Does Your Partner Get the ‘Point’?
We often think we are communicating well with our partners, when we really aren’t. Good communication is the key for a successful umpiring...
Make Amends to Regain Game Control
If you have been an official for any length of time, you have had a game or more “get away from you.” Whether...
The Pine Tar Incident: Brett v. McClelland – July 24, 1983
As Tim McClelland walked toward his gate at New York’s LaGuardia International Airport the evening of July 24, 1983, the first-year AL umpire had...
Please say yes to officiating
Imagine this… it’s the Friday after Labor Day and you want to go to the local high school football game. Guess what? There...
MHSAA: 2022 Officials Awards Again Honors Hundreds Who Make Our Games Possible
The MHSAA annually honors high school game officials with 20, 30, 40, 45 and 50 years of service as part of its Officials’...
FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022: A Groundbreaking Tournament for Referees
The story that has generated most headlines is that after 92 years there will be three women refereeing World Cup matches for the...
FC Cincinnati’s Luciano Acosta suspended for incident with referee
The MLS has suspended Luciano Acosta for two matches for making unwanted physical contact with a match official.
Use Both Scorers to your Advantage
Editor’s note: This article specifically mentions high school examples. NCAA M/W require two scorers, unless one is acceptable to the referee (2-1.1.b).
I have...
How to Write an Officiating Resumé
Nine times out of 10, a bad resumé will land in the “circular file” before the first half is read. Some bad resumés are...
Initiative to bring in more, diverse HS football referees shows early signs of success
Officials are the lifeblood of high school athletics. The New Jersey football community made it their goal to try to increase the number.
Referee shortage in youth sports blamed partly on verbal abuse from parents, coaches
“Instead of beating on the glass and screaming at them, parents maybe gotta take a step back," said Perry Petterle of USA Hockey.
Newly hired referees get their start at NBA Summer League
This year the NBA has assigned 13 newly hired referees. They come from the G League’s referee training process.
Bill Nataro, nearing 80, still making the call
The Connecticut High School Coaches Association honored him as its Umpire of the Year last month at their All-State Banquet.
Which officials are in charge of the Women’s EURO 2022 games
Keep track of who is officiating at every match in England this summer.
Sometimes There Is No Right or Wrong Call
If you put 30 sports officials in a room, regardless of the sport, and watch a tight play on video, what happens during...
5 Time-Tested Tips to Be Great Behind the Plate
There is nothing quite like the feeling of walking off the field after a stellar performance behind the plate. But having a great game calling balls and...
Fixing the officiating shortage in Colorado is no easy task
The scenario has become all too familiar for high school sports: schools are forced to cancel games due to a lack of officials.
New Mexico Officials Association Hall of Fame ‘Class of 2022’
The New Mexico Officials Association announces the Class of 2022 for induction into the NMOA Hall of Fame on July 16th, 2022.
‘Epic proportions’: UHSAA puts high school boys soccer on 3-year probation due to rising...
High school boys soccer in Utah has been put on probation for the next three years, due to a rising number of ejections...
Patrolling the plate: Officer named to San Diego County Sports Officials Hall of Fame
Sal Gambino will be inducted into the San Diego County Sports Officials Hall of Fame after nearly 30 years of service as a...
Jewelry Permitted in 2023 High School Softball Rules Changes
The NFHS Softball Rules Committee has approved the wearing of jewelry in the sport, effective with the 2023 season.
Break Time Doesn’t Mean Time Off for Officials
A college football game encompasses 60 minutes of playing time divided into four 15-minute quarters. But those 60 minutes typically require something approaching...
St. Louis umpire’s five decades of officiating
For 50 years, he has been overseeing the fields of St. Louis.
Prohibition of Jewelry Removed in High School Baseball Rules
High school baseball players will be permitted to wear jewelry in 2023 after the NFHS Rules Committee voted to remove its prohibition.
