THE NEWS

Basketball Referee Brutally Attacked

LAS VEGAS — A Las Vegas basketball referee, trying to prevent a physical altercation between a fellow official and irate coach, became the victim of a brutal assault after a recreational basketball game between teenagers at the Doolittle Community Center on May 17.

Perry Woodward had completed his games for the evening and decided to check on an adjoining court to see how one of his fellow officials was doing. When that game ended, Woodward noticed a coach aggressively questioning fellow official Shawn Rowe about calls made during the game.

Gym workers asked the coach to leave, but the coach and his wife followed the officials to the door. After waiting a few minutes to allow cooler heads to prevail, Rowe and Woodward left to go to the parking lot to get into their cars. The coach, his wife and their teenage son got into Rowe’s face in the parking lot.

Woodward stepped in to try to calm the situation and was instead sucker punched in the back of the head and then his face. He was knocked out and hit the ground. Woodward was taken to University Medical Center and treated for a concussion, bleeding on the brain, sutures on his chin and forehead, five fractured teeth, neck bruising and a left ankle fracture.

“I was unconscious for 15 to 30 minutes,” Woodward told the Las Vegas Sun. “I was told I was dead.”

Doctors said Woodward is lucky to be alive and had to undergo more surgery to repair his fractured ankle.

“We have constant threats towards us all over town doing games,” Vince Kristosik, president of the Southern Nevada Officials Association, told Fox 5 Vegas. “But to see this kind of violence to an official, it’s hard for me to find a story where this much physical injury occurred to someone who was here to officiate a game.”

The father was charged with battery on a protected person and the wife and son are facing a misdemeanor battery charge.

A GoFundMe account was set up to offset Woodward’s medical bills, with a goal of raising $25,000. As of press time, the fund had raised $8,105. Woodward is a 20-year veteran official and recently worked a Nevada high school state championship game.

“I just can’t believe what society is about these days and people taking a game to this level of craziness,” Woodward told the Sun. “I am going to be better. I am going to be all right. But why would anyone put themselves in harm’s way like that?”

Six Women Named World Cup Officials

Five U.S. soccer officials were named as match officials for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, including one assistant referee who was among six female officials appointed — a first for the men’s event.

The U.S. officials included referee Ismail Elfath, assistant referees Kyle Atkins, Kathryn Nesbitt and Corey Parker as well as video match official Armando Villarreal.

A total of 36 referees, 69 assistant referees and 24 video match officials were selected to officiate the World Cup, which runs from Nov. 21 to Dec. 17 in the Middle Eastern nation of Qatar.

The six women who will be making history as World Cup officials include: referees Stéphanie Frappart from France, Salima Mukansanga from Rwanda and Yoshimi Yamashita from Japan, and assistant referees Neuza Back from Brazil, Karen Díaz Medina from Mexico and Nesbitt.

See “World Cup” p.10

THE WIRE

Umpire Issues Apology for Ejection

MLB umpire Dan Bellino issued an apology for ejecting Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Madison Bumgarner in the fi rst inning of a May 4 game against the Miami Marlins.

“When I began my MLB career almost 15 years ago, I received some good advice,” Bellino said in a statement to ESPN’s Jesse Rogers two days later. “I was told to umpire every game as if my children were sitting in the front row. I fell short of those expectations this week. While I can’t go back and change what happened, I take full accountability. I will learn from this incident, and I sincerely apologize.”

The ejection came during a routine check of hands and gloves; Bellino gave Bumgarner an intense stare, presumably upset with Bumgarner’s complaints about calls that inning by the call-up umpire behind the plate. Bumgarner responded with profanity directed at Bellino that prompted an ejection.

Quebec Teen Referee Attacked

A grandfather of a player at a U-14 game hit a 17-year-old referee during a May 7 match in suburban Montreal. Video of the incident showed the man come out of the stands and bump the referee, who pushed him away. Then the man punched the referee before other adults intervened and knocked the attacker to the ground. Soccer Canada, which condemned the incident, later released a letter of apology written by the grandfather and former teacher, who was not identifi ed. “I’d like to apologize to everyone who witnessed this moment of distraction that lacked civility and courtesy and set an example of

Collins Steps Down From NCAA Men’s Hoops Post

J.D. Collins has been blessed in his professional life to travel the roads he wants to instead of those he necessarily has to. Now, after seven years as the NCAA men’s basketball officiating coordinator, he wants to take a break and figure out what life away from the pressure-packed world of big-time college athletics has to offer.

Collins, 59, announced in May his decision to retire from the NCAA coordinator post, effective Oct. 31. He assumed the position in May 2015, taking over for John Adams after working 18 years as an on-floor D-I official and spending five years coordinating men’s basketball officiating for the Mid-American Conference and the Summit League.

“I’ve got about eight or 10 reasons, but at the end of the day two converge,” said Collins about why he’s choosing to step away. “I think I’ve taken the position about as far as I can take it, and I think it’s time for someone else to come in with new approaches, new ideas and new passion.

“I’m going to turn 60 this fall. I want to enjoy life. So those two things balance together, and I think it’s time.”

Asked to name what gives him the most satisfaction from his time in the leadership role, Collins did not point to any one decision or event, but instead reflected on his tenure as a whole.

“I think that the culture of college basketball officiating needed to change and I think I influenced that,” Collins said. “As with any culture, that never ends. I think we’ve set up a more consistent culture with the officiating, especially with regards to the NCAA Tournament.”

On the flip side, when asked if there was anything he regretted not getting accomplished before walking away, he took a wistful view.

“The NCAA Tournament would be a less stressful event for the national coordinator, but I don’t know that you can obtain that,” he said with a laugh.

Collins purposely chose to retire in late October to allow Dan Gavitt, the senior vice president for NCAA basketball, a comfortable window for finding the next person tasked with leading the NCAA officiating corps.

“Dan Gavitt’s my boss. He’s also a dear friend,” Collins said. “I would never do that to him.”

Does he expect to have any influence on who takes his place?

“I’m sure that Dan will consult with me,” Collins said, “but the decision will really be on the committee he puts together and his decision on who replaces me.” World Cup continued from p.8

“This concludes a long process that began several years ago with the deployment of female referees at FIFA men’s junior and senior tournaments,” said Pierluigi Collina, chairman of the FIFA Referees Committee, in a news release. “In this way, we clearly emphasize that it is quality that counts for us and not gender. I would hope that in the future, the selection of elite women’s match officials for important men’s competitions will be perceived as something normal and no longer as sensational. They deserve to be at the FIFA World Cup because they constantly perform at a really high level, and that’s the important factor for us.”

All of the U.S. officials are from the Professional Referee Organization (PRO), which manages the referee and assistant referee program for pro soccer leagues in the U.S. and Canada. PRO video match official Drew Fisher of Canada was also selected to officiate the World Cup.

“We are announcing these selections well in advance as we want to work even harder with all those who have been appointed for the FIFA World Cup, monitoring them in the next months,” Collina said.

THE WIRE

violence that was completely against my own values,” the letter stated. The referee and his family were considering whether to file a complaint with the police.

Lackawanna League Umpires in Pay Dispute

A group of Pennsylvania umpires stopped working games for a time in May amid a pay dispute with the Lackawanna Interscholastic Athletic Association. Fees were $71 for varsity softball and $77 for varsity baseball, with a $1 increase every year through 2025. Umpires were seeking $90 a game and first started their efforts to raise game fees in March. Umpires had postponed a walkout in April amid continuing pay discussions. Since the recent work stoppage, the Lackawanna League approved a plan to match a neighboring conference’s rates starting July 1, but those rates were still below the $90 per game fee the umpires were seeking — raising questions about further work stoppages.

Wrestler Banned for Life After Assault

The Wrestling Federation of India handed down a lifetime ban to wrestler Satender Malik for hitting referee Jagbir Singh after Malik lost the 125kg final during the Commonwealth Games 2022 trials in mid-May. Singh, who filed a report with police, was not the referee for the match, but was consulted for a replay decision. Malik contends Singh slapped him first and the referees involved in the match conspired against him. The decisions in the match were later reviewed and upheld by the Wrestling Federation.

Umpires Attacked in Parking Lot

CARMICHAEL, Calif. — Del Campo defeated Buhach Colony, 3-2, on a slide at home in the final at-bat of a May 16 Division III Sac-Joaquin Section high school baseball playoff series game. Unfortunately, the drama continued in the parking lot as some Buhach Colony fans attacked the umpires, who were members of the Northern California Officials Association. Video of the incident, which included one fan throwing punches, was widely shared online.

“I had a parent tell me umpires were getting attacked,” Del Campo coach Kevin Dawidczik told the Sacramento Bee. “I sprinted as fast as I could to get those umpires. I can’t believe that would ever occur at my facility.

“We need more coaches who understand umpires are there to help our kids,” he added. “They are going to get calls wrong and right. We aren’t always going to agree with them. We have to support these guys. We have to.”

Following the incident, both school districts issued a statement.

The San Juan Unified School District said, “This unfortunate incident is a reminder for us all to uphold a level of sportsmanship and respect for everyone involved in athletic competitions.”

Merced Union High School District stated it was “fully cooperating with the California Interscholastic Federation’s investigation. Any party or parties found responsible for Monday’s incident will be held accountable.”

After an investigation, the CIF-Sac Joaquin Section first ruled on May 18 that future games in the series would be held at neutral sites without fans. In addition, it was ruled that Del Campo had to forfeit its game 1 playoff win because of an alleged illegal batting practice. However, after an appeal by Del Campo, both decisions were overturned by the CIFSac Joaquin executive board the next day. Del Campo kept its 1-0 series lead. The seven fans identified to have confronted the umpires were banned from the games, but other fans from both schools were allowed to attend at the respective home sites under the condition that there would be a strong administrative presence at the games.

“It’s the Sac-Joaquin Section’s job to interpret the bylaws, and our organizational structure is such that every school receives its due process and is allowed to contest these interpretations,” the CIF said in a statement. “This is how our system works.”

Buhach Colony went on to win game 2 of the playoff series on May 20, but Del Campo won game 3 the following day to move on in the playoffs. There was an umpire escort and fans from the teams were separated from each other during the final two games of the series.

SOURCES: SACRAMENTO BEE, FOX 40, CBS 13

Felony Charges Issued in Assault of Umpires

JACKSON COUNTY, Ala. — A 43-yearold Fort Payne, Ala., man was arrested after police said he punched two youth league baseball umpires at Pisgah Town Park on May 19.

Jonathan Henderson faces two counts of second-degree assault. Henderson was released that night on $5,000 bond.

Police said they were called to the park about 8 p.m. because the fans were getting out of hand. By the time they arrived, the situation had escalated with an 18-year-old umpire and a 21-yearold umpire assaulted.

Police said the umpires were hit in the face. “I think one might have been kneed in the ribs,” Jackson County Chief Deputy Rocky Harnen told WAAY-TV. “There (were) no major injuries as a result of it. So, generally, it would be a misdemeanor assault, but since it was an umpire doing his job, it brings it up to a felony.”

The altercation took place as the umpires were leaving the field.

SOURCES: WAAY-TV, WHNT-TV

Michael Book Named to CHSAA

The Colorado High School Activities Association (CHSAA) named Michael Book as assistant commissioner in charge of sports officials. Book served as chair of the CHSAA Officials’ Fee Committee. He assumes the role overseeing officiating which had been held by Tom Robinson, who died on April 4.

Book officiated basketball at the middle, high school and collegiate levels. This past school year, he was principal at Wiggins High School. Book has also been an athletic director and baseball, football and basketball coach at several schools.

“I am excited about the opportunity to navigate and enhance the recruitment and retention of officials across the state and in all areas that CHSAA serves,” Book said.

Portuguese Chair Umpire Banned

The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) banned Portuguese tennis chair umpire Daniel Zeferino for life after being found guilty of match fixing charges. The charges related to Zeferino’s manipulation of scores inputted into his electronic scoring device at a 2020 ITF M15 event, the ITIA said. Such manipulation facilitates gamblers making “guaranteed wins” on bets on those points. The ITIA said Zeferino did not contest the charges and admitted his conduct. Zeferino will not be allowed to officiate any tennis event authorized or sanctioned by any international tennis governing body or national association.

SOURCES: CHSAA INSIDESPORTS.IN; THE (INDIA) TRIBUNE; ITIA.COM; NEWS.BITCOIN.COM; TIMESTRIBUNE; CITIZENS VOICE