Referee shortage

PaSportsGuy · Post by **PaSportsGuy** » November 6th, 2019, 2:17 pm

WPXI in Pittsburgh just ran an advertisement that tonight at 5:45 they are going to investigate a critical referee shortage in the WPIAL and neighbouring districts and the possibility that it could be long term and could lead to cancellations going forward. They said the WPIAL has a solution, but that can also lead to controversy.

Just thought I would pass this along if anyone wants to pass.

ERAChamp · Post by **ERAChamp** » November 6th, 2019, 2:56 pm

What is the WPIAL solution to the shortage, or didn't they say??? Possibly moving games from Friday/Saturday to different nights???

CharlieConway · Post by **CharlieConway** » November 6th, 2019, 2:59 pm

Some wanted fairness so much they chased the zebras through the parking lot! Invested all that time and money, and the refs cheated their son or daughter. Them dang officials "had it coming. I told them."

Many officials have spoke out about how bad "it" has gotten to many newspapers.

Back in the day, when the parents got rowdy.
[ul][li]Johnny fouled out[/li]
[li]The Strike Zone got a lot bigger/smaller for Johnny[/li]
[li]The holding calls were looked for a tad bit harder, cause let's be honest, holding can be found on almost every play.[/li][/ul]
When you complained, you actually got cheated! Just like screaming at the coach, little Johnny was introduced to the bench.

PaSportsGuy · Post by **PaSportsGuy** » November 6th, 2019, 5:07 pm

ERAChamp wrote:What is the WPIAL solution to the shortage, or didn't they say??? Possibly moving games from Friday/Saturday to different nights???

hasnt been on yet

X3pointer · Post by **X3pointer** » November 6th, 2019, 5:23 pm

Other states facing a shortage play some games on Thursday night each team has to play at least one game on Thursday

knowitall · Post by **knowitall** » November 6th, 2019, 5:51 pm

Junior high games are played on Thursdays. They need officials too.

Manfred · Post by **Manfred** » November 6th, 2019, 6:37 pm

Around here 7th grade plays Tuesdays, 8th on Thursdays. Go back to 1 Jr. high game that encompasses both grades. Maybe some schools will be able to field teams then.

X3pointer · Post by **X3pointer** » November 6th, 2019, 7:03 pm

They play junior high and JV same night

southpaw · Post by **southpaw** » November 6th, 2019, 7:23 pm

One way to combat ref shortage is to go back to 5 man crews. Ridge olayed a lot of games in wv and md last 10 years and they had 5 man varsity crews. Those crews did just fine. Im seeing the opposite recently where a lot of varsity game are done by 7 man crews.

EnzoLigoniere · Post by **EnzoLigoniere** » November 6th, 2019, 8:10 pm

Does anyone have contact information on how to get into becoming a football official?

BleacherCoaches.com