Be the Referee: Baseball Pace of Play
May 19, 2015
This week, MHSAA assistant director Mark Uyl discusses some of the strategies in use at the pro and high school levels to keep baseball's pace of play at an appropriate speed.
Be The Referee is a series of short messages designed to help educate people on the rules of different sports, to help them better understand the art of officiating, and to recruit officials.
Below is this week's segment - Baseball Pace of Play - Listen
If you’ve been listening to the sports media lately, one of hot topics in professional baseball is the length of games and pace of play. Major League Baseball is trying some things this year in terms of a clock that’s on the outfield wall in-between innings to try and hurry up or speed up that dead time between half innings.
In high school rules, pace of play continues to be an area of focus as well. When a pitcher who has thrown the previous inning comes out for the next inning, they are limited to five warm-up pitches, and those must be completed in under 60 seconds.
Umpires are also encouraging kids to hustle on and off the field, to try and keep high school baseball a fast-paced, exciting game for everyone.
Past editions
May 11 - Fair or Foul Ball? - Listen
May 4 - Non-Glare Helmets - Listen
April 27 - Vern L. Norris Award - Listen
March 23 - Deciding the Game - Listen
March 16 - Block/Charge Call - Listen
March 9 - Dive on the Floor - Listen
March 2 - Primary Areas - Listen
Feb. 23 - Too Much TV - Listen
Feb. 16 - Video Clip Library - Listen
Feb. 9 - Cheer Safety - Listen
Feb. 2 - Basketball PA Announcers - Listen
Jan. 26 - Wrestling Health Concerns - Listen
Jan. 19 - Basketball Physical Contact - Listen
Jan. 12 - Video Review Part 2 - Listen
Dec. 29 - Video Review Part 1 - Listen
Dec. 17 - Registration Part 2 - Listen
Dec. 10 - Registration Part 1 - Listen
Dec. 3 - Legacy Program - Listen
Nov. 26 - Sideline Management - Listen
Nov. 19 - 7-Person Mechanics - Listen
Nov. 12 - Blocking Below the Waist - Listen
Nov. 5 - Tournament Selection - Listen
Oct. 29 - Uncatchable Pass - Listen
Oct. 22 - Preparation for Officials - Listen
Oct. 15 - Automatic First Downs - Listen
Oct. 8 - Officials & Injuries - Listen
Oct. 1 - Overtime - Listen
Sept. 25 - Field Goals - Listen
Sept. 18 - Tackle Box - Listen
Sept. 11 - Pass Interference - Listen
Aug. 25 - Targeting - Listen
What's My Why: Official Murray Rose
May 26, 2026
Murray Rose, Zeeland
After a wrestling coaching career that began in 1985-86 and stretched over 31 years, Rose immediately became a wrestling official with the start of the 2017-18 season. He remains ranked ninth for coaching wins in the sport after building a 767-167-2 record at Allegan, where he led teams to two Finals championships.
After 30 years of coaching wrestling, I decided to become a wrestling official. My wife asked me, “Why would you ever want to do that?”
I said the answer is simple: I’m a wrestling guy. It’s what I do. It’s been my passion my whole life. It’s time for me to give back to the sport that’s given so much to me through the year.
Think about it. I get to work out, get paid and have fun, all at the same time. I get to be in the middle of the action, and I get the best seat in the house. I get to shake hands with thousands of student-athletes, coaches, and I get to make hundreds of new officiating friends.
For me, officiating is a way of life – and it’s been a wild ride for nine years now. I encourage all of you young men and women out there to jump on this officiating train and challenge yourself – because I want you to have as much fun officiating as I am.
“What’s My Why” is a weekly feature telling the stories of MHSAA-registered officials in their own words. If you’re an MHSAA official and would like to share your reason why, please submit a 15 to 45-second video, taken horizontally, to director of officials Sam Davis at [email protected].
Don't miss Officiate Michigan Day 2026, July 25 in Grand Rapids! Check out MHSAA.com/OMD to register and learn more.
What's My Why
May 22: Mike VanLaan, Alto - Watch
May 18: Clint Abbott, Newaygo - Watch