If the rule wasn’t written the way it is, the defense would be flagged for holding every time a player coming through the line was tackled. If we don’t know the rule and the proper interpretation, we don’t know if it is a foul or not.
When to call a foul is a little harder to interpret. It has little to do with the time or score. More often, it has to do with advantage and disadvantage. That is where your experience comes into play. Did a team gain an advantage by committing a foul?
For example, if there is a hold on the left side of the line and the run goes around right tackle, you have to ask yourself whether or not the holding affected the play. If the answer is no, don’t throw the flag. On the other hand, if the same hold is at the point of attack, it likely had an effect on the play and should be called.
We are supposed to start every play with a legal formation. What do we actually call on any given play?
Officials ought to think critically about what advantage is being gained, how the crew’s credibility is affected by calling or not calling a foul and how verbal warnings might help the situation. Do you allow the head of an offensive lineman over the ball an inch or two? Or do you call encroachment if the head or any part of the offensive or defensive lineman is past the ball?
We can’t ignore what qualifies as encroachment most of the game and then call the same action illegal later in the game. That infuriates coaches. Such violations prior to the snap must be called when they occur.
Personal fouls, dead-ball fouls and unsportsmanlike fouls must be called no matter the score or time in the game, anytime they occur or anywhere they occur.
Read and study the rules to know what to call. Decipher advantage and disadvantage on non-safety fouls to know when to call it.
Jay Rowan is a veteran high school football official from Pittston, Pa.
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5 MINUTES WITH STEVE SHAW
The latest in college football from the CFO National Coordinator of Officiating.
REFEREE: What was the catalyst for implementing the two-minute timeout this year?
SHAW: It is being introduced to address two specific game issues. The first was around the improved game flow from the first down timing rules implemented last year. The other is there are 10 identified areas where the timing rules of the game change, and these changes were not implemented consistently, some occurring after two minutes remaining in the half, and some after one minute. The new two-minute timeout will address both issues. Our TV/radio broadcast partners will hold back at least one media break to coincide with the twominute timeout, so we are not creating an additional timeout. This will be a guaranteed stop and will help alleviate the concern of missing a break. Additionally, all timing rule changes will be synchronized to take effect after the two-minute timeout, and this will simplify the rules for all involved.
REFEREE: What impact has conference realignment had from a national coordinator and CFO perspective?
SHAW: There are so many issues facing college football beyond just conference realignment, but as an officiating community we need to not get distracted by all that is going on and focus on delivering great performances. The expectations for our performance and overall integrity have never been higher. Conference realignment has created an environment where we have had more movement of officials, and sometimes this creates new opportunities. It is imperative coordinators and officials continue to communicate together as we navigate these changing times.
REFEREE: How do you feel about offenses being ambiguous with formations, and defenses using disconcertion?
SHAW: There is no place in our game for unfair tactics as we start each play. We have made editorial changes in rule 7 and several mechanics adjustments in the CCA manual to ensure a fair scrimmage line for each team. These adjustments impact both the offense and defense in terms of pre-snap actions. These changes make it clear for team A, that any movement that simulates action at the snap is a foul. Team B will be held to the same standard. Also, special focus on the offensive alignment is a
Experience: Retired college football referee; BCS National Championship assignments in 2000 and 2005; SEC coordinator of football officials 201119; NCAA football secretary-rules editor 2017-present; CFO National Coordinator 2020-present.
point of emphasis. Guidelines have been introduced to ensure we are consistent nationally in dealing with restricted linemen that are not on their line of scrimmage. We will ensure team A is in proper alignment at the snap, especially when there is a player with an eligible number covered up. These type formations will be evaluated just as we do for “gadget plays” and the offense must be precise in their alignment or should be penalized.
REFEREE: How will your bowl season assigning process be affected by the new 12-team College Football Playoff?
SHAW: We will continue to assign all bowl games to the conferences on the evening after the bowl season selection show and all assignments will continue to avoid any conference or individual conflict. What will be new this year is the assignment process for the new expanded CFP. We will pre-assign the four first-round games in the CFP and the four games in the quarterfinals. These games will be assigned to our best eight elite crews. New for this year will be that advancement to the semifinal games and National Championship Game will be based on crew performance from the first eight CFP games and avoiding conflict — all subject to approval of the CFP. This will mirror the playoff assignment principles that we have followed in FCS where we assign the first two rounds of games and then advancement is based on performance with the avoidance of conflict. That process has worked well, and I look forward to implementing this process for the expanded CFP.
Benefits of Preventive Officiating
By Jon Bible
The best officials are tops at preventive officiating. They’ll tell a player he’s close to fouling and why, hoping he won’t go farther and do something we can’t ignore. Or they’ll let another know they saw him foul and let it go because it didn’t affect the play (advantagedisadvantage philosophy), but that given a different set of facts it will get flagged.
There are four aspects of sound preventive officiating. We must: know the rules, including their intent; know what to call and ignore; be able to recognize a marginal case requiring counseling, but no flag; and, in those marginal cases, tell the player he’s close to fouling and why.
Don’t ignore the why part. If the player doesn’t know what the problem is, he can’t make the necessary correction.
I’m not sure preventive officiating receives enough attention in meetings, at least at the sub-college level. Often the message is, “See a foul, call it.” That can lead to games with a lot of flags that interrupt the game’s flow. But usually some solid, well-timed words to the wise will make the game play better.
Take a tackle who’s off the line of scrimmage, maybe with his shoulders at a 45-degree angle. I’ve seen wing officials almost salivate at the prospect of whipping out their flag. But think about the intent of the rule regarding being on the line — it’s to prevent linemen from gaining an unfair advantage in blocking. If it’s a matter of a few inches, let it go. After the play ends, the wing official should tell him to straighten up, then tell his head coach you’ve warned him. If he’s so far back that he’s clearly not a lineman, or if he keeps creeping back after our warning, we have to call it. The coach will usually
stay quiet because he’ll appreciate the fact we provided an opportunity to fix things.
Receivers. Don’t nitpick whether receivers are on the line or one is covering up the other if there’s at least a slight stagger between them. The defense knows they’re meant to be eligible. If someone is pushing the envelope, let him know there’s a problem and clue in the head coach. If it’s a blatant foul, if he’s clearly in the backfield, making too many backs, or they’re flatlined so there’s no avoiding the fact that one is covering up the other and there’s a downfield pass, there should be no warning because their alignment may affect how the defense reads the play.
Wing officials should point to the line of scrimmage to help receivers get properly situated. Don’t tell them to move up or back because we don’t know where they’re supposed to be and may talk them into a foul. Also, talking to them may cause them to be moving at the snap. If they ask, “Am I OK?” just
point and say, “My foot’s on the line.”
I let marginal hits on the quarterback go if I felt the defender was committed or not quite late. But I’d say, “That was close. More and I’m ringing it up.” That would put him on notice. Conversely, if a defender held up on a quarterback or went over the pile instead of into a downed runner, I’d praise him. Just as a talk-to if players are on the verge of fouling is good practice, verbally back-patting when they could have fouled but didn’t can go a long way toward keeping problems at bay.
Helpful advice. Counsel defenders if they get grabby with a receiver and there’s a little yank that doesn’t take him out of his route or foulworthy action we ignore because the quarterback threw elsewhere. But don’t ignore the material restriction that doesn’t let the receiver run his route or hinders his effort to catch a pass.
Coaches may need counseling. If an assistant ripped me about a call, I’d generally ignore it unless it carried on to the next play. In that case I’d tell him
to turn the page. If he didn’t, I’d tell the head coach I’d reached the end of my rope.
I’d basically handle head coaches the same way, although they get more leeway than assistants. But I flagged them if they came on the field to complain or hurled personal insults at me.
Calm players down if they get aggressive with opponents. If they start trash-talking, pushing and shoving, give them a stern talk-to, unless it’s an egregious act that warrants a flag. Sometimes I’d go to a captain and tell him to get a guy under control. Captains like that responsibility and usually take care of things. If that doesn’t work and we’re getting to the brink of war, it may be necessary to toss our marker. We can’t just warn all the time without there ever being consequences.
Jon Bible is a replay official in the Southeastern Conference. A resident of Austin, Texas, he formerly officiated collegiate and pro football.
Ernie Yarbrough has touched lives in myriad ways. As an official, administrator, clinician and rules interpreter, his legacy is one of service above self.
SERVICE MAN
BY Rick Woelfel
His is a lifetime devoted to service. Ernie Yarbrough has served the officiating community on the basketball court, as a rules clinician and interpreter, a coordinator and an administrator.
On Aug. 1, Yarbrough retired from his post as an assistant executive director and coordinator of officiating with the Georgia High School Association (GHSA), bringing down the curtain on a career that spanned nearly half a century and touched the lives of countless members of the officiating community.
“It’s been very rewarding for me,” Yarbrough said. “I can assure you, I’ve benefited from it more than anybody else has.”
An Oklahoma native and the son of a career Navy man, Yarbrough spent four years in the Navy himself, including time on submarine duty off the coast of Vietnam.
He played football and fastpitch softball while in the Navy and following his discharge played football at the University of San Diego, where he had an impressive
career as a wide receiver.
When his football career ended, Yarbrough looked to get into coaching. But he also took up officiating at the behest of the late Darlene May, the women’s basketball coach at Cal PolyPomona at the time. May went on to become one of the finest officials of her generation before losing a battle with cancer in 1996 at age 56.
Yarbrough spent more than three decades on the court, working high school and men’s and women’s college games, including appearances in the NCAA women’s tournament.
He also spent more than two decades coaching football, basketball, baseball and softball at the high school and college levels, including four years as the first women’s basketball coach at Emory University.
In 1992, Yarbrough joined the staff of the GHSA as a rules interpreter for basketball and softball. Over time he assumed responsibility for the GHSA’s officiating protocols and practices. In that role, he could meld his coaching/mentoring skills with his
officiating knowledge and his desire to serve. It turned out to be an ideal fit.
“I’ve said many times I was a better coach than I was a player,” Yarbrough said. “I think I was a better mentor than I was an official.
“Even though I had success at both, I think I do a better job of (mentoring),” he said. “I grew up with a service-oriented kind of approach to life. I felt like the good Lord blessed us in so many ways, and it’s our obligation to give back. So I think that’s why I do enjoy that and why I think I developed a certain niche for trying to mentor and help folks achieve their goals.”
One of the first challenges Yarbrough took on was to codify the GHSA’s officiating standards, which he did by creating an accountability
manual for his officiating corps. The manual is updated each year.
“It’s fluid,” Yarbrough said. “Each year, I get input from our sport coordinators in all of our sports. We have an officials liaison for all of our sports that is not someone in the office. It’s someone who has boots on the ground, and we work real closely.
“We want to centralize our format for officiating. We want to get people on the same page; we want some level of accountability.”
Amid all that, Yarbrough continued to officiate himself. He stopped working high school games when he joined the GHSA staff. But before that he officiated state championship games in three different states — Oklahoma, California and Georgia. He continued to officiate at the collegiate level through the 2008-09 season in an assortment of D-I conferences, including the Pac-10, the ACC, Conference USA and the Big Sky.
self-improvement, a mindset he espoused even after he left the court.
“My philosophy has always been, and it probably comes from my playing and coaching experiences, you can’t stand pat,” he said. “If you think you’ve arrived, you’re getting behind other people, because those people are working to get better.
Above left, Yarbrough was a star wide receiver in his day. He played at the University of San Diego, where he was an All-American in 1973. Above right, a photo from 1967 and his time in the U.S. Navy. Below, Yabrough enjoys a round of golf with his stepson, Shawn Schumacher, and grandson, Hampton.
He was also a part of the women’s professional game, serving as the director of officiating for the short-lived American Basketball League in the late 1990s.
Throughout his own oncourt career, he focused on
“That’s what I’ve tried to impress upon all of our officials in all of our sports. If you’re not working to get better, then you’re getting worse. All the years I officiated, I never missed the opportunity to go to camps.”
Yarbrough continues to serve as an observer for
women’s basketball for the ACC and Southern Conference and brings an official’s mindset to his administrative role.
“Trust me, I still feel like I’m one of them,” he said.
Yarbrough’s stepson, Shawn Schumacher, has benefited from his father’s direct approach to mentoring officials. Schumacher umpires college softball in five D-I conferences while working football and high school softball in the fall (high school softball is a fall sport in Georgia). He formerly worked high school basketball.
“The main thing that I’ve always said is, he tells you the way it is, no matter what,” Schumacher said. “He tells you the truth. He doesn’t sugarcoat it. He doesn’t tell you what you want to hear, he tells you what you need to hear. And I think that’s one of the most important things as an official or as a person whether you’re trying to become a good father, a good person, a good businessman, a good official. Whatever it is. He tells you what you need to know.
“When I was officiating basketball, he was my toughest critic and I appreciated it. Because I wasn’t just getting by because of who he was. He was telling me, ‘If you want to be the best, this is what you’re going to do.’”
Yarbrough and Cindy, his wife of 43 years, also have a daughter, Chelsy, and a grandson, Hampton.
Yarbrough’s influence is not confined to the borders of Georgia. At one time or another he sat on NFHS rule committees for softball (twice), basketball and boys’ lacrosse.
Dana Pappas, who oversees officiating services for the NFHS, describes the qualities Yarbrough brings to the table.
“Ernie is an exceptionally good listener and is extremely patient,” she said. “He understands the NFHS and how the decisions the NFHS and our committees make affect state associations and trickle
down to member schools and eventually the student-athletes.
“He is deliberate in his decisions and is passionate about serving to the best of his abilities. Ernie cares about interscholastic sports and has the unique perspective of walking in the shoes of a coach, an official, an athlete and an administrator. His diverse background enables him to see things through more of a universal lens and that helps him to make informed decisions for the greater good.”
In addition to his responsibilities with the GHSA, Yarbrough has had a long association with USA Softball as a player, coach, clinician and commissioner.
Ironically, he never umpired.
“In basketball, I never got rained on,” he said. “I never had to wear a jacket. It was always about 70 degrees. I never got muddy.”
But Yarbrough’s career in fast-pitch softball, which spans half a century, has impacted the game on a number of levels. He is currently the USA Softball state commissioner in Georgia as well as the Southeast Region Junior Olympic commissioner.
Even after leaving the NFHS Softball Rules Committee in an official capacity, Yarbrough, who was a pitcher for the bulk of his playing career, has continued to work with the committee.
“We have kept Ernie on the committee as a historian/ videographer,” said Sandy Searcy, an NFHS director of sports and editor of the softball rulebook. “That’s because of his work with pitchers, and his ability to capture video that can help us describe and demonstrate rules changes. And, it just so happens the last couple of years we’ve made changes to the pitching rule. His assistance in that regard has been really helpful.
“He has a great understanding of the mechanics and he was helpful in explaining what the rule change actually means to the pitcher and how
Yarbrough officiated high school and college basketball for 32 years, including state championship games in three states — Oklahoma, California and Georgia. Below, Yarbrough poses for a photo with his wife, Cindy (left), and daughter, Chelsy.
umpires can adjudicate that.” Yarbrough was recently named the recipient of NASO’s Mel Narol Medallion, which celebrates an individual who has made significant contributions to the betterment of NASO. He received the award July 30 at the NASO Sports Officiating Summit in Atlanta. Yarbrough said the notification caught him unaware.
“When (NASO president) Bill Topp called me, I thought he was just calling me to get an update on how we were doing with the Officiate Georgia Day for the Summit,” Yarbrough said. “Then when he informed me about the award, I guess he thought maybe I hung up. Because I was humbled and didn’t know how to respond right away, because of the
people and the groups that have been recipients of that award previously.
“It was never something I’d envisioned. I’ve never been about awards. Most people that know me know that I’m a pretty humble guy. I don’t like to be in front of the camera and I don’t like to be the one that is up in front of a group receiving awards. So I don’t know if stunned was the right word, but I was certainly humbled by it. To get phone calls from people who are previous recipients, and peers of mine, people I’ve officiated with over the years, quite honestly, I’m not sure I handled it very well.”
Yarbrough was also named the recipient of the NFHS Officials Association National Contributor Award in 2024.
“It is difficult to adequately articulate Ernie’s contribution to high school sports, as he has served in so many capacities throughout his career,” Pappas said, “as an official, coach and administrator. He is wellaccomplished in every role in which he has served and has been a true advocate for sports officials, coaches and studentathletes, continually working toward ensuring that the game is the best it can be for those who play it.
“He has worked tirelessly to make a positive impact on interscholastic sports and has always been willing to
Yarbrough coached the USA Girls Junior National Team to a gold medal at the 2019 Pan American Games.
help on rules committees or in an advisory capacity. He is readily available to assist the organizations with which he is affiliated and continues to find ways to pay it forward to the sports he loves. Ernie loves officials and officiating and is someone who carries the banner for officials in all that he does.”
NFHS Executive Director Karissa Niehoff (left) and New Mexico Activities Association Executive Director and NFHS Board of Directors member Sally Marquez (right) present Yarbrough with an NFHS Citation in 2024.
While he has retired from his GHSA leadership positions, Yarbrough, who recently turned 74, will not be disappearing over the horizon. Retiring GHSA Executive Director Robin Hines says Yarbrough will continue to be a consultant to the organization. Hines first got to know Yarbrough when he was an athletic director and Yarbrough was officiating the state finals.
“I remember him being one of those guys who was just the consummate professional,” Hines recalls. “He had a way to deal with people and coaches that were just a little bit too out there. He had a way of settling them down.”
Hines notes Yarbrough has taken on a variety of assignments during his time with the GHSA. When the organization began sponsoring girls’ flag football in 2019, Yarbrough was put in charge of the program, which now includes some 280 schools.
“Honestly, I don’t know how he finds time to do all he does,” Hines said. “The depth of his knowledge across all areas is great but it doesn’t matter what the topic is, or what the sport is, he’ll get it done and do a great job with it.”
Schumacher says his father is a coach at heart. “He’s been a coach his whole life,” he said. “Most people call him Coach. They don’t even call him Ernie. He’s coached me through this game called life and I think that’s the biggest impact he’s had on me. Whether it’s being an athletic director or being an official, being a dad or being a husband, he’s continued to coach me in the game of life.” Rick Woelfel, Philadelphia, is a freelance writer and softball umpire.
A Football Pregame For Every Situation
One pregame does not fit all. Whether you have a rookie crew, seasoned veterans, are working a mismatch or a title game, keep this handy guide in your bag to be game-ready every assignment. Easy outlines and quick discussion starters will guide you to the best pregame choice every time.
Match Your Pregame To the Game You’ve Got
LIBERO, LIBERO A Breakdown of the New NCAA Rule Allowing 2 Liberos
By Rick Brown
In June, the NCAA Women’s Volleyball Rules Committee proposed a change to allow teams to choose to designate two liberos for each set, creating additional flexibility and helping stay under the 15-sub-perset limit. The rule was later adopted by the Playing Rules Oversight Panel. The change was covered in this magazine earlier this year, but this article looks to take a deeper dive into
the rule as new interpretations for the 2024 season have now been made.
Teams will be able to list one, two (or no) liberos on the lineup sheet for each set and change who is listed as libero(s) for each subsequent set. This approach provides greater flexibility than the USAV model, in which a team choosing two liberos has to designate them on the lineup sheet for set one, which locks in those two liberos for the match. The new NCAA model will hopefully provide additional flexibility
that may help avoid problems with running out of subs as well as assessing libero performance and making changes as needed in terms of who is designated as liberos for subsequent sets.
The mechanics of libero replacement will logically incorporate the current requirements that liberos and the back-row players they replace enter and exit the court through the Libero Replacement Zone (LRZ) to be tracked. The challenge for assistant
During the offseason, the NCAA adopted a new rule allowing the use of two liberos, similar to the USAV rule. It’s important for referees working at the collegiate level to understand the new rule and the ins and outs of the interpretations of the new rule.
scorers (AS) will be knowing which of up to four liberos are on the court at any given time, knowing whether they are legally in the set and who is legally on the court (and must return to the court) when a timeout is whistled.
When a coach wants the libero to serve, having designated two liberos doesn’t allow each libero to serve for a different middle blocker (MB) or any other player for that matter.
There was no move to change from restricting a libero serving to a single position in the team’s serve order in each set. The coach may have both liberos serve, typically for the same MB, with the decision being which libero will serve — the on-court libero or the other libero currently off the court. The logistics of court movement will vary. If the on-court libero will serve the next rally, the player who would have been the next legal server must exit the court while the player whom the libero last replaced returns, both through the LRZ.
The scorer and AS will ensure a triangle has been recorded the first time either libero serves in a set, and the AS will record the double replacement, ensuring the player the libero last replaced is the one returning to the court, marking the player number next to the “L” and recording an “L” to the right of the number of the player for whom the libero is serving. This is different than USAV, which uses “L” and “R” to designate between the two liberos. In NCAA, both liberos will be designated as “L” since they essentially are the same position.
If the libero who will serve the next rally is not currently on the court, the libero who is on the court must exit and be replaced by the player the libero last replaced while the “off” libero replaces the next legal server. In this scenario, there should be four players to track, two of whom are exiting the court and two entering the court for the libero to be the next legal server. This is more complicated than when the on-court libero is moving to serve the next rally, with two regular jerseys exchanging through the LRZ.
In case of injury to one of the liberos, a team must replace the libero with the player the libero replaced
or exchange the libero with the other libero. A team may also redesignate a new libero, but it does not have to do so immediately. If a new libero is redesignated, the injured libero may not play the remainder of that set.
The rest of the rules governing libero movement onto and off the court match the USAV model. Two liberos may never be legally on the court at the same time. Either libero would be permitted to replace the other libero on any dead ball. The on-court libero must exit the court no later than when the libero’s legal court position would be rotating to the front row.
Serving Challenge
When the on-court libero exits the court, the “regular” player last replaced by either libero must return to the court and — unless either libero has already served in a different position in the service order — the other libero may come off the bench to serve the next rally.
The AS will record a double replacement, ensuring the proper player returns to the court and the libero who was not in the set is serving for the player whose position is right back and who has exited the court as part of a four-player exchange.
If the libero (No. 4) was on the court for player No. 10, and libero (No. 3)was on the bench, in order for the libero to serve for the first time or in a position a libero has already served in earlier in the set, the libero (No. 4) would have to exit the court while No. 10 returned to the court into the correct floor position.
The other libero (No. 3) would enter the court to serve the next rally, exchanging with the player who would be the next legal server. Two players would be entering and two exiting through the LRZ for the next serve to be legal. The scorer and AS must identify the number of the libero serving, and the AS must also eyeball the number of the libero returning to the set to ensure the correct libero is in the set. When a team designates a different libero for a subsequent set, the possibility is greater that a wrong libero enters the set.
Teams that play under NCAA
BY THE NUMBERS
21,
144
The number of high school volleyball officials in 2022-23
22,787
The number of high school volleyball officials in 2023-24
1 of 7
Volleyball is one of seven sports that has seen an increase in officials to above pre-pandemic levels as reported in 2018-19 (an increase of 10% since that time)
SOURCE: NFHS
QUICKTIP
After the match, ask your partner for feedback. Even if you are a veteran official working with a new official, get that partner’s perspective. That partner may pick up on something you didn’t even know you were doing. Don’t assume you know everything you do as an official. This is a great way to learn and grow as an official. Make sure to listen carefully and avoid being defensive. Also, be prepared to offer constructive criticism and appropriate feedback to your partner as well.
THEY SAID IT
“When a coach says, ‘You’re missing a good game,’ don’t respond with, ‘I know, but I got assigned this one.’”
— Anne Pufahl, former NCAA secretary-rules editor, discussing sanctioning during a 2024 PAVO clinic in Wauwatosa, Wis.
TEST YOURSELF
In each of the following you are given a situation and at least two possible answers. You are to decide which answer or answers are correct for NFHS, NCAA or USAV rules, which might vary. Solutions: p. 81.
1. What is the maximum number of liberos that may be designated at the start of each set?
a. Zero.
b. One.
c. Two.
2. S1 holds the ball in the left hand and then hits the ball out of the left hand with the right hand without first releasing the ball. The first referee should rule this an illegal serve?
a. True.
b. False.
3. After a play, the second referee hears a rude comment from the bench but is unable to determine who made the comment. Who should the second referee assess a sanction/warning to?
a. No one.
b. The playing captain.
c. An assistant coach.
d. The head coach.
e. The second referee should guess and pick out a player to whom to assess the sanction/ warning.
4. After a hard serve, R1 digs the ball toward R2 (the setter). R2 then accidentally double touches the ball in a single effort to play the ball. The ball goes toward R3, who jumps and spikes it over the net to team S’s side of the floor.
a. Legal play, point for team R.
b. Double hit by R2, point to team S.
5. The libero is currently in the center-back position and teammate A1 is serving. The libero has not yet served in the set. After A1 serves multiple points, the coach instructs the libero to move to the service position to replace A1 and continue serving. A2, who the libero was replacing, returns to the court in the center-back position and A1 leaves the court.
a. Legal, the libero may serve.
b. Illegal replacement. The second referee should not allow the replacement, return A1 to the serving position, remove A2 from the court and put the libero back at the center-back position.
volleyball rules in different divisions may or may not find the two-libero option appealing. It remains to be seen. We are unlikely to see the initial confusion of coaches when USAV allowed two liberos years ago. Coaches thought the value was to be able to play both liberos at the same time and have one libero serve for a MB and the other libero serve for the other MB, meaning in two spots in the serve order. College coaches are less likely to try to put two liberos on the court at the same time, but some may try to have each libero serve for a MB.
Caseplays
Play 1: Libero No. 1 is on the court in the center-back position and has begun to pass poorly. During a dead ball, the coach sends in the player whom that libero replaced and the libero exits the court. During the same dead ball, the other libero (No. 2) is sent in to replace another back-row player. Ruling 1: Illegal replacement. Only one libero replacement is permitted on a dead ball unless the libero will serve the next rally and is a legal server or there is an injury or illness associated with the libero. The second replacement is reversed and a delay sanction is assessed to the team. If the illegal replacement is discovered after the rally begins, at the end of the rally, the illegal player on the court results in a loss of rally charged to the offending team and point to the opponent. Because a completed rally has occurred (point to the opponent), the libero may remain on the court as the replacement for the regular player in the back row.
Play 2: Team A’s libero (No. 1) is in
the left-back position in serve receive with A2 serving. When the team wins the rally, the libero (No. 1) believes she is the next server and retrieves the ball and prepares to serve the next rally. A2 is confused, but the libero is very assertive, so A2 simply shifts one position into center-back for the rally. At the end of the rally, the scorer advises the second referee the libero served with the legal server (A2) still on the court. The second referee signals a rotational fault for the wrong server, ensures the libero is returned to the correct floor position in left-back, and the first referee awards the rally to the opponent. The other libero (No. 3) immediately enters the set to replace the other libero (No. 1). Ruling 2: Legal. A completed rally has occurred. One libero replacement is legal on each dead ball following a completed rally.
Play 3: With team B receiving, libero (No. 1) is on the court having replaced B2. Team B loses the rally, and B2 replaces the libero (No. 1) while the other libero (No. 3) replaces another back-row player B4. Ruling 3: Illegal replacement. Only one libero replacement is permitted on a dead ball after a completed rally, unless team B had won and was serving. If caught early enough, a delay sanction is assessed. If the rally occurs, team B loses the rally for having an illegal replacement on the court.
Rick Brown, Westerville, Ohio, is a longtime girls’ and boys’ high school volleyball referee, working 22 state tournaments. He is a state and local rules interpreter, USAV Regional Referee and formerly a PAVO National Line Judge, working multiple D-I postseason matches.
Wave the Flag
B
efore the 2024 season, the NCAA announced a new technique for line judges regarding responsibilities pertaining to servers. In the past, line judges were only responsible for calling faults on the team on their side of the net. Going forward, line judges are now responsible for service line faults on either
of the two lines that line judge is responsible for judging.
In the past, for example, if a server on the opposite side of the net, straight down from one of the line judges, stepped outside of the hashmark, the line judge across the net would not signal a service fault. For example, if team A is serving to
the first referee’s right side of the net and server A1 is pushed all the way to the left side of the court, the line judge on the second referee’s side of the court (LJ2), who is looking straight down that line, had no responsibility for judging the server’s feet in the past.
Now, that line judge is responsible for judging the feet.
It is very difficult for the first referee, who had sole responsibility in the past, to be able to see the foot placement when looking at an angle from the center of the court, whereas now the line judge is looking straight down the line with a better line of sight.
This is a technique that should be discussed during the prematch conference between the first referee and the line judges. Line judges should only make this call when 100% confident a fault has occurred. Line judges must remember the server may contact the hashmark and still be legal, but if any part of the foot is outside the hashmark (as shown in PlayPic A), it is illegal.
The new technique requires the line judge to wave the flag above the head and point to the area where the fault occurred (as shown in PlayPic B). For a fault involving the server stepping beyond the hashmark, the finger will be pointed to slightly below the bottom
of the net. The line judge should wave the flag until the first referee notices the fault. Remember, the first referee may not initially see the LJ waving the flag as the referee is focused on the server who is on the opposite side of the net from the LJ.
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CASEPLAYS
Centerline Fault?
Play: A1 lands after an attack and one foot is beyond the centerline, encroaching completely into team B’s court. A1 does not make contact with any team B player; however, B2 must step around A1’s foot in order to make a play. Ruling: A1 should be whistled for a centerline fault in all codes. In NFHS, a player may encroach into the opponent’s court with a foot, feet or hands, only if some part of the foot/hand remains on or over the centerline. Once the foot went completely beyond the centerline, a fault has occurred (9-5-7 and Pen.). In NCAA and USAV, a player is allowed to have a foot or hand completely across the centerline, but the encroaching player may not interfere with or create a safety hazard for any opposing player (NCAA 15.2.3, 15.2.4.3; USAV 11.2.2.2).
Misconduct Between Sets
Play: As the teams change courts at the conclusion of the first set, a team A player and a team B player taunt each other. Ruling: In all codes, each player should be sanctioned with an individual misconduct penalty. Since the misconduct occurs between sets, the sanction is assessed at the beginning of the next set and recorded on the scoresheet for that set (NFHS 12-2-1, 12-2-9e, Procedure for Unsporting Conduct Violations 11; NCAA 6.4.3, 6.4.5; USAV 21.2, 21.3, 21.5).
Not Enough Players
Play: Team A starts the match with six players. After the start of the second set, a team A player twists her ankle and is unable to continue. Ruling: In NFHS, a team may play with fewer than six players, provided it starts the match with six. Each time the vacant position rotates to the serving position, a loss of rally/point shall be awarded to the opponent (6-2-2, 6-4-5). In NCAA and USAV, a team declared incomplete shall default that set to the opponent and if that team is declared incomplete for the match, it shall default the match to its opponent. In NCAA, a team may have up to 10 minutes to have sufficient players (NCAA 8.5.2.2; USAV 6.4.3).
The 411 on the 6-2
More and more teams are moving away from the traditional 5-1 offense to the 6-2 offense in order to always allow for three front-row hitters and to have the setter always come out of the back row. In the MechaniGrams below, you can see the most common serve-receive formations (with the
setter indicated in red). It’s important to understand what teams are trying to do and make sure to keep a watchful eye on these formations to make sure there are no overlaps.
The objective for teams is to get the setter in the right-front position as quickly as possible in order to receive
the first pass and be able to set from somewhere close to the net on the right side. In order to do this, teams will push the back-row setter up close to the net, often stacking the setter with the front-row player, and then as soon as the ball is contacted by the server, the back-row setter will move to the right side of the net and up against it.
In MechaniGrams A and D, when the setter starts in the right-back (RB) position, it is important to watch for two things. First, referees must make sure the back-row setter doesn’t get in front of the right-front (RF) player prior to contact of the serve. Generally, second referees might say something like, “Slow down,” or “Wait for contact,” when the RB moves too quickly, especially early in a match. Other times, the overlap is blatantly obvious and there is no opportunity for a subtle warning. The other potential overlap is between RB and centerback (CB). This is more rare as teams want to keep RB as close to the right as possible, but sometimes when RB pushes up toward the net, CB moves too far to the right to cover that space vacated by RB and may end up overlapping.
When the back-row setter is CB, as shown in MechaniGrams B and E, make sure the setter doesn’t overlap with center-front (CF) or either of the other two back-row players, leftback (LB) and RB. The biggest issue is having CB move to the right too quickly before the ball is contacted for serve and CB ends up overlapping with RB. RB will often move too far left as well and overlap with CB.
In MechaniGrams C and F, the back-row setter is coming from the LB position. More often than not, teams will stack left-front (LF) and LB near the net, to protect the back-row setter so the setter doesn’t make the first team contact. The thing to be most cognizant of is again having LB move to the right too quickly before service contact and having LB overlap with CB.
Study these common 6-2 formations and be aware of back-row setters moving prior to service contact. If a subtle warning doesn’t stop the movement when an overlap isn’t blatantly obvious, move to signaling the fault to correct the behavior.
5 MINUTES WITH DEVONIE McLARTY
officials discusses the first season of the new league and the use of new technology for officials.
Residence: Elgin, Ill.
Experience: Director of officials for Pro Volleyball Federation, FIVB International Referee, member of PAVO board of directors, PAVO board chair for the Northern Illinois Board of Officials, chair of the Officials Assembly for USAV, member of the Great Lakes Region board of directors, worked multiple NCAA women’s volleyball final fours and an NCAA men’s national championship.
REFEREE: Can you describe what the first season in your role was like?
McLARTY: Chaos, a complete dream come true, a labor of love. Honestly, the most amazing thing I could have ever asked for. Yes, it was hard. Anytime I think you’re starting something from scratch, we’re a startup company. The first season we had seven other startup companies. So trying to manage all of those things and support each other while the wheels are falling off the bus and it’s on fire and we are trying to put wings on it. It was crazy. I think if I had to sum it up in one word, crazy.
REFEREE: The league used some innovative technology. You didn’t have line judges, but instead had instant line calls through new technology. How did that go?
McLARTY: Electronic line calling is one component of Bolt 6. That is one piece of what it does. We had 22 cameras, we had ball-tracking cameras that were for electronic line calling. Those are stationed high up in the arenas and all they do is track the flight path of the ball. Then there are the actual challenge cameras. Those are the ones you see stationed at the court level all around the edges. They are capturing lines, net, that kind of thing. We knew we wanted the highest level of technology for these athletes. From an officiating perspective, that really changed everything. From the game management perspective, it was incredible. The amount of controversy that it eliminated on some of the calls we make every single time, in and out or just fundamental calls we make as officials, eliminating all of the controversy and angst, negative questioning emotion that comes with that. It changed the whole culture of a match.
REFEREE: How did the challenge system work?
McLARTY: Our people were located in Frisco, Texas. Basically, all the data went from in the arena, the video was captured in the area, sent to Frisco, Texas, to analyze, then Frisco sent it back to us in the arena. And all of that happened, in general our average challenge time was under 30 seconds for the whole season. That is amazing. We are really proud of that — the fact we were able to leverage the technology to make a decision faster and more accurately. The challenge technology was a gamechanger. More cameras and better cameras.
REFEREE: Describe the tablets used by the referees.
McLARTY: First and second referees both had an iPad for scoring. Electronic scoring was the other technology component we were using. Each of them had an iPad that showed where the positions were, the players, the lineups, subs, timeouts taken, challenges remaining, score. The first referee had another iPad that was for challenges. What’s been so amazing about this league, we’re building it. We were able to be flexible and try out some things and change things we thought were necessary and we did. You look at the way we operated at the beginning of the season, there were a lot of things we had to consider that we had never had to consider in USA competitions. The Jumbotrons are directly over the center of the court and the referee couldn’t see the decision. So we ended up stationing an additional iPad on the first referee stand so they could see what the challenge referee was looking at and know what was coming through on the video when it was coming through. That was really helpful.
Pro Volleyball Federation director of
The 2023 National Officiating Survey powered by Referee.com provided new insights into who we are and how officials look at efforts to recruit
underrepresented groups into officiating. Here are some of the charts, including some comparison with data from the 2017 National Officiating Survey.
who are our officials?
Educational Level
what is their gender and ethnic background?
what is their age and marital status?
Declined
Married
Divorced
Single,
Widowed
Separated
NEARLY 95% OF SURVEY RESPONDENTS INDICATED THEY WERE ACTIVE OFFICIALS. ALL LEVELS OF SPORTS WERE REPRESENTED, WITH MOST OFFICIALS INDICATING THEY WORKED AT THE YOUTH, HIGH SCHOOL AND SMALL-COLLEGE LEVELS.
representation in officiating
Do you feel it is important to put special effort into developing officials of both genders in sports dominated by one gender?
IN 2023, 57.42% OF MALE OFFICIALS AND 68.22% OF FEMALE OFFICIALS SAID IT IS IMPORTANT TO PUT SPECIAL EFFORT INTO DEVELOPING OFFICIALS OF BOTH GENDERS IN SPORTS DOMINATED BY ONE GENDER.
Have you ever felt the level of respect you had from players, coaches, or spectators changed for better or worse due to your gender, age or ethnicity?
Have these traits ever been used for or against you in determining whether you receive an assignment?
WITH REGARD TO INCREASING THE NUMBER OF UNDERREPRESENTED OFFICIALS, THERE WAS VERY LITTLE SHIFT IN RESPONSES FROM 2017. ROUGHLY 4% MORE INDICATED IT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED FROM THE TOP-DOWN, SHIFTING MOSTLY FROM ADDRESSING FROM IT FROM THE BOTTOM-UP.
Do you feel that increasing the numbers of officials that are currently underrepresented should be:
Addressed from the bottom-up: Put a great deal of effort training lower-level officials so they can represent the group well when they get visible positions/assignments.
Ignored, we need officials of both genders and all ethnicities, not just those currently underrepresented.
Addressed from the top-down: New officials need to see role models in higher-level positions. Underrepresented groups need to be in visible positions/assignments.
Ignored, this is not a problem.
Ignored, this is changing naturally so that the problem will fix itself.
If certain groups of people are underrepresented in the officiating ranks, which actions do you feel are responsible and appropriate in developing that segment of the officiating population?
MENTORSHIP PROGRAMS SHOULD BE FOCUSED ON ENSURING HIGHER RETENTION RATES WITHIN THESE GROUPS BY MAKING SURE AS MANY GROUP MEMBERS AS POSSIBLE HAVE A MENTOR.
RECRUITMENT EFFORTS SHOULD BE MADE TO FIND NEW REFEREES THAT FIT INTO THESE CATEGORIES.
THERE SHOULD NEVER BE A DIFFERENCE IN TREATMENT, THINGS SHOULD CONTINUE AS THEY ARE.
ADDITIONAL TRAINING SHOULD BE OFFERED THAT IS SPECIFICALLY TARGETED TO THESE GROUPS.
EVERY EFFORT SHOULD BE MADE TO PUT REPRESENTATIVES FROM THESE GROUPS IN LEADERSHIP POSITIONS FOR THE ENTIRE OFFICIATING COMMUNITY.
OFFICIALS FROM THESE GROUPS SHOULD BE ASSIGNED TO WORK WITH OTHER MEMBERS OF THAT
FASTER
BUILDING BRICKS
Ball Location Alone Does Not Dictate Lead Movement
By Tim Sloan
Have you ever watched a prize fight?
I’ve never really cared much for boxing since Muhammad Ali retired, but when I do watch, I always notice the referee. The best ones don’t seem to move as much as the rest; they anticipate what might happen next and then find the short way to get in a position to see it. That’s usually
looking between the contestants where they can best observe any naughtiness. Conversely, if nothing much is going on, they seem content to lean against the ropes and let ’em go.
In contrast, the weaker referees seem to think if they don’t circle the boxers at least 10 times a round and yell, “Break!” a lot, they won’t get paid. They become a distraction, run themselves out of position and get caught looking at a fighter’s back just
as the low blow is delivered. While there are only occasional fights in basketball, it seems to me a good lead official is like a good boxing arbiter.
In basketball, a lot of the physicality and other sources of fouls happen in the paint, close to the basket. Lead officials are closest to this activity and assigned to make it their primary focus. Leads want to see fouls (or not) by getting a good
When working as the lead official, as Tricia Losavio, Allen, Texas, is doing here, it’s important to understand it’s not just the location of the ball, but creating the best angle to observe all pertinent action, that dictates her movement, including whether to initiate a rotation.
look between players and not be caught guessing at what might have happened because they had the wrong angle. Thus, when the angle they have is acceptable or nothing much is happening, the best leads stand still. When it becomes unacceptable, they initiate movement to correct the angle. Through it all, they take a position far enough off the endline to “gaze” at the
players, waiting for something to catch their eye.
What is that angle and what are they expecting to catch their eye? Whether sharing ball side with the trail or sharing the paint with the center, lead officials want to move to be approaching a 90-degree right angle between their partner and “the one with the brick.” That’s a term I’ve adapted from football mechanics for the biggest threat to the status quo. It could be the shooter, a player driving to the basket, the defender moving to challenge or the off-ball players in an engaged matchup and posing the greatest threat of a foul. A line drawn from lead-to-brick-to-partner should be as far from a straight line as possible; the desired 90-degree angle provides the best opportunity for one of the covering officials to see between players and make a correct decision. In all these cases, if the lead is the one driving this movement to adjust this angle, good things happen. This is the basis for effective rotating.
In all jurisdictions, the lead has a primary coverage area extending from the rim line to at least the three-point arc if not to the sideline. The lead shares the side of the court with the trail and works in partnership with the center to manage activity around the basket. Thus, leads who camp near the lane line when the ball is on their side of the lane are going to have problems monitoring play out in the wing toward the corner. Endline drives, quick inside passes and short jumpers might well involve looking through a defender’s back to cover; as such, the trail ends up having to call too many plays to help, from a longer distance, and an angle that might not be much better. If leads instead start from a position about midway between the lane line and arc, they’re already closing down that angle. They have a lot better chance of seeing between players and making more consistent calls.
When the ball is on their side of the lane, leads maintain the proper angle by mirroring the brick, not the ball. If a line from the brick to the lead’s bellybutton is perpendicular to the endline, either the trail or lead should get a great look and be close to the
BY THE NUMBERS
The number of officials from FIBA’s U.S. basketball federation who were selected to work the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris (years of FIBA experience in parentheses):
Amy Bonner (20)
Blanca Burns (3)
Jenna Reneau (5)
THEY SAID IT
“There are certain characteristics that make for a good referee. Those characteristics are: Can you give strength without arrogance? Can you give humility without weakness? Can you be a good teammate? All the attributes that make for good coaching, good playing, those characteristics make for good refereeing as well.”
— Monty McCutchen, NBA senior vice president and head of referee development and training, during an NBA summer league television broadcast on July 18
SOURCE: @NBAOFFICIAL X ACCOUNT
TOOLS
Simplified & Illustrated
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Simplified & Illustrated should be a part of your ongoing education. The 208-page manual, produced in partnership with the NFHS, uses Referee and PlayPics to bring high school rules to life and allow officials to “see” the game. The manual costs $15.95 and is available at store. referee. com/ basketball.
MechaniGrams
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. Accidentally hitting an opponent’s hand when the hand is in contact with the ball is a foul when the opponent is:
a. Dribbling the ball.
b. Shooting the ball.
c. Holding the ball.
d. Legal in all three cases.
2. Following the final horn to end team B’s 30-second timeout, team A players are on the court and ready to begin team A’s throw-in. The team B players huddle on the court after the timeout has ended. NCAAM/W: No prior resumption-of-play warning has been given to team B. The officials shall:
a. Issue team B a team warning for delay.
b. Place the ball at the disposal of team A for the throw-in.
c. Issue a resumption-of-play warning to team B.
d. Assess a technical foul to team B.
3. Jumper A1 tips the opening jump ball out of bounds along the sideline in team A’s backcourt. Which of the following is true?
a. Award the ball to team B at the spot nearest the violation and set the alternating-possession arrow to team A when the official hands the ball to team B’s thrower-in.
b. Award the ball to team B at the spot nearest the violation and set the alternating-possession arrow to team A after the throw-in ends.
c. Award the ball to team B at the 28-foot line nearest the violation and set the alternating-possession arrow to team A when the official hands the ball to team B’s thrower-in.
d. Award the ball to team B at the 28-foot line nearest the violation and set the alternating-possession arrow to team A after the throw-in ends.
4. During pregame warmups, team B leaves the court to go to its locker room. Which of the following is true?
a. Team A may warm up on both halves of the court.
b. Team A may only warm up on its half of the court.
c. Game administration decides whether team A is allowed to warm up on team B’s half of the court.
d. Team A may warm up on team B’s half of the court if approved by the referee.
play. The lead’s feel for the game in identifying the brick makes this work.
Once play converges in the lane, the lead should then close in on the lane line to maintain that mirroring effect. When doing this, the lead preserves that right angle with the center, who should be just below the free-throw line, opposite. As long as the ball stays near the lane, there’s often no need to move anywhere.
The lead should really only cross the lane, initiating a rotation, when the activity moves so far away that the angle to the center approaches the dreaded straight line. The lead moves to continue mirroring the brick and close down the angle as the lead did in partnership with the trail. Once the lead crosses the lane, the center drops back to become the trail and the scenario repeats itself on the other side of the court.
The key is the brick isn’t always where the ball is. If leads constantly mirror the ball, they will find themselves jogging back and forth, from corner to corner, as teams play some of the exotic five-out and motion offenses we so often see. When they run these sets, the ball is only the brick when the intent is clearly to shoot,
such as when the shot clock is running down. Often enough, movement of the ball is intended to influence the real brick, which is the screens, picks and backdoor moves enabled by the defense’s reactions. Avoiding needless rotations and anticipating the outcome of ball movement is the mark of a great lead — and the whole crew for that matter.
At camps and clinics — even on a lot of evaluation forms — I see references to how often, not how well, a crew rotates in maintaining control. Unfortunately, this influences some officials to rotate too often to look “active.” Until the mechanics manual calls for five officials, each managing one pair of opponents on the floor, we will always be closer to some players than others. Hence, we must play the averages: The strategy being presented here is to have the lead catalyze the crew’s movements to cover the most likely incident — the one with the brick. When the lead reads the play and emotions and mirrors the brick, the crew will be most successful. Tim Sloan, Davenport, Iowa, is a high school football, basketball and volleyball official, and former college football and soccer official.
THE ONLY OFFICIAL COLLEGE MECHANICS MANUALS
The CCA officiating manuals are the only official source for college basketball mechanics. When you pair your rules knowledge with advanced mechanics, illustrated with MechaniGram® graphics from Referee, you will confidently be in the right place at the right time to make every call. advanced mechanics,
Size: 5.5” x 8.5” Pages: 192 Size: 5.5” x 8.5”
CASEPLAYS
Violation During AlternatingPossession Throw-in Play : Team A has an alternating-possession throwin along the endline in its frontcourt. Thrower-in A1 attempts a pass to A2, who is standing near the sideline, but the throw is errant and goes out of bounds untouched. Where shall the ensuing throw-in be, and is the possession arrow reversed? Ruling : When A1 fails to pass the ball directly into the playing court so that it touches a player who is inbounds or who is out of bounds, the result is a throw-in violation on team A.When a throw-in violation occurs, the new throw-in shall be at the same spot as that of the original throw-in. Additionally, the opportunity to make an alternating-possession throw-in shall be lost when the throwin team violates the throw-in provisions. Therefore, team B shall receive the next alternatingpossession throw-in in addition to being awarded a throw-in at the spot of team A’s throw-in due to A1’s throw-in violation (NFHS 6-4-6, 9-2-2 Pen., 6.4.6; NCAAM/W 6-3.7, 7-4.2, 9-4.1.b).
Delaying Return to Floor Play : A1 has the ball for an endline throw-in in team A’s frontcourt. A1 completes the throw-in to A2, but A1 remains out of bounds after releasing the ball. After a few seconds, A1 runs along the endline while still out of bounds and runs past A5, who is inbounds and sets a screen on A1’s defender. A1 then re-enters the playing floor, receives a pass from A2 and shoots an uncontested shot. Is A1’s play legal? Ruling : It is a technical foul if a player purposely delays their return to the playing floor after being legally out of bounds. A1 did exactly that and gained a significant advantage by remaining out of bounds after the throw-in had ended. In NFHS, a player technical foul is assessed to A1 (10-4-2, 10.4.2A). In NCAAM, a class B technical foul is assessed to A1 (10-4.1.k). In NCAAW, a player/ substitute technical foul is assessed to A1 (10-12.4.i).
Michael Cotton, Carson, Calif., and the rest of his crew must remember on throw-ins that until player control has been established, the team control associated with the throw-in remains in effect. As such, any foul committed by the offensive team in these situations is a team-control foul and does not result in free throws being awarded to the offended team.
A State of Control
By René Ferrán
You’ve awarded the ball to team A after it went out of bounds in team A’s frontcourt. You administer the throw-in and hand the ball to A1, and as team A runs its inbounds play, A2 sets an illegal screen that frees A3 for a wide-open three-pointer.
Your partner blows the whistle to call the foul. But what kind of foul? That decision is critical, because if team B is in the bonus, will we make the long walk to the other end of the court to shoot free throws?
The short answer is no, as all three rule sets agree there is team control during a throw-in for this particular scenario (NFHS 4-12-2d, NCAAM 4-9.2.c, NCAAW 4-8.2.c).
All three define a team-control foul (NCAAW: offensive foul) as occurring when a player on the team in control of the ball commits a personal foul (NFHS 4-19-7, NCAAM 4-15.2.a.2, NCAAW 10-10.1.a.2).
NFHS rule 4-19-7 further explains it is a team-control foul when it is committed by “a member of the throw-in team from the start of the throw-in until player control is obtained inbounds.”
Finally, all three rule sets agree when a team-control foul (NCAAW: offensive foul) occurs, no free throws are shot — with the exception in NCAAM that if the foul occurs “during a loose ball such as a fumble
(or) deflection” (10-1 Pen. c).
As a result, in our scenario previously described, we would not shoot free throws. Instead, team B would be awarded a backcourt throwin from a designated spot nearest where the foul occurred.
So why do we still have confusion when this play occurs?
“I think most officials believe team control does not occur until the ball is possessed inbounds,” said Connie Perkins, the national coordinator of officials for NCAA Division II women’s basketball. “I don’t think we spend enough time in the rulebook. It is up to the individual to ensure they are doing continuous study in their craft.”
Billy Strickland, executive director of the Alaska School Activities Association and chair of the NFHS Basketball Rules Committee, discussed the history of the rule and why it was added over a decade ago.
Prior to the change, if team B were in the bonus, if team A fouled while on offense, it was a team-control foul with no bonus free throws. However, during an inbounds play, because no team control existed on a throw-in, team B would shoot free throws.
“To the ‘non-rules’ person, that looks like adjudicating the ‘same play’ two different ways,” Strickland said. “In both plays, a player on the offense (fouled) a defensive player, and in one situation, there were no free throws
HESTON QUAN
awarded, and in the second, there were.”
However, another challenging aspect of ruling on throw-ins involves one of the “unintended consequences” of this rule change, as Strickland called it.
It involves plays when the throwin team deflects the ball into the backcourt before establishing player control, then retrieves the loose ball in the backcourt.
Didn’t we just say there is team control on throw-ins? If so, why wouldn’t this play result in a backcourt violation against the throwin team?
College rule makers established an exception that deals precisely with this scenario. Rule 9-12.6 in both the men’s and women’s rulebook states: “Regardless of where the throw-in spot is located, the throw-in team may cause the ball to go into the backcourt before player control has been established by the throw-in team on the playing court.” Since a tip or
deflection does not establish player control, this exception to the backcourt rule applies.
While NFHS does not have a similar exception spelled out in its rulebook, the casebook includes 9.9.1G, which addresses this situation. It states “although there is team control on a throw-in, it only pertains to foul situations.”
Merely touching the ball does not establish player or team control inbounds during a throw-in, so the offense does not violate if it retrieves the loose ball in its backcourt.
Another rule not in effect during a throw-in is the three-second rule (NFHS 9-7; NCAAM/W 9-9), so until player control is established following a throw-in, you would not apply the three-second rule on a player in the free-throw lane.
The past few years, Strickland said trainers have instructed officials the key to understanding and applying this rule is to consider team control on a throw-in stays with that team until
player control is established. However, this distinction can become tricky when trying to explain to coaches why we’re not shooting free throws in one instance (because it’s a team-control or offensive foul) but not calling a backcourt violation in another (because player control had not been established before gathering the ball in the backcourt).
“Although officials and coaches are getting better at this understanding, it was not completely understood that this aspect of team control during a throw-in (regarding fouls) is different from all other aspects of team control,” Strickland said.
“In essence, team control during a throw-in is an ‘exception’ to all the other team-control situations,” he said. “And any time you have an exception to a rule, there are going to be potential issues with its adjudication.”
René Ferrán is a freelance writer and editor who lives in Portland, Ore. He officiates high school basketball and baseball, as well as youth soccer.
In or Out?
What is the status of the ball on this play? The ruling official must understand what requirements need to be met for the ball to be out of bounds, keeping in mind it’s not just limited to the ball physically being beyond a boundary line.
The NFHS, NCAAM and NCAAW rule codes all define the ball as being out of bounds when it touches or is touched by any of the following:
•A player who is out of bounds (NFHS 7-2-a1; NCAAM/W 7-1.2).
• Any other person, the floor or any object on or outside a boundary (NFHS 7-2-a2; NCAAM/W 7-1.2).
•The supports or back of the backboard (NFHS 7-2-a3; NCAAM/W 7-1.2).
•The ceiling, overhead equipment or supports (NFHS 7-2-a4; NCAAM/W 7-1.2).
Clearly, the third and fourth bullet points do not apply to this situation. So let’s break down the first two and see how they would factor into an official’s ruling.
Do we have a player out of bounds? Yes, the player wearing the white uniform is clearly touching the floor outside of a boundary, with her right elbow. However, is this player also touching the ball? No. So the first requirement has not been met. Is the ball touching another person? Yes, the player wearing the gray uniform. However, is this player on or outside a boundary? No, she is legally in the playing court. So the second requirement also has not been met. Where officials sometimes become confused in the heat of the moment, especially on a play such as this where the ball appears to have come loose and there are multiple players scrambling for it on the floor, is the contact involving the two players.
Is the player in gray touching or being touched by the player in white? It certainly appears so. However, that does not mean the player in gray is out of bounds. For that, we must look to another rule citation that states a player is out of bounds when the player touches the floor, or any object other than a player/person, on or outside a boundary (NFHS 7-1; NCAAM/W 7-1).
In other words, the transitive property does not apply to out-ofbounds plays. Just because “A” is touching “B” and “B” is touching out of bounds does not mean that “A” is touching out of bounds as well.
The correct ruling on this action is no ruling at all. It’s a play-on, until some other action requiring a whistle actually develops.
VISIONINACTION
Free Officiating Recruitment Videos You Can Even Customize
Them For Your Local Association
If you haven’t visited the “Say Yes to Officiating” website, you’re missing some of the most exciting and cutting edge tools and resources available anywhere for recruiting new people into sports officiating.
Currently the site is featuring a series of videos, commercials and Public Service Announcements (PSAs), that showcase all the positive reasons to become an official.
The PSAs were based on a mini Say Yes to Officiating documentary that premiered during the online 2021 Sports Officiating Summit. The documentary features five different sports officials all working different sports and competitive levels and each one at a different stage in their officiating careers, the recruitment videos come in multiple sizes and formats.
NASO encourages any league or organization to play these tv-commercial sized videos during any sportscast in the venue, on a web stream, or on a televised broadcast.
Highlighted in the piece are not only high school and collegiate officials, but former NFL referee and NCAA D-I basketball official Gene Steratore, who now serves as an officiating analyst on CBS Sports broadcasts.
Drawing on the support of its many officiating partners, NASO allocated funds to create and produce the film, which can be found on the Say Yes to Officiating website, in conjunction with Dom Kegel Media,
based in Racine, Wis.
The documentary was an immediate hit, and NASO has since worked directly with dozens of state associations, large officiating groups, local officials associations and other sports organizations to get the video out to as many sports-minded prospects as possible. In many cases, the videos are also co-branded with the group’s logo alongside the “Say Yes to Officiating” logo.
NASO has produced the recruitment videos as 30-, 60-, and 90-second versions that are perfect for running during local, regional and national televised games, as well as online streaming matches and social media. If your group is interested in co-branding those videos with your own logo, just reach out to NASO at the email address below.
All the Say Yes to Officiating resources are free to use and share. Feel free to brand your recruitment, retention, mentoring and celebration efforts with the logos. You are encouraged to not only use these tools and resources, but to add your own. Share your own experiences, link to your websites, send in any resources you or your organization has developed and be a part of helping more people Say Yes to Officiating!
For more information on how to use the videos as well as potential partnering and co-branding opportunities, please contact Jim Arehart at jarehart@referee.com.
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By the Referee editors
IN OUT IN
FUNDAMENTAL DIFFERENCES BETWEEN COMMON ELEMENTS OF SPORTS OFTEN LEAVE OFFICIALS WONDERING.
Is the line in or out? Does the ball need to completely cross or just break the plane of the goal? Surely you’ve got these questions sorted out before you take the court or field in your sport, but it makes one think about the fundamentals of the rule-making process.
GOAL
defend/attack
What a potential challenge for multisport officials when you stop and think about it! Even so, it has likely become second nature for many, and the habits formed lessen the burden of switching between sports, whether officiating or not.
From the very foundation of how officials are referenced and what colors competing teams wear, to the more intricate details of how many participants are required for a contest, the sports world is all over the map in many respects.
COIN TOSS calling team
• In virtually all sports, a contestant or team defends their own goal and tries to score upon the opponent’s. In basketball, however, a team attempts to throw the ball into its own goal and defend the opponent’s based on rulebook wording.
• Many contests begin with a coin toss to determine control of the ball or which end of a venue to defend/ attack. What about your sport(s) — does the “visitor” always call the toss? What about if the contest goes to overtime/extra periods?
LINES in/out, fair/foul, on/behind, plane/entire line
• Boundary lines are common in contests with officials. In basketball and football, the ball is considered out of bounds when in contact with the boundary line whereas in volleyball, soccer, tennis and many other sports they are considered inbounds. Likewise, in baseball and softball, a ball on the foul line is considered to be fair.
TEAM COLORS
home/visitor, white/dark
• Contestant and team colors have become much more elaborate and complicated, especially at the level of professional sports. In contact sports with opposing teams, one usually wears white and the other usually wears a contrasting dark color. High school football specifies the home team shall wear dark and the visiting team white, while high school basketball requires the home team to wear white and the visitors a clearly contrasting dark color.
• In football, the ball in player possession needs to simply break the front edge plane of the opponent’s goalline whereas in soccer and hockey for example the ball and puck, respectively, need to entirely cross the goalline for a score to be awarded.
WHAT’S MY LINE?
INDICATING DIRECTION
point toward offending team/offended team
• Contest officials in many sports are prescribed with mechanics to indicate or announce fouls and violations committed by participants. Some sports, like basketball, have officials pointing in the direction the ball will be awarded. Others have officials pointing toward the team that committed a foul or infraction. Rugby officials point uniquely in the direction of the offended team or the direction the offending team is attacking when an infraction occurs during live play. For those not familiar with the game, you might be surprised the first time you witness it.
TIMEOUTS used/remaining
• In most sports that involve team timeouts, they are displayed or announced as “remaining” whereas in volleyball scorers and officials notify teams of the timeouts “used.”
FORFEIT minimum required to start/finish contest
• Many sports and levels require certain numbers of team members to legally start or continue a contest. Many have adaptive rules for certain events, tournaments and non-traditional seasons.
OFFICIALS SIGNALING rolling fists … and more
• Many official signals (the actual body movements) are common across sports. Think of closed fists rolling in front of the official’s torso, or arms extended outward from the torso with palms parallel to the ground. The prior means traveling in basketball, false start (most commonly) in football, charging in hockey, substitution in volleyball and reversal in wrestling, for example. The latter means safe in baseball and softball, incomplete pass in football, no offside in hockey, no foul or no goal in soccer. In some sports, good for the offense. In others, good for the defense. Multisport officials, keep it straight!
CONTROL OF BALL offense/defense
• An underlying principle of most sports is the concept of offense versus defense. You may think of offense as controlling the ball, but what about baseball and softball where the defense has control?
referee/umpire/judge
• Sports officials are referred to, not only by the athletic community but in many rulebooks, with many different terms and phrases. Often the size of an officiating crew requires differentiating individuals, particularly when you think about differing responsibilities. Referee, assistant referee, second referee, umpire, line judge, fourth official, linesman, down judge, side judge, field judge and back judge are just some of the many terms used.
SAFE/OUT baseball/softball “bangers”
• For as long as bat and ball sports have been around so too has the phrase “tie goes to the runner.” Not only is it false per rulebook language, but it’s not umpiring philosophy, either. What’s interesting is that baseball and softball treat close plays opposite from each other. The principle in baseball is the runner must beat the ball to the base whereas in softball the ball must reach the fielder before the runner touches the base.
GET A GRIP
How
to Identify, Enforce and Record Violent Conduct
By George Wilhelmsen
Violent conduct (NFHS, IFAB) and violent behavior (NCAA) are terms used to describe the commission of a violent act. In NFHS, this is a violent act against an opponent, an official, a spectator, teammate or other individual when the ball is in or out of play.
Under IFAB Laws, it is similar in that it is an action, which is not a challenge for the ball, which uses or attempts to use excessive force
or brutality against an opponent or when a player deliberately strikes someone on the head or face unless the force used is negligible. In NCAA, violent behavior I or II may be against anyone not competing for the ball, may be on or off the field of play and the ball may be in or out of play.
Several years ago, NCAA developed two levels of violent behavior. The first is violent behavior I, or VBI, and is considered an unwarranted excessive act or
of force when challenging for the ball. A VBI ejection is also issued per 12.7.9.1 for a player, coach or bench personnel if they leave the coaching area to participate in an altercation. This does not apply to a coach or team representative who leaves the coaching area to restore order. Finally, if the personnel described above leaving the bench area actually participates in the altercation, it elevates the offense to a fighting red card and associated two-game suspension.
use
Patrick Whitman, Wilmington, N.C., keeps a close eye on action during a violent outburst. Staying calm and mentally recording the incidents will help when recording bookings for any postgame report.
Violent behavior II, or VBII, is an unwarranted, excessive act or use of force, which is malicious and so extreme and severe it places the participant in danger of physical injury. The rules go on further to explain what is included, but not limited to head butting, throwing an elbow into a face or head, stomping on another player, kicking a defenseless person, hair pulling, spitting at, coughing at/on, biting an opponent or any other person. VBII violations earn a two-game suspension.
Whether it is violent conduct or violent behavior, the associated rules and Law provide framework and consequences to prevent brutality from entering the beautiful game. Brutality is defined as behavior that is very cruel or violent and showing no feelings for others. The NCAA explains “the clear intent of violent behavior II is to eliminate conduct that presents a serious risk of injury and has no place in college soccer.” The keys of an act or conduct that reach the level of VBII are premeditation, malice and severity.
The NCAA rules committee determined that fighting should have its own definition and not be incorporated into VBI or II, but still has a two-game suspension penalty. A fight in an NCAA match is defined as a deliberate strike or punch or an attempt to strike or punch another player, official, coach or bench personnel in a malicious manner. Remember that the definition is in the singular form and there does not have to be multiple punches or a return strike by an opponent for the definition of fighting to be satisfied.
Looking at the NCAA rules for VBII, it’s quite a lot to remember especially during a game and a highly emotional situation. To help college referees keep all these requirements organized, here is a quick mnemonic:
CHESS-KB
C – Coughing at/on
H – Head butt or hair pull
E – Elbow to face or head
S – Spitting on
S – Stomping on
K – Kicking a defenseless person B – Biting or excessive brutality in any action
“Excessive brutality” is a catchall. For example, it would include when a player goes in cleats up into an opponent’s legs at full speed, trying to hit the ball but catching only the opponent’s legs. While not specifically called out, the rule as written allows an official the latitude to provide a VBII sanction to a player who plays with the inappropriate level of brutality.
At first glance, identifying violent behavior might seem confusing, but remembering and repeating the CHESS-KB explanations, it will be surprising how easy it is to remember and apply when needed.
Remember, in NCAA if a referee issues a violent behavior II or fighting ejection, the referee is required by the rules (12.7.4.7.2.1 for VBII, 12.7.4.8.4 for fighting) to inform the player(s), the head coach(es) and the official scorekeeper, who shall record on the official NCAA box score form, an ejection for the event that occurred. This report is also required for referee assault (12.7.4.9.2). While this report is not called out for VBI by itself, it should still be reported as the scorekeeper must document it on the NCAA box score form.
Knowing what violent conduct and violent behavior are, and more importantly, aren’t, allows officials to recognize it and provide the necessary red card to stop it.
Following the card, the officiating crew must be clear in reporting. This is particularly true in college soccer since these reports can be challenged and changed if not appropriately classified, such as downgrading VBII to VBI or less. Improper reporting can lead to a protest and potential problems.
During the 2023 season there were 21 fighting protests filed and 14 granted. This means the referee used the wrong reason 66% of the time. For VBII there were 15 protests and 13 granted or 87%. This means the referee ejected a player(s) for
SURVEY SAYS …
According to the 2023 NASO National Officiating Survey, powered by Referee.com, 70% of soccer officials would want their kids to become officials, down from 2017 when 74% of soccer officials would want their kids to become officials.
2017: 74%
2023: 70%
QUICKTIP
Arriving early conveys professionalism. Take sufficient time to have a worthwhile pregame conference. Sitting down and saying “you take that side and you take the other, and don’t mess up” doesn’t help anyone. Running onto the field at the last minute does not impress coaches or spectators. You don’t get a second chance to make a good first impression. Socks up, shirt tucked, clean shoes and uniform — walk tall when entering the field. Convey to coaches and spectators that you are an officiating crew that wants to be there and do a great job.
SIDELINE
Female Officials Work Copa America Tourney
The Copa América tournament in June/July 2024 featured female referees and assistants for the first time. Tori Penso of the U.S. and Edina Alves of Brazil were featured referees while Neuza Back of Brazil, Mary Blanco of Colombia, Migdalia Rodríguez of Venezuela, along with Brooke Mayo and Kathryn Nesbitt of the U.S. were assistant referees. Nicaragua’s Tatiana Guzmán was a video review official.
“It is a high commitment taken by CONMEBOL since 2016, betting on the development and professionalization of more women on and off the field of play, promoting soccer with equality in different tournaments,” the South American soccer body said.
A total of 101 referees worked the tournament.
SOURCE: ESPN.COM
TEST YOURSELF
In each of the following, decide which answer or answers are correct for NFHS, NCAA or IFAB rules/Laws. Solutions: p. 81.
1. Team B is awarded a throwin. B1 throws the ball just inside his own penalty area to B2. B2 heads the ball to the goalkeeper, who catches it with the hands.
a. Caution B2 for trickery and award an indirect free kick for team A.
b. Award an indirect free kick for team A for goalkeeper violation.
c. Allow play to continue.
2. Team A is awarded a penalty kick. A1 moves toward the ball to take the kick and goalkeeper B2 begins to dive to one side. A1 shoots and B2 parries the ball. The ball goes directly back to A1, who shoots and scores.
a. Caution B2 and retake the penalty kick.
b. Award a goal by applying advantage.
c. Retake the penalty kick.
3. Goalkeeper B1 makes a save and begins to bounce the ball while walking toward the edge of the penalty area. The ball takes a bad bounce and slightly rolls away. The goalkeeper picks up the ball again.
a. Indirect free kick for the opponents where the ball was picked up.
b. Allow play to continue since the goalkeeper retained possession.
c. Caution the goalkeeper and award an indirect free kick.
4. A1 runs with the ball inside the opponent’s penalty area and tries to go past goalkeeper B2 in a one-onone situation. B2 attempts to play the ball and fouls the attacker, who falls to the ground. The ball, however, ends up in the goal.
a. Allow the goal and caution B2.
b. Allow the goal.
c. Allow the goal and eject B2 for attempting DOGSO.
the wrong reason and did not have a clear understanding of the rules. This should never occur. Also, misidentification of the player(s) involved resulted in 12 out of 14 protests upheld.
By taking the correct and decisive action when such brutality is committed, the referee will be setting a clear example of what is not allowed on the field. This will help
Goal Work
By Vince DeFranco
Managing the game after a goal is scored can be one of the more challenging situations for the referee crew. How these situations are handled can go a long way in establishing rapport between the referee team and the players on the field, as well as the technical areas.
One of the most important aspects is presence. Above all, the referee needs to be in close proximity. Emotions are running high. The scoring team is ecstatic; they just scored a goal and altered the potential outcome of the game. The team just scored against is angry; their chances of winning the game have likely been significantly diminished. It is vitally important the referee be in a good position to manage the situation, and to make sure no one does anything that will create problems — hopefully preventing further escalation that can result in multiple misconduct cards being given. Players have more of a tendency to behave when an authority figure is present; much like cars on the highway slow down when they see a police officer ahead.
One of the most important things to discuss in the pregame is the expectancy of duties of each member of the referee crew. The assistant referee and the fourth official, if one is assigned, need to understand their duties in any kind of situation that has the potential to escalate quickly. The assistant referees need to understand when the appropriate
to keep the game safe and enjoyable for the participants and audiences alike. Everyone at the game is there to enjoy a great competition. George Wilhelmsen, Rochelle, Ill., is a 20-year NFHS and USSF official as well as a NISOA official. He is the secretary for the Greater Chicago Chapter of NISOA, and publishes The Weekly Soccer Referee Blog at theweeklysoccerreferee.wordpress.com.
time is to enter the field and support the referee. Once the assistant referees and the fourth official enter the field, they should create a triangle around all the players keeping the players in between, and if there is any misconduct (most likely, punches being thrown or something similar), then it needs to be written down or memorized and reported to the referee before the restart takes place.
During the pregame discussion, it should be made clear who is writing and who is observing and reporting verbally so that there are eyes in several directions. In the event of a “mass confrontation” all members of the crew need to be taking notes and noting who did what. Also important to note that no member of the referee crew should ever lay their hands on a player, coach or spectator. No good will ever come from it, and could result in legal problems later down the road.
Many situations require different responses and punishments from the referee crew. For instance, most referees just look on when a team that just scored the goal runs into the net and grabs the ball to bring it back to the center mark in an effort to expedite the restart and get the game moving along. But it is against the laws of the game to do this. This could easily be interpreted as taunting by the scoring team and the goalkeeper or a defensive player may try to take the ball away causing unnecessary tension. The referee
See “Goal Work” p.52
CLEAT EXPOSURE
Dangerous plays happen quickly. Here are decisions official Collin Nisco, Edgewood, Wash., might need to determine:
1
Indirect free kick? — Black is attempting to make a legal trap of the ball with the chest. However, since blue has the leg raised, black may have to back away. If this is the case, it is a dangerous play and an indirect free kick awarded for the black team.
Positioning — The referee is in a very good position to observe, make the proper decision and quickly step in between the players if necessary to prevent any retaliation. 1 2 3 4 2 3 4
Direct and caution? — If blue’s leg makes contact with black, the offense becomes a kicking foul, and a direct free kick is awarded. Depending on the severity of the contact, a caution could also be assessed.
Direct and ejected? — If blue’s leg makes contact with black with the cleats extended, a direct free kick is awarded, and blue may be ejected for serious foul play.
CASEPLAYS
The Dissent Sticks Play: The referee awards a penalty kick for a handball against B1, who immediately protests the decision and is cautioned (yellow card) for dissent. The referee then observes the assistant referee with the flag raised. The officials converge and quickly discuss the play with the assistant referee, who shares there was an offside infringement before the foul for the penalty kick. Ruling: The caution remains since B1 clearly dissented and was properly punished for the infraction. The game is restarted with an indirect free kick for offside since the infringement occurred before the handball (NFHS 12-5-1c; NCAA 12.4.3; IFAB 12.3).
Corner Kick Trick
Play: Team A is awarded a corner kick. A1 places the ball within the corner arc. A1 then moves the ball with the foot to the other side of the corner arc. While doing this, A2 walks toward A1 as if to talk about the corner kick. A1 moves away and A2 dribbles the ball toward the penalty area. Ruling: This is a legal play. A1 technically put the ball into play when the ball was moved with the foot. A2 has a right to continue play (NFHS 17-1-3; NCAA 17.2.1; IFAB 17.1).
AR Touch
Play: A1 attempts to pass the ball to A2, who is near the touchline. The pass is inaccurate and strikes the assistant referee, who was on the touchline. The ball deflects back to A2, who begins to move down field toward the goal. Ruling: The referee is to stop play and award a drop ball. If the ball did not strike the assistant referee, it would have gone into touch and team B would be awarded a throw-in. Since the ball now changed possession back to team A, the referee must award the drop ball (NFHS 9-2-1e; NCAA 9.3.2; IFAB 9.2).
Goal
Work
continued from p. 50
should step in and ask the scoring player to give them the ball, and take it to the center spot. The ball belongs to the team that was just scored upon, not the team that just scored the goal. The scoring team taking the ball can create negative situations and can result in some nasty misconduct if not dealt with preventively.
It is also important to know the order in which the referee crew will record goals each time; there should always be at least one set of eyes on the players at all times. Only when everyone is settled in for the kickoff should the referee record the goal. Again, part of the pregame discussion should include who writes when after a goal. For matches played under NFHS or NCAA rules, there should be a scorekeeper who records all necessary information. The referee team only needs to keep an accurate tally of goals to verify the score.
Also be on the watch for a possible taunting situation. Taunting results in a red card under the NFHS rules (check with your particular state’s local adoptions first to make sure). If the referee must disqualify a player for taunting, the referee crew needs to hear what was said, and include those details in the postmatch report to the state or appropriate administrator. The referee should quote, verbatim, no matter how graphic, exactly what that player said or what gesture was given, so the report will be understood correctly by the disciplinary committee, and proper punishment can be levied. It is not the referee’s duty to recommend a punishment or an opinion. Only report complete and thorough facts.
A scored goal creates a good opportunity for the scoring team to waste time. Every effort should be made by the closest official to get the celebrating players back on their half of the field in a timely manner. If the goal celebration results in an excessive amount of timewasting, there may be a need for
administering cautions for delaying the restart. If a player leaves the field or jumps into the stands to celebrate with supporters, this should be cautioned every time since it creates an unnecessary delay.
Other celebrations to watch for are running to the corner flag and dancing or performing other visual acts designed only to create a distraction toward that player. These ultimately delay the restart of play. Even though the clock is stopped (NFHS and NCAA), this is still a delay, and sometimes provokes the team that was just scored upon. Deal with this swiftly and appropriately in order to maintain control of the match.
There are several key mechanics for a referee after a goal is scored. First is to make eye contact with the assistant referee to verify that it was a good goal. Next is to point to the center spot to indicate a good goal. In NFHS and NCAA matches, the referee must signal to stop the clock prior to pointing to the center spot. The referee should then backpedal toward the halfway line. By doing this the referee can observe the players and spot potential problems. At the proper time, the referee will then record the appropriate notes about the goal. A good tip is to hold the pad up high when writing so the players can still be observed. A referee should never put the notepad on a leg and bend down to write. This eliminates all other fields of vision.
When referees use their personality and manage these situations properly, it can go a long way toward match control and lead to positive results while managing other match situations. Teams know when they are being shown up after a goal and very often that action leads to hard feelings and negativity toward each other, creating problems later in the match or even afterward. The proactive referees deal with these situations appropriately and find themselves having an easier, much more enjoyable match overall. Vince DeFranco, La Grange, Ill., has been a soccer referee for more than 30 years and was an assessor and an assigner.
MORE PAGES
MECHANICS
INSTRUCTION
The official NFHS Soccer Officials Manual produced jointly by the editors of both Referee and the NFHS! Loaded with dozens of mechanics scenarios and featuring Referee’s exclusive PlayPic® and MechaniGram® graphics, this new resource is a must have for high school soccer officials.
YOU’VE NEVER SEEN AN OFFICIALS MANUAL LIKE THIS ONE!
Keep It Moving
By Paul Rojas
Time-wasting is a coaching tactic, gamesmanship if you will, that occurs in sports where time determines the length of the contest and the outcome. Generally time-wasting is mitigated by the presence of the play clock in American football and the shot clock in basketball. Even baseball, which isn’t a timed sport, is leaning toward a pitch clock to make the game move along more quickly. But soccer is a timed sport, with no shot clock and a tradition of time-wasting.
Soccer matches without a public scoreboard and only the referee keeping time makes time-wasting more difficult, but where the clock is visible to everyone down to the last second, referees need to avail themselves of tactics to resolve the problem. Time-wasting can have a major impact on the outcome of a match.
All officials have the tools at their disposal to combat timewasting. Knowing what they are and utilizing them judiciously is the key.
In a game with unlimited substitutions, coaches can substitute at every legal opportunity while the clock is running. The most substituted position is often the one farthest from the bench with neither player in a particular hurry to get on or off the field. If a team is nursing a one-goal lead, 10-20 seconds off the clock at every substitution opportunity can add up to significant non-playing time. These intervals can help a team sustain their best defensive efforts or break up the momentum of an intense attack. For NFHS games the rules
indicate that in the last five minutes of the game, if the team in the lead substitutes, the clock is stopped. For NCAA the rule has been changed to the last 15 minutes. This is a clear signal that time-wasting is not permitted. Remember it must be in the last five minutes. If the clock is at 5:01 when the substitution occurs, the clock remains running.
Players are also instructed to “take their own sweet time” re-starting the game with free kicks and throw-ins or retrieving balls to put them in play. Lacking ball possession with the clock ticking away, the opposition can only wait for the ball to be put in play. This can lead to teams taking inordinate risks to regain possession, possibly resulting in rougher play and tactics, which can lead to more severe problems for the officiating crew. Flaring tempers are never good for the game and the officials. For example, the team in the lead is awarded a corner kick. Now the defender from the far side of the field is told to take the kick. This individual jogs slowly toward the corner, repositions the ball, directs teammates, and then finally kicks the ball. A considerable amount of time is lost.
For games played under IFAB Laws, a thrower can waste time by throwing the ball downfield, and not have it enter play. The result is a re-throw and a significant amount of time lost.
Rules are in place to regulate behavior and to make any athletic contest a fair one. Coaches by nature try to stretch the spirit of the law to gain or maintain an advantage. A team that is motivated to waste time can accomplish its goal without technically breaking any rule. However, a competent and attentive officiating crew has its own bag of tricks.
What can be done if a team is not breaking a rule and yet seems to be successful in making time leak away to gain an advantage? One answer lies in the link between the rules
and their enforcement, the officials. All officials have the tools at their disposal to combat time-wasting. Knowing what they are and utilizing them judiciously is the key. Setting the stage to use them pregame as well as during the game serves both the game and the officials.
Time-wasting should be on the short list for discussion between the officials even before the game begins. For example, the officials need to be on the same page regarding “kicking or tossing the ball away” to gain an advantage. A verbal warning the first time it happens, even in the opening minutes, notifies each team “We’re not going to allow that today.”
Much like the first caution in a game sets the bar for future conduct, a verbal for delay can deter timewasting behavior later in a close game when it really matters. If it doesn’t, the precedent has been established for stopping the clock or booking a player. The official can say something like “not today” for a questionable tactic before it can be used in a critical situation. For IFAB games, the referee can point to the watch and let the players know that the referee team is in control of the time.
Another often overlooked pregame aspect to the referee’s duty is instructing the ball persons if they are being used. Say something like “Thanks for your help, you have an important role in the match today. Here’s what I would like you to do. Obviously, have a ball in hand at all times if you can and retrieve those errant balls as quickly as possible. Please do not throw the ball to the player coming to put the ball in play. Just put it on the ground as near to the where the throw-in should occur, and let the player pick it up.
“Throwing often results in not catching, which slows the game down. For corners, place the ball near the corner or roll it there. Goal kicks will likely need to be rolled as well. I really appreciate your assistance today.”
Ball persons with no instruction are a wild card the referee does not need.
What about the constant substitution or slow walking during a substitution or teams being unnaturally slow to put the ball in play? Although the NCAA re-entry rule makes the substitution tactic a little tougher to use at the college level, it still can rear its ugly head and be effective.
Again, the idea here, though not technically illegal, is to have time go by without play going on. Referees, even if the time is kept on a scoreboard, can stop the clock any time they see fit.
To prevent that absurdity, stopping the scoreboard clock, approaching both benches and announcing in a strong voice, “We are going to play this game at approximately the same pace as we have for the past ‘X’ minutes. Unduly delaying this game could result in a yellow card.”
Burying the ball in the corner with no intention of playing further is another common tactic. If it occurs on the assistant referee’s side of the field, the assistant needs to be within a few feet of the corner with a sharp eye to a foul, exceedingly rough play or an out of bounds, either goalline or touchline. If it occurs on the far side from the assistant referee, the referee needs to be there for the same reason. Use a strong voice and say, “I’m right here, take it easy. Don’t be silly.”
That puts the players on notice they are being watched carefully.
For youth, amateur and professional matches, the referee has the option of adding time for the amount wasted. Unless there is a fourth official with an official notification for how much time to add, the referee has sole discretion when the match ends. When players on the losing side start complaining the opponents are wasting time, the
referee only need reply, “I have the clock.”
The referee and crew have the tools to mitigate time-wasting. It’s very difficult, if not impossible, to stop it entirely, but certainly can reduce it to ensure the fairness of the game. A secondary benefit is to prevent the contentiousness that may result. Team A successfully stalls while team B begins seething. The frustrated team B plays more frantically and physically.
Sooner rather than later, something bad happens, and control of the game can be lost in a heartbeat. And if it does, the referees may have to share the blame. Being passive about what is obvious to everyone erodes one’s effectiveness in managing a close game.
Paul Rojas, Ed.D, Morton Grove, Ill., has been a referee for more than 30 years, and is a high-level assessor and instructor.
ELECTRIC SIGNAL CALLERS
Communication Devices Allowed for NFHS Catchers
By Brad Tittrington
At its annual meeting in Indianapolis in June, the NFHS Softball Rules Committee voted to allow coaches the ability to use electronic devices in the dugout for one-way communication to the catcher while the team is on defense.
The committee also passed a scorekeeping rule dealing with runner’s interference along with several editorial changes. The changes were subsequently approved by the NFHS Board of Directors.
Special thanks to Sandy Searcy, NFHS director of sports and staff
liaison for softball, for reviewing this article.
Other Equipment 1-8-6 Exception and Penalty, Bench and Field Conduct 3-6-11
The most impactful rule changes involve the use of one-way communication devices to allow a coach from the dugout to communicate with the catcher. This change affects two separate rules, but they both relate to each other. The purpose of the rule change is to support the use of emerging technology within the sport. This technology allows a coach to quickly and effectively communicate plays and pitches to the catcher, as
opposed to having to use hand signals or wristbands with cards, which can be more time consuming.
Some of the caveats of this rule are as follows: only catchers are permitted to have this communication; catchers are precluded from communicating back to the dugout using these devices; and communication to the catcher may only occur while on defense and is prohibited while on offense. While it is prohibited on offense, catchers may still wear the device while on offense; they just are prohibited from receiving communication. The penalty for violating the rule is ejection, unless the offense is ruled to be minor in nature. If minor in nature, a warning may first
A new rule allows high school coaches to have one-way communication with catchers while on defense. Catchers may wear electronic devices on their wrist or they may wear an in-ear device to receive signals from the dugout. Umpires, such as Brian Peterson, Morehead City, N.C., will need to monitor communication to make sure it is only one way from the dugout to the catcher, and only while on defense.
be issued to the offender.
“This change is the result of analysis of current data, state association experimentation and a positive response from the membership,” Searcy said. “The committee has made these changes to support the use of emerging technology within the sport of softball. Being a permissive rule, the use of this one-way electronic communication will allow those who choose to embrace the technology an additional option to communicate with the catcher while on defense. It will also maintain the ability for those who prefer a more traditional approach to communicate using signals or a playbook/playcard to continue that approach.”
Play 1: While on defense, the umpires notice all players in the field are wearing (a) smart watches, (b)electronic bands capable of transmitting messages, (c) in-ear communication devices, or (d) wristbands with playbook/playcards. Ruling 1: Legal in (a), (b) and (d). However, in (a) and (b), only the catcher may receive one-way communication from the dugout. While simply wearing those devices would not be illegal for other players, if they are receiving communication or sending communication back to the dugout via those devices, they would be illegal. In (c), only the catcher should be wearing an in-ear device capable of receiving one-way communication from the dugout. If all players are wearing in-ear devices, it should be a red flag to umpires that additional communication is most likely occurring. Umpires should also be leery of other position players who may be consistently looking at smart watches or other electronic devices throughout the game, both while on defense and offense.
Play 2: In the top of the first inning, the catcher is wearing an in-ear communication device and is receiving signals from the dugout. In the bottom of the first inning, that catcher comes to bat and is still wearing the in-ear device, as shown in PlayPic A. Ruling 2: Legal, provided the catcher is not receiving any communication while on offense. Because those devices can be difficult to attach under the uniform
Aand take on and off, the catcher is permitted to leave the in-ear device on while participating on offense. However, the catcher should not be receiving communication through that device while on offense.
Player’s Batting Record 9-3-2b
In order to align with the enforcement of rule 8-6-11, which covers the runner’s actions and provides the direct penalty for those actions, the committee voted to change 9-3-2b, which deals with a baserunner being hit by a batted ball before it passes an infielder. Previously, a batter was credited with a base hit in the official scorebook. This rule change now credits the batter with a fielder’s choice in this instance, as shown in PlayPic B on the next page.
Play 3: With R1 on first, B2 hits a sharp ground ball toward the right side of the infield. As F4 moves over to field the ball, R1 runs in front of F4 and is hit by the batted ball. Ruling 3: R1 is guilty of interference and the ball is ruled dead. R1 is ruled out for interference and B2 is awarded first base. B2 is credited with a fielder’s choice in the scorebook.
Play 4: With R1 on first, B2 hits a sharp ground ball toward the right side of the infield. F4 charges the ball but misses it and the ball bounces over F4’s glove. Once beyond F4, the ball accidentally hits R2 in the foot and ricochets out into right field. Ruling 4:
DID YOU KNOW?
There are five states that play softball in the fall — Oklahoma, Georgia, Missouri, Nebraska and Colorado. Oklahoma and Georgia also conduct a spring season for slowpitch softball. In Missouri, softball is played in both the fall and the spring, with a state champion determined in each season.
QUICKTIP
Only give umpire-to-umpire signals when necessary and only use prescribed signals in the mechanics manual for the code you are working. The idea is not to draw attention to yourself. Give the signal once, make sure your partner has communicated it back and move on. While you don’t need to be ultradiscreet, you should not be flashy when giving signals to your partner.
THEY SAID IT
“The integrity of the game is one of the foremost priorities of this committee. We want to make sure that the integrity stays within the intent of the rule. The tweak is necessary to keep pace of play, too. We want to continue the progress of growing the game.”
— Trisha Senyo, NCAA softball rules committee chair, and softball coach and associate athletics director at Whittier (Calif.) College, on the adopted rule change for 2025 to tweak video review when it relates to runners leaving a base early before the pitch. Gamesmanship around this rule was a major problem during the 2024 season.
TEST YOURSELF
Each of the following includes a situation and possible answer(s). Decide which are correct for USA Softball, NFHS, NCAA or USSSA rules and which might vary. Solutions: p. 81
1. B1 swings and nicks the pitch with her bat. The ball hits off of F2’s shoulder, pops up in the air and then is caught by F2 with her glove while the ball is directly above home plate.
a. B1 is out on a caught fly ball.
b. Foul ball.
c. Foul tip.
2. With R3 on third base and one out, F1’s pitch gets by F2 and rolls away from the plate. R3 runs home and tries to score as F2 recovers the ball and throws to F1. F2’s throw hits B3, who is standing on top of the plate, and R3 slides in safely.
a. Legal play, R3’s run scores.
b. Immediate dead ball, B3 is guilty of interference and ruled out. R3 is returned to third base.
c. Immediate dead ball, B3 is guilty of interference and R3 is ruled out.
d. Delayed dead ball, B3 is guilty of interference and the defensive team has the option of taking the result of the play or R3 is ruled out.
3. B1 hits a ground ball to F5 and beats the throw to first base but doesn’t touch the base. F3 catches the ball while in contact with first base but makes no appeal.
a. B1 is called safe at first.
b. B1 is called out at first.
c. The base umpire should make no call until the batter-runner returns to first base or the defense appeals the batter-runner missed first base.
4. B1 bats a ball in front of the plate. F2 fields the ball and starts to throw to F3 at first base. However, F2 withholds the throw because B1 is running completely in fair territory about 15 feet from first base.
a. Three-foot running lane interference should be called on B1.
b. The ball is delayed dead.
c. The ball remains live.
d. Because F2 did not throw to first, three-foot lane interference cannot be called.
e. The ball is immediately dead.
5. If a pitcher returns to the pitching position in the same half-inning, after being removed during that half inning, how many warmup pitches are allowed?
a. Zero.
b. Three.
c. Five.
Since the ball has passed a fielder other than the pitcher, and no other fielder had the opportunity to make an out, the ball remains live. R1 and the batterrunner may advance at their own risk. If R1 reaches second and the batterrunner reaches first safely, the batterrunner is credited with a hit.
Play 5: With R1 on first, B2 hits a line drive to the right side of the diamond. The ball hits the base umpire in the leg. Both F3 and F4 are located behind the umpire when the umpire is struck with the ball. Ruling 5: This is umpire interference. The ball is declared dead. R1 is awarded second, B2 is awarded first and credited with a base hit.
The committee also passed a handful of editorial changes. There is one that should be of major importance to umpires. It deals with the definition
of a replant (2-47). The committee changed the definition to read, “A replant of the pivot foot occurs when the pitcher pushes off the playing surface from anywhere other than the pitcher’s plate resulting in the non-pivot foot becoming closer to home plate.” The italicized part of the definition is new language to help clarify what is legal/ illegal and matches the wording in Rule 6-1-2c. The illustration shown in PlayPic C, which was provided last year when the committee voted to change the pitching rules in regard to disengagements and replants, provides a visual depiction of this violation.
Brad Tittrington is an associate editor for Referee. He umpires D-I softball and officiates women’s college and high school basketball, college and high school volleyball and high school football.
NCAA Tweaks Rules for 2025
At its annual meeting in June, the NCAA Softball Rules Committee voted to adopt three rule changes for the 2025 season, which were subsequently approved by the Playing Rules Oversight Panel. Two of the rule changes pertain to video review while the third change pertains to the penalty for a time-between-pitches violation.
Referee would like to thank Vickie Van Kleeck, NCAA softball secretary rules editor, for reviewing this article.
Time Between Pitches Violation 2.34, 10.18 and 11.2.1
Prior to last season, the rules committee adopted a new timebetween-pitches rule, which changed the time between pitches from 25 seconds to 20 seconds. They also allowed a visible action clock to assist in enforcing all timing rules equitably. The penalty for a violation by the pitcher or catcher was an immediate dead ball and a ball awarded to the batter. This season, the penalty is now an illegal pitch, which means the penalty is now a delayed dead ball and the offensive coach may take the result of the play or the penalty for the violation (a ball awarded to the batter). There is no change to a violation by the batter. In that instance, it is still an immediate dead ball and a strike charged to the batter.
The reason for the rule change is to improve the image of the game and not negatively impact the offense if the pitcher still delivers a pitch after a timing violation has been called and the batter hits it. If the pitcher does not deliver a pitch within 20 seconds, it is a violation of a pitching rule and should be ruled like all other pitching violations — an illegal pitch.
Play 1: After a pitch is ruled a ball, making the count 1-0, F2 returns the ball to F1 and the batter remains in the batter’s box. After 20 seconds have elapsed on the action clock, F1 has yet to start the pitch. Shortly thereafter, F1 delivers a pitch and the batter (a) hits a ground ball to F4 and is put out at first base, (b) hits a ball to the fence in right field and arrives safely at second base, or (c) hits a ball to the fence
in right field and is put out trying to advance to second base. Ruling 1: In (a), the offensive coach has the option of taking the result of the play or enforcing the penalty for an illegal pitch. The offensive coach, in this case, would elect to enforce the illegal pitch. The batter is returned to bat and a ball is added to the count, making it 2-0. In (b)and (c), since the batter reached first base safely, the illegal pitch is nullified and the result of the play would stand. In (b), the batter remains at second. In (c), the batter is out and the offensive coach does not get the option to enforce the illegal pitch.
Video Review — Leaving Early Appendix G
Prior to last season, the committee adopted a rule that allowed coaches to challenge baserunners leaving a base prior to the pitcher releasing a pitch. Due to coaches challenging instances that were not in line with intended reasons for the rules change (such as challenging a runner leaving early when the batter hit a home run, which had no impact on the play), the committee voted to tweak this rule for the upcoming season. Last year, as long as a coach had a challenge available, that coach could challenge a runner leaving before the release of a pitch in any instance. The new tweak now says coaches may only challenge if leaving early is called by an umpire on the field or if a runner successfully advances a base on the play. However, leaving early may not be challenged in the following situations:
•Home run;
•Hit by pitch;
•Ground-rule double;
•Foul ball;
•Leadoff; or
•When the runner is forced to advance due to:
- A blocked ball base award;
- A walk; or
-Catcher obstruction.
Play 2: With R1 on first and R2 on second, B3 (a) hits the ball over the fence for a home run, or (b) takes the pitch for a ball and both runners steal and reach their next bases safely. After
play concludes, the defensive head coach approaches the plate umpire and wants to challenge R1 left early before the pitch was released. Ruling 2: In (a), the coach’s request is denied since the play ended in a home run. All three runs score and no video review occurs. In (b), as long as the coach has a challenge remaining, the umpires should initiate a video review. If the challenge is not successful, the play stands. If the challenge is successful, no pitch is declared, R1 is ruled out and R2 is returned to second base.
Video Review — Umpire Review Appendix G
In order to allow umpires the opportunity to get the call right at any point in the game and to improve the image of the game, the rules committee voted to allow umpires to review situations when a play is not properly covered (uncovered or double covered with different calls from each umpire) at any point during the game without requiring a coach’s challenge. In the past, umpires could not initiate a video review without a coach’s challenge until the sixth inning. This forced coaches to use one of their two challenges if it was prior to the sixth inning and potentially led to coaches not being able to challenge if they were out of challenges. Now, umpires have the discretion to go to video review at any time during the game if this situation occurs.
Play 3: Conference game utilizing the three-umpire system. With R2 on second, B2 hits a fly ball to left field, which is caught by F7. R2 tags and advances to third base. U3 chases on the play but the plate umpire did not recognize the chase and remains at home plate. F7 throws the ball to F5 and the runner and ball arrive close to the same time. The plate umpire, after the tag is made at third, realizes U3 chased and makes a call from 60 feet away. Ruling 3: After play concludes, the plate umpire should get together with partners. The umpires then can initiate a video review on their own since the base was uncovered in order to get the call right.
CASEPLAYS
Runner Interference?
Play: With R1 on first, B2 hits a line drive down the first-base line. The ball passes F3 but hits R1, who is still in contact with the bag. The contact with R1 is unintentional. F4 is shaded to her right and does not have an opportunity to make a play on the ball. Ruling: In all codes, the ball remains live and R1 and B2 may advance with liability to be put out. Since R1 did not intentionally interfere with the batted ball, she is not out. Because F3 is playing in front of the bag and the ball has passed her before hitting the runner, the ball remains live and all runners, including the batter-runner, may advance with liability to be put out (NFHS 5-11f-2, 8-1-2a Eff. 2, 8-8-13; NCAA 12.17.2.6.9 Eff.; USA Softball 8-1E-6 Eff.; USSSA 8-18N Exc.).
DP/Flex Legal?
Play: In a game using the DP/ Flex option, in the first inning, the DP gets a single and the offensive coach puts the Flex in to run for her. In the third inning, the DP, after being reinserted, hits a double and the offensive coach puts the Flex in to run for her. In the sixth inning, the coach puts in an eligible substitute in the DP’s spot in the lineup and she hits a single and the coach wants to have the Flex run for her. Ruling: Legal in all codes. The player who started the game as the DP was run for twice, which used up her eligibility. The Flex never left the game and has all her substitution eligibility. The player substituted into the DP spot in the sixth inning still has re-entry rights in NFHS, USA Softball and USSSA but has used up her eligibility in NCAA and may not return to the lineup (NFHS 3-3-5, 3-3-6d; NCAA 8.1.2.2, 8.2.4, 8.2.5, 8.2.7; USA Softball 4-3D, 4-5A; USSSA 5-4D, E, 5-5, 5-6).
Ball or Strike?
Play: As F1 starts the delivery, B1 steps out of the box and F1 delivers the pitch. Ruling: In NFHS and USSSA, the pitch shall be called a strike (NFHS 5.2.1; USSSA 7-8 Note 2). In NCAA and USA Softball, the pitch is called a ball or a strike depending on the location of the pitch (NCAA 11.2.2 Eff.; USA Softball 7-3F Eff. 2).
NFHS Adopts Two POEs for 2025
The NFHS has adopted two Points of Emphasis (POEs) for the upcoming 2025 season. Pace of play continues to be a point of discussion at the high school level and the NFHS is highlighting teams’ roles in maintaining a proper pace for this season. Over the last few years, the NFHS has had ways umpires could control the pace of play as a POE, but now the attention turns to coaches and team personnel and their responsibility in ensuring games maintain proper pace.
The NFHS is also concerned about player safety and has made situational awareness its second POE. Risk minimization has always been a core component to the NFHS and this year’s POE discusses ways to assist with this principle. Here is a breakdown of both POEs.
Team’s Role in Pace of Play
Coaches play a vital role in creating and maintaining pace-of-play standards for their individual players and teams. Every effort should be made to educate players on the rules involved and the timing protocols related to breaks between innings, as well as during gameplay.
Between innings, 60 seconds is provided for (a) the defense to take the field and throw warmup pitches, and (b) the offense to prepare to bat.
There are several ways that coaches can expedite this process with simple instructions to players. For example, if the catcher was batting when the third out was made, another teammate or coach should be prepared to receive warmup pitches while the catcher gets equipped. For the team coming to bat, coaches should encourage their leadoff batter to gather their batting equipment while the remainder of the team huddles in an appropriate area that doesn’t pose a safety risk for the defense warming up, as shown in PlayPic A. By doing both of these, teams can ensure pitchers properly warm up between innings and both teams are ready to go in a timely fashion.
There are prescribed penalties associated with excessive time between innings. Once the allowed 60 seconds have passed, the offensive team has 10 additional seconds for the leadoff batter to enter the batter’s box (7-3-1). Similarly, once the allowed 60 seconds have passed, the pitcher has 20 additional seconds to legally deliver a pitch (6-2-3). The respective penalties for violations of these time constraints are either a strike or a ball on the batter, depending on the tardy party. These same time constraints exist on each pitch thrown. Once the ball has been returned to the pitcher to prepare for the next pitch, the pitcher has 20
seconds to release the pitch. Coaches who delay in calling pitches risk a penalty for exceeding the allowed 20 seconds. The same applies to the offense when a batter fails to enter the batter’s box within 10 seconds after the ball is returned to the pitcher. Umpires have these tools to use in order to assist in maintaining a pace of play that is consistent and should use these tools to ensure fair play.
Situational Awareness
Participant well-being should be a priority for all those involved in game management. Coaches and umpires can help minimize risk and injury to players by understanding and enforcing existing bench and field conduct rules. NFHS rules stipulate once the game has begun, only the batter, runner(s), on-deck batter, coaches in the coach’s box, bat/ball shaggers or one of the nine players on defense are permitted to be outside the designated dugout/bench or designated warmup areas (i.e. batting cage or bullpen). Additionally,
during gameplay, hitting the ball to teammates on defense is prohibited. Between innings, bench personnel are permitted to engage in throwing and running activities; however, they should be done in a safe manner.
Field structure and dugout protection vary from facility to facility. Team personnel should assess and be aware of potential hazards associated with foul balls and overthrows. For example, if a bullpen is in an area where a foul ball or overthrow could contact the pitcher or catcher, the team should assign bench personnel with a glove to stand nearby to shield those
warming up, as shown in PlayPic B. Pitchers should throw away from home plate in order to avoid having errant throws interrupt the game and a team member should be protecting the pitcher, who is not facing the plate area.
Lastly, on-deck batters should be mindful of potential foul balls and overthrows and be prepared to move as necessary to avoid contact. Remember, by rule, on-deck batters must use the on-deck circle closest to their own dugout and may never cross over in front of the other team’s dugout to warm up.
Face tough plays with an in-depth look at the NFHS softball rules for tricky situations. You will be ready for anything, including Appeals, Batting Out of Order, DP Flex, Obstruction, Substitutions and more!
GETTING IT RIGHT INSPIRATION,
Here’s to Hugh, Part II
By Brad Star
I
n April 2022, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame announced the induction of Hugh Evans, the legendary NBA referee whose career spanned 1972-2001. Evans would die that July, a few months before he was enshrined posthumously in September.
Evans was honored again in June 2024, this time for his efforts off the court. The gym at the Mitchel Community Center in the South Bronx neighborhood of New York was renamed in honor of Evans, who was the gym’s first director in the late 1960s and early 1970s.
and retired onfloor official Monty McCutchen; and NBA vice president of referee operations Matt Winick. The National Basketball Referees Association supported the event and donated a dedication plaque in Evans’ honor.
“When one sports official is recognized, the entire officiating community is recognized,” Delaney said.
Before the start of Evans’ career as an NBA official in 1972, he was a social worker at the East Side House Settlement and oversaw athletic programming at the Mitchel gym. Evans shaped the lives of many Bronx youths while there. Among them was former NBA great and hall-of-famer Nate “Tiny” Archibald, who grew up at East Side House and spoke of how important the gym was to the community.
“Nate spoke of how Hugh and his staff would open the gym until the early morning hours during the summer so folks had some place to go and play basketball or gather,” Delaney said. “Others told stories of Hugh’s ongoing focus to open doors for East Side Settlement Housing kids to attend college. His colleagues underlined how important this was to Hubert.”
The gym, renamed the Hubert “Hugh” Evans Gymnasium, now reflects Evans’ contributions to the community. In addition, New York City Mayor Eric Adams declared June 1 as “Hugh Evans Day” in the city.
Negro Leagues Tribute
Rickwood Field in Birmingham, Ala., saw history in multiple ways June 20. Along with hosting the first regular season AL/NL game at America’s oldest ballpark as a tribute to the Negro Leagues, the game was also the first in AL/ NL history to feature an all-Black umpiring crew.
Crew chief Adrian Johnson worked alongside C.B. Bucknor, Jeremie Rehak, Malachi Moore and Alan Porter, who was behind the plate. The five are the only Black umpires currently working in the league.
There have been just 11 fulltime Black umpires in the history of the AL and NL. The umpires wore a patch to honor Emmett Ashford, who in 1966 became MLB’s first Black umpire.
“The fact that we have enough guys to form a whole crew and have a replay guy as well, that says a lot,” Johnson told The Athletic. “It’s been a long time coming. And it makes me very happy.”
SOURCE: THE ATHLETIC
Moyer-Gleich Makes Pitch Central Dauphin High School in Harrisburg, Pa., hosted an Officiating Symposium clinic in June for those interested in the avocation. The clinic’s speaker was a local who also happens to be one of the most inspiring stories in the officiating community: NBA referee and Lebanon, Pa., native Ashley Moyer-Gleich.
She told the 55 in attendance how rewarding the profession has been for her, as well as stories from her quick ascent to the NBA.
“Hugh Evans is being recognized and honored for his work outside and inside the lines,” former NBA referee Bob Delaney said. “He was a role model for so many of us in life and basketball officiating, and his legacy will be a role model for generations to come.”
Delaney was among those who attended the celebration, alongside retired NBA referees Ronnie Nunn and Jim Capers Sr.; current NBA referee Zach Zarba; NBA head of referee development
“Hugh Evans was a big-time guy who never big-timed anyone,” Delaney said. “A kind, gentle man who had strong leadership abilities. It has been said that there are two passings — the day we physically leave and the second passing is when our name is last mentioned on Earth. Hugh Evans will live on forever as he impacts generations to come that will learn about life through sports at the Hubert ‘Hugh’ Evans Gymnasium.”
Brad Star is an assistant editor for Referee.
In 2018, Moyer-Gleich became the fourth woman to be hired as a full-time NBA referee, and she became just the second woman to call an NBA playoff game this past season.
“You get yelled at all the time,” Moyer-Gleich said. “No one likes you. It’s hard. But there are some great elements to it if you stick with it and find a purpose of being the best official you can.”
SOURCE: LNP
Have you heard an inspirational or motivational officiating story?
Send your ideas to
From left, NBA vice president of referee operations Matt Winick; retired NBA referees Bob Delaney and Ronnie Nunn; and NBA head of referee development Monty McCutchen attend the Hugh Evans memorial event at the Mitchel Community Center in New York.
FOOTBALL VIDEO TRAINING
JUST ONE MORE THING … Postgame Key to Umpires’ Growth
By James “Buzz” Albert
We’ve all been there. It’s several days before a game or a series and we start planning. The anxiety kicks in. Maybe it’s a big game. Maybe it’s our first conference series. Regardless, we spend a lot of time in preparation and thought leading up to our assignments and game time. We coordinate our travel, our uniform
and everything in between, including having a good pregame with our crew to prepare for every possible situation that might pop up on us during a game.
Then it’s go time. The game goes on and too often, regardless of what happens during the game, our mind and energy shift to what’s next. Our departure can’t get here soon enough. We start thinking about where we
want to be and how soon we can get there.
What did we miss? The often overlooked and undervalued postgame breakdown with our partners. We simply call it a “postgame.” There are many things that make us want to skip out early after a game, and some of them may be valid: our family time or perhaps getting back to our job as quickly as
While discussions such as the one MLB umpires David Rackley, Mathews, N.C., (left) and Larry Vanover, Nashville, Tenn., are having here with the replay booth, are important, so too are postgame debriefings about questionable plays and crew performance.
possible in today’s world of working remotely. It could be plans for a quick meal. Whatever the case, there are too many times we just pack up and say, “Great working with you guys, see you down the road.”
Equally as important to our pregame preparation is our postgame — the conversation, the breakdown of everything that went well on the field and what we could have done better. We need to make it a priority to rehash and decide if there is anything to be learned from what just happened the previous 2½ hours. Maybe it starts in our pregame with a challenge to our partners. “Hey, I’ve been working on this, can you watch me and tell me what you think?” As a plate umpire, it could be our head height or our stance. It most certainly may be our timing. We’ve been struggling with a low pitch or the high strike. Whatever it may be, there’s often something going into a game that we could ask our partner or crew to check out for us and help figure out why it may be challenging.
I’m a very big believer in learning by doing. If we can learn from mistakes, that’s not necessarily a bad thing. We’re all going to make a mistake here and there, but if we misapply a rule, we miss a rotation, we get caught in a bad spot, these are things we can remedy for the next time by talking it through with our crew. When done properly, I always like to say, “Hey, we missed it today, but we’ll be ready next time and we will get it right.” Learn from it and let’s not repeat the same mistakes over and over again.
Anyone on the crew can initiate a postgame. The easiest time to do so is when we actually had something out of the ordinary develop, it challenged us and it’s natural to break it down and see what we did well and what, if anything, we might have done better. It might start with something as easy as one member of the crew asking, “Do you have anything for me?” A good crew chief can massage this situation by leading a reluctant partner or crew with the words “let’s talk about … .” The best crew chiefs I’ve been around rarely if ever miss this opportunity before letting us slip
out the door without talking about things and learning from situations. Our responsibility is that whenever we ask for this advice, we accept it and do our best to learn from it. We shouldn’t be defensive. We shouldn’t be argumentative. It’s also not a time to throw previous partners (or worse a previous crew chief) under the bus by responding, “But so and so said to do it this way.” Now is the time to listen, ask questions and reflect on what actually happened on the field and then digest it to figure out how we get better from this experience and move forward. I’ve seen many umpires actually come in and ask the question, “What do you have for me?” and take out paper to record some notes.
I’ve also been with umpires who have an answer for every suggestion or situation. We call them the “Yeah, but” umpires. Nothing will provoke more withdrawal from a wellmeaning veteran than the continuous “Yeah, but” response. No umpire wants that label.
So what is our responsibility with all the advice and suggestions we receive? We need to listen and engage in the discussion. Today’s advice may be a perfect complement to some things we’ve heard before. That’s the best, when we hear from one veteran one week and the next week it’s solidified by another crew chief giving the same message. This makes it simple for us. It’s pretty clear what is expected week in, week out when the message is similar.
The same is true for veterans in discussion with newer umpires regarding rule situations when there is some disagreement on the wording or the interpretation of the rule. All umpires should engage in rule conversations with an open mind, come together as a crew on what the rule actually says and how we should adjudicate it in certain situations. Sometimes, newer umpires are more fresh in the wording of the rule and could actually be correct in our discussion.
All umpires should have the courage to express what they know and challenge if necessary — not in a confrontational tone, but in
“One day I was just like, ‘This is pretty cool what he does.’ I’ve gotten to do some pretty cool things growing up.”
— Kaden Tichenor, about trying to follow in the footsteps of his father, MLB umpire Todd Tichenor. Kaden graduated from MLB Umpire Prospect Development Camp earlier this year and now works in the Arizona Complex League.
SOURCE:
BY THE NUMBERS
THEY SAID IT 1:20
The average length for the 222 video reviews that took place during the 2024 NCAA Baseball Division I Championship.
76%
The percentage of video reviews that were confirmed or stood as called during the tournament. Only 53 of 222 video reviews resulted in the original call being overturned.
SIDELINE
Hoye Leads
MLB All-Star Crew
James Hoye, a 16-year MLB umpiring veteran, served as the crew chief and plate umpire for the 2024 All-Star Game, played July 16 at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas.
Hoye was joined by Bruce Dreckman (first base), John Tumpane (second base), Nic Lentz (third base), Ben May (left field) and Nestor Ceja (right field). Rob Drake served as the replay official in the Replay Operations Center in New York.
It was the second All-Star game selection for Hoye, Dreckman and Drake (who worked on the field in 2013), while Tumpane, Lentz, May and Ceja all worked their first Midsummer Classic.
TEST YOURSELF
In each question, decide which answer is correct for NFHS, NCAA or pro rules. Solutions: p.81.
1. A DH is hitting for the visiting team’s pitcher. The visiting coach makes his first mound visit in the seventh inning. He wants to move his starting pitcher to left field and bring in a reliever.
a. The role of the DH is terminated.
b. The pitcher now playing left field must bat in the former left fielder’s spot in the batting order.
c. The pitcher now playing left field must bat in the replaced DH’s spot.
d. A and B.
e. A and C.
f. None of the above.
2. If an assistant coach comes onto the field from the third-base coach’s box to argue a call at second base:
a. The assistant coach should be restricted to the dugout.
b. The assistant coach should be ejected from the game.
c. The assistant coach should be ejected and the head coach should be restricted to the dugout.
d. Both the assistant coach and the head coach should be ejected from the game.
e. The umpire will handle the situation at his or her discretion.
3. Daniel is listed as the DH for Baker in the third spot in the batting order. In the fourth inning, Baker bats when it’s Daniel’s time to bat and hits a single.
a. This is an illegal substitution. Baker is called out and will be restricted to the dugout. Daniel is substituted for.
b. This is an illegal substitution. Baker is called out and ejected. Daniel is substituted for.
c. This is batting out of order. Baker’s time at bat is nullified, Daniel is out, and the next proper batter is the name of the player that follows Daniel.
d. This move is legal. The DH role is terminated for the remainder of the game and Baker will continue to bat in the third spot.
an appropriate manner that will benefit the entire crew. “The rule says this and help me understand how it applies to that” could be an appropriate lead-in to a disagreement on rules. Sometimes newer umpires may be studying the rulebook a bit harder than the rest of the crew and may be right in their understanding of the rule as it is written. More than once I’ve seen the best of crew chiefs engage, listen and give some thought to what a newer umpire may be thinking and realize they are correct. So a good postgame discussion goes both ways. When done well, it will benefit the entire crew from week to week.
Too often we talk to our buddies on our ride home and we hear, “No issues out there, everything went smooth.” We also have the umpires who come to the locker room immediately after the game and think they were perfect because there were
no objections or arguments. Perhaps it was simply a game that could almost call itself. It puts us on autopilot and in a false sense of satisfaction when there is nothing to talk about. It doesn’t mean there is nothing to learn from, it simply means it was one of those games we all long for — the quiet, no-issues-to-dealwith afternoon we all desire but experience on few occasions. When it does, let’s be careful to not simply pack up and move on. Let’s ask that question — “Do you have anything for me?” — and see if there is something we can learn regardless of the outcome.
Buzz Albert, Mount Joy, Pa., umpires NCAA Division I baseball in the Big Ten and Northeast conferences and the Coastal Athletic Association. He has worked five NCAA D-I regional tournaments and works as a clinician on the United Umpires training staff in the offseason.
Charting the Collegiate Course
By Jon Bible
Many umpires want to work at the college level, possibly in a major conference. Having been involved in the college game for many years as an umpire and coordinator/assigner, I’d like to share some thoughts on what an aspirant should have in mind. Hopefully, some of what follows will help if you want to move to a different rung on the ladder.
First, a dose of reality. For several reasons, it’s harder to get into the college ranks today than it used to be.
For years, MLB has had an up-or-out policy: If they’re not interested in a minor league umpire reaching the top level somewhat soon, that umpire is released. These folks are young and have solid skill sets, and many are now looking to the college game, and not just in
major conferences, to keep working. Understandably, coordinators and small-college assigners are snapping them up. If an ex-pro takes a spot on a staff, that’s one less available for an amateur to take.
Second, whereas local people at major conference schools used to assign non-conference games using a mix of aspirants and current staff members — I did for over 20 years — coordinators now assign these games, and they’re increasingly using staff members. This has a domino effect: If staff umpire A gets a non-conference game, that’s one less assignment available for aspirant B who is working smallcollege ball; in turn, high school umpire C, who might have filled B’s slot in the small-college game, won’t do so. Looking at 2023 nonconference assignments in one major conference, about 80% were worked by staff members, whereas
the number used to be about half that.
Also, many higher-echelon college umpires work in multiple conferences, which means fewer different umpires on staffs.
Finally, geography is a factor. Major conferences can afford to take umpires from anywhere, but smaller leagues can only hire from a restricted area.
Add all of this up and one can see there are many hurdles confronting umpires who want to get into college ball or, if they’re already working at that level, to advance to Division I and the power conferences.
During an umpire camp last fall, John Seymour (right) of El Paso, Texas, listens to tips from John Brammer, NCAA Division I umpire and Division III/JUCO coordinator from Aledo, Texas. Making coordinators aware of who you are is key to advancing to work college baseball.
CASEPLAYS
Nice Try
Play: B1 doubles. He requests and is granted time to hand his elbow protector to the first-base coach. The coach informs him he missed first and needs to return to touch it. B1 returns directly to first base and touches it before proceeding back to second. After the ball is put in play, the defensive team legally appeals B1 missed first. Ruling: The appeal is upheld and B1 is declared out. Runners may not return to touch a missed base after they have reached a base beyond the missed base (NFHS 8-2-6d, interp.; NCAA 8-6a Note 2, pro 5.09c2 AR B).
Not so Fast
Play: B1 tops the pitch, which rolls 15 feet toward the mound. On B1’s follow-through, the bat strikes F2 and momentarily delays his pursuit of the ball. F2 proceeds to field it and throw to first base. B1 is ruled safe on a bang-bang play. Ruling: B1 is out for the interference (NFHS 7-3-5c; NCAA 6-3b, 7-11f; pro 6.03a3, 4 Cmt.).
Ping Pong
Play: With R2 on second and R1 on first, there is one out. The 1-1 pitch is deflected by F2 toward the first-base dugout. The ball strikes an in-play railing around the photographer’s pit and rebounds back toward the playing field. F2 dives for the ball, which has come to a stop, and accidentally deflects it out of play. At the time of the deflection, R2 had rounded third and R1 had rounded second. Ruling: In NFHS, both runners score as the award is two bases from the time of the deflection. F2 provided the force that caused the ball to go into dead-ball territory. In NCAA and pro, R2 scores and R1 is awarded third. That’s two bases from the time of pitch since the deflection was a subsequent act (NFHS 8-33c, 8.3.3 K; NCAA 8-3o4 Note; pro 5.06b4H AR).
Easy Out
Play: With R3 on third, one out and a 1-1 count, B2 hits a high pop fly that drifts over foul territory. R3 accidentally prevents F5 from catching the ball. Ruling: R3 is out; B2 remains at bat with a 1-2 count (NFHS 8-4-2g; NCAA 8-5d; pro 6.01a10).
Now, for the good news: Opportunities do exist, especially given the shortage of umpires these days, which decreases the amount of competition. How can you best position yourself to get one? There are two interrelated goals at work here: to get an opportunity and to maximize it if it comes your way.
Aspirants must first ask whether they’re ready to work at that level. Many umpires today want to move up too quickly. Except for anomalies, no one is ready to work college ball without 7-8 solid years of experience. It takes that long to develop a good command of the strike zone and the ability to be consistent, to say nothing of learning how to handle people and situations. I’ve known umpires who moved up too fast and didn’t last. If you’re not sure if you’re ready, consider asking a veteran umpire whom you trust for their opinion. Because one’s ability to effectively call balls and strikes can make or break them at the college level, get behind the plate in college scrimmages. If you’re objective, this will give you a sense of whether you’re ready. Talk with the coaches afterward; my experience is that virtually all of them will give you an honest assessment of your work.
If you think you’re ready, prepare yourself as much as possible. I’m continually amazed at how many umpires seek higher opportunities without first trying to master all phases of the game at that level. Not only does this make them more marketable, but if they get a chance they’ll be better equipped to take advantage of it. There’s an old saying that umpires are supposed to be perfect on day one and steadily improve thereafter. Humorous, yes, but the fact is if we do get an opportunity there won’t be a grace period where our ignorance will be excused.
What does prepared mean? You’re probably used to working with NFHS rules, so learn the NCAA rules. Screw up a rule at the outset of your college career and you may be history. Learn college mechanics. You’ll likely be using
three- or four-umpire systems, and you’ll not impress anyone if the first time you step on a college field you have no clue where to go when the ball is hit. This magazine and other sources provide myriad aids that enable people to learn college rules and mechanics. If and when you’re hired at the college level, you’ll learn the finer points of how things are done there, but you need to have at least basic knowledge going in.
Video is a great way to prepare. Basketball and football officials have become so immersed in film study the term “video junkie” was coined to describe them. Why not baseball umpires? Watch plays in professional and college games and think about positioning, timing, your signals, working in cruise control, what you would call, etc.
Look the part. With rare exceptions, coordinators aren’t hiring overweight umpires. If they’ve got several relatively equal candidates, they’ll almost surely give the nod to the one who’s in good shape. Keep your uniform in good condition. For you to look like a slob speaks volumes about your professionalism.
Assuming you’re prepared, what next? Unless you’re a higherechelon umpire, assigners and coordinators aren’t going to ask you to work for them. You must seek them out. Submit an application and resumé (be sure they’re polished). Try to get someone with an assigner’s ear to go to bat for you. Hope one of them sees you somewhere. Go to a camp or clinic where assigners and coordinators are present.
Keep working scrimmages. The more pitches and plays you see the better, and this will speak to your level of dedication. I once hired a guy for a conference because he had spent years going to conference schools in the spring and fall and I thought he deserved a chance to show what he could do.
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.
A Core Four for Three-Person Success
By Scott Tittrington
There is a national collegiate umpiring coordinator who, when discussing the transition from twoperson to three-person umpiring mechanics, is fond of saying it will take an umpire 100 games in the three-person system before becoming proficient.
That makes sense. Think about when you first started working the two-umpire system. Every umpire who has ever done so needed reps to understand when to rotate to third base as the plate umpire, when to go out on a trouble ball as a base umpire, how the two umpires use certain signals to communicate with one another on the field, and much, much more. It may not have taken 100 games to get there, but eventually, muscle memory started to take over as working the two-umpire system became second nature.
The biggest hurdle in making the transition to three-person mechanics is the amount of thinking and prepitch planning required to make sure everyone is taking care of their own jobs and functioning effectively as part of a crew. Because your actions and decisions are now not only influencing and directing one partner on the field, but two. In two-person mechanics, if one umpire makes a mental error,
the only thing required to overcome it is for the other umpire to recognize it and adjust and cover that umpire’s tracks. In three-person, if one umpire throws a curveball into the mix, there is a need for two other people to first, recognize it, and second, have the confidence, knowledge and ability to know how to fix it on the fly.
working three-person. However, until recently, I’ve never really had a partner delve into the “how.” This offseason, I had the good fortune of working a college summer game with an experienced veteran who succinctly explained it in a manner that resonated with me, and therefore, allow me to share it with you so that you may implement it into your continued offseason preparation for the 2025 season and beyond.
When working the three-person umpiring system, ask yourself these four questions before every change of situation:
1.What are my fly ball responsibilities? We always need to have one umpire with eyes on the ball. We also only want one umpire with eyes on the ball. From your position on the field, know where you go when the ball is hit in the air (when it’s yours, when you need to go out, when you need to rotate), understanding the responsibilities can change drastically with any change in situation.
2.What are my line drive responsibilities? Very similar to the first question, as we need to make sure we do not have two different umpires looking at the ball and possibly offering two conflicting rulings.
3.What do I do on a base hit? Three-person mechanics allow for
us to keep an umpire ahead of and behind the runner in nearly all situations. So are you the U3 who needs to come into the middle of the field to be ahead of the batter-runner stretching a single into a double? Are you the U1 who needs to “slide” behind the play when the bases are loaded and a play develops on the batter-runner at second base? Are you the plate umpire who needs to initiate a rotation on a ball hit into the gap with no one on base?
4.What do I do if my partner goes out? The first and most important part of this query is recognizing your partner has gone out. Once that happens, you must understand how the crew must adapt now that it is down an umpire in the infield and reverting to two-person mechanics for all plays on the bases. Say you are U1 in the B position with a runner on second base and less than two outs, and U3 goes out on a trouble ball that is caught and turns into a tag-up situation. Proper pre-pitch planning can be the difference between you busting your butt and getting in a great position for the bang-bang play at third base and there being no one within 90 feet of the play because you failed to recognize that play is yours.
The next time you are assigned to work a three-person game, drill these four questions into your mind and then, once you step on the field, answer them every time a new situation presents itself.
As I have continued my own progression as a college umpire, I have had partners use many different approaches in stressing the importance of the “what” of pre-pitch planning when for Referee football.
It will help you in the moment, and it may even help you speed up that 100game learning curve and prove to an assigner or coordinator that you have the fundamental understanding they are looking for to become a valued member of their umpiring staff. Scott Tittrington is an associate editor . He umpires college and high school baseball, and officiates college and high school basketball and high school
Which umpire is responsible for ruling on this developing catch/no-catch situation in the three-umpire system? That’s a question all three umpires should be asking themselves as part of their pre-pitch routines.
PROFILES
The Prevets Are a Triple Threat on the Pitch
By Leah Berard
Atrio
of sisters from the Long Island community of Nesconset, N.Y., are breaking barriers as soccer officials. Identical twins Ashley and Jenna Prevet, 19 (the former is older by a minute), both picked up the whistle five years ago when they were 14. They joined the avocation after refereeing some peewee soccer games through their travel club.
“Since we enjoyed it and were able to make a bit of money, we decided to give it a shot,” Ashley said.
Although neither of them plays soccer competitively anymore, they both play field hockey at Sweet Briar College in Virginia. They’re in their senior year; Ashley doublemajors in business and math while Jenna is a pre-law student.
Their younger sister, Meghan, 15, also started officiating youth soccer almost two years ago when she was 14. Meghan just finished playing her last season of soccer for her travel club, the Long Island Slammers, and will now focus
on playing field hockey. She is a sophomore this year at Smithtown East High School in St. James, N.Y.
Jenna has already had her dedication and love of officiating recognized by the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) at its Hall of Fame banquet this past January. She was named ENYYSA’s 2023 Young Female Referee of the Year.
“(Jenna) has done an outstanding job as an official and definitely deserves the award,” Meghan said.
Jenna said winning the award hasn’t changed the course of her officiating journey.
“I like to think that my achievements will come whether I have won the award or not,” she said.
The three sisters are all passionate about the craft and could see themselves giving field hockey officiating a go in the future when time allows. For now, they are all sponges of soccer officiating, learning from mentors such as Cheryl Aronson. The sisters agree they have learned a lot from Aronson, who was named ENYYSA’s state youth referee administrator last year and has previously officiated in leagues such as the Women’s Premier Soccer League and MLS Next.
“(Aronson) helped Ashley and me get many of the opportunities that helped us grow as referees,” Jenna said, “including doing regional tournaments, where we met many new talented referees.”
Ashley also mentioned Brian Baer, president of the Hudson Valley (N.Y.) Soccer Referee Association, and Lee Suckle, former ENYYSA state youth referee administrator, as valuable mentors. Leah Berard, St. Paul, Minn., officiated international rugby and now officiates high school and college football.
Up-North Softball History
Two softball umpires made history in Minnesota this past May. Anne Campbell and Gretchen Hyink worked a varsity softball game between Cass Lake Bena and Hill City/Northland, becoming the first all-female varsity softball officiating crew in northern Minnesota.
“It is a surprise that it has taken this long for this to happen,” Grand Rapids High School athletic director Dale Christy said. “I hope it inspires more females to go into the officiating ranks.”
SOURCE: MINNESOTA
MLB Umpiring Royalty
Kaden Tichenor Holcomb, Kan.
MLB umpire Todd Tichenor has become one of the more wellrespected officials in the sport, reaching MLB in 2007 and being promoted to crew chief in 2023. At some point in the next few years, Tichenor might have the chance to do something few MLB umpires have ever experienced: umpire a big league game with his son.
Kaden Tichenor is following in his father’s footsteps. The younger Tichenor graduated from MLB Umpire School earlier this year and recently started his professional umpiring career in the Arizona Complex League.
“One day I was just like, ‘This is pretty cool what he does,’” Kaden told KWCH News. “I’ve done a lot of things with my dad but I’ve never gotten ... to umpire a baseball game (with him).”
SOURCE: KWCH.COM
Do you know a person or group who should be profiled? Send info to us at profiles@referee.com
Anne Campbell Gretchen Hyink Grand Rapids, Minn.
From left, sisters Meghan, Ashley and Jenna Prevet share a love for officiating soccer.
PLAY IT FORWARD
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YOU
A-ROD’S INTERFERENCE
The umpiring crew for Game 6 of the 2004 AL Championship Series demonstrated the importance of coming together to get the call right.
The2004 AL Championship Series is memorable for several reasons. The Boston Red Sox rallied from a three-games-to-zero deficit and won four games in a row to advance to the World Series, eventually winning the team’s first Fall Classic since 1918, when Babe Ruth was with the team.
Then there’s Boston pitcher Curt Schilling’s crimson red sanitary sock as he pitched with a torn ankle tendon in Game 6, in what’s now called the “Bloody Sock Game.”
By Dan Ronan
But for the six umpires — Randy Marsh, Jeff Nelson, John Hirschbeck, Jim Joyce, Jeff Kellogg and Joe West — one call in that game stands out. It dramatically changed the way umpires work as a crew and may have set in motion using video replay to review calls and correct them.
45-foot running lane when he slapped Arroyo’s outstretched left arm that was holding Arroyo’s glove and the ball as he tagged Rodriguez.
In an interview with ESPN baseball reporter Buster Olney, West explained what happened.
The Red Sox faced another must-win Oct. 19, 2004, in Yankee Stadium — this time to force a seventh game. Boston was leading, 4-2, in the eighth inning. There was one out. New York’s Derek Jeter was on second base, while Alex Rodriguez was facing Boston’s Bronson Arroyo. Rodriguez tapped a slow ground ball between the pitcher’s mound and first base. Arroyo fielded the ball and raced Rodriguez to first. The Yankee superstar was in the
ARE THERE in Rodriguez. of the case them. themselves,
“The ball gets loose,” Fox play-by-play announcer Joe Buck exclaimed as the ball darted into foul territory. Jeter raced around the bases, while Rodriguez advanced to second. “It’s down the right-field line. Jeter coming around. It’s a one-run game.
“Now we’re going to have an argument as (Terry) Francona comes out of the dugout,” Buck said as the Red Sox manager pleads his case with the umpires.
In 2004 West, the home plate umpire, and Marsh, the crew chief, had nearly 50 years of MLB experience between them. They quickly realized there was a problem. They talked briefly by themselves, then brought together the remaining umpires.
“The first baseman (Doug Mientkiewicz) was also running to the bag. He got in front of me, and I didn’t see Rodriguez slap Arroyo,” Marsh said. “I asked the crew what happened, and Joe said Rodriguez slapped Arroyo. We changed the call. Rodriguez was out and we brought Jeter back.”
“Randy could see something was wrong. And he came to us and he said, ‘What happened?’ And I said, ‘Well, he slapped his glove with his bare hand. He can’t do that; it’s interference.’”
“I was at third and looking across the field, alarms started going off,” Hirschbeck said. “It was kind of like when you see a block and you say, ‘I just saw something and that’s not normal.’ That’s the kind of feeling I had. Then Randy and Joe got together and then all six of us were talking about the play. It was great work by Joe West to come up from the plate and be up the line and make the call.”
“I was down the left-field line,” Joyce recalled. “I started to see the play develop and there was a lot of action between home and first and my first instinct was something was wrong.”
Section 6.1 of the MLB umpire’s manual is clear: “… a runner is not allowed to use his hands or arms to commit an obviously malicious or unsportsmanlike act such as grabbing, tackling, intentionally slapping at the baseball, punching, kicking, flagrantly using his arms or forearms, etc., to commit an intentional act of interference unrelated to running the bases.”
Marsh believes it was the first time a crew gathered, reviewed the play and reversed a call. Marsh said before crew consultations, the calling umpire would have stuck to his guns.
Collaboration rather than individuality found its way into the
Randy Marsh was screened by first baseman Doug Mientkiewicz, so he didn’t see Alex Rodriguez slap the ball out of Bronson Arroyo’s glove.
umpires’ decision-making process, changing the way the game is officiated forever.
“I think this play is the one that started the movement toward getting together on a play,” Marsh said. “Not being hesitant to do it and ultimately getting the play right.”
Now this type of rule review and play consultation is routine and encouraged.
Seconds after the call was reversed, Yankee Stadium turned ugly. Many of the 56,128 fans rained debris and projectiles on the field to show their displeasure.
Francona pulled his team off the field and Marsh and the crew acted quickly. The grounds crew was removing the trash, but they were fighting a losing battle.
“I knew Kevin Hallinan was here,” Marsh said of the then-MLB senior vice president of security, who was sitting nearby. “I said, ‘Kevin, you need to get us security down the line, but I need security inside the fence.’ Meaning on the inside of the fence, not on the outside of the fence. He said, ‘I got the perfect thing.’”
It seems a large group of New York City Police cadets were underneath the stands in the tunnel below Yankee Stadium.
“They quickly came running out and they lined the field for about half of an inning and then everything was back under control,” Marsh said. “We got them off the field and had officers nearby to keep an eye on things.”
“I think this play is the one that started the movement toward getting together on a play.”
-RANDY MARSH
“We had moved to the center of the infield for the crew meeting,” Joyce said. “We were right behind the mound, just waiting for it to end.”
“I remember talking to the police and saying, ‘This has to stop,’” Hirschbeck said. “Someone from the upper deck took some aluminum foil from hot dog wrappers and made a ball out of it, and it almost hit me. These were New York fans and things got out of control.”
The Red Sox hung on to win, 4-2, and tie the series, three games apiece. For the Yankees that tough loss, and the Rodriguez call, clearly impacted them.
In a 2018 interview with NBC Boston, Rodriguez admitted he committed interference.
“I was trying to go for his glove and the karate chop went a little too far and I got his forearm,” he said.
The Red Sox easily won the deciding game, 10-3, coming back from an unlikely three-game deficit and moving on to the World Series.
West recalled for ESPN that before the seventh game, as the umpires took the field, some fans thanked the umpires for the work they did in Game 6.
“We actually got a small ovation from the fans, because they knew we called it right,” West said. “That’s probably the most interesting or unusual thing that I’ve ever witnessed.”
For the six umpires, this was one of the most intense series they can ever remember.
“When we came off the field after Game 7, we all were very pleased. We took care of business,” Joyce said. “There were a lot of compliments and guys patting each other on the back. It was a job well done in a very tough series.”
“It was a good feeling going home,” Hirschbeck said. “I was going to enjoy my winter. We gave it everything we had.”
“I told Commissioner (Bud) Selig and the crew before the series that if anything out of the ordinary happened on the field, we would get together and get it right,” Marsh said. “Then this happened, and we did (it) this way. (Selig) came into the room after Game 7 and he told the crew we handled this the right way, and it was terrific for baseball.”
Dan Ronan is a Washington, D.C.-based journalist and retired two-sport official.
Distance and angle allow Ruben Gonzales, Newport Beach, Calif., to observe the dribbler and the defender. In the past, officials were often instructed to get as close to the play as possible. While being too far away does reduce call accuracy, having the proper angle can often compensate for distance issues. Therefore, “angle over distance” has become a common teaching point.
TRY ANGLE
The Right Look Improves Call Accuracy
By the Referee editors
Esse Baharmast had the key angle to make the right call. During the 1998 World Cup, Baharmast, NASO’s 2011 Gold Whistle Award recipient, awarded what many thought to be a controversial penalty kick to Norway
late in the game against Brazil. Baharmast ruled one of the Brazilian players pulled down his opponent from behind, but the call didn’t come without widespread controversy. Through the eyes of national television cameras, it appeared Baharmast missed the call, but he
didn’t. Baharmast had moved to get an angle on the play, about six yards away. He made the correct call, which later was verified through an onfield camera. What a difference the proper angle makes. During the time that Baharmast went from goat to hero, even he questioned himself
between the end of the game and the all-important moment a Swedish television network revealed its angle on the play, the same as Baharmast’s.
“Did I see something I didn’t see?” Baharmast asked himself.
“Should I have taken another angle? Could I have not called it? You ask all those questions and you keep coming back to, ‘No! This is what I had to do!’”
Baharmast was confident in his call because he knew he moved to the best angle on the field of play. The call could have only been better if he had a television camera strapped to his forehead. Then there would have been no controversy. But the bottom line is Baharmast obtained the key angle by moving to a position that allowed him to see the act in full.
Whether it is seeing a tug of the jersey from behind in soccer, a shoestring catch in football, a collision between players in basketball or a tag play at the plate in baseball or softball, moving to improve your angle is necessary to make the best judgment. However, knowing where and when to move and the ideal distance are all factors that play into getting that key angle.
If plate umpires take a position on the first-base line extended for a play at the plate, chances are they will not get a good look at a swipe tag by the catcher on the baserunner. A plate umpire who sets up on the third-base line extended for the same play is in position to determine whether the catcher swiped and tagged the runner or completely missed. Determining from where the ball is coming is a big factor in the umpire’s decision on where to be when it’s time to make the call.
Setting up too close to a play can hurt your judgment. To get the best angle to see the entire play usually means establishing enough distance between yourself and the action.
A basketball official too close to a player who has possession of the ball has a greater chance of missing a traveling violation than if he or she is a little farther away to get a better angle of the ball and feet.
Most rulings at first base in softball or baseball are routine and
are made from the outfield side of the bag and a few steps into fair territory. But that changes if the ball is hit down the first-base line. The umpire then will obtain the best angle by moving outside the line and into foul territory. A position too close to the base may be detrimental if the first baseman or pitcher is racing the runner to the bag. Keep all the elements of the play in front of you and at a distance recommended by your association.
Knowing when to move to get the best angle and when to stop to make the call also affects judgment. That can involve sprinting, a simple step and stop, gliding, shuffling or a little hop. There is a time to float and a time to sprint, but if you fail to move at the right time, you’ll likely be out of position to make the call, which may leave you guessing. Knowing how to officiate properly means knowing how and when to trigger that sudden burst of energy to scoot into the proper position.
If a ballhandler in basketball is trapped by defenders near the sideline, the covering official must shift quickly to observe fouls or violations. Wing officials in football have to obtain angles to judge whether or not there is contact between pass receivers and defenders. Sometimes that means chasing the action rapidly. Soccer assistant referees must be ready to sprint down the line to see if the attackers are offside.
Whatever the sport, officials can improve their positioning and their methods of getting the angle by talking about it in pregame meetings with fellow officials. Beware of absolutes when learning to adjust your game to meet the conditions. And if necessary, try a new technique in moving to get the best angle.
Regardless of sport, officials must move to improve their calling angle, then stop to make the call. Remaining in a statue-like position and declining to move to make the best judgment paints a picture of laziness, inexperience or both. Work to get the key angle on any given play and you will put yourself in position to succeed.
QUICKTIP
If you notice unusual behavior between the participants during the game, ask yourself why. It may start with a pitch possibly deliberately thrown at a batter or activity after a flamboyant dunk. If those questions come to mind, they must trigger a response by you, meaning a warning to the pitcher or standing between opponents after any pointing or gesturing following that flamboyant dunk and a warning to cease the unsportsmanlike behavior.
READERS SURVEY SAYS …
Does your primary sport/ level have a formalized fitness requirement for officiating? Yes: 14% No: 86%
SOURCE:
DID
We all know how many officials comprise crews in the so-called major sports. But what about the sports with which we are not so familiar? Hurling, a cross between lacrosse and field hockey that is popular in Ireland, usually features a referee assisted by two linesmen. There are two umpires at each end of the field who raise colored flags to indicate the value of scoring plays. A sumo match is overseen by a referee in the ring and five judges seated around the ring. In team handball, which
YOU KNOW? has elements similar to indoor soccer and basketball, games are officiated by two referees with equal authority.
5 MINUTES WITH DR. MEGAN BUNING
Certified Mental Performance Consultant discusses training the mind to help reach optimal performance.
Residence: Tallahassee, Fla.
Experience: Clinical (Teaching) faculty at Florida State University Coach Interdisciplinary Center; Consultant for collegiate officials and umpires in six sports in the SEC, ACC, Big 12, Pac-12, Big South and Peach Belt conferences; consultant for MiLB umpires, Major Arena Soccer League officials, USA Youth Soccer referees and USA Polo umpires.
REFEREE: How do we make officials understand the importance of the mental aspects of officiating?
BUNING: The rules, the mechanics, the physical side of the sport, that’s part of your foundation. Think about it like a cake; you have your DNA, then you stack up nutrition, strength and conditioning, then after that comes coaching, rules and mechanics, the content that really goes into what it is you are doing. The second layer from the top is what you learn from experience. Those are really easy to focus on because you see tangible results quickly. What a lot of people get stuck on is they forget there is a top layer of cake. They stop at experience a lot of times when in reality, that top layer is your mental game. It is your mental skills, how you handle everything. If the rest of the stuff, that foundation, isn’t put together well and there are holes, you will struggle to learn the mental skills and apply them appropriately or consistently.
REFEREE: Are there strategies to work on prior to games?
BUNING: I cannot stress the power of practicing mindfulness enough. When I say mindfulness, I am not necessarily talking about yoga and meditation. All I am talking about is practicing every day how to stay present in the moment on purpose. How are you staying focused on what you are doing and keeping your thoughts around whatever that goal or that thing is you are doing versus letting it wander?
action to a mental process. I’m going to get it out of my head and give myself a reminder. Place those in your car or in your bag somewhere you will see them later. If there’s something bothering you and you can’t do anything — boss said or did something but you aren’t going to deal with them later — still write them out but on a different paper. When you get out of your car or head to the locker room, ball that up and throw it in the trash can. Make a commitment to get it out of your head. There’s nothing you can do about it now and literally let it go. Notice that theme. Attach a physical action to a mental process.
REFEREE: When officials make a mistake, how do they flush it?
BUNING: Part of that is when we make a mistake, we have reoccurring thoughts and it’s feeding that negative emotion. What you saw in the old days is we had this mentality of don’t acknowledge it. What we know is that doesn’t work. It feeds the thought or the emotion. Your brain doesn’t understand “don’t.” It doesn’t understand it so it’s going to keep bringing it up to your attention. Instead, experience it and acknowledge how you feel about that. Then ask yourself what adjustments you need to make, whether it is mental, physical, emotional or all three, as soon as you can, make those adjustments and then toss it.
REFEREE: How do we avoid negative self talk?
Need Help? It’s Out There
By Jon Bible
You’re a young, aspiring official who is eager to soak up all the knowledge you can about the rules, mechanics and philosophies applicable in your sport. You’re hoping to move up the ladder or just to get better.
But you don’t feel you’re getting what you need from the training program in your group or association.
What do you do?
If you’re not getting what you need, it’s likely because you’re not taking full advantage of what exists. Or maybe it’s a case of not putting forth the required effort.
There can be wide variations in the caliber of training provided. For one thing, states are different.
In Texas, for example, the Texas Association of Sports Officials affords extensive training. The larger cities also have chapters that conduct training programs.
REFEREE: What techniques can officials use to practice mindfulness?
BUNING: If things are still bothering you when you pull up, have a notepad or notecards and write out things you need to take care of after the game. Put a physical
BUNING: Recognize that is normal. Our brains are wired that way. Remember, when you tell your brain don’t, it wants to do the opposite and it doesn’t understand. Think of your brain as an Alexa or a Siri. Tell yourself what you want to do. Instead of don’t do that, what is it that you want to do? That takes time. That is reconditioning how you address things. As soon as you realize you are telling yourself something negative, you have to catch yourself, which comes into mindfulness. The point is bring yourself into awareness of what you are saying. Is it productive and useful to you? And if it’s not, switch gears and start telling yourself what you want to do. A lot of times, that self talk is going to start with instructional self talk, it’s motivational self talk, it’s encouragement or something about focus.
But not every state and sport is the same, so in many instances, officials may find themselves pretty much on their own. What then?
It boils down to how proactive one wants to be.
I believe much of what is done at the collegiate level is readily transferable to lower levels. What is pass interference or a yellow card in Maine should be the same in Utah. Why should a high school baseball umpire not use the same stance that major leaguers use? Why should the strike zone in high school not be the same as it is in NCAA? NFHS rules may call for tweaking here and there, but not too much.
That leads me to believe an aspiring official at any level would do well to figure out a way to access the plethora of information available to officials at higher levels.
Yes, it may be necessary to change things a bit if your national, state or local authority has some unique twists that make what is done at the college level unworkable at other levels.
But in my experience, although the rules and mechanics may be different at different levels, situations can and should be handled essentially the same way at all levels, so training videos can be of immense help.
The value of a good mentor is something else whose importance should not be minimized. There may not be formal mentorship in your group, but there will be solid, proven veterans, many of whom would be anxious to take a neophyte under their wing.
If you’re new to officiating, and maybe even if you’re not, ask around to see who might qualify. Then approach that person and ask if he or she is willing to take you
on as a project. A few won’t be, but most will; as a matter of fact, chances are they’ll be flattered to be asked.
When I started officiating football in 1970, I did not have a mentor per se. But I quickly figured out how to become part of a group of eight to 10 veterans who got together at the same watering hole after chapter meetings.
While a lot of the conversation was typical war story talk, there was also a lot of common-sense backand-forth that helped me learn how to navigate a football field better than anything I could have gotten out of a book.
I used a lot of the techniques I learned back then for the rest of my career. The bottom line is I don’t think it matters where you are or what sport or what level you work.
Baseball great Yogi Berra once said, “You observe a lot by watching.” When you’re watching
your favorite team on TV or in person, watch the officials. See how they cover plays, how they interact with coaches, players and each other. Much can be gained from that viewing.
There is a wealth of information out there that will help you if you’re willing to figure out how to access it. NASO and Referee have plenty of resources. There are also many website discussion boards, some of which involve an exchange of useful knowledge (others are just forums for BS).
Or try Googling. Some of what you learn may be at odds with what the powers-that-be in your group or sport have decreed, and in that case you have no choice but to do what you’re told to do. But a great deal of what you access can be used as-is. Jon Bible is a replay official in the Southeastern Conference. A resident of Austin, Texas, he formerly officiated collegiate and pro football.
FOR THE RECORD
AWARDS, ROSTERS, NOTABLES
OLYMPICS
•The following officials were selected to officiate the basketball competitions at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris: Julio Anaya, Panama; Andres Bartel, Uruguay; Johnny Batista, Puerto Rico; Omar Bermudez, Mexico; Amy Bonner, United States; James Boyer, Australia; Bianca Burns, United States; Luis Castillo, Spain; Ariadna Chueca, Spain; Antonio Conde, Spain; Yann Davidson, Madagascar; Juan Fernandez, Argentina; Maj Forsberg, Denmark; Viola Gyorgyi, Norway; Matt Kallio, Canada; Takaki Kato, Japan; Martins Kozlovskis, Latvia; Boris Krejic, Slovenia; Wojciech Liszka, Poland; Maripier Malo, Canada; Yevgeniy Mikheyev, Kazakhstan; Rabah Noujaim, Lebanon; Carlos Peralta, Ecuador; Peter Praksch, Hungary; Jenna Reneau, United States; Yohan Rosso, France; Gatis Salins, Latvia; Roberto Vazquez, Puerto Rico; Martin Vulic, Croatia; Ademir Zurapovic, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
POSTSEASON ASSIGNMENTS
COLLEGE
•Oklahoma defeated Texas, two games to none, to win the 2024 NCAA Division I softball College World Series. Umpires were John Baca, Dustin Douglass, Jim Bertuzzi, Cameron Ellison, Steve Gould, Robbie Guest, Tracy Laycock, Erin Peterson, Megan Rabin and Chad Stears. Umpires for preliminary rounds:
Regionals: Marty Abezetian, Baca, Lindon Baptiste, Tyler Barfuss, J.C. Bartley, Mike Bartling, Bertuzzi, Brandon Bluhm, Don Brown, Marc Brown, Ron Burkhart, Mike Burwell, Tonya Cash, Chelsea Clark, James Colzie, Kevin Conder, Eddy Cooper, Jim Cooper, Mark Craver, Brian Crochet, Leah Daume, Matt Dial, Douglass, Christina Drumm, Susan Eads, Smokey Edds, Ellison, Naomi Erdahl, Todd Foy, Philip Freels, Tanya Garig, Aaron Golden, Robert Gonzalez, Gould, Guest, Carlos Guzman, Liz Hammerschmidt, Jon Hand, Joe Havenhill, Michael Hernandez, Brett Higgins, Terry Holt, Craig Hyde, Matt Jacks, Shane Jackson, Jason Kemper, Mark Korras, Troy Kuykendall, Laycock, Willie Lopez-Pellot, Scott Mair, Tom Meyer, Chris Nabors, Bradley Newton, Perry Owens, Michael Parker, Robert Penticoff, Peterson, Bill Plante, Jill Poole, Rabin, Anita Robinett, Destini Robinson, Brady Sanderson, John Schaefer, Shawn Schumacher, Anthony Small, Bryan Smith, Jason Smith, Chad Spitler, Stears, Tatem Stoelting, Christopher Tehonica, Mike Thibodeaux, Scott Tomlinson, Heath Walker, Ronald White, Tony Williams, Kalee Young, Gil Zayas.
•The University of Texas at Tyler defeated Western Washington, two games to none, to win the 2024
NCAA Division II softball championship. Umpires were Jenna Boullion, Trina Comerford, Garrett Knowles, Mark Maciel, Stacy Newton and Roger Potts. Umpires for preliminary rounds: Regionals: Dennis Allen, Ken Allen, Jim Anderson, Boullion, Wyatt Bowers, Robert Byrd, Peter Ceprano, Comerford, George De La Cruz, Amber DeWald, George Evanego, Whitney Folven, Jake Galzarano, Bob Germano, Ryan Grandi, Tony Greer, Brent Hardin, Willie Harris, Tom Heaton, Kurt Heincker, Michael Hertz, Jeff Hibbert, Brian Howard, Paul Hoeye, Kim Johnson, Shannon Kamp, Scott Kasmann, Jason Kemper, Knowles, Brian Koon, David Lee, Devin Luce, Maciel, Paul Melcher, Tyrone Miller, Jason Mueller, Newton, Donald Pernell, Don Pirro, Potts, Stacie Poulsen, John Reinhart, Kenny Rogers, Tom Rogliatti, Eric Salgado, Theran Scott, Michael Sechrist, Bill Sementelli, Mindy Villa, Scott Wagnor, Kholbye Walker, Gary Wheeler, Derick Wilkins, Renee Williams, James Wilmer, Christopher Wirt, Jamie Wood.
Super Regionals: Dennis Allen, Boullion, Bowers, Comerford, De La Cruz, Evanego, Folven, Germano, Knowles, Lee, Maciel, Miller, Newton, Potts, Scott, Villa, Wheeler, Williams, Wilmer. •East Texas Baptist defeated Belhaven, two games to one, to win the 2024 NCAA Division III softball championship. Umpires were Todd Davis, Ellen Degler, Tracy Golding, Brian Koon, Linda Long, Andrew Maston and John Schaefer. Umpires for preliminary rounds: Regionals: YoungDan Abanathey, Dallas Apfelbacher, David Barry, Robert Bloss, Jason Booth, Gwen Boudreau, Tom Burke, John Cambridge, Peter Ceprano, Davis, Degler, Kelli Demianew, Ruben Garcia, Scott Garvin, Golding, Bill Gottuso, Jack Grogan, Terrell Guidry, Jonathan Hagenbuch, Duane Hammond, Lennox Hawk, Brad Head, Brandon Hibbler, Henry Hill, Wade
Ireland, Pat Killian, Michael Kindleburg, Koon, Joe Kupka, Chad Leidall, Jason Lewis, Long, Don Maddox, Daniel Maldonado, Maston, Guy Morrow, Robert Nenerofsky, Pablo Olivares, Michael Papinchock, Katherine Paz, Keith Poirier, Bud Pruitt, Schaefer, Fred Schlessinger, Paul Semenkow, Margaret Sholl, Mike Steidl, Kelly Ternes, Marge Theobald, Hector Torres-May, Danny Troxell, Denny Vusza, Scott Webb, Kindra Witthus.
Super Regionals: Jacob Agee, Booth, Boudreau, Dave Bove, Davis, Degler, Demianew, Golding, Gottuso, Guidry, Hagenbuch, Head, Koon, Long, Maston, Morrow, Davis Nicksic, John Reinhart, Schafer, Schlessinger, Semenkow, Bill Sementelli, Torres-May, Jason Zanni.
OBITUARIES
• Rudy Sanda, 86, of Cranston, R.I., died June 18. Sanda was a softball umpire for nearly 40 years and was inducted into the Rhode Island Slow Pitch Softball Hall of Fame in 2021.
• Bill Fortin, 88, of Vernon, Conn., died July 10 after a battle with dementia. Fortin’s officiating resume includes refereeing collegiate soccer, in addition to officiating high school basketball, lacrosse and baseball. As past president, referee assessor and training camp coordinator for the National Intercollegiate Soccer Official Association (NISOA), Fortin was inducted into the NISOA National Soccer Hall of Fame as a referee in 1991. He was also inducted into the Manchester (Conn.) Sports Hall of Fame (1992), Connecticut Soccer Hall of Fame (2005) and Connecticut Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame (2011).
• Franz Sauer, 84, of Rochester, N.Y., died July 13. Sauer officiated professional soccer in Rochester, including matches for the now-defunct North American Soccer League, for several decades before becoming an assigner.
Do you have any rosters, assignments or awards that warrant mention? Send info to us at ForTheRecord@referee.com
ROSTERS NFL
The 2024 NFL officiating roster by crew. Crew order is referee, umpire, down judge, line judge, field judge, side judge, back judge, replay official, replay assistant.
3
JP Chorney
shawn smith
LAW ISSUES AFFECTING OFFICIALS
Confirming Integrity in Writing
By Scott Aronowitz
The readers of this publication can all agree that the one precept we collectively value the most, but which is most often called into question, is our integrity. Nevertheless, most contracts we enter into with organizations, conferences or institutions include confidentiality language to protect those entities from the miniscule number of unscrupulous among us.
A non-disclosure agreement (NDA) is a legally binding document that further establishes a confidential relationship between a party that holds sensitive information and another party who agrees that the information they receive will not be made available to others. It binds the party to secrecy and has legal
We must always remember the one thing that is more valuable than any proprietary information: our integrity.
ramifications should the information intentionally or inadvertently be disclosed. The idea that a party will be held liable for disclosure even if not intentional emphasizes the importance of maintaining discretion even long after the contract has ended.
Companies require that new employees sign NDAs if they have access to sensitive information about the company. But officials are independent contractors, so must we also be parties to NDAs? Yes, NDAs do apply to independent contractors because they may still have access to an entity’s proprietary information and pose the risk of sharing it with competitors. Also, independent contractors are not bound to maintain secrecy under most state laws.
For example, those fortunate enough to work practices at college and NFL facilities are exposed to enormous amounts of sensitive information, including but not limited
to plays the team runs and the knowledge of which players may be injured. Think of how valuable this information is to the team and the irreparable harm that could be caused if a future opponent gained access. Conversely, do the same criteria apply to youth baseball leagues or AAU basketball tournaments?
Being presented with an NDA as a condition of working need not cause panic. To avoid any confusion, NDAs should be clear and specify what can and cannot be disclosed. Every NDA is unique so each can last a different amount of time, depending on the information to be kept private. While an NDA can be indefinite, it must not be too open-ended or broad.
An NDA should include the consequences if a breach occurs. While breach is not generally a crime, it does depend on what was violated, such as if the issue is theft of trade secrets. More likely, breach can result in a monetary fine, termination of employment or the return of an asset. You may also be sued for intellectual property violations such as copyright infringement or breach of fiduciary duty. A court can levy financial damages and associated legal costs. Realistically, you may never officiate again, the result of a tarnished reputation.
An NDA is not absolute, and you could be required to disclose information if ordered by a court or required by law (always consult an attorney). Also, it should not be confused with a non-compete agreement, which restricts an independent contractor’s right to work freely and makes the independent contractor more like an employee.
Regardless of whether we execute an NDA or any contract, we must always remember the one thing that is more valuable than any proprietary information: our integrity.
Scott Aronowitz is an educator and attorney and lives in Fernandina Beach, Fla. He is currently a football replay official in the Big Ten Conference. This column is for informational purposes only and not intended as legal advice.
Scrimmage Safety
Working a scrimmage often means working a contest that operates differently from a regular-season event. There might be multiple teams, special formats, coaches stepping onto the field or court to instruct, or specific plays and game situations set up, etc.
But there is one thing that shouldn’t be altered: enforcement of safety-related rules.
Officials should not work if there are safety issues, whether that’s unsafe equipment, unsafe field/ gym conditions or an unmet need for athletic trainers or other medical personnel.
The liability risks outweigh the benefits of working the scrimmage in such cases.
SOURCE: 11/22 LAW COLUMN BY DONALD C. COLLINS
Contract Red Flags
Ideally, the terms of our contracts to officiate should be written down and communicated to us long before we travel to any assignment, either through the good work of the association or assigner. But what if it doesn’t happen that way?
When a clipboard is handed to you right before a game, beware if the bearer insists any of the following:
•It is “just a form” that you need to sign;
•School district policy;
•Everyone who’s in the building has to sign;
•It’s required by our insurance company;
•It’s required by state law;
•All independent contractors have to sign it; or,
•It’s standard boilerplate.
Ideally, the terms of our contracts should be written down and communicated to us long before we travel to any assignment. If they’re not, read carefully before signing. Be particularly alert for provisions that make you legally responsible for damages and legal fees and to pay the bill of everybody else who is sued — for all expenses and damages arising from any lawsuit or legal claim.
Be careful what you sign. If in doubt, get help.
SOURCE: 4/21 LAW COLUMN BY ALAN GOLDBERGER
CLASSIFIEDS
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QUIZ ANSWERS
BASKETBALL
1 — All – d (NFHS 4-24-2; NCAAM 4-18.2; NCAAW 10-6.2)
2 — NFHS – b (4-38, 7-5-1); NCAAM/W – c (NCAAM 4-32.2; NCAAW 4-27.2)
3 — All – a (NFHS 4-3-3a, 6-4-1, 7-5-2; NCAAM 4-9.6.b, 6-3.4, 7-3.2.a, AR 6-2; NCAAW 4-8.6.b, 6-3.4, 7-3.2.b, 9-2.1, AR 6-4)
4 — All – b (NFHS 4-5-2; NCAAM 1-1.2; NCAAW 1-1.2, AR 1-1)
BASEBALL
1 — NFHS – f (3-1-4); NCAA, pro – e (NCAA 7-2b8, 7-2b Note 2; pro 5.11a8)
2 — NFHS – a (3-3-1f6); NCAA, pro – e (NCAA 5-15a4; pro 6.04e)
3 — All – d (NFHS 3-1-4a1, NCAA 7-2b9, pro 5.11a10)
FOOTBALL
1 — Both – d (NFHS 9-5-1 Pen.; NCAA 9-2-1a-1, 9-2-6a)
2 — Both – b (NFHS 8-3-8; NCAA
8-3-3-b-2, AR 8-3-3 III)
3 — Both – b (NFHS 8-5-1, 8-52a; NCAA 8-5-1a)
4 — NFHS – b, c (7-3-2, 7-5-13); NCAA – b, c, d, e, f (6-3-10-c, 7-1-6, 7-1-7, 7-3-4, 7-3-11, 9-4-4)
SOCCER
1 — All – c (NFHS 12-3-3b2; NCAA 12.3.1.2; IFAB 12.2)
2 — All – b (NFHS 5-3-1d; NCAA
5.4.3; IFAB 5.3)
3 — All – a (NFHS 12-3-3b; NCAA 12.3.1.4; IFAB 12.2)
4 — All – b (NFHS 5-3-1d; NCAA 5.4.3; IFAB 5.3)
SOFTBALL
1 — All – b (NFHS 2-24, 5-1-1d-2; NCAA 11.5.1.8; USA Softball 1–Foul Ball, R/S 22; USSSA 3-Foul Ball, 10-1D-2)
2 — NFHS, USA Softball, USSSA –b (NFHS 7-4-4d Pen.; USA Softball 7-6U Eff.; USSSA 7-12 Pen.); NCAA – d (11.20.2 Eff. Exc. 1)
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OCTOBER
FLASHBACK
40 YEARS AGO … 1984
• Longtime NHL referee Bruce Hood retires. During his on-ice career from 196384, Hood officiated 1,033 regular season games, 157 Stanley Cup playoff games, three All-Star games and three Canada Cups. After retiring, Hood operated developmental camps for hockey officials for 18 years.
30 YEARS AGO … 1994
3 — All – a (NFHS 2-1-10; NCAA 7.1.1.2.5b; USA Softball R/S 1L; USSSA 8-6D, 9-1A)
4 — All – c, d (NFHS 8-2-6; NCAA 12.5.5; USA Softball 8-2E; USSSA 8-17E)
5 — All – a (NFHS 6-2-5 Note 1; NCAA 10.19.3.4; USA Softball 6A-9; USSSA 6-1L Exc.)
VOLLEYBALL
1 — NFHS – b (6-4-2); NCAA, USAV – c (NCAA 12.1.1; USAV 19.1.1)
2 — NFHS – b (8-1-1); NCAA, USAV – a (NCAA 13.1.3.2, 13.2.2.1.5; USAV 12.4.1)
3 — All – d (NFHS 12-2 Procedure for Unsporting Conduct Violations 10; NCAA 6.1.3; USAV Interp.)
4 — NFHS, USAV – b (NFHS 9-4-8; USAV 9.3.4); NCAA – a (14.2.3.1)
5 — All – a (NFHS 10-4-1, 10-4-5; NCAA 12.1.2.3, 12.2.1.1, 12.2.2.3 Exc.; USAV 19.3.2.1c)
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.
•Football and boxing official Frank Rustich, 81, dies of heart failure. Rustich was best known as the referee for the 1973 heavyweight title bout between Muhammad Ali and Ken Norton. He was also a field judge in the AFL from 1961-68. Rustich was still officiating multiple high school and college events each week up until his death.
20 YEARS AGO …
2004
• Joe Borgia is named director of referee programs and development for the NBA. Borgia, previously the NBA’s director of referee development, was an NBA official from 1988-98 until a fractured vertebra forced him to retire from his oncourt career.
10 YEARS AGO …
2014
•The NFL retires Jerry Seeman’s number 70 eight months after the retired referee’s death. Seeman, who officiated in the NFL from 1975-90 and was the league’s senior director of officiating from 1991-2001, was the first official to receive such an honor from the NFL.
PAC It In
Bottom of the ninth inning of a tie ballgame, the winning run is at second base. This is a scenario where many young athletes dream of being up to bat. Most officials relish the opportunity to be in the big game and make the big call. However, the night of May 25 in Scottsdale, Ariz., in the final Pac-12 baseball tournament championship game, was like no other.
This was the final “big” game for the Pac-12 Conference as we have known it. A conference that was originally founded as the Pacific Coast Conference (PCC) in 1915 and grew and transformed over its 108year history. A conference known as the “Conference of Champions” due to the overwhelming dominance in NCAA championships — 561 team championships to be exact. That is over 200 more than the next closest conference.
has caused even further stress in an already stressful job.
The conference crowns champions in 24 sports and with this high level of competition comes many big games, races, matches and individual events. While athletes and coaches raise trophies and banners, two groups of people rarely get the attention and appreciation they deserve: officials and conference office staff.
Conference contests take countless hours of planning and behind-the-scenes preparation to execute. Facility setup, ticketing, transportation, media, meals, security and many other areas that typically go underappreciated by the general public. Conference office staff members from the commissioner to interns plan and coordinate every detail in anonymity.
walked onto courts, mats, pool decks, rinks, beaches, tracks, pitches, fields and diamonds before us.
Our crew felt an unbelievable honor and responsibility in working the final games. This was not a heavy burden, but an overwhelming sense of pride — being uplifted representing the larger group of officials from all sports. We spent time remembering and mentioning hundreds, if not thousands, of officials by name. We wrote some of those names on a whiteboard in our locker room as a gesture of remembrance and appreciation (see photos p. 6). Most of our historical knowledge was in baseball, but we talked about every sport. Where we are today — one of the finest and most respected staffs of conference coordinators and officials in college sports — was built by the contribution of the legends of the Pac-12.
Our crew felt an unbelievable honor and responsibility in working the final games.
The era of conference realignment within the NCAA has taken its toll on the conference as 10 of its members have moved to the Big Ten and Big 12.The two remaining schools — Oregon State and Washington State — are weighing their options and, with the guidance of new Commissioner Teresa Gould, look to rebuild the historic brand. The changes in conference alignment have affected officials as well. As the schools move to their new conferences, the need for officials within the Pac-12 has decreased and most are faced with the prospect of having to find a new conference home. The anxiety of the unknown future in their careers
Officials, from football referees to volleyball officials to gymnastic judges to baseball umpires, have played a tremendous yet unheralded role in the success of the Pac-12. Without the integrity, preparation and hard work of these men and women, the events would not happen.
The success of sports officials is not something tracked by the conference or media. However, those who truly know the industry know the Pac-12 has a rich history of national championship game assignments and many officials being selected to move to the professional ranks after their collegiate careers. To name just a few: Bobby Dibler, Verne Harris, Tony Padilla, Mike Pereira, Joan Powell, Violet Palmer, Melissa Barlow, Lisa Jones, Jim Garman, Joe Burleson, Dale Williams, Joanne Venditto, Sandy Hunt, Bill Richardson, Tony Corrente, Ed Hochuli, Jim Tunney, Carl Cheffers … and the list could go on.
As the coordinator of baseball umpires for the conference, I represented the umpire crew selected to work the final tournament. During the weeklong tournament, we realized the significance of the event and reflected not only on the history of the conference but on all the dedicated men and women who have
As the last day of the tournament was upon us, we wanted the traditional crew photo, but with a twist. Due to the significance of the moment, the umpires wore three different colored shirts. The black shirts represented all the current Pac12 baseball umpires and those who have come before us and paved the way for our success. The gray shirts represented officials in other sports in the Pac-12, and the light blue shirts represented the Pac-12 Conference office staff that has supported us all.
In what was a perfect poetic and dramatic conclusion to the “Conference of Champions,” the baseball championship game between USC and Arizona was decided in the bottom of the ninth inning with a close play at home plate. The safe call on the field was confirmed in replay and the umpires walked off the field as the winning team celebrated. Like thousands before them, they did their job with professionalism and got the “final” call right!
Truly the “Conference of Officiating Champions” as well. Dave Yeast, Park City, Utah, is the coordinator of baseball umpires for the Pac-12, Big West and Western Athletic conferences.
IT’S OFFICIAL
october
Atlanta Plays Host to the Summit for the Second Time
The center of the sports officiating universe was Atlanta from July 28-30 during the 42nd annual Sports Officiating Summit. The threeday event, presented by NASO in conjunction with the NFHS and Georgia High School Association (GHSA), included active officials, officiating administrators and special guests who focused on sustaining and retaining officials.
Panel sessions, breakout workshops, strategic meetings and celebratory meals filled the three-day stretch, which was attended by more 400 individuals from around the world.
“NASO was excited to be back in Atlanta after the successful Summit there in 2011,” NASO President Bill Topp said. “We worked side by side with the GHSA to put on this remarkable event and it makes us all proud of the work we do.”
The Summit opened with remarks from Mike Pereira, Fox Sports rules analyst, former NASO board member, and former vice president of NFL officiating. He spoke about how important it is to be together to strategize, develop and celebrate officiating. While he could not be in-person in Atlanta due to recent back surgery, he looks forward to being back at the Summit in the future.
“I just want to be back with you, and I will be back with you,” Pereira said. “Let’s keep the fight up for officials.”
The Grand Opening also featured remarks from Robert Smith, NASO outgoing board chair and Big Ten football back judge. NASO secretary and NFHS Director of Officiating Services Dana Pappas introduced staff from the NFHS, a sponsoring partner, and introduced GHSA executive staff. Topp offered thoughts about bringing the Summit back to Atlanta and encouraged attendees to make
the most of the three days on site.
The first full day of programming July 29 kicked off with a thought-provoking talk from NFL referee Brad Allen. He offered insights into leading a crew at the highest level and shared strategies to sustain and retain officials at their level.
The program continued with the “On the Fast Track,” which focused on how to get officials ready faster. It was moderated by Debbie Williamson, supervisor of many NCAAW D-I conferences. The panelists included the NBA’s Gary Zielinski, Minnesota State
The Sports Officiating Summit education program in Atlanta kicked off with a session featuring NFL referee Brad Allen.
High School League assistant director and Big Ten football center judge Jason Nickleby, 2024 BCS National Championship referee Marcus Woods and NCAA Women’s Volleyball National Championship referee Michelle Prater.
“Innovation by Invitation” followed and offered a fast-paced look into the latest technologybased officiating solutions.
Attendees then participated in workshop sessions focused on sustaining and retaining officials before hearing from NFHS CEO Karissa Niehoff and Topp during the NFHS-sponsored Officiating Industry Luncheon.
Attendees were later divided up by sport to work on rules, mechanics and philosophies during mini-clinics. Afterward,
IT’S OFFICIAL - october 2024
they came together to hear from Bob Delaney, retired NBA referee, former NASO board chair and 2003 Gold Whistle Award recipient, on “Resiliency in Officiating.” A former New Jersey state trooper who worked undercover to infiltrate the mob, he is a top speaker on mental toughness, trauma and perseverance. He is also special advisor for officiating development and performance for the SEC.
It was followed by the popular “You Make the Call” session, featuring plays on the big screens. Insurance and legal experts later brought NASO Membership Information & Consultation Program topics to life on stage before attendees broke out into working lunches focused on legal topics, leadership, and national governing bodies and state executive forums.
Editor: Julie Sternberg
Sports Editor: Brent Killackey
Graphic Designer: Dustin Brown
Contributors: Don Collins, George Demetriou, Alan Goldberger, Joe Jarosz, Patrick Rosenow, Tim Sloan, Brad Star, Jeffrey Stern, Brad Tittrington, Scott Tittrington, Bill Topp
NASO BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Lisa Jones, Chandler, Ariz., Chair
Ron Torbert, Hanover, Md., Vice Chair
Bill Topp, Racine, Wis., President
Dana Pappas, Lebanon, Ind., Secretary
Mark Uyl, DeWitt, Mich., Treasurer
*Ron Foxcroft, Hamilton, Ontario, Special Adviser
*Barry Mano, Racine, Wis., Special Adviser
Dean Blandino, Santa Monica, Calif.
Paul LaRosa, Hendersonville, N.C.
Jason Nickleby, Lake Elmo, Minn.
Sandra Serafini, Yachats, Ore.
Rob Wigod, Los Alamitos, Calif.
Gary Zielinski, South Jordan, Utah
*Non-voting members
NASO MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of NASO is to:
• Serve members by providing benefits and services.
• Improve officiating performance through educational programs.
• Advocate opportunities for officials and engage in programs to recruit and retain officials.
• Create alliances with organizations that benefit from healthy officiating programs.
The day ended with the “Power Hour: Candid Conversations,” a talk show session hosted by NASO board member and retired FIFA soccer official Sandra Serafini. She led candid conversations with twotime BCS national championship referee and CFO national coordinator of football officials Steve Shaw, retired MLB umpire Jim Reynolds, NBA referee James Williams and retired NBA referee and current vice president of referee operations and replay center principal Kane Fitzgerald.
On July 30, the day opened with the “Life Cycles of a Sports Official” panel, covering the needs of individuals during the officiating journey. It was moderated by Marcia Alterman, NCAA women’s volleyball consortium coordinator and 2015 Gold Whistle Award recipient, and featured Alabama High School Athletic Association coordinator of officials Ken Washington, SEC coordinator of softball umpires Christie Cornwell, NCAA men’s basketball national coordinator of officiating Chris Rastatter and Collegiate Baseball Umpires Alliance founder Rich Fetchiet.
Attendees then heard from men’s college basketball referee and leadership trainer Adam James about meeting the challenges of onboarding officials during the “All on Board” session.
Pappas moderated “Women in Officiating,” a panel discussion covering the needs of female officials. It featured NFL down judge Sarah Thomas, NASO board member and women’s college basketball 11-time Final Four referee Lisa Jones, NCAA women’s volleyball national championship referee Devonie McLarty and retired FIFA World Cup referee and U.S. Soccer VP of refereeing Kari Seitz.
Breakout workshop leaders then presented their findings to the entire group during a session called “Sustain Officials, Retain Officials: Ideas That Work.”
The Summit’s main program ended with “Referee Voices,” a popular session in which officials share a personal story. PAVO executive director Katy Meyer introduced talks from NCAA men’s basketball Final Four referee Roger Ayers, NCAA women’s volleyball national championship referee Suzanne Lowry, retired CFL referee Dave Foxcroft and former US Lacrosse senior manager of officials development Charlie Obermayer.
The Summit was capped with the Celebrate Officiating Gala sponsored by Fox 40. The dinner event recognized Thomas, who received the Inspire Award; GHSA assistant executive director Ernie Yarbrough, recipient of the Mel Narol Medallion; and retired MLB umpire Ted Barrett, who received the Gold Whistle Award.
Historic Officiate Georgia Day Held in Atlanta
For the second time, and the first since 2011, the Georgia High School Association (GHSA) hosted Officiate Georgia Day in conjunction with the NASO Summit. More than 1,700 individuals registered for the historic gathering of officials July 27 in Atlanta for education, training, keynote addresses, meals, awards and celebration.
“The entire leadership team from the GHSA, over 1,700 officials and dozens of guest speakers all made for a historic day of learning, fellowship and networking,” NASO President Bill Topp said.
The day began with a welcome gathering in the Cobb Convention Center. Retiring GHSA Executive Director Robin Hines and Assistant Director and Coordinator of Officiating Ernie Yarbrough set the tone for the event. Topp offered his thoughts about the importance of officiating to the success of high school athletics and how valuable every individual gathered is to officiating.
Twelve GHSA-sponsored sports held clinics for officials during the event. Sport clinic attendance, a requirement of GHSA, was granted to those attending state day. A highlight of the sport clinics was the baseball training session led by Major League Baseball at Truist Park, home of the Atlanta Braves. Raquel Wagner, MLB’s manager of umpire operations, along with a group of active and retired professional umpires led a group of nearly 300 individuals through a one-day MLB Umpire Camp.
Rich McKay, CEO of the
Atlanta Falcons and member of the NFL’s Competition Committee, gave the keynote address at the Officiate Georgia Day luncheon. McKay described how officiating fits the equation that makes up the most valuable sports entity in the world, the NFL. He also spoke on behalf of the Arthur Blank Foundation, the group behind the $50,000 grant to GHSA in support of officiating recruitment and retention initiatives.
Dana Pappas, NFHS director of officiating services, concluded the program with her thoughts about the importance of high school competition and the vital role officials play in it. Pappas also detailed the current initiatives of the NFHS and gave a personal testimonial.
“Every day of my professional life has been spent for the betterment of officiating,” Pappas said. “Officials have been my family throughout the years, and for that I am eternally grateful.”
Industry leaders from the pro, collegiate and high school ranks led discussions and presentations for officials. Raffles, giveaways, gift bags and networking opportunities rounded out a great experience for all involved in Officiate Georgia Day.
When the NASO board of directors met in Atlanta on July 28, it marked the end of the road for two of its members. Board chair Robert Smith and Pati Rolf attended the meeting for the final time as both of their terms came to an end.
“Robert and Pati have been excellent board members and we thank them for their leadership and service to the membership,” said NASO president Bill Topp. “Both came onto the board during COVID and they both did a tremendous job working through those trying times.”
In addition to Smith,Rolf and Topp, board members attending were, Lisa Jones, Paul LaRosa, Dana Pappas, Sandra Serafini, Ron Torbert, Rob Wigod and Mark Uyl. It also was the first board meeting for newly elected members Jason Nickleby and Gary Zielinski. Ron Foxcroft, who is a special advisor/board member emeritus, was also in attendance.
Among the agenda items were:
• The annual insurance report from Drew Smith, president of American Specialty Insurance (ASI), and Jina Doyle, senior vice president, client services of ASI.
• A discussion of Officiate Georgia Day, which preceded the Summit. Included was the announcement of record sponsorships and attendance.
• A discussion of the 2025 NASO Summit in Montgomery, Ala., and its theme: Dare to Lead: Develop, Direct & Defend Officials.
NASO Board Meets in Atlanta
• Announcement of a new all-time high of 30,060 NASO members.
• An update on football group membership, including the first-time addition of the Atlantic Coast Conference officials’ staff.
• Reporting on new NASO group efforts, including national governing bodies and state associations.
• A discussion on what future NASO Summits could look like.
“Whenever our board gets together, it is a sprited, lively discusssion,” said Rob Wigod. "Everyone brings different perspectives. It is interesting discussion and we roll up our sleeves and share a lot of different ways to look at things and support NASO and our membership. The sole focus is how do we serve our membership better.”
One topic that was of particular interest to Wigod is the ongoing partnership between NASO and the NFHS, which has opened the door to more publications and expanded opportunities for both organizations.
“Bill (Topp) has made that an important priority,” Wigod said. “It was nice the NFHS gave NASO the opportunity to address the group at the NFHS Summer Meeting in Boston and then having Karissa (Niehoff) and Davis (Whitfield) coming to the NASO Summit. We are fortunate now to have that relationship with both organizations and I am excited to see that grow and get stronger.”
The board meeting was also the first for newcomers
“It is interesting discussion and we roll up our sleeves and share a lot of different ways to look at things and support NASO and our membership.”
– Rob Wigod
Nickleby and Zielinski to get the opportunity to see how everything works in their new roles.
“We are excited to have Jason and Gary as our newest board members,” Topp said. “Their experience in leadership roles will translate nicely to their roles on the board and give new perspectives.”
The board meeting also marked the transition from Smith to Jones as board chair as Jones will lead the board for the next year, through the 2025 Summit.
The board will meet again Oct. 8-9 in Chicago.
The Celebrate Officiating Gala, sponsored by Fox 40 International, proved to be an emotional capstone to the 2024 NASO Sports Officiating Summit, held July 28-30 at the Renaissance Waverly Hotel in Atlanta.
The highlight of the event was the presentation of three marquee NASO honors: the Gold Whistle Award to retired MLB umpire Ted Barrett (pictured); the Inspire Award to Sarah Thomas, the first full-time female official hired to work in the NFL; and the Mel Narol Medallion Award for support of NASO and its mission to Ernie Yarbrough, outgoing assistant executive director and director of officiating for the Georgia High School Association (GHSA).
Barrett’s onfield umpiring career included five World Series, nine League Championship Series, 10 Division Series, five Wild Card games and two All-Star Games. He was selected for officiating’s top honor for off-field contributions featuring ministerial work that included the founding of Calling for Christ, a Christian ministry to pro and collegiate umpires. Since coming off the field, Barrett has
Gala Caps off the Summit
also remained active in the game by serving as an instructor at several MLB Umpire Camps.
“I’m truly humbled and honored. That seems so shallow; I wish there was a stronger word to express just how humbled I am,” Barrett said. “I’ve got so many great memories of my career. So many playoff games and perfect games.
the collegiate fold in 2006.
“Thank you, NASO, for this award, just creating this award, and the former recipients, to be in their company,” she said. “To be in the community of officials, the football world, it gave me a voice that I had lost.
“But my real memories are the people, as you all know. It’s the people that you work with.”
“On behalf of Major League Baseball, I’m honored to congratulate Ted Barrett as the recipient of the Gold Whistle Award,” said MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred in recorded remarks. “Ted was one of our most respected umpires throughout his decorated 26-year career. We appreciate all the qualities that made Ted a great umpire: his communication skills, his leadership, his accountability, and his respect for the game and all those that were a part of it.
“The national pastime has had no finer representative as an umpire than Ted Barrett.”
The Inspire Award is presented to those who bring about inspiration and pride in officiating, and exemplify the values cherished within the officiating community. Thomas certainly fits the bill after being hired into the NFL in 2015, one of a series of firsts she has accomplished during her ascent through the collegiate and professional ranks, culminating in her appearance as the down judge at Super Bowl LV.
Thomas thanked crewmates, her family and Gerald Austin, the former NFL referee and Conference USA coordinator of officials, who brought her into
“And just to be around like-minded, very high-caliber individuals, we may not always agree on the field, but to be able to sit down and be able to have a debatable discussion, with the respect that we had for each other, meant the world to me.”
Yarbrough was an easy choice for the Mel Narol Medallion thanks to a career that saw him influence such varied entities as the NFL, USA Softball, the ABL and numerous collegiate conferences. He has been involved in fastpitch softball in various capacities for more than 50 years, served as the ABL’s director of officiating from 1996-99 and observed officials in the Atlantic Coast, Big South and Southern conferences.
Just for good measure, he was also named the 1995 Naismith High School Basketball Official of the Year in Georgia, and helped engineer two hugely successful Officiate Georgia Days in conjunction with the 2011 and 2024 NASO Summits.
“It’s a common statement that people that are successful, that they say, ‘It takes a village.’ Isn’t that what we are?” Yarbrough said. “We’re a village, and in a village we all look out for each other, we all support each other. That’s what I have found, and it’s one of the things that makes me love officiating so much.
“We have each others’ back. We support each other. Because if we don’t, who’s going to?”
Meet Your NASO Board Member jason nickleby
It isn’t an exaggeration to say Jason Nickleby, one of two new NASO board members who came aboard in July 2024, has dedicated nearly his entire life to the officiating avocation.
“My dad was a career high school coach and I was always on the sideline or at the end of the basketball court, and I was always very fascinated with the officials and their involvement in the game,” Nickleby said.
When he was just seven years old, Nickleby would stand in the corner of the basketball gym, imitating the officials’ signals and their movements — that was where his love and interest for officiating began. He started umpiring baseball when he was 12, added basketball a year or two later, and began his career as a football official after graduating from high school.
Now 43, Nickleby has become a well-respected name in the officiating community of his native Minnesota. Most notably, he’s a football official in the Big Ten Conference, serving as a center judge. He also briefly worked Division I baseball and has officiated at the Division II and III levels in basketball, baseball and football. In addition, Nickleby has officiated high school softball and volleyball.
There was a time when Nickleby would work all five of those sports in a given season, but work and family obligations — he has four children — have resulted in him deciding to
focus solely on his work in the Big Ten. Football is Nickleby’s favorite sport to officiate, though he admits baseball was his first love. He said he was “this close” to going to professional umpire school after high school.
“(Longtime MLB umpire) Jeff Nelson, who was a former student of my dad’s, he came and met with me,” Nickleby said. “He said, ‘Nope, you have to go to school, you’ve got to get a degree, get something to fall back on. I know way too many umpires who washed out in the minors that didn’t have anything (to fall back on), so you need to do that.’”
He took Nelson’s advice and went to the University of Minnesota, where he earned a physical education teaching license and met his future wife.
“That was the end of my professional baseball aspirations,” Nickleby said.
After graduating, Nickleby taught physical education and adapted physical education for a decade before joining the Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) in his current position, assistant director and coordinator of officiating. He’s responsible for the registration, educational development and eligibility for over 6,000 high school officials in Minnesota.
In his role with NASO, Nickleby hopes to achieve the same goal he’s been striving for with the MSHSL: recruiting and retaining officials at the high school level.
“I think about how do we leverage the connections and resources that we have in training and development
and the supports for the high school official, knowing that college officials like myself, or professional officials, are a very small fraction of what NASO is,” Nickleby said. “The biggest percentage of members and people that they work with and support are high school officials. So that’s the way I look at my role coming onto the board, is how do I advocate for high school officials across the country to make their officiating experience one that they want to keep doing? That retention of officials is one of our biggest challenges across all levels.
“I think the board as a whole, as a collective, we need to do everything we can to make officiating at all levels, but high school in particular, something that’s desirable and something they want to continue doing. And the way to do that is through the support of the largest and best officiating organization in the world.”
At a Glance
Favorite Food: Buffalo Chicken
Favorite Musical Artist: Bruce Springsteen
Favorite Sports Team: Minnesota Twins
Hobbies Outside of Officiating: “Following my kids’ activities and I’m a pretty big sudoku guy.”
Favorite Movie: The Bourne Series
Mentoring is a critical component in the successful recruiting and retaining of new officials. Picking the right person to be a mentor, and ensuring that person is connected with the right mentee, is something associations must evaluate on a case-by-case basis. However, all mentors should have a few common rules they follow.
1.
Make Yourself Available
A big part of being a mentor is just being there. Your accessibility to your mentee will allow you to establish a strong relationship going forward. Being there includes going to games to see your mentee work, allowing the mentee to come see you work and responding to phone calls, texts and emails in a timely manner. A mentee may have a rough match and want to talk about it right after. Answering that phone call from a mentee who is sitting in his or her car in the parking lot frightened after blowing a call can be a lifeline for him or her.
At the same time, having your mentee come see you work can be just as educational. Mentees can see how you handle situations, including how you recover from a missed call.
2. Protect Your Mentee
Sometimes mentees can be too eager and get into a situation that is over their heads. As the mentor, you should be able to assess their skill level and advise them on their schedule, travel, games that are a good fit and a variety of other items.
Protecting your mentees also involves keeping them
Six Rules for Mentors
connected with people who can aid in their development. Not every assigner will be a good fit. Some will put your mentees on games they are not ready for because they need a person to work. Others may put your mentees on a path where they will never see the quality of play they need in order to advance. A mentor should be aware of these things and advise appropriately.
3. Be Professional
As a mentor, these people are depending on you. They are vulnerable. It is required you keep the relationship a professional one at all times.
4. Instruct, Don’t Criticize
It is important that mentors give constructive feedback to mentees. When they make a mistake, explain what they did wrong, and tell or show them how to correct the mistake. Perhaps you see them doing a mechanic improperly. One of the best techniques is to have them stand in a mirror and practice while you are observing. This way they can see what they are doing wrong and make the
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adjustments on the spot and see how the mechanic should look. If they are making errors in writing, having a copy of the same form and filling it out properly with them can help.
5. Give Positive Feedback
We all need positive feedback, especially our new mentees who are officiating for the first time. There is a lot to learn in a short period of time. Each time your mentees grasp a new skill, take the time to praise them and give them encouragement. The little things you now take for granted as a veteran official are huge deals for your mentees when they do it correctly for the first time.
6. Work a Game With Mentee
This could be the most valuable thing you can ever do for your mentees. Working a game with them will give them confidence. It means you see them as an equal. By working together, you will also be able to evaluate their performance better and provide feedback during breaks in the contest or afterward in the locker room.
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By Patrick Rosenow
You’ve probably read a number of articles providing advice on how to minimize your legal risk. That’s fine, but sometimes it helps to look at things from a different perspective. Let’s consider what increases the chances of ending up as a defendant. Here is how you could get yourself sued:
How to Get Yourself Sued
ring, there is no reason to be the one to tell her she can’t play.
2. Do everything you can to avoid disqualifying a player. Instead of assessing a flagrant foul, say, “You undercut the guy going for the layup. I could throw you out. If I see it again, I will.”
1. Consider the rulebook to be just a suggestion in terms of proper equipment, apparel, and acceptable field conditions. If both coaches agree they won’t hold you liable if someone gets hurt, don’t worry that their promises will mean nothing to an injured player’s parents, medical insurance carrier, or the judge. It’s more important to be nice and get the game in. If a player tells you past officials let her wear a
Don’t worry that if the player does it again or throws an elbow and paralyzes someone, it’s going to be on you because you think “nobody came see you change the game with a technical foul.”
3. If you’re an assigner, when answering a member’s complaint about not getting games, “be honest” and tell them, “You’re getting too old.” Don’t watch them, take video, and show them how far behind the play they are. Don’t give examples of how they missed calls because of positioning.
4. It would help if your
association simply had no bylaws, but you likely do. No worries, it may even be better if you have them and ignore them. Make it up as you go along, and try to avoid disclosing what the board is doing and why. For example, if you have enough information to know you need to discipline a member, don’t let him or her respond. Don’t keep any records of your meetings either.
The list could go on, but the message is the same. What is the best way to get in legal danger? Don’t follow the rules, whether in the rulebook or your bylaws. Patrick Rosenow, Mandeville, La., is a retired Air Force judge who now sits as a federal labor administrative law judge. He officiated basketball at the high school, college and international levels. This article is for informational purposes and not legal advice.
NASO Attends NFHS Summer Meeting
NASO President Bill Topp and Referee Chief Marketing Officer Jim Arehart were on hand for the NFHS Summer Meeting, June 28-July 1 in Boston. Their attendance was part of the continuing partnership between the entities that includes publishing and other agreements, all with the goal of improving officiating.
Topp said he was pleased to have an opportunity to meet and speak to state association leaders and their staff and promote the officials manual program. Referee and the NFHS collaborate to produce manuals and preseason guides in a number of sports. Referee also offers states the ability to customize their
manuals should their mechanics differ from NFHS mechanics.
“I interacted with many people from state associations, including meeting new executive directors and those involved with officiating in their states,”
Topp said. Topp was invited to speak at one of the NFHS general sessions, attended by all of the approximately 850 attendees.
Topp also joined Dana Pappas, NFHS director of officiating services, Kyle Armstrong of RefReps and a number of state association officiating leaders in a wide-ranging session addressing a number of officiating-related matters. Topp spoke specifically about the NASO Association Advantage program.
Arehart manned a table at which NASO programs such as Association Advantage were promoted and detailed.
“It’s a resource available nowhere else,” Arehart said. “It was important for us to be there because state associations and their staff are not only the direct conduit to local associations, but to every official in the nation.”
NASO and Referee have been represented at the NFHS Summer Meeting each of the last 15 years. “The Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association were gracious hosts,” Topp said. “And we thank NFHS Executive Director Karissa Neihoff for extending the invitation.”
sports section
Leave the Right Kind of Impression
By Rick Woelfel
Acommon saying in officiating circles is something along the lines of “If the officials are doing a good job, you don’t notice them.” If that saying was true at one time, and that’s debatable, that’s no longer the case. In today’s world, officials are continually under scrutiny.
That’s always been the case when it comes to players, coaches, assigners, and of course fans, but the level of scrutiny has grown significantly in recent years.
With today’s technology, it’s possible for a fan in Ohio to scrutinize a call in a game played in Arizona, almost in real time.
The reality is that everything we do as officials, on the field and off, reflects on the industry as a whole. When you leave a venue following an assignment, you will have left an impression on people.
What follows are some thoughts about how to make the right kind of impression.
• Be on time. Nothing seeds more potential problems than being late for an assignment. Apart from creating the impression you don’t care much about the game you’re going to work, being late creates additional stress for the players, the coaches and your
partners, not to mention game administrators who may not give much thought to officials but want to know they’ll be there when they’re supposed to be.
• Dress appropriately. Some associations or governing bodies have dress codes for officials. If so, you should follow them. If not, dress professionally. You don’t need to wear a jacket and tie unless you’re required to do so. But a collared shirt and
may well be within earshot Profanity is unnecessary. Along the same lines, the use of tobacco is also unnecessary.
• Maintain a professional detachment You my walk into a gym and encounter a coach or athletic director you’ve worked with a dozen times or more. It’s fine to be friendly and shake hands but it’s important to maintain a certain professional distance. You don’t want
Be courteous to the game staff and
other representatives of the host school, tournament directors, etc.
pressed slacks work best in most situations.
There are exceptions; you might be coming to a game from work wearing a uniform connected to your employment. That may be unavoidable. But it doesn’t diminish the importance of dressing neatly/ in a professional manner.
• Watch your words. Whether you’re on the field, or in the parking lot doing a pregame with your partners, be careful of your language. Coaches, players and parents
anyone, least of all the visiting coach, to get the impression you intend to “take care” of your friend. And it’s easy enough for people to get that impression without being given reason. Be courteous to the game staff and other representatives of the host school, tournament directors, etc.
• Give your best effort. Every game deserves your best. That should be stating the obvious but officials who work multiple levels face some unique challenges.
If you work primarily varsity games and are given a sub-varsity assignment, avoid the temptation to think that the lower level game will be a piece of cake.
That mindset is setting yourself for trouble if something happens that is outside the norm. And it’s unfair to the players and coaches, who rightfully expect the officials to work just as hard in a middle school game as they do in a varsity contest.
If you’re someone who works multiple levels, and that’s most of us, learn to adjust your approach to the game to the level you’re working. The way you handle a varsity game will likely differ from how you approach a middle-school contest.
• Be approachable. Reasonable questions from players and coaches should be responded to if asked in an appropriate manner. Understand the emotions involved in a game. That doesn’t mean officials should tolerate unsportsmanlike behavior but appropriate questions should be answered.
• Upon departure. Thank game administrators and others who provided assistance during the game; chain crews, timers, scorers, etc. Clean up after yourself in the locker room.
And perhaps offer a few words of encouragement to the high school student who wants to know more about officiating and may be your partner someday soon.
Rick Woelfel is a writer, podcaster, and former broadcaster. He officiated basketball, baseball, softball, and football for 50 years. He resides in Willow Grove, Pa.
BASKETBALL
No Free Shots on Free Shots
By Referee editors
It may be difficult to believe that as we prepare to embark on the 2024-25 high school basketball season, we have now had almost a full decade to understand and implement NFHS rule 9-1-3h.
The rule is part of the freethrow provisions and states “players occupying marked freethrow lane line spaces may not enter the free-throw semicircle until the ball touches the ring or until the free throw ends.”
The philosophy behind the rule is to protect the free-throw shooter and prevent contact and displacement of the free thrower while the attempt is in flight. The severity of the action determines how the calling official should proceed.
Should the offender cross into the semicircle and make no contact, or incidental contact, a violation is the proper call, and should be handled in the same manner as any other freethrow violation committed by the defense (NFHS 9-1-3 Pen. 2). However, should the calling official determine the “box out” is excessive and rises to the level of illegal contact, the defender should be called for both a violation and a personal foul (NFHS 10-7-1).
If the free throw is good, team A receives a designated-spot throw-in from one of the threefoot spots along the endline, or the free thrower receives two additional free throws if team A is in the bonus.
If the free throw is no good, officials should clear the lane and re-shoot to account for the violation, then proceed with the designated-spot throw-in or additional free throws, with the
lane spaces legally occupied, as the penalty for the foul.
It is important to remember that, in the three-person officiating system, the center official has responsibility for actions related to the free-throw shooter. The trail official can assist but is primarily focused on any activity above the threepoint arc. In the two-person officiating system, the trail official is responsible for activity related to the free-throw shooter.
As with many rule changes and points of emphasis, this activity received plenty of attention in the first year or two following implementation, only to become one of those areas of the game that officials seem to rarely enforce now unless the contact is so severe that it simply cannot be ignored.
If you see this type of illegal activity, especially early in a game, call it. Nipping this type of gamesmanship in the bud will allow for a cleaner contest and help prevent any escalation later in the contest between players who falsely believe there is no consequence for their unsporting actions.
FOOTBALL
Awareness Aids Avoidance
By George Demetriou
“We are going to relentlessly chase perfection, knowing full well we will not catch it; because nothing is perfect. But we are going to relentlessly chase it, because in the process we will catch excellence. I am not remotely interested in just being good.”
Those are the words of Vince Lombardi, spoken at his first team meeting as coach of the Green Bay Packers in 1959.
They apply to officials as well. Officials who pursue perfection will never get there but cannot help but be successful on the field. Thus, it is worthwhile to get a better understanding of the roadblocks to the perfect game. The most visible officiating error is likely the inadvertent whistle. The topic has been covered almost ad nauseum, so there is no need to take that further. What follows are the common errors officials make in a somewhat random order. The significance of the error will vary based on the game and the game situation in which they are made.
Missing a foul. That error is a little more understandable. The simplest error is the official looking at the wrong place at the wrong time, but sometimes there are legitimate reasons for not catching a transgression. An example would be a referee who misses a hold during pass blocking because he had a defender about to rough a quarterback. The majority of missed fouls, though, are errors — either of judgment or because the official wasn’t looking where he or she was supposed to be looking. The latter might be aggravated by the official being in the wrong position.
An example is a pass play from team B’s 24 yardline using NFHS rules. Defensive pass interference is called and the umpire walks off 15 yards to the nine yardline instead of half the distance to the 12 yardline.
Forgetting an automatic first down is very rare, but neglecting a loss of down can give the offense an extra play. A loss of down for ineligibles downfield was a rule long ago and in some minds it is still in the book.
Phantom fouls. Many coordinators will say that is the worst mistake an official can make. Coordinators can explain why someone missed seeing something, but they cannot explain how something that didn’t happen was seen. The fouls most likely to be misjudged include holding, pass interference and blocks in the back.
It doesn’t happen very often, but there are officials who fabricate fouls. Almost all officials are honest, ethical people and those who inject fiction into a game have good intentions. In the interest of game control, the “hold” will be flagged to bring back a touchdown on a team that is running up the score. Yes, scoring more points via trickery or attempting long passes in a decided game generates ill will, but is not against the rules. There is a calculated risk tempers will flare and present a control problem for the officials, but the officials have an obligation to properly call the game. There are several ways to hold coaches accountable for running up the score, but fabricating fouls isn’t one of them.
Sometimes fouls are purposely overlooked and, on a very limited basis, that may make sense. The limited basis involves a decided game, perhaps one in which a mercy rule has been applied. However, overlooking a foul that compromises player safety is an egregious error.
Miscounting. Counting incorrectly can happen once in a while, particularly with players moving around and late substitutions, but there simply is no excuse for failing to count. In a Colorado high school championship game, the offense put 12 players in its formation during the opening series of the game. To make it worse, the 12th player was also the fifth player in the backfield, so an illegal formation was also missed.
Penalty enforcement. Errors in administering penalties are probably the most frequent mistake that officials make. They can happen in a multitude of ways and sometimes are difficult to detect — they are only noticed when the game video is reviewed.
Forgetting half-the-distance gives a team more yards than those to which they are entitled.
George Demetriou has been a football official since 1968. He lives in Colorado Springs, Colo.
SOCCER
SOCK HYPE
By John Van de Vaarst
What is so exciting about soccer players’ socks? Absolutely nothing! However, socks are a required part of a player’s uniform as explained in law/rule 4, but specifics vary depending on which set of rules/laws the game is being played by.
The NFHS Rule 4-1-4 provides detailed guidance for referees explaining what is permissible and what is not. Both socks must be the same color and the visiting team socks must be white. The home team players must all wear the same color but do not have to be the same color as the jersey. A simple example is the home team is permitted to wear a blue jersey and red socks as long as all the players are the same. For the 2024-25 season, the rules committee added more specifics regarding tape or other material added to the socks. If tape or other material is above the ankle, it must be the same color as the sock. If it is below the ankle, it could be a different color.
The rationale for this change is some players are now cutting the bottom off the uniform sock and wearing a different sock underneath specifically on their feet. This color could show when the outer (uniform) sock is worn over it. Also, it allows for a different color ankle brace to be worn. A manufacturer’s logo is permitted on both sides of the sock. Goalkeeper socks are not required to be the same as teammates but must be different than the opponents. It is important to note for games played under NFHS rules, if a player enters the field of play during the game wearing improper or illegal equipment the head coach receives the first caution. In other words, if a player enters the game wearing black tape over white socks, the coach is cautioned (yellow card). The player must leave the game unlike IFAB where the player merely leaves the field at the next stoppage. This is a much more severe penalty. Consider this a good reminder to observe socks before the game. Then, advise the coach so the problem can be corrected, and the caution avoided.
the home team must wear something other than white. All members of the same team must wear matching uniforms. This includes socks. One player cannot wear a different color than the rest of the team. Why is this important? If a striker has red socks and all the teammates have blue, it makes it much easier for a teammate to locate the striker and make a pass. This is especially so if the ball is being brought down the field along the touchline and the player wants to center it toward the goal. It is an unfair advantage.
to wear improper equipment. Be proactive and get any problems corrected before the game begins.
John Van de Vaarst, Ellicott City, Md., is a NISOA National Clinician, National Assessor and former State Level USSF Referee and Assessor. He is Referee’s soccer coordinator.
VOLLEYBALL
30 Minutes ’Til Showtime
By Brad Tittrington
The NCAA has the least information and requirements about socks in its rulebook. Rule 4.1.1 simply indicates stockings must be worn as part of the uniform. The only other information provided is incorporated into 4.1.5 which indicates the home team has the right to pick the colors they are wearing. The visiting team must not conflict with the home team. If there is a conflict, the home team is responsible for wearing a different color jersey and socks are in clear contrast to the visiting team. In other words, the socks must be a different color than the opponents. If the visiting team is wearing white,
Law 4 of the IFAB Laws of the Game indicates opponents must wear colors that distinguish themselves from each other and the match officials. It does not specifically indicate the socks must be different colors. Law 4.2 provides information about compulsory equipment. The paragraph dealing with socks explains “tape or any material applied or worn externally must be the same colour (sic) as that part of the sock it is applied to or covers.” In other words, if the socks are green, any tape or material placed on the sock to help hold it in place must also be green. Again, this prevents a player from wearing something different and creating an unfair advantage for the team. Law 4.1 indicates it is a requirement to inspect all players uniforms before the match begins. If a player is wearing different colored socks or different color tape, the player must correct the problem to the satisfaction of the referee. If a player enters the match with improper equipment, the referee must have the player removed or the problem corrected at the next stoppage.
Socks are not exciting but a referee must know what is legal and what is not. Players can gain an advantage if they are allowed
Be honest. How often do you show up to your match, call coaches and captains together, flip the coin and then spend the next however minutes are left in warmups chatting with your partner and catching up?
We’ve all done it. Especially later in the season when we sort of go through the motions, it feels like we have done the same routine for three months and we can do the prematch routine in our sleep. But all we are doing is setting ourselves up for failure. There is so much that we should be doing during that time that often gets neglected. Here are the things we should be doing to ensure we are ready to go from that first authorization of service.
Check the net and ball pressure. This sounds simple enough, but there are definitely times when we “forget” to take care of this simple task. Then teams start warming up and they complain about the net being too high. Or we roll out the ball for the first serve and it feels flat. When we arrive onsite, this is one of the first things we should be doing. It literally takes 30 seconds to check the net and another minute or so to check the game balls. Even if a coach says he or she has checked both
and they are ready to go, do your due diligence, pull out your measuring chain and pump, and check to make sure all is good to go to save embarrassment further on down the road. Check the referee stand. Do you walk across the court during prematch, either before the coin toss or after, and check the referee stand to make sure it is secure? This is one of the most important tasks referees have in order to ensure their safety. Having a referee stand fail can be catastrophic. At some point, preferably before the coin toss so it can be corrected if it isn’t properly secured, take the time to check the referee stand to make sure it is safe, not only for you, but for the athletes as well.
like line judges, it is important to make them feel part of the crew. Even if you’ve worked with that scorer 100 times, take a moment to make sure you are on the same page when it comes to handling substitutions, how to handle improper servers, notifying you when teams are close to the end of their substitution limit, etc. Failure to do so can only lead to potential headaches.
Speak with line judges. This is true at all levels, but especially at the high school level. Generally at the collegiate level, you have certified line judges. But it is still important to discuss which line judge is going where and what information you expect to be given. It helps set the tone for the match and shows crewness. At the high school and club level, you generally have volunteers or other referees who may not be certified line judges. It is important to take five minutes to introduce everyone (helps make them feel part of the team) and go over expectations. Remember, the more you make them feel like they are part of your crew, the more likely they are to work hard. And when that close call comes, you want to make sure you can trust that line judge to give you the information you need. Otherwise, they are just bodies taking up space and holding a flag.
Speak with scorers. Nothing can turn a match sideways like an incorrect scoresheet. The scorers are an extremely important part of the match. Just
Watch warmups. The few minutes teams are on the court warming up are extremely important for referees. It is here where referees can find out who the setters are, how those setters’ hands are, who the big hitters are and get a general sense of the competition level of the two teams. The more information we can gather during those few minutes, the better off we are when we climb the stand to blow the first whistle. Take some time to watch setters from the side and from behind to get a chance to see their hands from all angles. It is also a chance to take care of any uniform and jewelry issues, instead of having to deal with them during lineup checks, or even worse, after the match has started.
Talk game plan with partner. There is a time and place to chat with our partner to make sure we are on the same page for the match. At the higher levels, this may take place in the locker room before you go to the court. At the high school and club level where you don’t have a locker room most times, take some time during warmups to discuss strategy. This shouldn’t take the entire time before the match. If you are using headsets, make sure they work, the volume is at the right level and you can clearly hear each other. Discuss what information you want from each other in terms of difficult situations. Make sure you are
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comfortable with each other to ensure good game management and control of the match.
Those who don’t officiate volleyball think we just simply show up, climb the ladder and blow our whistles. Don’t add to that stigma. Instead, use your prematch time wisely to ensure a match with smooth sailing. Brad Tittrington is an associate editor for Referee. He referees college and high school volleyball, umpires D-I softball and officiates women’s college and high school basketball and high school football.
ASK US
BASKETBALL
Appeal for Correctable Error
Play: A1 is fouled while dribbling the ball, and team A is in the bonus. The officials fail to award A1 bonus free throws, but instead award a throw-in to team A. Team A completes the throw-in and A2 scores a basket. Team B inbounds the ball, B1 dribbles the ball down the court and the ball is deflected out of bounds by A3. At this time, the official timer sounds the horn as team A’s coach has made an appeal to the official scorer to have the error corrected. Can the error be corrected, and if not, what is the result? Ruling: Failing to award a merited free throw is a correctable error. The error must be recognized and corrected by an official during the first dead ball after the game clock properly started. The first dead ball after the game clock properly started following the error was after A2’s successful goal. Once team B had the ball at its disposal for the throw-in that
followed A2’s goal, it is too late to correct the error. Therefore, the error shall not be corrected and play is resumed at the point of interruption. Additionally, in NFHS, one 60-second timeout or one 30-second timeout, when all 60-second timeouts have been used, shall be charged to team A (2-10-1a, 2-10-2, 5-8-4, 5-11-4, 6-7-1). In NCAAM, in games not involving the electronic-media timeout format, one 75-second timeout or one 30-second timeout, when the 75-second timeouts have been used, shall be charged to team A. In games involving the electronic-media timeout format, either one 30-second or one 60-second timeout shall be charged to the team A (2-12.1.a, 2-12.2, 2-12.6, 5-11.5, 5-14.1.d, 5-14.15, 6-5.1.a, A.R. 149). In NCAAW, in games not involving the electronicmedia timeout format, one full timeout or one 30-second timeout, when the full timeouts have been used, shall be charged to team A. In games involving the electronic-media timeout format, either one 30-second or one full timeout shall be charged to the team A (2-12.1.a, 2-12.2, 2-12.6, 5-11.5, 5-14.1.d, 5-14.15, 6-5.1.a, A.R. 5-56).
BASEBALL
The Pitcher as a Kicker Play: B1 bunts a slow roller up the first-base line. The ball is two feet in foul ground but rolling toward fair territory when F1 races over and intentionally kicks the ball to keep it foul. Ruling: Foul ball; there is no rule against a player kicking a ball. He cannot legally touch a ball in fair territory or one in foul territory that has a chance to become fair with a thrown glove or detached equipment, but kicking is legal
(NFHS 2-16-1d, NCAA 2-35d, pro Foul Ball Definition).
Runner Assist?
Play: With R3 on third, B2 tops the pitch down the thirdbase line. R3, who is halfway home, nonchalantly catches the bounding ball that is directly overhead and three feet in foul territory. He fires it back to the pitcher. Ruling: The umpire must judge if a ball that close to the foul line could possibly go fair. If so, R3 should be called out (NFHS 8-4-2k, interp.; NCAA 6-2e, 8-5k, interp.; pro6.01a2, interp.).
Drop All You Want
Play: With R2 on second and R3 on third, B1 bunts a low pop up and F1 intentionally drops it in fair territory. Ruling: The ball remains live. The intentionally dropped rule includes a bunt or any other fair fly ball or line drive, with first, first and second, first and third, or first, second and third base occupied before two are out (NFHS 5-1-1j, 8-4-1c; NCAA 7-11q; pro 5.09a12).
Bye-Bye
Play: After B1 hits a home run, F1 intentionally hits B2 in the back with the first pitch. The umpire has no doubt as to what has occurred. Ruling: The pitcher is immediately ejected. In NFHS and pro, the number of games of a suspension, if any, is determined by the governing authority. In NCAA, the pitcher is suspended under the provisions of the fight rule (NFHS 6-2-3 Pen.; NCAA 5-16d, 9-2g Pen.; pro 6.02c9A).
FOOTBALL
Fumble, Inadvertent Whistle Play: Team A is attempting a two-point try. A1 fumbles
at team B’s five yardline. A2 recovers there and advances to team B’s two yardline when the covering official blows the whistle. Ruling: In NFHS, the ball remains live until the official blows the whistle. But due to the inadvertent whistle, team A will likely choose to have the down replayed (4-23c, 7-4- 2). In NCAA, due to the fourth-down fumble rule, the ball is dead when A2 recovers it. Therefore, the whistle is proper. Play resumes with team A’s free kick (4-1-2a, 7-2-2a Exc. 1, 8-32d-5).
foot prior to the start of the pitch, which is defined as the hands separating in those three codes (NFHS 6-1-1, 6-1-2a, 6-1-2b; USA Softball 6A-1c, e; USSSA 6-1a, 6-1e-1, 2). In NCAA, this would be an illegal pitch as once the pitcher initially sets the toe of her stride foot, she may not move that foot in any direction prior to the step/stride and delivery (10.1.2.2, 10.2.1.2).
Catch or HR?
Defensive Holding
Play: Third and 15 on team A’s 25 yardline. B1 holds A2 at the line. A3’s pass is tipped by B4 at team A’s 24 yardline and falls incomplete at the 32 yardline. Ruling: In NFHS, defensive holding carries a 10-yard penalty but not an automatic first down. It will be third and five at team A’s 35 yardline (9-2-3 Pen.). In NCAA, the automatic first down applies. It will be first and 10 for team A at its 35 yardline (9-3-4c-e Pen.).
SOFTBALL
Non-Pivot (Stride) Foot
Play: The pitcher has her pivot foot on top of the pitcher’s plate and her non-pivot (stride) foot six inches behind the pitcher’s plate as she takes the signal from the catcher. The pitcher then brings her hands together and takes a step backward with her non-pivot foot. As she separates her hands, she steps toward home plate and pushes off with her pivot foot and drags away from the pitcher’s plate. Ruling: Legal in NFHS, USA Softball and USSSA. The pitcher may take a step backward with the non-pivot
Play: With the bases loaded and two outs, B6 hits a deep fly ball to left field. The left fielder races back to the temporary fence and launches herself toward the ball. She jumps in the air, makes contact with the temporary fence while in the air, catches the ball and then lands a couple of feet beyond the temporary fence, while maintaining possession and control of the ball in her glove. The umpires rule a home run. Ruling: Incorrect. In all codes, this is a catch and the batter should be ruled out for the third out of the half-inning. To be ruled a catch, the fielder must have secure possession of the ball before stepping, touching or falling into a dead-ball area. The left fielder met this criteria as she securely possessed the ball before touching dead-ball territory (NFHS 2-9-4; NCAA 9.2.2; USA Softball 1 - Catch/No Catch; USSSA 3 – Catch).
SOCCER
What’d You Say?
Play: A1 has the ball inside the penalty area and is being challenged by B2. Both players use their arms to gain an advantage and control of the ball, equally pushing each other. B2 makes contact with the ball and it goes over the
goalline. The referee awards a corner kick. Prior to the corner kick, A1 advises the referee in a strong tone there should be a penalty kick awarded. The referee states it was a 50/50 play and therefore no foul was committed, both players were using similar force. As A1 is walks away, they use insulting language about the referee and spit on the ground in disgust. Ruling: A1 is to be ejected (red card) for the insulting language. The game is restarted with the corner kick (NFHS 12-6-1e; NCAA 12.7.6; IFAB 12.3).
Not Quite Advantage
Play: A1 is on the attack approximately 25 yards from the goal. B2 trips A1 who stumbles but retains possession of the ball. The referee signals and verbalizes advantage. Just after doing so, A1 loses their balance and falls to the ground. B2 gains possession of the ball and clears it up the field. The game continues. Ruling: This is an incorrect decision by the referee since the advantage did not materialize. The game is to be stopped and team A is awarded a direct free kick from the point where the trip occurred (NFHS 5-3-1d; NCAA 5.4.3; IFAB 5.3).
Deliberate Play
Play: A1 is just inside the penalty area and makes a pass toward the penalty spot. B2 jumps up and deliberately heads the ball in the direction of the goalkeeper so the goalkeeper may play the ball with the hands. A3, who was in an offside position during the initial pass, runs diagonally and intercepts the headed ball and scores. Ruling: Goal. B2 made a deliberate play on the ball so A3 cannot be judged offside (NFHS 11-1-5; NCAA 11.2.2; IFAB 11.2).
IT’S OFFICIAL - october 2024
VOLLEYBALL
Third Timeout
Play: Late in the second set, team A’s head coach requests a third timeout after being notified the team has already used two timeouts in the set. Ruling: If possible, the second referee should ignore the request. However, in all codes, if the second referee acknowledges the request, the team shall be penalized accordingly. In NFHS, an unnecessary delay (administrative yellow card for the first offense or administrative red card for subsequent offenses in that set) shall be assessed (11-2-3 Pen. 2, 11.2.3D). In NCAA and USAV, an improper request is charged to the team if it is not whistled by the second referee, it is noted on the scoresheet and no
additional penalty if it is the first improper request. If it is whistled, it results in a delay sanction (NCAA 6.2.2.8, 6.2.3.1, 6.2.3.3; USAV 15.11.2, 16.1).
Multiple Contacts
Play: A1 jumps to block a ball attacked by B2. A1 is near the net and reaching higher than the net when the attacked ball hits A1’s arm and then hits A1’s head and bounces straight up into the air. After A1 lands, A1 then uses a forearm pass to A3. The first referee whistles, signals loss or rally/point to team B and signals double hit. Ruling: Incorrect ruling in all codes. Multiple contacts are allowed when the first ball over the net rebounds from one part of the player’s body to one or more other parts in one attempt to block. It is then legal for that player to have the
team’s first team hit after the block. In this scenario, the hit off A1’s arm and head are both part of the same block attempt and then the pass is considered the first team hit, which is legal (NFHS 9-4-8a, b; NCAA 14.2.3, 14.6.2.2; USSSA 9.2.3.1, 14.2, 14.4.2).
Second Referee Responsibility
Play: The second referee whistles and signals out as the ball contacts the antenna on his or her side. The first referee signals the result of the play as a point. Ruling: Correct procedure in all codes. It is the second referee’s responsibility to whistle when a ball contacts or travels over or outside the antenna on his or her side. The first referee will then award the point (NFHS 5-53b-1; NCAA 19.3.7.1.3; USAV 24.3.2.7).
The National Association of Sports Officials (NASO) is a nonprofit, educational association providing services and benefits for sports officials. It is run by officials, for officials. If you know a good candidate for membership, please send us his or her name and address. We will forward an invitation to join. For more information contact 262-632-5448 or www.naso.org/membership
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