The Oregon Athletic Officials Association [OAOA] has seen a 20 percent decrease in number of officials in Oregon. If officials keep retiring and quitting with no one to replace them, the future of youth and high school sports could be put in jeopardy.
With no one stepping up to replace old officials, the few young and inexperienced officials are being shown the abuse early in their officiating careers.
“The biggest factor is abuse from fans mostly parents especially at lower levels which younger officials start at,” Jack Folliard, Executive Director of the OAOA, said, “. . . a large percentage of new officials work one or two years then quit because of the abuse.”
Throughout the abuse, those that officiate do it for the betterment of the game.
“Most officials do not officiate for a financial gain,” Theresia Wynns, Director of Sports and Officials for the National Federation of State High School Associations based in Indiana, said.
Local high school referees often endure the same or a similar crowd every game, “At the varsity level we have a rotating crew of maybe 10 guys we see over and over again throughout the season,” South Salem Baseball Coach Max Price said. This repetition for officials could lead to a feud between a certain officiating crew and particularly verbal parents, making it of utmost importance for parents and players to have set standards to follow when it comes to treatment of officials.
According to Wynns, this standard should be handed down to coaches from school administration, then relayed to participants and spectators of the game.
“Once the expectations are set then a plan needs to be in place to share them with all parties and help them to understand there will be consequences to poor behavior.” Wynns said.
If these expectations aren’t met, “Who is going to be the person who goes and says ‘Hey buddy you need to leave’?” Max Price said. After witnessing first hand the abuse of officials, Price doesn’t want his players to go through the same abuse.
“Recommending [officiating] to younger people is not something that I’d want or want my players to become umpires and be treated the way they are.”
Although officiating might not be for everyone, spectators should consider becoming an official and work to improve the game they love, “Those persons who are avid fans and enjoy the game should be encouraged to give back to the game that they love some much by becoming an official.” Wynns said, “Officials associations can have a public meeting and invite interested persons to come hear about officiating and what it means to become an official.”
“Without officials, it’s just recess!” Folliard said
All sports have rules, and all sports need officials to uphold them. Without them, the sporting world wouldn’t be the same or wouldn’t be at all.
