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: 4/20/21

By Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor

April 20, 2021

Soccer, softball and baseball provided the stars as teams across the state braved cooler temperatures of an April spring sports Monday.

1. Girls Soccer: Boyne City ran its shutout streak to three with a 3-0 win over Traverse City St. Francis – Petoskey News-Review

2. Softball: Bailey Belinger hit a home run and threw a five-inning no-hitter during a sweep of Mason County Central – Local Sports Journal

3. Baseball: Division 1 No. 17 Grand Blanc swept Bay City Western in a matchup of Saginaw Valley League contenders – WJRT

4. Softball: Rapid River improved to 14-2 with a sweep of Bark River-Harris – Escanaba Daily Press

5. Baseball: Division 4 No. 4 Beal City improved to 7-0 with a sweep of Fowler – MI Sports Now

6. Baseball: Reed City launched three home runs in an 8-2 win over Cadillac – Big Rapids News

7. Girls Soccer: Utica’s first goal came 19 seconds into an eventual 5-1 win over Clinton Township Chippewa Valley – Macomb Daily

8. Baseball: Bear Lake pitchers dominated in a win and tie against Mesick – Manistee News Advocate

9. Softball: Bloomfield Hills earned its first wins of the spring with a sweep of Birmingham Seaholm – Oakland Press

10. Track & Field: Ludington swept Muskegon Orchard View in girls and boys duals – Ludington Daily News

Also of note …

Baseball: Flat Rock was scheduled to close its schools today in honor of teacher and coach Chris Elliott, who died Monday and in 2001 led the baseball team to the Division 3 title – Southgate News-Herald