RULES, MECHANICS, TECHNIQUES:

Basketball
NFHS Rule Changes 2003-04: Mercy! Running Clock OK'd (If Your State Wants It); Chalk Talk: Lead Gets Help From Trail; Five Minutes With ...Rick Hartzell

Baseball
Baseball's Return Policy: When to Send Runners Back to Previous Bases; Team Warnings; Looking Like a Pro in Amateur Games; Confirming Outs; Five Minutes With ... A.J. Lostaglio

Softball
Turning Down the Heat: Good Partners Can Pitch in During Arguments; ASA Appeals: Part 2; Are You a Chaser? The 'Short A' Position

Soccer
Don't Fear the Messenger: Making the Most of Your Assessment; Being Proactive Pays Off; Accepting Your Role; Assistant Referee Observing Offside Position

Football
Are You With the 'Program'? Filling Your Head With Good Info; A Primer on Possession; In or Out?; Chalk Talk: Don't Get Tripped up by Trips; Five Minutes With ... Larry Nemmers

FEATURES:

2003 Gold Whistle Award: Bob Delaney
He's faced down the likes of Karl Malone and Rasheed Wallace – not to mention mobsters and criminals – but tough NBA ref Bob Delaney has a softer side, too. He gives his time, money and effort wherever he sees need in his community. For "service above self," Delaney was named this year's NASO Gold Whistle Award winner.

'You Mean They're Going to Yell at Me?'
A great truth: If you're an official, they will yell at you. By following existing models for conflict resolution – models used in everything from business confrontations to wars between nations – you will learn how to manage the situation when they're in your face.

Quest to Ref
What does it mean to chase your dream? For Roland the ref, it's all about fairness. Take a look inside the award-winning short film and discover why filmmaker Ben Watkins chose to focus on officiating.

You Are There: Tiger Tamer
The opening game of the 1968 World Series promised a legendary pitcher's duel as Cy Young winners Bob Gibson and Denny McLain faced off. But the firepower was all one-sided as Gibson amazed the world, and the umpires on the field, with a record-setting performance.

COLUMNS & DEPARTMENTS:

Publisher’s Memo
Do We Belong? Are We Worthy?

In Black and White
Portland Umpiring Stays Status Quo

The News
Prep Player Attacks Referee; Official Helps Save Soccer Dad

Back to Basics
Making Good Use of Your Downtime

Profiles
SlamBall: Full-Contact Fun for Referees

Getting It Right
No Paychecks, But High Rewards

Tools
Play Book for Recruiting and Retaining Officials; Fouls and Misconduct; LeagueGM; Jumbo Sports Timer

For the Record
MLS and Minor League Baseball rosters

Classifieds
Camps/Clinics; Equipment/Apparel; Cyberspace; Computer Software

Last Call
A Hold on Perfectione