Umpire arrested at HS baseball game

[pob14]

From the latest reports:


Quote:

[Stark County State's Attorney James] Owens said Jacobson’s record included drug charges from the early 1980s, but no further information about that could immediately be obtained.

I find it interesting that the EMTs apparently reported "an indication that alcohol might be involved," but the police do not seem to have noted the odor of an alcoholic beverage, or at least the reporters haven't said that they testified to that.

[Robmoz]

(editor’s note: Matt Troha of the IHSA said in a May 14 email that Daryl Jacobson was a last-minute substitute suggested by another umpire, and the school did not have the opportunity to verify Jacobson’s status prior to the game at which the alleged altercation happened. Troha said Jacobson “was not an IHSA official and had not been licensed by the IHSA since 2004.”)

[jwwashburn]

I do not think that interviewing some kid who said his friends told him what happened was extremely responsible journalism.

For all we know, the guy might have had a seizure and alcohol was not involved.

[Eastshire]

Originally Posted by Robmoz

(editor’s note: Matt Troha of the IHSA said in a May 14 email that Daryl Jacobson was a last-minute substitute suggested by another umpire, and the school did not have the opportunity to verify Jacobson’s status prior to the game at which the alleged altercation happened. Troha said Jacobson “was not an IHSA official and had not been licensed by the IHSA since 2004.”)

That's interesting. I wonder what the IHSA rules are regarding schools who use unlicensed officials. I should think the school will be made an example of given what happened.

[jwwashburn]

Originally Posted by Eastshire

That's interesting. I wonder what the IHSA rules are regarding schools who use unlicensed officials. I should think the school will be made an example of given what happened.

Back when I worked HS in Michigan, I think there was a suspension for any umpire who worked with an unlicensed official.

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by jwwashburn

Back when I worked HS in Michigan, I think there was a suspension for any umpire who worked with an unlicensed official.

Wow. Harsh... what did you guys do, trade licenses and compare with drivers licenses before each game?

[Robmoz]

Originally Posted by jwwashburn

Back when I worked HS in Michigan, I think there was a suspension for any umpire who worked with an unlicensed official.

Per the MHSAA Officials Guidebook:


UNREGISTERED OFFICIALS
Registered officials are never to work with anyone who does not hold current MHSAA registration in the sport. While it is the responsibility of the host school in particular and all schools in general to use only currently registered officials in those positions which require MHSAA registered officials (“Who Must Register,” page 3), each contracted official has a responsibility and obligation to assure that he/she works only with MHSAA registered officials.

If it is learned that an unregistered person is present to function as an official, the MHSAA registered official shall:
1) advise the host
2) remind the host that no MHSAA registered official may work any part of a contest with an unregistered person
3) delay the start of the contest until a replacement is provided
4) work the contest only with the registered officials present with the mutual consent of all schools
5) postpone the contest.

It is never an option to accept or use the services of an unregistered official.

[Eastshire]

It's wrong of Michigan to put that on the officials. It should be the school's sole responsibility.

[RPatrino]

Does every registered official carry a card on the field, or do they have a patch? How would you know if an official was even registered? It sounds to me like Michigan doesn't use assignors?

[JRutledge]

Apparantly this was a substitute situation where this guy was a replacement from another umpire that could not work this game. And I am pretty sure that the school in question assigns their own umpires, not assigned by an assignor or organization (usually how it goes in certain parts of the state). The fellow umpire or partner might not have any idea who this guy is or where he came from. And no the IHSA does not put that responsibility on the officials, they put that on the schools. And if an unlicensed umpire/official is assigned a game that school could forfeit that game. Every licensed official is listed online and updated daily so if someone is not licensed that can be looked up especially in today's technology age (IPad, wireless connections, smart phones). But many officials might not have that at the time we are at the game site.

Peace

[Robmoz]

Originally Posted by Eastshire

It's wrong of Michigan to put that on the officials. It should be the school's sole responsibility.

At first I agreed, but then I realize that I am a MIGS and that membership has its privileges and responsibilities. It's not that hard to look up a partner in advance.

IF someone shows up and says he is working the game and I don't know him then I will look for a registration patch (at a minimum) AND will have him acknowledge his ID# in the scorebook prior to commencing the game. Likewise, if I am the guy that is the last minute replacement and unknown to the crew then I will offer sufficient information to assure them that I am properly authorized to work (i.e a current year patch, or ID card).

We all work hard and spend $$$ to hone our skills and at the very least it is unfair to us to allow unregistered, unqualified, or any other adjective to describe an "official" that doesn't participate within the guidelines...not to mention that any liability insurance is VOID when such officials are involved in games that would otherwise afford liability protection.

[bluehair]

Originally Posted by Robmoz

Per the MHSAA Officials Guidebook:


UNREGISTERED OFFICIALS
Registered officials are never to work with anyone who does not hold current MHSAA registration in the sport. While it is the responsibility of the host school in particular and all schools in general to use only currently registered officials in those positions which require MHSAA registered officials (“Who Must Register,” page 3), each contracted official has a responsibility and obligation to assure that he/she works only with MHSAA registered officials.

If it is learned that an unregistered person is present to function as an official, the MHSAA registered official shall:
1) advise the host
2) remind the host that no MHSAA registered official may work any part of a contest with an unregistered person
3) delay the start of the contest until a replacement is provided
4) work the contest only with the registered officials present with the mutual consent of all schools
5) postpone the contest.

It is never an option to accept or use the services of an unregistered official.

This sounds like union/state bullying to me. If you ain't a dues paying member, you ain't getting any games. I'm sure they have couched this rule as to avoid Michigan's new "Right to work" law. Either that or its a case of OBB (over-beaurocrating beaurocrats).

In Texas, we're in the middle of a battle over control of officiating between our state and union. The state's no registration/no games edict has been on hold for years now awaiting a court battle that is probably eating away at our union's coffers. Probably will be a case of whoever has the deeper pockets wins.

[CT1]

Originally Posted by bluehair

The state's no registration/no games edict has been on hold for years now awaiting a court battle that is probably eating away at our union's coffers. Probably will be a case of whoever has the deeper pockets wins.

I'm betting on the state, in that case.

[jwwashburn]

Originally Posted by bluehair

This sounds like union/state bullying to me. If you ain't a dues paying member, you ain't getting any games. I'm sure they have couched this rule as to avoid Michigan's new "Right to work" law. Either that or its a case of OBB (over-beaurocrating beaurocrats).

In Texas, we're in the middle of a battle over control of officiating between our state and union. The state's no registration/no games edict has been on hold for years now awaiting a court battle that is probably eating away at our union's coffers. Probably will be a case of whoever has the deeper pockets wins.

I think it had more to do with Background checks and clinics. I was not a member of a union and never would join one. I do not want my salary determined by the competence of my laziest co-worker.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by bluehair

This sounds like union/state bullying to me. If you ain't a dues paying member, you ain't getting any games. I'm sure they have couched this rule as to avoid Michigan's new "Right to work" law. Either that or its a case of OBB (over-beaurocrating beaurocrats).

In Texas, we're in the middle of a battle over control of officiating between our state and union. The state's no registration/no games edict has been on hold for years now awaiting a court battle that is probably eating away at our union's coffers. Probably will be a case of whoever has the deeper pockets wins.

I have to disagree with that. Most states require those to work and their public high schools and private high schools to have a license or a minimum requirement to work games. The situation in Texas is unique and not applicable to most states. I live in a large population state and you could not work a game with any IHSA member school if you do not have a license. And it has nothing to do with unions or "right to work" issues. They just require you to be qualified by passing a series of steps to work those games and to be around kids. It think that is only fair and just in this very litigious society. After all most of these are non-for-profit private organizations, not public organizations that have to allow someone or anyone to work in that group without some standards being set. And I doubt seriously this would be a legal battle that they would lose as most things require some minimal standard to participate when a license is at play.

Peace