What's My Why: Official Mike VanLaan
May 20, 2026
Mike VanLaan, Alto
VanLaan is completing his eighth year as an MHSAA-registered official. He began with football in 2018-19 and added boys lacrosse the following year.
So in 2018 I decided to get started in officiating. I started with football because that was the sport that gave me the most opportunity when I was younger. I played a lot of football and just wanted to give back to the game.
I loved it so much that I decided I also wanted to add a spring sport. So a couple of years later I added boys lacrosse, and now I officiate high school football and high school boys lacrosse.
Things that drove me to add another sport – just fell in love with the camaraderie, working with other officials, good people. And then also, just realizing how important it is to stay active physically and mentally, and this allows me to do that.
“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 20: Clint Abbott, Newaygo - Watch
Be the Referee: Bounced Pitch
May 9, 2019
This week, assistant director Brent Rice offers a baseball/softball "You Make the Call" regarding a pitch that bounces before reaching the plate.
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 – Bounced Pitch - Listen
Let’s test your rules knowledge with a “You Make the Call” on a baseball-softball situation.
The pitcher delivers a ball that bounces in front of the plate. The batter takes a swing and hits the ball over the fence. You make the call. Is it a home run, a dead ball, or something else?
A pitch in baseball or softball that hits the ground before reaching home plate can result in anything – except a called strike. The batter can hit the ball and put it in play; the batter can be hit by the ball and be awarded first base; a swing and a miss by the batter results in a strike; and the list goes on and on. Everything can happen that occurs on every pitch – except a called strike.
Past editions
May 2: Boys Lacrosse Safety - Listen
April 25: Softball Illegal Pitch - Listen
March 21: Instant Replay in Basketball - Listen
March 14: Basket Interference - Listen
March 7: Primary Areas - Listen
February 28: Under the Bus - Listen
February 21: You Make the Call - Listen
February 14: Because They Love It - Listen
February 7: Coach/Official Communication - Listen
January 31: Backcourt Violation? - Listen
January 24: Required Hockey Equipment - Listen
January 17: You Make the Call: 10-Second Clock - Listen
January 10: Tripping in Hockey - Listen
January 3: Sliding in Basketball - Listen
December 27: Stalling in Wrestling - Listen
December 20: Basketball: You Make the Call - Listen
December 13: Basketball Uniform Safety - Listen
December 6: Coaching Box Expansion - Listen
November 29: Video Review, Part 2 - Listen
November 22: Video Review, Part 1 - Listen
November 15: You Make the Call - Sleeper Play - Listen
November 8: 7-Person Football Crews - Listen
November 1: Overtime Differences - Listen
October 25: Trickery & Communication - Listen
October 18: Punts & Missed Field Goals - Listen
October 11: What Officials Don't Do - Listen
October 4: Always 1st-and-Goal - Listen
September 27: Unique Kickoff Option - Listen
September 20: Uncatchable Pass - Listen
September 13: Soccer Rules Change - Listen
September 6: You Make the Call: Face Guarding - Listen
August 30: 40-Second Play Clock - Listen
August 23: Football Rules Changes - Listen