MHSA(Q&)A: Midwest League Umpire John Libka
June 22, 2012
By Brian Spencer
Second Half
As a high school junior eight years ago, John Libka began his officiating career as part of the MHSAA Legacy Program.
Now 24, Libka -- who grew up in Mayville and attended school at Juniata Christian in Vassar -- is a baseball umpire in the Class A Midwest League.
The Legacy Program pairs high school seniors and juniors with experienced mentors and allows them to officiate junior high and sub-varsity contests. Libka's mentor was his father, Gary Libka. (Click to read more about the Legacy Program.)
We caught up with John Libka during his summer run through the communities that make up the Midwest League, which in Michigan includes Lansing, Midland and Comstock Park.
Do you think that your experience playing baseball in high school helped you at all during your early and present umpiring career?
Yeah, probably a little bit. I got to see the other side. I received insight on why certain things happen, and how plays and events develop. It also helped me develop the instincts I needed and continue to rely on to be successful.
What was the biggest factor in helping you choose the MHSAA’s Legacy Program over a senior season of baseball (Libka played for his school as a junior)?
I like spending time with my dad, and going to the Legacy Program was a great way to do that. He umpired for 30 years, so he was a good mentor and there was no better option to spend time with him. I also love baseball, so I knew I wanted to stick with baseball in some way.
What was your favorite childhood baseball memory?
I lived for going to Tiger Stadium, and Comerica Park for that matter. The memories at Tiger Stadium were the best. I went to the third-to-last game against the Yankees, I think. It was an awesome experience and a great memory.
What is the most important piece of advice you’ve been given as an umpire?
The most important advice I think I’ve received is probably just to stay even keel. You can’t get too high or too low being an umpire. You have to take every play or every pitch the same, and that is true for all levels, not just in pro ball. You just have to keep a good perspective on everything.
Being on the road a lot, is there any specific restaurant that you look for? What is your favorite food at ____?
We actually try to mix it up a lot. I like to go to Panera. If we could go anywhere, I like going there. The broccoli and cheese bread bowl is usually my favorite. We like to go get the bread bowl for a pregame meal. I also like going to McDonald’s every morning to get an iced coffee. It’s a great way to start the day.
According to an interview conducted with MLive, you worked for Bronner’s this past winter in Frankenmuth. Which do you prefer more, an artificial Christmas tree or a real Christmas tree?
I prefer an artificial Christmas tree. However, after working there you have to have a good eye. The tree has to be just right.
You must catch some flak from coaches and fans; is there any game that sticks out, in which you or your partner received the most verbal abuse?
We actually had a game earlier this year in Fort Wayne where we had three ejections in a postgame incident. We were actually commended for how we handled it. Those are the times when you learn the most.
How do you get through a game where a fan or coach is being unruly?
The best advice is to stay even keel and not to pay attention to a lot of the fans. You handle stuff when you need to, you ignore stuff when you need to. Overall, you just stay objective. If you take the high road most of the time and make the fans or coaches decide their fate, you can’t go wrong.
Do you have any advice for aspiring umpires hoping to make it to the big time?
The best advice I can give is to continue to be a student of the game. It is one of the toughest sports as far as the rules go. Tim Kurkjian once said, “You can go to the ballpark and see something different every day.” When I watch a game on TV, I watch the umpires and not the game. It’s the best way to learn.
Baranoski Continues Pioneering as Official
February 28, 2019
By Jeff Chaney
Special for Second Half
It took two decades, but Casey Baranoski is on the brink once again of reaching wrestling's highest stage in the state of Michigan.
As a wrestler for Comstock Park High School during the late 1990s, Baranoski was a pioneer in the sport, becoming the first female in the state to record more than 100 wins while wrestling in the 103 and 112-pound weight classes.
She finished with a highly respectable 123-38 record for the Panthers, and was a two-time Regional qualifier.
But she could never take that final step to make it to the MHSAA Individual Finals.
"I got to Regionals, and I kind of choked," said Baranoski, a 1998 graduate.
Now Baranoski is a pioneer in the sport once more, as two weeks ago she officiated the Division 1 Individual Regional at Grand Haven High School, one step away from state.
"This is a fun sport to be part of, and it never quite gets out of your blood," Baranoski said. "(Me getting into officiating) is my brother Tom's fault. He got me to ref for the first time. And I work for a credit union, so I have banker's hours, so it was perfect for my schedule. It just worked out."
That start was five years ago, and slowly Baranoski has been working on her craft in stripes, earning the much needed experience it takes to earn an MHSAA Tournament assignment.
Unlike as a competitor, an official’s quest to make the Finals is not entirely in her or his hands. Officials are graded each match and tournament they work during the season by the coaches, and grades are tabulated. With high enough scores, an official might just get an invitation to ref the sport's best athletes.
Steve Shutich, who has been officiating high school wrestling in Michigan for 29 years, was the head official at the Grand Haven Regional two weeks ago, and he believes Baranoski is close to getting her ticket stamped for the trip to the Finals at Ford Field.
And he should know – he has officiated 16 individual and four team Finals.
"She did well," said Shutich, who is on the board of the West Michigan Wrestling Officials Association. "It proved that she is for better matches. She held her own that day."
Baranoski believes she is up to the task as well.
"I thought I did pretty well that day. It was nice to be accepted by the coaches," Baranoski said. "Wrestling and effort go hand in hand, and you have to rely on effort, not only as a wrestler, but also as a ref. I didn't get booed out of the gym, so I think I did pretty well."
Baranoski did get some experience officiating state finals matches this year. She was an official at the first girls state finals hosted Feb. 3 by the Michigan Wrestling Association.
"That was pretty cool," Baranoski said. "There were 165 girls at Adrian College, and it was a good experience."
Experience that Shutich says Baranoski needs to take one more step for the MHSAA Finals.
"She just needs a little more seasoning," Shutich said. "She'll be ready. She has what it takes to be the best. She knows the sport."
But Baranoski wants no favors.
"I want to earn it down there. I don't want it gifted," Baranoski said. "If my ratings are there, great. If it happens that way, outstanding."
PHOTOS: (Top) Casey Baranoski raises the arm of a winner during the Girls Wrestling Finals on Feb. 3 at Adrian College. (Middle) Baranoski watches for a pin. (Photos by GRW Action Photography.)