MHSAA--Winter 2000 STRIPES

It has been two years since the Michigan Officials Alliance was created to serve officials and approved associations. Like all new entities, the growth of the MOA has been slow, but deliberate; organizing a group of individuals with a single common thread -- officiating -- throughout a large state is challenging.

When the organizing body met they adopted an operating constitution which was replaced by one adopted at the first general meeting of the organization held June 19, 1999. So it was that history was made and a slate of officers was elected.

The first elected president of the MOA is Tom Rau of Burton, a long-time member of the Genesee Coaches and Officials Association, an official with nearly 25 years experience in football, wrestling, basketball and baseball.

Under Rau's leadership the MOA has established short-term and long-term goals for the statewide association. More than half of the MHSAA Approved Associations hold membership in the MOA as do nearly 3,000 registered officials.

The primary commitment of the MOA is to promote officials education and professionalism. The organization has actively worked to recruit officials at several MHSAA final events while individual members have served as leaders in the "Train the Trainers" program as well as the annual meeting of Approved Association members.

Saturday, June 17, 2000, is the date set for the second MOA annual meeting at English Hills Country Club, 1200 Four Mile Road, Grand Rapids, MI 49544. All MOA members and the leadership of the member Approved Associations are invited and encouraged to participate in the Saturday event and meeting.

Registration begins at 7 a.m. with a continental breakfast before the friendly 18-hole golf tournament on the beautiful English Hills course. Lunch will be served on the course and a the banquet buffet will be served after the golf event.

The general meeting is scheduled to follow the dinner and awards presentation. The cost of the event is available in two categories: golf plus banquet $65 or banquet without golf $20.

This is a great opportunity to combine officiating with a day on the course and social time with officials from across Michigan. You can bring a foursome from your association or pair up when you register. To receive registration materials contact Bob Williams, 11387 Marion, Redford, MI 48239 or Tom Rau, 5465 Lapeer, Burton, MI 48509.

With Y2K Fears Largely Overhyped, It's Time To Look To the Future

Well, we made it. Y2K was nothing like some would have had us believe, but there was certainly a great effort to concentrate on the computers in our lives. Never knew there were so many machines with applications to provide convenience in our lives.

At the MHSAA, some commitments have been made that we want to share with you now so you can begin thinking about our future relationship. Five

computer-based activities are scheduled for implementation at various levels in the year 2000 and three of these developments will impact officials directly. Our goals include maintaining an on-line Officials Directory; on-line renewal of officials registration; and developing an on-line method of filing officials report forms. These projects are scheduled for experimentation this year, with full implementation in 2001.

The Officials Directory that is currently printed each fall will be presented on-line by the year's end. It will eventually be an interactive site, with each official able to update personal information as needed. If officials are attentive, we should always have available current addresses and phone numbers. Presently, this is a major frustration because we are often the last to learn of these changes because mail or calls don't reach the intended destination.

On-line renewal will essentially eliminate the time restrictions and mail delays we have grown accustomed to. However, first-time registrations will be handled by mail or in person until we are prepared for "on-line testing." Late fees should be eliminated since on-line registration will be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. On-line renewal registration will require the use of a valid credit card.

Finally, we will provide a process for providing Officials Reports on-line. The hope is that when properly completed, each report will be simultaneously transmitted to the school of the offender and the MHSAA. Delays in notification should be diminished and details will be more legible. Certain checks may be incorporated into the process to lessen incorrect information and speed correct information to its destination.

As we begin to see progress in our efforts, the MHSAA will share details and protocols with Approved Associations, in the MHSAA Bulletin and perhaps through special mailings.

There are some things Approved Associations can do to prepare. First, share the news. Next, consider how your association may serve the members. Can arrangements be made to help learn the new system? Can the association assist those without computers by identifying within the association fellow officials who will offer the use of a personal computer to aid in on-line registration? Can the association make available to those without computers, access on a routine basis so a fellow member can communicate on-line to file an officials report?

Undoubtedly, there will be other services for an association to provide its numbers which we will discover together. Approved Associations can develop a service arm in addition to the training and education responsibility. Associations will clarify their purpose by enhancing the services provided. For those who have asked, "Why join," associations can respond even more confidently, "For the local services."

On Oct. 6, 1999, a review of the current registration records found the following:

Registrations -- 9, 622

New Registrants -- 280

Legacy Officials -- 13

Late Registrations -- 3,071 (32%)

Letters to the Editor

I write in response to the segment entitled "Those Were the Days...Maybe!," which was published in the last issue of Stripes (XIV-1). It was interesting to see a copy of the officiating pay stub from the 1950 state basketball championship. The segment noted how nice it was that state championship officials now receive $50 instead of only $15 as they did in 1950. However, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Consumer Price Index was 23.6 in March 1950 and 165.0 in March 1999. Adjusted for inflation, then, the $15 of 1950 has real value of $104.87 in 1999 - more than double what officials currently get paid. Although misinterpreted in the original article, I am glad that Stripes has pointed out how far behind officiating fees have fallen relative to inflation. Perhaps the MHSAA can use this information to make much needed wage corrections for postseason contests. Local associations could also use this information to work with conferences and athletic directors to increase official's compensation during the regular season.

Scott VanderStoep, Ph.D

Basketball Official

Editor's Note: The total amount the MHSAA pays for all sports officials greatly exceeds the cost adjusted total of 1950. In 1950, the number of MHSAA championship sports (boys) which required officials was five: basketball, track, cross country, wrestling, and swimming. Today, there are 22 such sports for boys and girls, which account for 97 class or division championships. Nearly 200 individuals will officiate finals in 2000 compared to the 30 needed in 1950. In both eras, golf and tennis required no officials.

This past fall was my first year as soccer coach here at Whittemore-Prescott. I have, however, been a registered MHSAA official for the past 25 years. In order to aid coaches in rating me at the end of each season. I have carried and used stickers to identify me and give the coaches all the information necessary to complete the rating form. This fall I was appalled at the number of officials who made no attempt to relay this information to me. Only two of the officials even bothered to enter their name in my scorebook. Regardless, I have taken the time to look up many of the others by going to our Athletic Director, getting their names, and then took the time to look up their home town and ID numbers from the Officials Directory.

I'm writing this letter to let you know that I don't believe it is my "job" to work this hard to give them a rating and will not do so in the future.

Whittemore-Prescott Soccer Coach

You asked for some response to the Athletic Rules Study (ARS) CDs study program sent to the Approved Associations. We can tell you without a doubt that these CDs are one great training tool. We have used them for both football and basketball rules meetings. The exams on them are great, they make it easy for you to look up rules and case studies. We're sure that the volleyball, baseball and softball officials in our association will get great use out of them also. Thanks for such a great educational tool.

Fruitbelt Officials Association

I am pleased to inform you that following the 1999 "Train the Trainer" program I was contacted by three MHSAA football trainers to participate in additional training for them and their associations.

Bill Cynecki asked me to speak at the Midland Officials Association training meeting held August 30, 2999 at Midland Dow High School.

Timothy Palmer, Heart of Michigan Officials Association, asked me to speak at their association training meeting held Sept. 13, 1999 at Ithaca High School.

Dave Schmeiser, Genesee County Coaches and Officials Association faxed to me football training material he had prepared for his presentation at Phil Long's Mid-Michigan High School Officials Camp. Dave asked me if I would review his material and make suggestions. I was able to make some suggestions, which Dave incorporated.

I believe these additional activities following our 1999 "Train the Trainer" program is indicative of the interest in and success to date of our MHSAA initiative in the Train the Trainer area. The efforts by these trainers towards further training for themselves and their local associations demonstrates enthusiasm for continuous development

The West Michigan Officials Association worked eight varsity, eight JV and eight freshmen games in the Grand Rapids Press Girls Basketball Tournament played at Kenowa Hills High School on Aug. 30 through Sept. 2. The officials worked the games for free and the Grand Rapids Press paid the WMOA $2000, which will be used to increase the association scholarship fund.

Each year the WMOA gives to an outstanding girls basketball, boys basketball and boys football player a $1000 scholarship.

The eight varsity games were worked by 24 officials using three-person mechanics in an effort to promote the OK Conference supervisors and athletic directors to adopt the three-official system in varsity contests for boys and girls.

West Michigan Officials Association

I would like to commend Steve Tucker, No. 382803, of Jackson. Recently, preceding a varsity wrestling match between Parma Western and Marshall, the Star Spangled Banner was qeued to play, but the tape machine was uncooperative and refused to play the tape. Steve took the matter to heart and proceeded to belt out the song on his talents alone, without backup music. The crowd applauded his efforts and found it hard to heckle his calls during the matches that followed.

Parma Western Wrestling Parent

The reason I copied you on this letter was to keep you informed as to how the Bay Metro and Midland associations are working together to put a better product on the field. To this end, Jim Clement has been a tremendous help. He has lectured at our meetings the past three years. Last year we did our rookie camp together and he did nearly all of the instructing and planning. He attends our annual meetings and I even worked two varsity games with him last year.

Jim is an excellent official and a tremendous resource. I believe he is capable of nearly any challenge the MHSAA could present to him.

ASA Approved Softball Bats

The ASA has received numerous inquiries regarding whether the ASA will "grandfather certain existing bats which do not bear the ASA certification mark so that these bats may be used in ASA Championship Play for some period of time after the mandatory phase-in date of Jan. 1, 2000. In short, the answer is "Yes." The ASA intends to allow bats which do not bear the ASA certification mark to be used in ASA Championship Play for a period of time, the length of which has not yet been determined, following Jan. 1, 2000, provided that prior to Jan. 1, 2000, an identical model of such bat is certified by a laboratory of ASA's choosing as complying with the ASA Bat Performance standards.

Following is a list of ASA approved bats.

Bombat Sports

TD2

DeMarini

B-52

DeeMo

Destroyer

Double Wall Distance

Double Wall Fat Boy

Double Wall Distance Light

Single Wall Ultimate Weapon

Single Wall Julie Smith Fast Pitch

Easton

Easton SZ5-ZB Redline Z-Core

Easton SK11 Black Max

Easton SZ6-T Ti-Core

Easton SK10

Easton ST1-Z Connexion Z-Core

Easton SZ5-Z Redline Z-Core

Easton SZ8-CB Redline C-Core

Easton SZ1-C Redline C-Core

Easton SZ11 Redline 11

Easton SZ1-CB Redline C-Core

Easton SRX2SC Reflex Ultra-Sheila Douty

Easton SZ7 Redline Sunbelt

Easton SK19 X-Treme

Easton SZ8-C Redline C-Core

Easton SRX2DS Reflex Ultra Dan

Easton SX51 Black Magic

Easton SX56 Black Magic

Easton SK6 Hammer

Easton SK12 X-Treme

Easton SRX1-C Reflex Ultra C-Core Schuck

Easton ST1-ZB Connexion Z-Core

Easton SZ9-B Rebel

Louisville Slugger

FP1 Lisa Fernandez Model

FP2 Dot Richardson

FP5 Burgandy Bottle

FP7 Air Attack

FP9 Springsteel

FP12 Air Attack 2

FP13 TPS Bottle Bat

Collegiate Series

FP14 Dot Richardson Model

FP15 TPS Bottle Bat

FP16 Inertia

FP17 TPS C555

FP18 TPS Bottle Bat Lisa Fernandez Model

FP19 TPS Bottle Bat Dot Richardson Model

FP20 Lisa Fernandez Model

FP21 Dot Richardson Model

FP22 Louisville Slugger Youth Softball FP23

Miken

Infinity

One Cryo

Equalizer Fast Pitch

Worth

SSEST

ESTL

ESTLE

ESTCW

ESTK

EST85

EST5

EST5K

EST5C

EST9

VTCR

VTRH

VTWRK

VTLL

VTCR5

SSLLC

SSCRC

SBP

SBWR

SBT

SW4

VTMS

VT5MS

VTMB

VTMBS

FP11

SSBTC

SBAB

SBAB11

PST

Local Association Honors Brown

Michigan Officials Association honored Jim "Ike" Brown on Oct. 10, 1999 at a special meeting to show their appreciation and thanks for 33 years of outstanding service to the association. Jim was best known for his baseball umpiring and football officiating. "Jim was a dedicated trainer and friend to the young officials in our organization," commented Dick Weiss, MOA president.

Weiss presented Jim with a plaque from Michigan Officials Association and a certificate from the Michigan High School Athletic Association. Taylor Little League, represented by Lanny Hall, also presented Jim with a plaque to express their appreciation. Councilwoman Jackie Molner of Taylor presented Jim with a Proclamation from the City of Taylor in recognition of his work for the kids of Taylor.

Jim's family and friends were present to share this special day with him and athletic directors and coaches were present to say a special thanks to Jim.

Local Association Volunteers

The Bay Metro Officials Association (BMOA) is involved to support the MHSAA effort and initiatives in the area of recruiting new officials. Karl Newingham and Jim Clement were invited to Saginaw Valley State University (SVSU) on Sept. 20, 1999 to address an officiating class to discuss football officiating from the official's perspective. Our discussion included the need and desire to recruit new officials into MHSAA officiating, including both men and women. Other topics discussed were safety, sportsmanship, communications, and officiating mechanics. We have been invited to return this fall to discuss similar topics for basketball officiating. Bay Metro first participated in this program in the fall of 1998. The student interest in the official's perspective of officiating is apparent and resulted in this ongoing activity.

A View From Both Sides

Whitehall's Hulce has Seen the Game as a Coach and as an Official

There are times Chuck Hulce and his officiating peers want to say what's really on their minds.

"Some coaches think it's OK to question us and say that was a bad call," said Whitehall's Hulce, who's an umpire on his crew. "I wonder what a coach would say if an official turned around and said, "That was poor play selection." Of course, we'd be accused of being unprofessional.

"Officials have to learn to let it roll off their backs. It's easier for me because I've been on the other side."

Unlike most officials, Hulce has been a head football coach and understands the emotions that can be triggered on the sidelines by some calls.

"It always looked easy to be out there," Hulce said about officiating. "My first game as an official was Mt. Pleasant-Sacred Heart and Baldwin back when only four officials were out there. I found out in a hurry that it wasn't so easy."

Hulce the Coach

Hulce was head football coach a Montague from 1971-76 and 1984-85. He also coached at Jackson Northwest for two years and Whitehall for three seasons.

Hulce's best seasons came at Montague with undefeated squads in 1972 and 1984.

"I admire anybody who wants to be a head football coach now," Hulce said. "They give up their summers. It's a lot of time and not a lot of monetary things for that."

Teaching kids about giving their best effort and having fun are Hulce's main points in coaching these days.

A banner in his office puts it all in perspective: "You are not finished when you lose. You are finished when you quit."

Hulce the Official

Hulce has been a registered official for 26 years. He started as a wrestling official and now works only football games.

Hulce graduated in 1964 from Ann Arbor High School (now called Pioneer) where he was a two-way tackle on the football team.

Hulce said officiating seemed like a good way to give something back to the sport of football he's always loved.

Today, Hulce works on a crew with Ron Hansen, Doug Hanna, Dave Cotter, Frank Lehman and substitute Dale Schreuder. They often travel to games in a motor home.

"I really enjoy the guys I'm working with." Hulce said. "We're from different walks of life. Frank Lehman knows the rules inside and out. He brings up odd situations and we try to figure them out."

Hulce has key responsibilities as an umpire - watching for holding, linemen down field on pass plays, indicating whether a ball is tipped on a pass, spotting the ball on every play and walking off penalties.

The umpire also is right near the line of scrimmage in the thick of the action.

"I like that," Hulce said. "You are close to the game. You can't daydream or relax or you will be picking yourself up off the ground. Most kids who run into you will say, "I'm sorry." You don't expect to hear that on a football field.

Hulce said he's flagged only one coach for getting out of line in a game. The hardest part of officiating, according to Hulce is not taking things too personally on the field.

"Once a coach steps over the line there are consequences to pay," Hulce said. "Having been on the other side, I know coaches get caught up in the game and action. You have to be understanding when they start to question things."

Hulce said holding is still the toughest call to make in football when players are battling in the trenches. He remembers calling holding in a big game one night four or five times -- one call was confirmed in a newspaper photo that ran on Saturday morning.

"The coach said, 'My kids don't hold,'" Hulce said. "I'm not imagining it. I don't call holding until I see the jersey come out. The coach later asked the kid about it and he said he was holding. The coach called me back and apologized. I thought that was pretty nice of him."

Hulce is concerned about the officiating shortage and would like to see more young people enter the ranks. He also thinks officials are better qualified today, thanks to training sessions that take place.

-- Mike Mattson

Muskegon Chronicle Staff Writer

State Boasts Umpiring Excellence During Summer of 1999

Wild in Williamsport

Bryan Wild (Dowagiac) a member of the Southwest Michigan Officials Association served as one of eight umpires who worked the 1999 Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pa. In the championship final Wild was the first base umpire in which Hirackata (Japan) defeated Phoenix City, Al., 5-0.

Bay Metro Association Shines

Five officials from this approved association worked in Youth World Series games during the summer of 1999.

Dale Clyde umpired in the American Legion World Series in Hartford, Conn., in August.

Steve Linton, Mike Allen, Mike Luptowski and Tom Baird officiated the COLT Wold Series in Lafayette, Ind., in mid-August.

Quick Whistles

Suggested Reading

MHSAA Bulletin, December 1999/January 2000, pages 335-337. If you have comments about the information contained in the minutes of this committee, it would be appropriate to provide them in writing either personally or as an Approved Association.

Smile . . .Directory

Something new has been developed by the Fruitbelt Officials Association, which assist athletic directors in getting to know the association members. The FOA published a 50-page directory that includes a photo of the official, plus address, ID number, phone and other details.

The directory is printed locally, bound and provided to athletic directors and association members. With the computer and scanner capability available such directories may become more common and provide a great assist to assignors and athletic directors.

Obituary

On Tuesday, Aug. 28, Richard Rohrer, formerly of Fraser and long time MHSAA wrestling, football and track official, passed away in Roscommon. Richard officiated wrestling, football and track in Michigan for 27 plus 14 years in Iowa. During his career, the eastside metro Detroit official officiated several wrestling finals and served as a Pan-Am games official and Olympic wrestling team alternate. Rohrer retired from officiating in 1991 and is survived by his wife Shirley and family.

NFHS Board of Directors Approves New Bat Rule

The National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) will have a new bat rule for the 2001 high school baseball season.

At a January meeting in San Francisco, the NFHS Board of Directors approved a rule calling for narrower, heavier and more wood-like bats. The maximum diameter of bats will be reduced from 2þ inches to 2 5/8 inches, and the unit differential, namely the difference between bat length measured in inches and bat weight measured in ounces, will be reduced from five units to three units.

The Board commended the work of the NFHS Baseball Rules Committee, but chose to defer action on two other bat-related committee proposals. One deferred proposal would have imposed a more restrictive maximum exit ball speed than the one recently adopted by the NCAA. The other would have imposed a wood-like moment-of-inertia requirement. The Board expressed interest in both proposals, but decided to return them to the rules committee for further assessment.

In addition to the new size and weight limitations, the NFHS Board of Directors anticipates that bats used in play after January 1, 2001, will comply with the new NCAA exit ball speed rule. In fact, the presence of a mark denoting compliance with the NCAA bat rule will be one assurance that a bat is compliant with the size and weight components of the new NFHS rule. Although bats meeting the new NFHS rule will not be required for another year, they are legal immediately. Student-athletes, parents and coaches wishing to utilize such bats this year are free to do so.

"The game of high school baseball is in good shape," said NFHS President Dick Durost. "Even so, we need to stay vigilant to ways in which technology is having an impact. The new rule will make the physical dimensions of non-wood bats more closely mirror those of wood bats. Further changes relating to bat weight distribution and exit ball speed may soon be in the offing."

The NFHS is the national service and administrative organization for high school athletics and fine arts programs in speech, music, drama and debate. Its membership consists of the state high school athletic and activity associations in all 50 states plus the District of Columbia.

The NFHS promulgates voluntary playing rules in 17 sports for girls and boys competition. When considering a rules change, the NFHS looks at risk minimization, the balance between offense and defense, and the sound tradition of the sport in question.