High school sports: Games threatened by lack of referees

By GARRISON REIS
The Tower

Hours before a crosstown rivalry basketball game with East Union High School, Manteca High administrators scrambled to find officials to call the freshman game.

Those same Lancers had already had one rivalry game postponed because of a lack of officials.

Though Manteca High was successful in its search for a replacement crew, the game was nearly derailed because of a growing issue in the sporting world and locally here in the Sac-Joaquin Section.

There aren’t enough officials to cover the volume of games, matches and meets.

The Tower sat down with Manteca High Athletic Director Neil MacDonald to discuss this pressing issue.

The Tower: How often do you find yourself looking for refs?

Neil MacDannald: Fortunately, so far this year, we’ve only had one issue with officials weren't assigned to the game that we put. But I've definitely heard of local schools that more troubles than us.

TT: Why do you think there is such a shortage on refs?

NM: I think it's a number of reasons. Officials take huge amounts of abuse from not only players but especially fans. That abuse … does not make the profession all that attractive to get into. That's probably one of the main reasons.

TT: Are there any examples of scrambling to find officials that you can think of?

NM: There are so many games with soccer, boys and girls basketball, and boys and girls wrestling. There are four games a week for soccer and basketball alone, and so when they put on tournaments, sometimes that's affected because there are limitations to how many games they are supposed to work in a row or in one day. So, that becomes a factor if you're trying to find officials.

There might be scrambling going on for the upcoming baseball and softball seasons. Just because there is five, sometimes six, baseball and softball games played. I imagine we're going have come up with some solutions down the stretch here in the school year.

TT: How hard is that search for you to find officials and reach out to them?

NM: I wouldn't think it is too tough to find somebody, but in order for you to be allowed to do a high school game, you’re supposed to be a part of the association. That one, but two you have to be fingerprinted to be around kids and you have to go through Department of Justice in order to prove you can be around high school-aged kids. Just like every school employee does. … That's the major obstacle that we come across. I'm sure there are plenty of parents that would, or dads or moms or whatever, they would be like, '“Sure, I'll umpire a freshman baseball game or JV softball game,” but the matter of getting them cleared to do so is another challenge.

TT: Lastly, what needs to happen to have more officials?

NM: I think just raising awareness in the communities about the shortage. Also, perhaps training because I believe that the more, they get trained the more competent they are, and they would probably take less abuse from the crowds and the coaches. I honestly think 99 percent of officials are doing their best out there. But it's easy to sit in the stands and make a better call, especially during a basketball game. … I don't think I really don't think the general public realizes how tough it is, but they sure know how to complain.

Also, if you want somebody to do a good job, then compensate them as such. If you're trying to get a good painter for your house, you might pay more to get the right person.