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Be the Referee: Under the Bus

March 16, 2017

This week, MHSAA assistant director Mark Uyl explains why officials are not the correct target for criticism when a basketball game gets chippy or sloppy. 

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 – Under the Bus - Listen

It seems whenever a high school game breaks down in a negative way, the coaches, players, fans, and school administrators quickly blame the officials. It’s easy to take out aggression on these nameless, faceless, almost inanimate objects.

But sloppy or chippy play is on the coaches to control – not the officials – as they simply call what happens. Fans up in the stands then quickly follow the lead of their coach berating the officials, thinking they are so well versed in the art of officiating – but often don’t have the guts to put on the stripes themselves. Officials aren’t perfect, but often they have to clean up messes created by others during the game – the people who should really be thrown under the bus.

    Past editions
    March 9: Hockey Hits - Listen
    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: 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