RULES, MECHANICS, TECHNIQUES:

Basketball
NFHS Basketball Rule Changes 2004-05; 'Light' Jerseys Not Right, Must Wear White; Talk Can Be Discreet; Chalk Talk: Look at the Second Space First

Baseball
Bye, Bye Baseball: What Happens When the Ball Goes Out of Play; Umpire Beware: Dead Ball Ahead; Chalk Talk: Two Umpires: Base Hit With the Bases Loaded; Safety Before Expediency

Softball
Look Before They Leap: Recognizing and Penalizing Crow Hops and Leaping; Getting Help More Often: An Appealing Thought?; How's Your Tude, Dude?

Soccer
Right Place at the Right Time: Assistant Referees Must Attain Proper Positioning; Open Letter to Coaches; Judging Tackles From Behind; Five Minutes With ... Shane Butler

Football
Helping Each Other: Tough Job is Made Easier Through Teamwork; Rule Five: The Forgotten Rule; The Elusive Genius of Umpires; Forward vs. Backward; Five Minutes With ... Keith Roden

FEATURES:

For the Fourth Time, That's Enough!
Warnings – Give 'em "the look," "the stop sign," the quiet word, the louder word, it doesn't matter if you never take care of business. Warnings are not enforcement. Technical fouls, red cards and ejections are.

Gold Whistle Award 2004: Bob McElwee
The character and achievements of the longtime NFL referee come to light through the testimony of Bob McElwee's colleagues, friends, family and the folks he's worked side-by-side with for the betterment of his community.

Conduct Fouls
The downward spiral of good sportsmanship in this country seems an unmanageable problem. It's also the number-one reason why people leave officiating. Now, D-III conference commissioner Chuck Mitrano says he's got a solution.

Basic Training: How to Build Your Schedule the Right Way
Accepting and turning back game assignments requires much more than just courtesy. Officiating is a business, and you should treat your schedule with the same professionalism as you would your day job.

COLUMNS & DEPARTMENTS:

Publisher’s Memo
My 'First' Time

The Gag Rule
'Look to Learn From Coaches'; 'Officials Can Clean Up Sportsmanship'

The News
Umpire Saves Two From Burning Plane; Georgia State Office Revokes Protest Rule

Back to Basics
Don't Make That Mistake!

Getting It Right
Ambassadors of Umpiring

Tools
Umpire Cool Down Kit; Wilson Wrap-Around Mask Pad; Referee/Umpire Home Page; Gloves in a Bottle; Electronic Flag Set

Law
Officiating the Game ... And the Bleachers

For the Record
Minor League Baseball and NFL Europe roste

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

Last Call
Black and White