Why be an Official? (Grand Rapids Press)

January 25, 2012

The Grand Rapids Press' Jane Bos tells the story of some of the most valuable, yet often-criticized people who help make our games go -- the officials enforcing the rules. 

Consider this interesting point: On a Tuesday or Friday, the O-K Conference must come up with 150 officials to work its basketball games. And it, like most if not all leagues, always is looking for more.

She also explains how another former Press sportswriter, Howie Beardsley, got into the reffing game.

Check it out:

"Why West Michigan high school referees say you should consider wearing stripes"

Today in the MHSAA: 4/27/16

April 27, 2016

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

A southwest Michigan pitcher threw a second straight no-hitter Tuesday, but balls were flying out of the park in that corner of the state’s softball diamonds.

Baseball

Morley Stanwood came back from six runs down to beat Holton and stay atop its division in the Central State Activities Association – Big Rapids News

Maple City Glen Lake improved to 11-1 with a sweep of Frankfort including a walk-off bunt in the second game – Traverse City Record-Eagle

Coldwater’s Nick Shaw threw his second straight no-hitter, this time against Parma Western – Coldwater Daily News

Zeeland East’s Ben Martin struck out nine in a five-inning no-hitter against Muskegon – Holland Sentinel

Softball

Utica Eisenhower handed Utica Ford its first loss this season in a bit of a surprise given last year's results – Macomb Daily

Three Rivers won the first game 15-5 and Sturgis the second 18-11, and together they hit nine home runs over the doubleheader – Sturgis Journal

Stevensville Lakeshore and St. Joseph combined for three grand slams during their doubleheader – St. Joseph Herald-Palladium

From Saturday, Escanaba’s Katie Ross threw a no-hitter to beat Norway in the title game of the inaugural Yooper Tournament at Gladstone – Iron Mountain Daily News

Track & Field

The Cadillac girls picked up two more Big North Conference wins over Traverse City West and Gaylord after beating Traverse City Central last week for the first time in program history – Cadillac News

Grand Haven freshman Gabby Hentemann is quickly making a name for herself after adding her school’s freshman records in the 1,600 and 800 to her previous 3,200 record in a loss to Hudsonville; all three times are second-fastest in school history regardless of class – Grand Haven Tribune