Umpire arrested at HS baseball 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?

[bob jenkins]

It says "if it is learned that ..." so if the official doesn't know, then the official isn't responsible.

[Eastshire]

Originally Posted by bob jenkins

It says "if it is learned that ..." so if the official doesn't know, then the official isn't responsible.

It also says "has an obligation to assure." I'm not sure ignorance, willful or not, would be a defense.

[jwwashburn]

I always checked when I got my assignments...There were only a handful of guys I did not know...it took five minutes to look up a few guys on the MHSAA web site

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by jwwashburn

I always checked when I got my assignments...There were only a handful of guys I did not know...it took five minutes to look up a few guys on the MHSAA web site

So what do you do when you get to the field and someone that you did not know is on the field?

Peace

[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.

[RPatrino]

What's a MIGS?

[Robmoz]

Originally Posted by RPatrino

What's a MIGS?

Member in Good Standing.....means I paid my fees, took all the required training classes and exams, am a member in a registered local association, achieved satisfactory ratings. A MIGS is required to be eligible for post season consideration here in MI.

[RPatrino]

Given the subject of the thread, I thought it might be, "Maybe Intoxicated on Good Suds"

[JRutledge]

I think people are missing the point. In certain sports or levels, it is easy to know who you are working with well in advance. I know as a football and basketball official, I will never work a game with an unlicensed official because the assignors would not assign someone (or even put them on the Arbiter system) without a license. And if I looked an official up, they are going to very likely be listed. And in football I work with the same crew, so it would be rather hard for us not to know someone's status considering we check those things. That is different as a basketball official as you work with a different set of officials every game practically. But in baseball where the sport is volatile as to when you play and who is available, that is a much harder thing to do. I have gone to games without having any idea who my partner is because of a moving in venue or changing in time. I have had to move from going to one place the a Monday to early Tuesday morning going to a completely different site that is not on the paper contract or email contract. Heck every day I get an email from an assignor now (not working baseball currently) to fill in a game. Often there is no information about partners even if the assignor uses Arbiter. So unless you take a phone with you on the field or you know the exact name or spelling or exact number of an official, not sure how you can totally ensure you are working with a licensed official?

Peace

[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.