A new year...

F A L L 2 0 1 7

Welcome to another school year as a Game Official and/or board leader for our MIAA member schools. We are once again excited to begin another school year. Our school teams are well underway having begun their fall practices and conditioning. Our game officials have already begun the season with many different scrimmages and meetings. A welcome also to new game officials and thank you to the boards and mentors that have worked to prepare them for this exciting opportunity. I would like to thank all of the officials who have worked closely with our schools attending preseason coaches meetings, league meetings or other “new season” discussions. Your willingness to give up your time for the benefit of our schools and all other officials is noteworthy. The MIAA Game Officials Committee continues to work on behalf of all game officials. The committee meets during the year to consider supports and efforts to enhance the profession of game officiating. In May, the 2nd Game Official of the Year Recognition Banquet was held and once again proved to be an enjoyable evening recognizing 22 of your colleagues for their service and exceptional performance as an official. The effort to background check all officials is beginning its third year and although the beginning of this summer was met with some technical issues in this regard, we have moved on to help complete the process for those accessing the ArbiterSports system. Thank you to all for working to complete this in a swift and timely manner. As we begin the 2017-18 school year, let us all continue to remember the valuable impact and service that each of you provides. Many students are returning to their sport for another year and have learned from experiences with their teammates but also contact with the assigned official. Additionally, as is the case each year, there are new students who have not experienced the high level game official at an MIAA member school event. This opportunity provides that teaching moment to help guide them as they begin their athletic experience. Your efforts to manage the game but also educate each player about the rules and decorum of the sport are much appreciated. You make a difference! Richard Pearson Associate Director MIAA & MSAA

MIAA Game Officials

Newsletter

If you would like to communicate with us, please use the following means: Richard Pearson: rpearson@miaa.net Phil Napolitano: pnapolitano@miaa.net

105 CMR: Department of Public Health – 201.007 (E) Training Program

“Game officials shall complete one of the training programs approved by the Department as specified on the Department’s website annually and shall provide independent verification of completion of the training program to schools or school districts upon request.”

The yearly certification requirement is only valid between July 1st and June 30th of a given academic year. In support of Department of Public Health (DPH) regulations cited above, and in the best interests of our student athletes, all MIAA Tournament Directors and Tournament Assignors will require successful completion of a DPH approved concussion training program as a condition for an official accepting an MIAA tournament assignment. Your acceptance of an MIAA Tournament contest assignment will be considered a implicit confirmation that you are a member in good standing with your local board, that you are enrolled with the MIAA, and that you have successfully completed a concussion training program as required by the DPH. The National Federation of High Schools (NFHS) training module, “Concussions in Sports: What You Need to Know”, is one of the MDPH approved training programs and may accessed using the link: Concussions in Sports: What You Need to Know

Concussion Information/Awareness Weeks Think Taylor/MIAA Concussion Awareness Week

September 11-15, 2017

*During the week of September 11th, all MIAA Member High School varsity athletes will take part in ThinkTaylor/MIAA Concussion Awareness Week. *Please take part in the #TTpledge with your

students at ThinkTaylor.org and by posting

your support on social media using #TTpledge.

MIAA Official of the Year Award

The Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association would like to congratulate the following game

officials for being selected to receive the 2016-2017 MIAA Official of the Year Award.

Each official was recognized at the Second Annual MIAA Official of the Year Banquet on Wednesday,

May 31, 2017 at the MIAA Office in Franklin, MA.

Dan Martin—Baseball

Katelyn Cupelo—Basketball (Girls)

Don McGillicuddy—Basketball (Boys)

Dave Bailey—Cross Country

Virginia Slagle—Field Hockey

Fred King—Football

Martin Butler—Gymnastics (Boys)

Marybeth Richardson - Gymnastics (Girls)

Rachel Hutchinson—Ice Hockey (Girls)

Bill Doiron—Ice Hockey (Boys)

Steven Keyes—Indoor Track

2017-18 MIAA Game Official of the Year “Exemplify the highest standards of sportsmanship, ethical conduct, and moral character”

This award seeks to recognize and honor officials who have displayed character, integrity and dignity, while displaying the highest standards of ethical conduct. Award candidates should have a record of exceptional performance, as well as a reputation, among their peers and the athletic community, for fair play, for good sportsmanship, and for the development of these attributes in our student‐athletes. If you feel that you have a nominee who meets these criteria, please complete and submit the attached MIAA Nomination Form, along with any supporting materials (nomination form must be completed for candidates to be considered). A selection committee made up of members of the MIAA Game Officials Committee (GOC), will review each nomination and choose an Official of the Year, in each sport. Officials and guest(s) will be invited to attend the awards banquet in May 30, 2018 at the MIAA Office in Franklin, MA. A maximum of two guests will be invited per official.

2017-18 MIAA Game Official of the Year Nomination Form (click link to access nomination form)

James Carboneau—Lacrosse (Boys)

Lisette Walter—Lacrosse (Girls)

Deborah Pelletier—Outdoor Track

Matt Stein—Soccer (Boys)

Michele Beagan—Soccer (Girls)

Gary Stacy—Softball

Peter Chamberlain—Swimming & Diving (Fall)

Robert Garon—Swimming & Diving (Winter)

Diane Beauchamp—Volleyball (Boys)

Jean Brady—Volleyball (Girls)

Larry Consolini—Wrestling

Prior to the start of each game, all MIAA officials will conduct an equipment inspection for both teams, in accordance to the NFHS rules book: Rule 1, Section 6. Article 1-6. For details on the Shoot-out procedure, please see the Field Hockey Format, page 7, e.

MIAA Handbook Rule 78.2.13 Any coach (head coach or assistant) who receives a red card, is ejected from the contest and shall be suspended from coaching for the next two contests. If a coach receives a second red card in a season, the coach shall be disqualified for one year. The contest may continue if appropriate administration is available.

2017 Fall Sport Rule Highlights

FIELD HOCKEY

SOCCER

Leaping and Hurdling (Rule 9-1-11-b) FR-91 Change noted in Bold

“No defensive player who runs forward from beyond the neutral zone may leap or hurdle in an

obvious attempt to block a field goal or try. It is not a foul if the player was aligned in a

stationary position within one yard of the line of scrimmage when the ball was snapped.”

Comments: This new language prevents ALL players who are not positioned within one yard

of the line of scrimmage at the snap from leaping in any manner.

FOOTBALL

CROSS COUNTRY

4-3-1, 4-3-1b, 4-3-1c: Clarifies that for a track and field as well as cross country uniform to be considered legal, the singlet and bottom or one-piece uniform shall be school-issued or school-approved. This change for school approval addresses the need for athletes to pur-chase a part of their uniform, but such individual apparel shall be approved by the school coach to be certain it meets all rule requirements.

Swim + Dive

8-3-5c, 4-6-1: (Relay Events) On relays, the second, third and fourth swimmers are prohibited from taking off from the top of the starting block wedge. Competitors must have at least one foot in contact with the starting platform in front of the starting block wedge during takeoff. The responsibility to observe this aspect of this takeoff falls under the relay takeoff judge’s jurisdiction, and does not require dual confirmation.

VOLLEYBALL

Sports Specific Tournament Formats All game officials are required to be well versed on

their sport tournament format in order to be assigned to tournament events. A format is a detailed breakdown of how each sport tournament is conducted. It’s important to remember that each sport has its own format, covering dates, rules, tournament ball agreements, overtime rules, and tie breakers, among other information. This information can be found on the MIAA Tournament Formats page of the MIAA website (miaa.net).

It is recommended that all game officials

carry coach and student disqualification forms with

them to each contest. These forms can be found on

the MIAA Game Officials page on the MIAA website.

All game officials are required to know all

procedures when it comes to disqualifications,

including MIAA Handbook Rule 49.1 (pg 48).

Student and Coach Disqualifications

Breast Cancer Awareness Soccer Matches

October 2017

If any school is hosting a fundraising soccer match or tournament for breast cancer, please email Phil Napolitano (pnapolitano@miaa.net) with the event name and date by September 18, 2017. Brine, the official soccer ball of the MIAA, has graciously provided us with a limited amount pink/white Brine soccer balls for these events. Don’t forget to email Phil a photo of your team holding the pink/white Brine soccer ball prior to the Breast Cancer awareness match!!

MIAA Team Sportsmanship Awards

The MIAA would like to encourage game officials to

nominate a boys or girls varsity team for consideration by that MIAA Sport Committee for recognition at the MIAA State Championship contest. Nominated teams do not have to be tournament teams but should exemplify the tenets of good sportsmanship to the highest degree. The nomination form information can be found in each sport specific MIAA Tournament Format.

The recommended Game Officials’ regular

season fees for 2017-2018 have increased $2.00 for

all sports. The entire list of recommended fee’s can

be found under MIAA Rule 93 (pages 110-112) of

the MIAA Handbook.

Game Officials Fees

All game officials are required to know exactly what

tournament ball is to be used during MIAA tournament contests. This information can be found on the MIAA Game Officials page of the MIAA website.

Tournament Ball Agreements

MIAA Background Check Information

Click above to view the policy

Click on the link above to enter Registration then follow steps below

*Due to the introduction by Microsoft of the new browser Edge, Internet Explorer has appeared to have been compromised with working effectively with the Arbiter programming. With this in mind, it is highly recommended that you use Google Chrome or Firefox to register. *Please note that in the payment screen there is a limit of 15 characters for the State. Please use the state abbreviation. *American Express cards are no accepted

NEW OFFICIALS Background Check and Registration 1) Click on the registration tab on the top left of this MIAA ArbiterSports page. 2) Select all sports for which you wish to register and click the REGISTER button. 3) Follow directions and complete all information and consents. A photo is not required. If you already have an Arbiter account, it will recognize your email once you type it in, then follow all directions.

RETURNING OFFICIALS Registration Only/Previously Completed Background Check *Login in the top right-hand corner prior to entering registration All officials must register annually - $10 per sport. Returning officials must confirm pre-populated information and complete all steps of the registration process (see steps above under “New Officials”). Please check and/or correct all contact information.

In order to finalize your registration you will need to once again consent to the background check in step 5 of the registration process, even though you have already been approved. During the final payment step you will not be charged for another background check nor will it be run again. Approved background checks are valid for three years. If you were approved during the 2015-16 school year, it is valid until June 30, 2018.

1. I registered and have been approved by the MIAA under one email address, but my assignor has a different email for me under their account, thus I am not showing as approved to them. What should I do? Answer: You will need to contact Arbiter support, 1-800-311-4060, and ask them to link your email accounts together. The email you provided for the MIAA background check is the one that will show you as an approved official.

2. If my assignor uses Arbiter to assign games, how can they gain access to the list of approved officials? Answer: The assignor will need to contact Phil Napolitano, pnapolitano@miaa.net and provide their 6-digit arbiter account number, along with the sport and leagues they assign. They will be linked to the MIAA super group. Once linked, the eligibility column will show up in their assigning account.

FAQ’s