Unexpected window into trials of officialdom [column]

HARRISBURG — I can't even recall how many times I've watched a sporting event and thought to myself, "C'mon on ref! That's a bogus call!"

For most fans, I would imagine that's the case. You pour your heart into cheering on a team, and no matter what, will back them even if you're in the wrong. The easy way out in that case is to blame the officials. I've been there.

But I've never entertained the notion of what difficulties officials face, and how much work goes into being able to officiate the best athletes in the world. That is, until District Three held its inaugural "Officials Symposium" clinic June 22.

The event was the first of its kind in the area, conceived from the realization that there's an increasing shortage of officials around the state, including the Lancaster-Lebanon League.

District Three officials decided one of the best ways to try to get more officials in all sports was through the symposium.

"Please remember that YOU ARE NEEDED, as without officials, there can be no high school/junior high sports," read part of a letter provided from the PIAA to each registrant at the start of the clinic. "Is being an official a challenge? Sometimes. Is being an official rewarding? All the time."

The letter wasn't the only thing that I — along with the 50 other registrants — received before the clinic got underway at Central Dauphin High School. Inside a PIAA-branded bag were more branded gifts and steps on how to register as an official.

That start to the morning eased my nerves; I was anxious going in, not knowing what to expect. The clinic began shortly after with representatives from different sports stationed at tables in the hallway.

Our instructions were simple: Go to as many spots as you wish and ask any and all questions.

The registrants spread out. I went to the baseball table and spoke with one of the two representatives for about 20 minutes. The conversation was fascinating.

He gave me a brief history of his umpiring experience, and a few minutes in I asked how recent changes to baseball's rules — the pitch clock being the biggest — have impacted his umpiring. But the biggest thing that stood out was the first-hand experience he tried to present to me.

We went through different scenarios of rulings I'd have to make as an umpire, like if a team bats out of order, and how quick I'd need to make a split-second decision.

That was the first moment throughout the morning to open my eyes as to the difficulties officials face.

After about 30 minutes at the tables, we were instructed to go into the gymnasium and sit in the bleachers for the highlight of the clinic, a speech from NBA referee Ashley Moyer-Gleich.

At that point, my nervousness actually turned to excitement. Moyer-Gleich exceeded my expectations.

The Cedar Crest High School and Millersville alum explained how she — rather accidentally, she noted — came into refereeing, traversing a player-to-official route that isn't often done.

She later shared a tale about freezing the first time she had to deal with a complication in the NBA's developmental league.

"The boss of the G-League the next day called me and said, 'Well Dorothy, you're not in Kansas anymore,' " Moyer-Gleich said.

Moyer-Gleich threw in jokes such as that one that made listening to her an enjoyable and, honestly, relaxing situation.

She balanced explaining the ups and downs of officiating with her experiences. Registrants were laughing and nodding throughout, listening keenly.

The biggest "whoa" moment I had as Moyer-Gleich spoke came when she spoke about certain foul calls. She explained how contact on an arm when a player drove to the rim didn't always necessitate a blow of the whistle — it all depended on if the contact truly inhibited the shot.

It didn't occur to me the subjective stance officials need to take at times. Moyer-Gleich changed that.

James Albert, one of the two officials representing baseball, followed Moyer-Gleich with a shorter, but equally impactful speech.

He went through his list of "why we do this" from the stance of an official, ranging from the camaraderie you gain on a daily basis to the overall memories you make.

Like Moyer-Gleich, he related to the registrants on a personal level, balancing the explanations of the positives that can come out of officiating with some of the obstacles he's had to face in his long career.

Albert closed his speech with a simple point about the future of officiating.

"I challenge you to help us grow the game," Albert said. "That's why we're all here."

The entire clinic made me, and I'd imagine the majority of the registrants, gain an understanding and appreciation of officials.

The PIAA definitely needs them. From what I saw by the time I left the experience — with many prospective refs lined up to register — I think it's safe to say the clinic was a success.