Employee or Independent Contractor?
Update: June 14th, 2019 - View the court's ruling
Some of history’s bloodiest conflicts were started over a small insult. A pastry chef not...
The Officiating Economy: Bull or Bear?
When financial experts think of economic indicators, they often look at variables like ongoing increases in the stock market, building permits and retail...
NFHS Executive Director Weighs in on Support of Officials
Dr. Karissa Niehoff needed no prompting to address the elephant in the room.
“We’re definitely supportive of the great work that our officials are...
3 Times When You Can Take Back A Flag
Once a flag is thrown, there are circumstances when it can be picked up — disregarded if you will. Except for some very...
2019 Minor League Baseball Rosters
Triple A
International League
Ryan Additon, Davie, Fla.
Erich Bacchus, Germantown, Md.
John Bacon, Kent, Ohio
Sean Barber, Lakeland, Fla.
Adam Beck, Oviedo, Fla.
Jeffrey Carnahan, Crystal River, Fla.
Scott Costello,...
Do More, See More With Better Positioning
Does your association have “good umpires”? Certainly it does. But are there a few umpires acknowledged to be better than the rest of...
Movement and Coverage Tips for the Second Referee
Volleyball referees don’t move a lot during play, compared to referees in other sports. But there are a lot of challenges involved in...
Oklahoma Referee Tackles Bad Behavior Using Social Media
Veteran soccer official Brian Barlow of Broken Arrow, Okla., believes a little public shaming is not necessarily a bad thing.
Especially if it results...
Dismissing a Coach, Assistant or Trainer
The Laws of the Game allow for the dismissal of a team official (e.g., coach, assistant coach or athletic trainer) if that person’s...
Lightning Protocol Advances with Technology
In the not-so-distant past, the protocol for handling lightning was straightforward for officials working outdoor sporting events at the amateur levels. If lightning...
Referee Magazine – July 2019 Preview
Features
Why Are You Talking? Communication without a plan can go awry.
Back From the Blindside. An on-field assault didn’t stop Robert Watts...
Digging Out of a Slump at the Plate
Even the best ballplayers go into slumps. A hard-hitting batter is suddenly “popping them up.” A dominant pitcher “loses the strike zone.” An...
Reducing Apparel Costs Works For Umpire Recruitment
The Fox Valley Blues Umpires Association (FVB) is a baseball umpires association in the Chicago metropolitan area which has been in steady growth...
Can Coaches Openly Criticize?
When a Missouri girls’ high school basketball coach publically said negative things about the officiating after his team’s playoff loss last season, athletic...
How You React to Disappointment Defines You
Officiating is an interesting and challenging line of work, no matter your involvement. Whether you are an active official, assigner or administrator, decisions...
Don’t Take a Knee When Calling Pitches or Plays
Don’t take a knee. No, I’m not referencing protests during the national anthem. I mean don’t take a knee when calling pitches or...
2019 Major League Baseball Umpire Roster
12 Gerry Davis
Appleton, Wis., 1985
53 Greg Gibson
Catlettsburg, Ky., 1999
91 Brian Knight
Roseville, Calif., 2009
31 Pat Hoberg
Des Moines, Iowa, 2017
32 Dana DeMuth
Gilbert, Ariz., 1985
5 Angel...
Special Assault Protection for Officials Is Needed
After several high profile assaults on sports officials, legislation to protect referees is getting higher visibility.
Across the nation and recently in Wisconsin specifically,...
The Changing Role of Volleyball’s Second Referee
To the casual fan, the role of the second referee can appear to be minor: check lineups, call nets and manage timeouts and...
When Your Partner’s Out of It Mentally
You show up at the game site. You’re pumped. You meet your partner. Something’s wrong. He or she is distracted, upset, not engaged. You can see right...
An Inside Job
O
ne of the toughest jobs for a softball umpire is ruling on inside pitches. There is a lot happening at once and there...
National Coordinator Of Women’s Basketball Officiating Program
The NCAA has posted its position for National Coordinator of Women’s Basketball Officiating. The position comes open May 31, upon current coordinator June...
Referee Magazine – June 2019 Preview
Features
Crystal Clear. Crystal Hogan — the lone woman working NCAA D-I men’s basketball — is in her element on the court.
Break...
6 To Do’s Before Play Resumes After a Stoppage
At a time when scrutiny of officials is greater than ever before, the need to get plays right is Job One. Most evaluators...
