Why would anyone in their right mind ever want to be a referee or an umpire? It can be a thankless job at times. Long trips, rough weather, upset fans and angry coaches can all be a real problem.
Football, baseball, soccer and softball officials stand out in the heat, the rain and the cold. You may have wondered about this yourself. Why do they do it? Love them or hate them, they are a vital part of sports.
With all of that in mind, we asked some local MSHSAA officials some of these age-old questions. (We received permission from a MSHSAA Board Member Representative to interview their officials.)
JL: First question, why do you do it? What compelled you to enter the profession?
Eric Reinertsen, Warsaw, who does high school and junior high baseball and basketball said, "I love the game and the kids. Also, talking with people."
Marlin Hammond, a long time official from Lincoln who does mostly volleyball, basketball and softball now, commented, "Why I took up officiating . . . I had coached basketball, softball and volleyball for over 35 years and I wanted to stay involved with the sports. I still work at the schools at which I coached and see some of the players which I coached against now coaching and working at the area schools. It is nice to keep up with them. I wanted to give back some to the sports which gave so much to me. It also gives me something to do in retirement."
Scott Gemes, Warsaw superintendent and longtime basketball referee, said, "When I decided to not coach basketball, I had a lot of officials talk to me about doing it. I decided to give it a try. You make your own schedule and you get to stay attached to the game of basketball."
Steve Knox, another longtime official from Cole Camp who has mostly reserved himself to football and basketball replied, "I played basketball in high school, so I wanted to give the kids the same chance that I was given to play basketball. Cole Camp didn't have football when I was in school. I always loved college football, so that is why I also do football."
Rodney Bonner, Warsaw, who officiates the annual Lions Club basketball tournament and others commented, "I ref for the love of the game; to help the kids become better and to love the game."
JL: What challenges do you encounter?
REINERTSEN: The challenges are all the refs in the stands. That used to bother me, but not anymore.
HAMMOND: Staying in physical shape to be able to perform. Keeping current with all of the rules changes in various sports. Trying to do the best I can for the athletes and the schools involved.
KNOX: The biggest challenge is staying in shape. As I get older, it is harder on my body working 6 nights a week on a basketball court.
GEMES: Right now, it is very difficult for me to call a lot of games. My son is a senior, so I do not want to miss his games. I also like to attend as many Warsaw events as possible so my schedule for calling games is very limited.
BONNER: My biggest challenge is parents getting upset over calls.
JL: Why is there a shortage of refs and umpires?
HAMMOND: The time commitment necessary to be an official. This applies to both the starting time for a game as officiating is a secondary job for most officials and it is hard to get to a school for early starting times from their primary job. And also the length of the various sports seasons. You are away from your family for long periods of time. There are also more teams now than in the past which requires the need for more officials. Poor sportsmanship displayed by some individuals is also a concern. Young officials are not used to being questioned or berated and will leave the profession. On each call you make, you are going to please only 50% of the people involved. You must make your call and move on. Officiating is not a win-win situation! The pay, while it is better than in the past, is still low compared to the time involved for a game, counting your driving time and game time.
KNOX: There is a shortage because of coaches and fans chewing out refs and always yelling at them instead of talking to us like we’re human.
GEMES: I think there are a lot of factors. There are not a lot of kids trying it. The ones that do, get discouraged. It only takes one bad experience (sometimes) to discourage them. The younger officials are having to do games that they are not ready for because of the shortage.
BONNER: The shortage of refs is because disrespect for the refs and always arguing.
JL: Do you look at the scoreboard?
REINERTSEN: I do look at the scoreboard but not to determine how I call the game, but just to see how close it is.
HAMMOND: Looking at the scoreboard . . . No, I do not. I am focused on the next possession in basketball, the next pitch in softball or the next serve in volleyball. I am just preparing for the next situation.
GEMES: Yes, it is important to know where the fouls are at, who is leading, who has the next possession and time left in the game. As a basketball official, it is important to know the possible situations that will be occurring to be prepared and be in the right position.
JL: Do you prefer a close game or a blow out?
REINERTSEN: I love the close games. Blowouts are too easy to lose focus and create bad habits. Close games make you stay focused, especially if it is two good teams and I would rather call two good teams than two bad teams.
HAMMOND: Close game vs a blowout . . . To me, it really does not matter. Again, you are preparing and staying focused on the situation at hand regardless of the score. You owe your best to the athletes, coaches and schools involved so you are trying to do, and are expected to do, the best at all times.
KNOX: I look at the score late in the fourth quarter. Late in the game, the score will tell you how the teams are going to play.
JL: Do blown calls bother you? (I forgot to ask all of them this question.)
HAMMOND: There are times when, after the fact, I realize I missed a call or called something that I should have not called. When that occurs, I try to learn from it and make sure that doesn't happen again.
KNOX: Sometimes you have to forget and move on so you don't miss the next call.
JL: With all of the talk about Caitlin Clark, would you like to ref one of her games and would it be difficult to officiate?
REINERTSEN: I don't think a Caitlin Clark game would be difficult to call at all. It really depends on how good or bad the other team is. Good teams are easier to call because they have less bad habits and they play better basketball.
HAMMOND: Caitlin Clark . . . I think it would be an enjoyable game! Their game is played at a faster pace at her level, so you would have to be in top physical shape. However, the players involved have so much more ability and therefore are able to perform better which makes it a somewhat easier game to officiate.
JL: What advice would you give to a young person wanting to enter the profession?
REINERTSEN: Advice I would give is to tune everything out. Call your game and have thick skin.
HAMMOND: Advice . . . Really enjoy the sport(s) you have chosen to officiate. Know the rules for each sport. Be prepared to be criticized and questioned. Make a commitment to be the best which you are capable of being. Enjoy each game and opportunity you have!
GEMES: Find a veteran official that will work with you. Work as many younger kids games before jumping to the varsity level. Call what you see and be confident in the decision. Please blow the whistle and be confident.
This reporter would like to thank everyone for their candid responses. Personally, I think they do a good job most of the time. They do not always have a good vantage point to make a proper call, so I like it when they discuss matters among themselves. I believe refs never beat you like Charlie Spoonhour once said. They can change the way you play and you have to adjust to their style.
I have always been treated well by refs and umpires. So we at the BCE want say 'thank you' for the job you all do.
