Winter 2001
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STRIPES welcomes contributions of articles, information or photos which focus on officiating in Michigan. |
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STRIPES welcomes contributions of articles, information or photos which focus on officiating in Michigan. |
When a member of the Officials Review Committee
asked for clarification of the Approved Associations program,
we replied with the following:
The duties of the Approved Association are to provide training
and continuing education for the members of the association in
each of the sports which is serviced. We expect this to be done
by involving a trainer plus an educational officer in each unit
responsible for designing training that goes on throughout the
year. In a few of our associations we have been blessed with individuals
who are intuitive and based in education. These folks have been
able to analyze the strengths and weaknesses of their groups and
design training that is appropriate to the deficiencies members
may have. In addition, the Approved Association is the barometer
to discuss ethics and behavior, standards, mechanics and some
of the less glamorous parts of officiating. 
It may be like a family, where behind closed doors officials can
talk about the issues, the failures and the excitements that they
have enjoyed officiating contests. Finally, associations are support
systems for officials who are having difficulty, who make a bad
call or who are looking for some guidance and instruction. The
Approved Association can be many things and in our active associations
they succeed in just being strong institutions which promote the
avocation of officiating.
The trainers that each Approved Association is required to nominate
are the educational officers that are responsible for organizing,
developing and implementing the training that goes on for each
of the Approved Association sports. It is not required that trainers
do the actual training; in fact it is better if they happen to
share the load with some of the experienced folk in their organization.
It is the trainer that we look to to guide the young official,
to counsel the experienced official and to encourage the officials
with difficulties or shortcomings. We hope that when the season
is upon us these are the people who are not only capable officials
but able to communicate with their members and share the insight
that can only be gained through participating as an official.
Certified Assignors are a special group of individuals who serve
athletic directors, leagues and conferences by providing and assigning
officials to particular games. In some cases, Assignors have taken
over the assigning role that athletic directors used to do exclusively.
In many leagues, athletic directors assign little more than non-league
and lower level contests. The assignor is the gatekeeper who assigns
games to those deserving based on their abilities and qualifications.
It is the assignor who is able to include the new and developing
official. It is the assignor who can be the liaison between the
league and conference and the working official. More than likely,
the assignor is the single individual within an area who may know
the officials better than any other individual or group. The assignors
know the frailties, the shortcomings as well as the strengths
of their people and are generally able to assign them to a contest
that will allow everyone to be successful.
How an association becomes approved is detailed. It is intended
to require associations to plan ahead and not leave their upcoming
year to chance. Meeting locations are determined. Dates and times
are set and officials are apprised of the schedule as early as
May in the year previous to the school season.
When an Approved Association doesn't exist in a particular sport
in a particular part of the state, it simply means that there
are no requirements of those officials to participate in education
and training. We think that continuing education and training
will be the key to developing successful officials for many years
to come. These associations will be the mentors to recruit, encourage
and support the officials who are in the field. When an area does
not have an association or training we may have a variety of points
of view about the same issue. We may lack continuity in our mechanics
and procedure. We may not agree on the newest approaches to rule
enforcement.
The Approved Association program might be compared to North Central
Accreditation to which many schools subscribe. It is not required
to be successful. It doesn't indicate that those not involved
can't be or aren't successful, but it does provide for all of
us a measure of competence and accommodation. Those that participate
are able to set forth the information that they have attempted
to learn a practice that they have committed to keep as a testimony
to their interest, commitment and ability as an official. Even
though becoming an Approved Association is not necessary, when
an association can announce that it is an Approved Association,
there is a standard that is demonstrated to all who look upon
it that this group at least maintains a minimum regard for established
standards which govern education, training and organization.
The rookie component of the officials training is a six hour program
that is intended to put the rookie on the floor, field, court
or deck, prepared to handle the most basic officiating tasks.
We are convinced that one of the reasons some of our rookies leave
officiating after a short time is that they were never prepared
to begin. They may fail to understand some of the most elementary
issues that are commonly understood by experienced officials.
They may simply be embarrassed or uncomfortable. Rookie training
is intended to remove obstacles that might cause a young or a
new official to walk away unfulfilled.
Finally, the Michigan Officials Alliance is an attempt that the
Michigan High School Athletic Association has supported to organize
officials in all sports throughout the State of Michigan into
one group so that officials may have a voice and standing within
our state. The Michigan Officials Alliance is much like each of
the coaching associations we recognize or the Michigan Coaches
Association that some groups belong to. It could be compared with
the Michigan Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association.
There is no doubt that today, in its present condition, it is
not easily compared to any of those. It does have the dream that
perhaps someday it will offer, to officials, a professional relationship
and understanding so officials in any sport within our state may
have a common bond and their common needs may be served. It is
even possible that the Michigan Officials Alliance could begin
to recognize officials and honor them in ways that the Michigan
High School Athletic Association doesn't.
We believe that one of the keys to total success is an appreciation
by all involved that we together are each part of the solution.
Recruiting new officials, training officials and respecting officials
is not something that one element of our Michigan athletic society
can do for us. It is something we all must participate in.
On The Line-A
STRIPES Editorial
Tournament Assignments:
A Simple Checklist Can Help Your Selection
Something every official looks forward to is
the tournament season, anticipating being included in the tournament.
Many officials approach this three or four week period as an important
plateau to reach; the reinforcement that they have performed well
and are considered capable and deserving. Those who think in these
terms are accurate.
Others consider the tournament period a gem, the payoff, a testimony
that they are superior as an official and deserve the assignment...more
than anyone else. Some of these folk are also correct in their
view.
Still, there
are those who wait patiently for the mail, or upon recognition
that a tournament invitation is not going to arrive for them they
wait for a Sunday phone call. These people are often journeymen
officials. Solid and dedicated. Available and capable but also
willing. Willing to travel anywhere, anytime to officiate a game;
any game, regardless of class, division, distance. Regardless
of the record of the competing teams, they will be there. Their
biggest games are not the ones touted in the media or discussed
in the lunchroom. Their biggest game is the one they are working
any given night.
In this business there has been opportunity to discover many kinds
people with varying styles and attitudes. It is remarkable what
people are willing to do to be assured their interests are served.
Officials have denied games because they boast, "I only work
Class A or BIG Class B games.”
Some have refused to exchange contests when it is clear that they
have a “Conflict of Interest” but would rather ignore
the needs elsewhere and sulk about the unreasonableness of the
assignor who wishes to protect the integrity of the process.
When an ego clouds judgement and an official lusts after a specific
event and is unwilling to forego potential disruption, a problem
is created for many.
A few officials “turn back” games after they learn their
College schedule. In this situation there are mixed emotions because
we always hope that MHSAA officials will advance in their officiating.
We are happy for that. Secondly, we are given the opportunity
to advance some who were not selected in the original procedure.
The most disturbing element of this scenario is that the “turn-down”
often comes late in the process. It is especially problematic
during the first level of any tournament event.
What can officials do to assist in the selection process? There
are three basic items which when properly considered, help tremendously.
First, contact the MHSAA with address, name and phone changes
that occur soon after they happen. Often, during the Sunday call
period we find inaccurate phone numbers which complicates our
attempts to reach an official. The same problem exists when officials
change jobs and fail to change work phone numbers. The postal
service usually doesn't forward mail to a new address when the
notice period expires.
Secondly, analyze the relationships you have and declare “Conflict
of Interest” for every deserving situation. The grief after
a contest which has a conflict situation can be never-ending for
both the official and the MHSAA.
Finally, review your schedule. If you make yourself available
for tournament events, leave the date vacant or at least sign
conditional contracts.
Often we find that Middle School and Junior High programs continue
to play during tournaments and needed officials become obligated
to these regular-season, sub-varsity contests.
Assigning officials has many considerations. We've attempted to
share a perspective you may not recognize. In the final analysis
it requires all parties to work together to make the process successful.
Remember, declare your conflict of interest, review your schedule
and keep your address and phone numbers current in the MHSAA file.
Letters to the Editor
STRIPES,
I have been looking at your web pages on the Internet and am very
impressed with what your organization stands for. The things that
you are trying to accomplish and maintain are admirable. More
people within the sports community should adopt the principals
and ideas to make all sports better. I particularly appreciate
the effort to promote sportsmanship and competitive equity for
all that participate.
All a student-athlete can hope for is as you stated:
“competitive equity – giving every school and student-athlete
the opportunity to participate on a level playing field”
With that in mind I would like to address something that has come
up this year in Western Michigan. This year there have been a
few occasions where I feel the intent of “competitive equity”
has not been adhered to.
First, on three occasions that I know about a situation has occurred
where an MHSAA referee has officiated a high school varsity soccer
game in which his son was participating and on one of those occasions
the players on the opposing team knew of the situation.
Second, referees are calling the players on one team by their
first names because they know them all very well.
A referee is supposed to be an impartial individual who is to
enforce the rules in a ethical and fair manner. Each situation
described indicates a very strong personal association with the
players. When a person has a personal association with a game,
it is very difficult, if not impossible, for that individual to
be impartial.
A person can make a split second decision that can be influenced
by the fact that he is a parent trying to protect his child's
well being without even realizing it. That is especially true
in a game at the competitive level of high school sports.
It takes away the “competitive equity” when the athletes
are subject to situations like this. The team with the referee's
relative or friends may expect favorable calls while on the other
hand the opposing team will be expecting calls to go against them.
In either case, the players should not have to worry about these
things. There should be “competitive equity” so that
the game can be applied fairly. Players need to adjust how they
play the game. A pitcher adjusts his strike zone to meet the perception
of an individual umpire. That is fine as long as that strike zone
is the same for both teams. The point is that the limits within
the spirit of the rules have to be the same for both sides that
can be a problem with a referee who has personal interest in the
game. If the individual favors either team, it is unfair to both
teams. High school sports are very competitive, physical events
and an impartial referees are needed to control the game to keep
it fair and safe for both teams throughout.
Beyond the game itself is the image the MHSAA wishes to portray
to athletes and parents. We all hear the announcement about sportsmanship
and fair play at the beginning of the games and then see a referee
who is related to or is a close friend with an opposing player
or players. People lose respect. It does not matter if the referee
show bias; it is perceived minds of the players and fans because
the potential is there.
To address the issue of conflict of interest is not difficult.
The people who schedule referees can make sure they do not schedule
that referee on the games his family member is playing on.
Referees should refer to the players by numbers only.
I believe that by treating both teams the same shows professional
courtesy toward all athletes.
All an athlete or individual can ask for in sports or life is
to be given a fair chance - be treated equally. MHSAA and registered
officials should be commended.
—Greg Hutchinson
Nunica, MI
STRIPES,
It is increasingly frustrating to coaches to try to read signatures
of officials in scorebooks which are poorly written or use nicknames
or having to look up officials ID numbers or hometowns.
As an official, I use a sticker which includes all of this information.
I don't feel the burden of finding all this information should
be put on the coach.
Maybe a "Point of Emphasis" for next year could be professionalism
by officials when signing the book. Just a suggestion.
— Sandy Rutledge
Girls Basketball Coach
St. Clair Shores High School
Quick Whistles
Obituaries
Dennis L. Oberlin,
54, of Athens, an Athens teacher, coach and basketball referee,
died August 21, 2000. He taught at Athens Middle School since
1968, and spent more than 30 years officiating high school and
college basketball. During his career he officiated two high school
state championships for men and women. Survivors include his wife,
Rosemary and sons Kevin Oberlin, Brent Oberlin and a daughter,
Elaine Oberlin.
James D. Glover, 57, died October 7, 2000 as a result of an accident. He was a Viet Nam veteran. Married, he enjoyed hunting and fishing, served as a MHSAA official for Football, Cross Country and Track and Field. Survivors include his wife, Martha, sons James Richard (Velvet) Glover, Brian D. (Mary) Glover and daughter Kimberly (Jim) Batch.
Kangaroo Court Rules
We want to let you know about a program that the football officials
of the Midland Athletic Officials Association instituted two seasons
ago to motivate its fellow officials to do better. The MAOA has
a Kangaroo Court. Judge Jeff Servinski fines fellow officials
for various misdeeds. It all started a few years ago when Jeff
noticed a fellow official on TV5's 11 p.m. sports highlights with
his shirttail untucked. That officials was fined $5.
The program has grown so that if an association member is included
on a highlight reel, he is fined $5 for looking unkempt or $1
for just being on the highlight reel. Other offenses like forgetting
equipment and having to borrow from your partner, forgetting signals,
"chocolate whistles" are brought up in front of our
rather unsympathetic judge. Court is held at D'alessandro's Restaurant
every Friday night during the football season.
Last year our small association was able to donate $90 to the
Voluntary Action Center of Midland County for their Sharing Tree
Program. They buy presents for needy families in our community.
This year's total increased to $133. I don't think we are getting
worse at officiating. I think the “hangin’ judge”
is looking for more excuses to raise revenue for his pet charities.
Please understand that in our crazy system we also get fined for
doing good things. For example, Brian Taglauer was fined $20 for
working the Division 3 Football Finals.
Thanks to all officials who make a difference.
Association Pride
In total there are 77 baseball umpires on the Bay Metro Association
or Saginaw Township Recreation Association roster for the 2000
season. They come from 29 different cities in the Mid-Michigan
area, which gives us quite a bit of diversity.
I have worked with 57 of these umpires at one time or another.
Some just once or twice and others several times. There are many
with whom I enjoy working and respect their abilities and judgment.
They range in age from 21 to 55 years old. Some are tall and some
are short; some are in great shape and others need to improve
for health's sake.
We have had eight different officials work the MHSAA Baseball
Finals over the last 10 years. Four officials have gone to a Professional
Umpire's School in Florida and have taught at the local association
level. At least 17 different umpires have attended one of several
umpire camps or clinics offered by the best professional and amateur
umpires in the business.
Our umpires have been very active in the summer amateur programs
for several different national organizations. In fact, a few members
have umpired in amateur World Series all over the United States
over the last five years. We are proud of our local associations,
but we will always look toward improvement.
—Thomas Baird
Northern Michigan HS Football Officials Camp
Gaylord High School will be the host site of the 2001 Northern
Michigan Football Officials Camp. Tom Rau, Sr. and Cal TerHaar
co-directors are already meeting with the founder of the Mid-Michigan
Football Camp, Phil Long, to develop this year's program which
will emphasize philosophy and mechanics, as well as cover some
often misunderstood rules.
The camp dates are Saturday, July 28, 2001 (9 a.m. - 4 p.m.) and
Sunday, July 29, 2001 (9 a.m. - Noon). The cost of the camp is
$35 and includes materials and buffet lunch on Saturday. Those
wishing to purchase a camp shirt should include an additional
$7 and shirt size. Make checks payable to Cal TerHaar and mail
before July 1, 2001 to Cal TerHaar, 2069 Crestline Drive, Burton,
MI 48509.
Any questions contact Tom Rau at 810-603-1021 or Cal TerHaar at
810-742-8643 or cell 810-923-0068.
BASEBALL & SOFTBALL BAT STANDARDS
Reminder: The National Federation rule book requirements for bats used in baseball and softball have undergone changes. The softball change occurred Jan. 1, 2000. The baseball change becomes effective Jan. 1, 2001.
BASEBALL - NEW REQUIREMENTS (Rule 1-3-5)
— EFFECTIVE JAN. 1, 2001
Maximum diameter: 2 5/8 inches
Length: 36 inches or less
Weight: A bat shall not weigh, numerically, more than three ounces
less than the length of the bat (e.g. a 35-inch long bat cannot
be less than 32 ounces.
SOFTBALL - CONTINUED REQUIREMENTS (Rule
1-3-5) — EFFECTIVE JAN. 1, 2000
Maximum diameter: 2 1/4 inches
Length: 34 inches or less
Meet ASA bat performance standard:
• labeled with ASA approved certification mark
• be listed on ASA web site (www.softball.org)
NOTE: While the
rules only govern competition, it may be advisable to remove from
your 7-12 grade inventory all bats that do not meet the standards
so they are not used in any practices, scrimmages or games.
PREVENTION GUIDED BY REVIEW
What can be garnered from reviewing soccer
ejections? There are some things we can learn from the ejections
with the hope they can be prevented in the future.
1. Almost every time a coach is ejected in boys and girls high
school soccer, it is in the second half of the game. Tensions
are higher as time is running out, so emotion is building. Usually,
the emotion is one of frustration.
2. All coaching ejections occur because of referees' calls. A
solution: Don't make any calls. But, guess what? That's why you
are being paid the "big bucks". Making decisions has
their price, and, as such, those decisions must be right.
3. Every time telling a coach to "be quiet" only makes
the situation worse. If a coach is vocal, understand he or she
is communicating. You may not like the manner of communicating,
so you need to find other ways to diffuse the situation.
One way is suggested by Don Ring, who ejected a coach. Ring, a
police sergeant with the United States Department of Veterans
Administration Security, suggests talking in a lower voice than
the coach. Using a lower voice tends to make the other person
talk lower. Another approach is to move a coach away from the
team and indicate to him or her you will discuss the situation
if it be done calmly. Coaches want to be heard. As high school
sports is a learning experience, then it also is a knowledge event
for coaches too.
One referee who wants to calm coaches down says he goes up to
a coach and asks, “Do you have anyone here who can take over
the game if I ask you to leave?” He then tells the coach
calmly his behavior is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.
The referee then leaves the coach to cogitate what just happened.
4. Stop coach dissent early in a game. Don't let it build up.
College soccer this year demands of its officials zero tolerance
from the moment officials have jurisdiction. While each of us
has been taught to have a thick skin, it doesn't mean we should
accept dissent from coaches or players. The longer you permit
dissent, the worse it will become. So, nip negative comments by
coaches early in the game. For center officials, it means telling
the person assigned to the team side of a field to be vigilant
as to negative comments. An effective means is telling a coach
to stop making calls once he or she does it, and then take action
if it persists.
5. When someone is hostile, you have a choice: Stay positive or
get upset and turn hostile yourself. It is always best to keep
you cool and handle the situation as calmly as possible. Don't
respond in kind. Be courteous. Don't take it personally. A calm
demeanor tends to diffuse. Approach the situation logically. Take
a deep breath. Think positive.
6. In two situations, officials did not know the coach's full
names. That means the referees did not have rosters before the
game or else the rosters did not have complete information. Don't
start any MHSAA approved match without a roster. It doesn't matter
it it's a middle school game or the state Final. National Federation
Rule 3-1-3 is unyielding in this regard. It says, “Each coach
shall submit a team roster, bench personnel and coaches names
to the officials at least five minutes prior to the start of the
contest. The game shall not begin until this is complete.”
— Sheldon Larky
TURNING A SOCCER PROGRAM AROUND
Those of us who have been involved with high
school soccer know there was a time when it was an embarrassment
because of all the difficulties on the field. At one point, as
many remember, there was a threat high school soccer was going
to be banned because of the problems. In the early 1990's, the
Oakland Activities Association (OAA) took the lead by giving officials
more authority through use of the three-whistle system of officiating.
With the approval of the Michigan High School Athletic Association
(MHSAA), the OAA drastically cut down on the number of ejections
and debilitating injuries putting three officials on the pitch.
Elsewhere, other Michigan schools and leagues have cleaned up
the high school game. One such positive approach has been in Sterling
Heights. In 1998, following a disgusting act performed by several
of the boys varsity student-athletes, principal Barry Chute took
drastic action. He immediately canceled the remainder of the boys
season and prohibited the team from entering the state tournament
games. The word went out the Sterling Heights High School administration
would not tolerate bad behavior and poor sportsmanship. It worked.
This year, the boys team finished its season with a 1-0 loss to
Troy Athens in a Division 1 District opener. But, according to
the principal, the Stallions were winners for the way they conducted
themselves during the season. As quoted in the Nov. 2 edition
of the Detroit Free Press, Chute comments, “I'm very
proud of the boys and girls who play soccer here. They believe
in it and our soccer players talk with the feet.” The boys
team had an 8-7-3 varsity season and the number of yellow cards
was down significantly. The Stallions had one ejection and it
involved a junior varsity player, who was dismissed from the team
because of the red card. Chute says, “I know that you can
get a yellow card for aggressive play, so if a player receives
a yellow, they must talk it over with the coaches. But if someone
pulls a red card, then they're talking to me.”
Free Press columnists Mick McCabe and Bill L. Roose wrote,
“We applaud Sterling Heights for solving its problems and
implementing rules that guard against recurrences…it's good
to see that Sterling Heights players have cleaned up their act.”
Or as Chute likes to say, “You don't have to be on the winning
end of the score to be a winner.”
—Sheldon Larky
What Are the
Chances?
Probability of competing
in athletics beyond the high school interscholastic level
Men's Basketball
Less than one in 35, or approximately 2.9 percent, of high school
senior boys playing interscholastic basketball will go on to play
men's basketball at a NCAA member institution.
Less than one in 75, or approximately 1.3 percent, of NCAA male
senior basketball players will be drafted by a National Basketball
Association (NBA) team.
Approximately one in 3,400, or approximately .03 percent, of high
school senior boys playing interscholastic basketball eventually
will be drafted by a NBA team.
Women's Basketball
About 3.1 percent, or approximately three in 100, of high school
senior girls interscholastic basketball players will go on to
play women's basketball at a NCAA member institution.
About one in 100, or approximately 1.0 percent, of NCAA female
senior basketball players will be drafted by a Women's national
Basketball Association (WNBA) team.
Approximately one in 5,000, or approximately .02 percent, of high
school senior girls playing interscholastic basketball eventually
will be drafted by a WNBA team.
Football
About 5.8 percent, or approximately one in 17, of all high school
senior boys playing interscholastic football will go on to play
football at a NCAA member institution.
About 2.0 percent, or approximately one in 5.0, of NCAA senior
football players will be drafted by a National Football League
(NFL) team.
Approximately one in 1,000, or about .09 percent, of high school
senior boys playing interscholastic football eventually will be
drafted by an NFL team.
Baseball
Less than three in 50, or about 5.6 percent, of high school senior
boys interscholastic baseball players will go on to play baseball
at a NCAA member institution.
Less than 11 in 100, or about 10.5 percent, of NCAA senior baseball
players will be drafted by a Major League Baseball (MLB) team.
Approximately one in 200, or about .5 percent, or high school
senior boys playing interscholastic baseball eventually will be
drafted by a major league team.
— from NCAA News Digest