For years, unruly parents have turned youth sporting events into a toxic environment. The cancellation of games and entire seasons over the last two years hastened an exodus of referees.
Tag Archives: Officiating (Sports)
Johnny Grier, N.F.L.’s First Black Referee, Dies at 74
Mr. Grier joined the league as a field judge in 1981 and was elevated to referee, or crew chief, seven years later, becoming a mentor to other Black officials.
The Reason Every N.F.L. Playoff Team Will Lose
Only one of these teams will prove us wrong.
What Is a Foul in the NBA? It’s Always Evolving
The N.B.A. foul is never set in stone. As players reinvent the game, the officiating changes, too.
The N.F.L. Made Some Changes Since the Last Time You Watched
Unfamiliar jersey numbers, penalties for anything that seems like trash-talking, gambling everywhere. These changes will incite double takes this season.
Before Balls and Strikes, Umpires Make a Call to Pray
For more than a decade, a group of Major League Baseball’s umpires has convened by phone to pursue spiritual solace.
College Football Rule Changes for 2021
Officials made some tweaks to the rule book for 2021. Next year, though, could bring much more rewriting.
For Volunteer Umpires, Little League World Series in the Pinnacle
The players dream of nationally televised glory. But for the nervous and excited volunteer umpires, the goal is to go unnoticed.
Football Player Who Assaulted a Referee Seeks a New Start
A high school football player in Texas became infamous when he did the unthinkable, leveling a referee. With grace from the ref, the player is seeking a new start.
Joe West to Break Record for Games Umpired
With Joe West about to break Bill Klem’s record for games, a look at four umpires who can connect 1905 to 2021.
Will the Super Bowl Be Decided by Penalties?
Statistics from the regular season indicate that the Buccaneers benefited more from officiating calls than the Chiefs did.
Champions League Match Stopped After Official Is Accused of Racial Abuse
Players from the Turkish club Basaksehir and their Paris St.-Germain counterparts refused to play and left the field after a match official was accused of using racist language.
A Referee Pursues Her Calling in the Men’s Game
Last season, Crystal Hogan was the only woman officiating games in the top level of college basketball. The question is: Why?
Is This Still Soccer?
In Massachusetts, rule changes brought on by the pandemic — no contact, no tackles, no headers, no throw-ins — are forcing soccer players and coaches to adapt to a very different game.
The N.F.L.’s High Scores This Season Might Be Related to the Pand
Some look to the effects of the disruptions caused by the pandemic, while others find other explanations. But it’s irrefutable teams are scoring more points than in last season.
Will This Be the Last French Open With Only Human Eyes Minding the Lines?
Clay-court events have been the last holdouts against electronic line calling, in large part because of how well the surface absorbs marks wherever a ball lands.
Secrets of the Most Thankless N.B.A. Job: Referee
A 17-year veteran N.B.A. referee discusses blown calls, player beefs and the timeless question: Do superstars get special treatment?
Automated Judging Changed the U.S. Open. Except at a Crucial Moment.
A new system meant no line judges on all but two courts, including the one where Novak Djokovic was playing when he hit a judge with a ball.
Ashe Stadium Again Turns Into an Arena of the Absurd
The stadium has been home to thrilling tennis moments, but also to strange and unusual ones.
Why Novak Djokovic Was Disqualified From the U.S. Open
The rule on the books is not well-known to some tennis fans, but it is clear.
Listen Closely, and You Will Hear Coaching During U.S. Open Matches
When an umpire called out Serena Williams over coaching in the 2018 U.S. Open final, it erupted into a scene. This year, with no fans in the seats, there is chatter galore between coaches and players, even though it breaks the rules.
The Bubble’s Best TV Innovation Deserves a Longer Look
When Major League Soccer began airing video review discussions in real time, it gave fans a rare glimpse inside its games’ biggest calls. More sports should try it.
The Eerie Sound of Sports Without Fans
Professional sports are returning — to empty stadiums where you can hear birds sing. The game is the same. Watching it isn’t.