Football Ground Rules
Whether it’s dry or wet, artificial or natural, the surface on which the game is played can have a marked influence on how the game is played and...
Tips on Handling Blowouts
Sometimes games are less than games; they are a mish-mash of horrendous play
and lopsided scores. Officials can either contribute to the mayhem or...
Trouble Area
The last half of the distance from home plate to first base is one of the biggest trouble areas in softball. To stay...
Don’t Get An ‘Oh, S—!’ Reputation
By Jeffrey Stern
I’m guessing you can fill in the blanks in the title of this post. If you haven’t used the word even...
Big Game, Big Stage
Most of us lead a simple life. We’ll never have to go through the drudgery of another game at Soldier Field or Madison...
Soldier on After Tragedy
Ten-year-old Chris Stover wanted to be a soccer official, but the rules said he had to be 11. The assigner “felt sorry for...
Location Notation
While watching MLB’s World Series last fall, I heard the plate umpire, who was wearing a microphone, call, “Ball, outside” after a pitch...
Touch and Go
According to the website deepenglish.com, the handshake dates back to knights in Medieval Europe. Mistrustful fellows, they would shake the hand of those...
In the Swing of Things
The topic of follow-through interference came into the spotlight during 2017 MLB postseason play. Before we get into that, it’s important to note...
Referee Magazine – August 2017 Preview
Referee Magazine - August 2017 Highlights
Features
Gold Whistle 2017: Ralph Swearngin. The former Georgia High School executive director made high school officiating matter.
About...
Referee Career Stages
Laws, foul recognition, acceptance, flow of the game, physical fitness, proper terminology, anticipating play and touchline management are all key components in an...
2017 Minor League Baseball Rosters
Triple A
International League
Ryan Additon
Davie, Fla.
John Bacon
Sherrodsville, Ohio
Sean Barber
Lakeland, Fla.
Toby Basner
Snellville, Ga.
Adam Beck
Winter Springs, Fla.
Jeffrey Carnahan
Crystal River, Fla.
Joshuah Clark
McDonough, Ga.
Scott Costello
Barrie, Ontario
Eric Gillam
Roscoe, Ill.
Christopher...
Hip, Hip No Way: Yankees vs. Dodgers 1978 World Series
Reggie Jackson earned the nickname Mr. October because of his bat. But a baserunning play swung the 1978 World Series in favor of...
Outside the Lines
Defining the playing area is an important part of the referees’ prematch duties. Identifying obstacles, any changes in court surface or elevation, and...
The Debate: Hammer or Point?
By Mike Droll
Whether it’s at an umpiring clinic, professional umpiring school or just learning from a buddy who is getting you ready for...
The Heart and Soul of Every Football Crew
While every position on a football officiating crew is important, the wing officials might just be the heart and soul of the group.
Involved...
Eight Is Enough: 1985 NCAA Men’s Soccer Championship
You would think after officiating more than 166 minutes of a soccer game, the sweat-soaked officials had put in a full day and...
Aim High By Working Lower Levels
Once we obtain an officiating certification, it seems that many of us want to jump in and start working the highest levels of...
Dead or Live?
Imagine that you’re working the plate in a two-umpire system. There’s a runner on second with one out. The batter hits a towering...
Get Down on the Basics
There are details contained in some individual Laws that are also found in other Laws. While it is important to understand each Law...
Time to Drop a Sport?
If you are a multi-sport official who favors one sport over another, you may be considering dropping your least-favorite sport. Before taking that...
Referee Magazine – July 2017 Preview
Referee Magazine - July 2017 Highlights
Features
Our Guide for High School Replay. If replay is coming to the lower levels, here's how to do...
Foul Trumps Other Fouls
Several fouls are predicated on the hypothesis that a legal forward pass is or was in progress. As a result, several actions that...
2017 National Pro Fastpitch Roster
Marty Abezetian
Park Ridge, Ill.
Emerus Addison
Greenville, Miss.
Ron Alexander
Madison, Ala.
Peter Blair
Lake in the Hills, Ill.
Mike Brewer
Franklin, Wis.
Donald Brown
Warner Robins, Ga.
Mike Burwell
Westerville, Ohio
John Cambridge
Barnegat, N.J.
Victor Canales
Decatur,...
