Which area should NASO devote more energy toward?

NASO members said:

30%	Mentoring (training newer officials, recruitment, etc.).
20%	Advocacy (supporting officials, fighting for officiating causes, etc.)
19%	Sportsmanship (onfield/oncourt behavior, character of the game, etc.)
19%	Leadership (train the trainers, local association management, etc.)
12%	Technology in officiating (websites, assigning programs, online evaluations, etc.)

To view previous issues of NASO LockerRoom

Some Tips on Handling Blowouts

Sometimes games are less than games; they are a mish-mash of horrendous plays and lopsided scores. Officials can either contribute to the mayhem or else help to tone it down and ease it to a comfortable conclusion.

Premise number one: We don’t want to subvert any basic rules. We are obliged to observe the rules. Premise number two: There is a spirit to the rules, undefined areas of ambiguity, in which considerations of context should be taken into account when applying the code. That means that borderline calls — ones that could go either way — should result in favorable decisions for the team that exhibits qualities of ineptitude and which may be way behind in the score.

But that simplistic statement presents complications too. Here are examples:

• A basketball team opens the game by scoring 15 straight points.

• A soccer team punches in a trio of goals shortly after the opening kickoff.

• A baseball team scores seven runs in its first at bat, against none for the opposition.

Officials first of all should not act in haste and jump to questionable conclusions. Teams can come back from early disadvantages, and they should be allowed to have that chance.

Truly, there are no borderline foul balls back to the screen in baseball and softball, nor are there borderline baskets in basketball. But there are borderline pitches and borderline traveling violations. Should the officials begin making distinctions to even up competition right off the bat? No. The initial burst of superiority may be a fluke; it could be an illusion. A game must move into a pattern before it is evident that one team has overwhelming skill.

An arbitrary guide is of little use, but as a possible reminder let’s put it at a four-touchdown lead early in the second quarter; a dozen-run advantage in the third inning; a point spread of 20 to open the second quarter; or four goals at the close of the first half.

Officials can contribute to a smooth flow in such games by personally hustling the ball into play, by moving swiftly to cover play action and by encouraging the team that is woefully in arrears (often by gestures rather than by voice).

The danger for an official in blowouts is losing concentration. One cannot operate in a lackadaisical manner and at the same usher a game to a satisfactory ending. Premise number three, then: You cannot stop runs from scoring or baskets from pouring through the nets, but you can have an effect (avoid the word control) on player behavior.

For instance, you can prevent the winners from taunting or puffing themselves up. You can aid the losers in adding resolve and determination to their efforts. You can also deal directly with coaches who seem to revel in running up the score and humiliating opponents.

Another practice to avoid is giving players, coaches and spectators the impression that you’re bored or would rather be anywhere else. Slumped shoulders, sloppy signals and a lack of hustle must be avoided.

Remember also that the tide can turn quickly. Not every team simply rolls over when it falls behind early. A grand slam, a touchdown and recovered onside kick or an injury to a key player on the leading team can change the complexion of a game in short order. It’s often difficult to regain focus once it has been lost because it seems the outcome has been decided. The key, then, is to stay alert and not allow your guard to fall.

But if a rally doesn’t occur, how can you help the game along? Borderline calls go against the team that is substantially ahead. Minor transgressions of the rules that are not potentially harmful may be interpreted in favor of the team with lesser skill. That’s not saying you should wink at the rules. Do not cheat. Rather, if a runner moves slightly out of the line between bases to elude a tag and that act aids the team that is behind, such a move may be permitted with no clear harm derived. That is what making a fine distinction means. A swipe tag sometimes does not nick the runner’s foot is another case of making a judicious distinction.

If a runner plunges into the line in football and is momentarily stopped, a distinction can be made about whether the play has ended.

The whole approach for officials working a game with a pronounced point differential is making careful distinctions. For officials, a game need not get out of hand.

Written by Jerry Grunska, a frequent Referee contributor. A retired educator, he lives in Evergreen, Colo.

Tales From the Trenches …

Real stories by officials, for officials.

Sideline Stunners

Some of the things you hear from the sidelines make you shake your head. But sometimes the rips that come out of the mouths of coaches, players and fans are so outrageous or ridiculous they can bring smile to your face. Dare we say some are even clever? What is the “best” umpire or referee jab you’ve ever heard during a game?” NASO LockerRoom readers shared some unique offerings.

A Snot Shot

“This was yelled at our back judge on a cold, raw northern Ohio night by a fan on the losing sideline: ‘Hey ref, you’re terrible, you’re horrible, you’re worse than the snot running out of my nose.’ He couldn’t hear the guy, but I was more than happy to pass along at constructive criticism. I gave it a 10 for originality.”

The Need for Speed

“I have a relatively slow ‘strike’ mechanic when I work the plate. Once when I had the dish in a semi-pro game, a fan called out: ‘Hey Blue, pick it up! The sprinklers go on at nine!’”

‘Brace’ Yourself

“For many years I wore a large brace on one knee. While working a soccer game in shorts one day, I made a comment in jest to a few fans on the side of a lopsided contest. A woman hollered, ‘Have you got a brace for your other knee?’ The fans hooted and I could hardly keep from showing how hard I was laughing.”

Tripped Up

“In my first year reffing ice hockey, the mother of a young player almost made me double over in laughter. The young lady, who was obviously new to the game, yelled, ‘Hey ref, that’s tripping!’ As a comment it wasn’t very original, but at that particular moment the other team was on a complete line change. The only player they had on the ice was the goaltender, and the player who was supposedly tripped was at his own blueline. I’m still wondering who the lady thought should serve the penalty: the blueline, the puck or the player who tripped over his own two feet.”

Getting a Mouthful

“On a 3-0 pitch to a kid who was about six-foot-four, I called a strike on a pitch across the letters. A parent in the stands shouted out, ‘Don’t worry about that pitch. The next time he throws it there just put the bat in your teeth and swing!’ I took a step back and tipped my hat to the father!”

Hit the Lights

“I was working a regular league adult softball game at night with Beverly, another longtime official. She was at the plate and I was on the bases. After a bang, bang play at the plate that went against the offensive team from the dugout, an unidentified player shouted, ‘Hey Blue! How can you sleep with all of these lights on?’ Since the quip was delivered, we have both shared the moment with our colleagues as one of the best we have heard.”

Toe Tale

“While officiating a youth basketball game, the coach disagreed with a travel call. The player with the ball jumped in the air and returned to the court still with the ball in his hand. I blew the whistle. The coach responded, 'Ref, his toes never left his feet!’

Officiating’s Highest Honor

Officials are a special breed. They spend hours studying the rules and preparing for games, then they go in, complete their assignments and go home. Sure, officials want to do well, advance and get postseason assignments, but they generally don’t seek additional recognition or glory. They leave that to the players and coaches.

Just because officials don’t seek awards for achievements doesn’t mean they don’t deserve them. NASO has been supporting referees and umpires throughout its storied history. And since 1988, NASO has honored one official each year for long-term service beyond officiating through its Gold Whistle Award. It is officiating’s highest honor.

Every NASO member knows a fellow official whose work off the field, court or ice has gone unheralded. That’s why NASO is seeking your help to find the 2007 NASO Gold Whistle Award winner.

Nominate the Next Gold Whistle Award Winner

If you know of someone who is deserving of recognition, click here: http://www.naso.org/benefits/goldwhistle/gw.htm.

Or send a letter of nomination to:
NASO Gold Whistle Award
2017 Lathrop Avenue
Racine, Wis., 53405
Attention: Jim Arehart

Or e-mail us at editor@naso.org. Your correspondence should include the reasons you believe your nominee is qualified and provide specific examples. Please also include names and phone numbers of any other references.