may 2013 make the right call - arbitersports
TRANSCRIPT
May 2013
There is an old saying that a ship cannot have two captains. The same is true in officiating. There can only be one crew chief or referee. Ultimately the buck stops with one person.But that doesn’t mean other officials on the crew can kick back and let the “lead dog” do all the heavy lifting. A crew can only function effectively if everyone pitches in and pulls on the same end of the proverbial rope.It isn’t always easy to be placed in a subordinate role. It’s especially difficult for officials who may be on the downside of their career. Not so long ago, they were the person in charge but now have to take what they perceive as a step down or backward. We all have our egos, and most if not all of us feel we are capable of being in command.Whether your feelings are bruised or not, you owe it to the crew and to the game to give it your best effort. Beyond the obvious - concentrating on your coverage area, abiding by the approved mechanics, etc. - here are some ways you can increase your value to the crew leader.Accept your role. You do no one (least of all yourself) any good by moping around feeling sorry for yourself over something you can’t control. Your negative attitude can easily spread to others and lead to a dismal performance on the field or court.Don’t argue or refuse to comply if the crew chief wants things done a certain way but he or she is not exactly sure how you do them.
Be Helpful. The crew chief has plenty on his or her mind. You can handle some minor tasks that normally come under the crew chief’s purview. Something as simple as filling out the crew rosters that are provided to the coaches is one less thing with which the chief needs to be concerned.If the lead official has to wear a microphone, help him or her ensure the equipment is properly worn and the wires are untangled.Be active in the pregame without overstepping your bounds. If the crew chief inadvertently skips an important point or is incorrect, be respectful when you offer a correction. Ask pertinent questions rather than muddying the waters by asking how the crew will handle situations that are unlikely to occur. Communicate. You can head off problems for the crew chief by answering questions or passing on information from coaches. Some coaches are under the impression that assistant referees, linesman, wing officials or base umpires aren’t empowered to handle some situations. Others seem to think that nothing is final until the head official says it is.Although there are some situations in which the rules demand that the referee, crew chief, etc., make a determination, those are rare and the assistant, base umpire, linesman, etc., should steer the coach away from the crew chief.Officials have duties and responsibilities during breaks in the action such as timeouts or
between innings. But if you notice something that might help the crew chief, take a moment to share it.If a plate umpire’s stance is too high or too low, adversely affecting his or her view of the strike zone, that can be communicated between innings. Note that some umpires don’t like to be disturbed in that way during a game, however. Don’t nitpick over a pitch or two; save the conversation during a game in which you notice a pattern. And regardless of sport, don’t initiate a conversation shortly after a close or controversial call. The perception is the non-calling official is correcting his or her partner.If a coach or player is complaining about calls made by your partner, cut them off. It’s likely the complainer will respond with something on the order of, “I’m not referring to you,” or, “I’m talking to my player.” Whether it’s true or not, coaches and players don’t get a pass because they are not directly addressing the object of their displeasure.In many sports, the officials have equal authority to make calls, eject, penalize and carry out their duties. But sometimes, someone else has to take command. In those situations, remember the old saying about too many cooks occupying the kitchen. Be part of the solution and not part of the problem, and no one will end up in the soup. (This article can be found in, Referee magazine, June 2013.)
Volume 4 Issue 10
Special Points of Interest:
• Ultimately the buck stops with one person.
• We all have our egos, and most if not all of us feel we are capable of being in command.
• Be active in the pregame, without overstepping your bounds.
• Ask pertinent questions rather than muddying the waters by asking how he crew will handle situations that are unlikely to occur.
• If you notice something that might help the crew chief, take a moment to share it.
• Be part of the solution and not part of the problem.
Inside This Issue:
State Baseball: Regionals 2
State Baseball: Finals 2
State Softball 3
State Soccer 3
Tough Times Don’t Last 4
!W a s h i n g t o n O f f i c i a l s A s s o c i a t i o n
Make the Right CallDon’t Resist - Assist by Jeffrey Stern
Reprinted with written permission from Referee magazine.For subscription information contact Referee magazine at (800) 733-6100 or www.referee.com
Aflac Has Landed at WOA
AFLAC has designed a web site for officials interested in looking into the benefits currently being offered to WOA members. Please take the time to visit the web site if you are interested in finding out more about these options. The web site is: www.aflac.com/woa.
Please contact Steve Pohlman if you would like to discuss these options or are looking for additional information. Steve can be reached at 206.310.9981 or [email protected]
Northwest Baseball
Photo Courtesy of Dale Garvey
2013 State Tournament Umpires: Baseball - Regionals4A Regional Tournaments
Mike Hatfield, NorthwestLou Davis, Snohomish CountyMike Bolf, Western WashingtonMat Allen, EvergreenGary Coy, NorthwestBrian Strege, PeninsulaGreg Chafe, NorthwestDan Benjamin, South SoundDon Wilcox, Western WashingtonJeff Golding, Inland EmpireBryan Cardinal, KPRCarl Ramsey, Yakima Valley
3A Regional TournamentsKris Carlstedt, NorthwestRichard LeMiux, Snohomish CoTim Osborn, Whatcom CountyScott Guhlke, NorthwestDick Brakefield, PeninsulaBruce Elkington, Western WATim Hayes, Lower ColumbiaZachary Davies, NorthwestRoss Working, Twin CityPaul Sorensen, Inland EmpireRyan Sorensen, KPRJeff Gates, Palouse
2A Regional Tournaments Bob Link, NorthwestMark Kilpatrick, Snohomish CountyDane Johnson, Whatcom CountyBrent Howard, NorthwestFrank O’Dell, South SoundCarlos Ramos, Western WAJohn Basich, EvergreenMark Clough, NorthwestRainer Summers, Twin CityChris Elam, Inland EmpireVern Dahl, NorthwestDon Fortenberry, Yakima Valley
1A Regional Tournaments Peyton Coffin, NorthwestDon Wilson, Western PeninsulaEric Kelley, Western WashingtonArik Goldsmit, EvergreenBill Lewis, NorthwestCharles Lorenz, South SoundJosh Nielsen, Columbia BasinMitch Crowe, KPRMarc Taylor, PalouseNathan Hahn, Chelan CountyKeith Kladnick, Okanogan CountyJoseph Spencer, Peninsula
2B Regional Tournaments Glenn Campbell, NorthwestDon Wood, Skagit ValleyPeter Perry, Snohomish CoBill Hughes, Grays HarborKyle McCrady, Lower ColumbiaReams Goodloe, NorthwestClay Hearne, Cen Col BasinSteve Sandman, Chelan CountyShelmarie Moe, Inland EmpireClark Cosby, Inland EmpireJim Clifford, KPRJordan Bishop, Palouse 1B Regional Tournaments Mitch Wasserman, NorthwestBob Matekel, Western WashingtonErick Holden, Yakima ValleyBrandon Esparza, Columbia BasinBruce Richartz, Colville ValleyDennis Romo, Inland Empire
2013 State Tournament Umpires: Baseball - Finals1B, 2B (Ellensburg)
Tom Byers, Blue Mountain
Bruce Shields, Cen Col Basin
Phil Lepper, Western Peninsula
Tony Olague, Western Washington
1A, 2A (Yakima)Kevin Wolfe, Colville Valley
Craig Brown, Evergreen
Gregory Mitchell, KPR
Erik Nilson, Northwest
Tim O’Brien, Skagit Valley
Sam Hickenbottom, Snohomish Co
3A, 4A (Pasco)Kevin Gawenit, Inland Empire
Marc Hewitt, Lower Columbia
Richard Leetz, Northwest
Rainer Summers, Twin City
Russ Ratliff, Western Washington
Matt Snodgrass, Yakima Valley
Seattle Metro Softball
Photo Courtesy of Dale Garvey
Lisa Brouelette, East King County
Photo Courtesy of Dale Garvey
3A, 4A Tournament (Puyallup)Andrew Deuker, ColumbiaMatt Swanson, Cowlitz CountyBart Acholonu, East King CountyPhilippe Dor, East King CountySaeed Askar, Inland EmpireMike Hoyt, Kitsap PeninsulaScott Lawrence, North ChapterJJ Snyder, Pierce County
1A, 2A Tournament (Sumner)Joe Tompkins, Pierce CountyOsa Odum, Quad CountyIan Johnson, SeattleMatthew Duran, Skagit ValleyTom Kelly, South King CountyTracy Ikenberry, Tri CitiesEd Navarro, Wenatchee ValleyJose Espinoza Jr, Yakima Valley
2013 State Tournament Officials: Soccer
2013 State Tournament Umpires: Softball1B, 2B Tournament (Yakima)
Vince Robinson, Columbia BasinBruce Richartz, Colville ValleyKen Juarez, Grays HarborMarty Palmanteer, Okanogan CoJoe Sperry, PalouseGene Cox, Seattle MetroFredrick Mertens, Snohomish CoThomas Kirkpatrick, SpokaneJim Dills, Twin CityJeff Klundt, Walla WallaKen Cheslik, Western WashingtonKen Carson, Yakima Valley
1A Tournament (Richland)Graham Grindy, Central Col BasinRandy Beaudry, EvergreenJim Everett, OlympiaDave Paul, PeninsulaDean Fitzsimmons, Seattle MetroSteve Richardson, Skagit IslandSusan Chewning, Snohomish CoScott Hofstee, SpokaneWade Forsythe, Tri CitiesMike Wilson, Western PeninsulaRuss Cantonwine, Western WAHal Cooper, Whatcom County
2A Tournament (Selah)John Driesen, Central Col BasinRichard Moore, Lower ColumbiaMike Czmowski, PalouseMichael Cavanaugh, Seattle MetroMichele Schaab, Seattle MetroJohn Carney, Skagit ValleyJoe Martin, Snohomish CountyCarl Durr, SpokaneJake McChesney, Tri CitiesRandy Sears, Western WashingtonRon Marshall, Whatcom CountyAl Patton, Yakima Valley
3A Tournament (Lacey)Scott Webb, EvergreenLuke Hair, Lower ColumbiaLarry Vancil, PeninsulaDan Pease, Seattle MetroJohn Snyder, Seattle MetroBob Francis, SpokaneArnie Garza, Tri CitiesPaul Mackenzie, Twin CityMark Kolander, Wenatchee ValleyJewell Scott, Western WashingtonRick Walker, Western WashingtonRuss Taylor, Yakima Valley
4A Tournament (Spokane)Brian Hall, Columbia BasinDarrin Leggett, EvergreenTerry Simmonds, OlympiaWallace Chocklon, Seattle MetroTom Dillon, Seattle MetroDon Hough, Seattle MetroLou Davis, Snohomish CountyBill Elston, SpokaneJake Perry, SpokaneBill Wagner, Tri CitiesCarlos Wright, Western WashingtonTim Taylor, Yakima Valley
WASHINGTON OFFICIALS ASSOCIATION435 Main Ave SRenton, WA 98057
Greg Mitchell, KPR BaseballPhoto Courtesy of Dale Garvey
www.gerrydavis.com1-800-916-9088
Referee Introductory Offerhttp://www.referee.com/sub/MOCWOAR/ [email protected]
Tough Times Don’t Last
www.woa-officials.com
Congratulations to all the officials selected to work a spring state tournament. Have a great time at your assigned tournament. Thank you to all the officials who worked games throughout the 2013 spring season. We hope to see many of you out at the different tournament sites. It means a lot to those selected to know they have the support of the officials they are representing. The Spring State Tournaments will soon be over and WOA staff will begin the process of re-registration for 2013-14.When you begin your certification requirements for next year, you will notice a new web site for the WOA. We hope all of you find the additional resources useful. If there are any features you feel would be beneficial to the membership, feel free to send the recommendations to the WOA. Staff will review the requests with the WOA Executive Board and sports committees to see if we are able to implement the suggestions. Even if the suggestion is not immediately implemented, it will help in future development of features and provide staff with ideas to make sure the right tools are available for officials to continue improving.The second goal for next year is to have a better delivery method for the clinics. We believe this will happen and we will also be attempting to work with the WIAA on releasing the clinics earlier that we have in the past. The fall clinics will be the most difficult to release earlier, based on the timing of receiving the information from the NFHS, but all other sports should not present a problem.
Todd Stordahl WOA Executive Director
Note from the Executive Director:
Life will deal you curve balls regardless of whether you are in the batter’s box or behind the plate. The key to remember is it is just one moment in time. It will pass and there will be other moments.The best way to deal with tough times is to look at them as educational experiences. They prepare you to handle
things differently and more productively the next time they occur.It’s not the tough times that stress people out. It’s your attitude and how you respond. The famous “positive thinker” author Dr. Robert Schuller is best known for his book Tough Times Don’t Last, Tough People Do. It’s easy not to fail
when you never attempt anything. There’s not a lot of pressure involved either. But even in “failing,” you never fail, according to Schuller. You learn and get better for it. Times of pressure, stress and failure temper you and make you strong.(This article is from Referee’s The It Factor in Officiating. For more information on this book and others like it go to RefereeTrainingCenter.com)
Upcoming WOA EventsWIAA/WOA Football Camp: June 24-25 - Contact your assigner if interested in attending
WOA/ArbiterSports Golf Classic: August 2 - Register online www.woa-officials.com
WOA Conference: August 3-4 - Register online www.woa-officials.com