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Be the Referee: Hockey Hits

March 9, 2017

This week, MHSAA assistant director Mark Uyl discusses how illegal hockey hits have no place in the game and how they're being watched for closely.

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 – Hockey Hits - Listen

At the high school level in all contact sports, there continues to be a focus on protecting players and preserving player safety. This year in ice hockey, hits to the head and fighting are never to be considered part of the game at the high school level.

Hits from behind, high elbows, forearms, high sticks or shoving the head or neck area have no value to the game and only increase the risk of injury to players. The game of hockey is one of great skill, speed and finesse; and these dirty and unnecessary hits are now clearly illegal.

    Past editions
    March 2: Deciding the Game - Listen
    Feb. 23: Pitch Counts - Listen
    Feb. 16: Recruiting Officials - Listen
    Feb. 9: Ejections - Listen
    Feb. 2: Wrestling & Technology - Listen
    Jan. 26: Post Play - Listen
    Jan. 19: Ice Hockey Overtime - Listen
    Jan. 12: Free Throw Change - Listen
    Jan. 5: Ratings - Listen
    Dec. 22: Video Review - Part 2 - Listen
    Dec. 15: Video Review - Part 1 - Listen
    Dec. 8: Registration - Part 2 - Listen
    Dec. 1: Registration - Part 1 - Listen
    Nov. 24: You Make the Call - Sleeper Play - Listen
    Nov. 17: Automatic 1st Downs - Listen
    Nov. 10: Uncatchable Pass - Listen
    Nov. 3: The Goal Line - Listen
    Oct. 27: Help Us Retain Officials - Listen
    Oct. 20: Point After Touchdown - Listen
    Oct. 13: Untimed Down - Listen
    Oct. 6: Soccer Penalty Kick Change - Listen
    Sept. 29: Preparation for Officials - Listen
    Sept 22: You Make the Call: Returning Kickoffs - Listen
    Sept. 15: Concussions - Listen
    Sept 8: Equipment Covering the Knees - Listen
    Sept. 1: Play Clock Experiment - Listen
    Aug. 25: Clipping in the Free Blocking Zone - Listen

    Be the Referee: Balks

    May 27, 2015

    This week, MHSAA assistant director Mark Uyl explains the often-misunderstood baseball balk rule. 

    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 - Balks - Listen

    One of the most misunderstood rules in all levels of baseball deals with the pitcher and the balk rule.

    The balk rule is in place to make sure that the pitcher does not cheat to gain an unfair advantage on a baserunner who is either attempting to steal a base or advance to that next base.

    In high school, whenever a pitcher commits a balk, the ball becomes dead immediately. The pitch does not count, and simply, all runners on base advance one base.

    Under professional rules, when watching the Tigers, you’ll notice that if the pitcher balks – and it’s followed immediately by a pitch – and the hitter then puts the ball in play – and advances to at least first base – the balk is ignored, and we now go based on the ball put in play.

    Past editions
    May 18 - Baseball Pace of Play - Listen
    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