Be the Referee: Recruiting Officials

February 16, 2017

This week, MHSAA assistant director Mark Uyl discusses the recruitment of officials and why the avocation is rewarding. 

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 – Recruiting Officials - Listen

One of the most challenging tasks for the MHSAA is the recruitment and retention of game officials and referees. In many cases, the job of the referee can be a thankless one. It’s an avocation where others expect an official to be perfect on their very first day on the job, and then improve on that performance.

Officials must be fit, knowledgeable on the rules, decisive and most importantly, have good people skills in handling competitive situations with emotional players, coaches and fans. While this can be a great challenge, many of our officials find this experience to be incredibly rewarding. There is no better feeling than to officiate a game where the rules are fairly enforced, judgment calls are made decisively and the teams involved determine the outcome of the game.

If you are interested in becoming a part of this great team, go to MHSAA.com to learn more about officiating and how to get started in this rewarding avocation.

    Past editions
    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: Pitcher Arm Care

    June 8, 2015

    This week, MHSAA assistant director Mark Uyl explains how the 30 out-limit rule works to keep baseball pitchers' arms healthy.

    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 - Pitcher Arm Care - Listen

    Health and safety continues to be the major focus of the MHSAA. One rule that is geared directly to player safety is our baseball pitching limitation rule of 30 outs.

    The 30-out rule limits the number of innings, or outs, that a pitcher can throw in both a given day as well as over a period within a week. 

    We want to make sure that high school coaches are not overusing their pitchers; that they are finding that safe area, to where arms have the ability to recover after a player has pitched a certain number of outs, allowing the body to recover so that player can have a safe and enjoyable season.

    Past editions
    June 1 - Bat Safety - Listen
    May 25 - Balks - Listen
    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