National ref shortage seen in local area

WILBUR — A nationwide shortage of high school and league sports referees is affecting local sports.

The National Association of Sports Officials reports a 25% shortage across the country and this is becoming a concern for the future.

Wilbur-Creston Athletic Director Darin Reppe said finding baseball and softball officials has been challenging.

“This season, the local teams have been forced to play games with only one umpire,” he said.

Bruce Shields is the Assigning Secretary for Central Columbia Basin Umpire Association and is responsible for providing umpires for games in the area.

“I have already told one school we couldn’t cover a game this spring and another school had to change the time of games,” he said.

The shortage is not just affecting spring sports.

“During the football season this past year, I refereed a number of games with four refs instead of the standard five,” referee Steven Niccolls said.

Several factors have led to the shortage.

One reason is the treatment referees receive from parents, athletes and sometimes coaches.

Niccolls recalled three football games this past season where fans were out of control.

“On one occasion a fan went on the field and faced off with a referee and was removed from the field.” Niccolls said. “There were other times when threats were made.”

Niccolls said he was also assaulted twice while serving as a referee.

When he lived in California, he called a runner safe on third base during an adult league Softball game.

“The third baseman took the ball out of his glove and threw it in my face, breaking my nose,” he said.

A police report was filed and the player was given probation and a lifetime ban from playing with the league.

Another incident occurred during a youth soccer game.

A coach, who was the father of the injured goal keeper, disagreed with Niccolls over a call and attacked him, he said.

After that incident, the other soccer refs resigned.

“Unfortunately, it only takes a few bad actors to make it hard on everyone,” he said.

Another issue is scheduling conflicts.

Shields notes there are referees that can’t get off work to officiate.

According to Shields, most baseball and softball games are scheduled during weekdays.

“Most schools don’t have the luxury of lights, which would facilitate evening games,” he said.

A recent example is a Wilbur-Creston game scheduled at 2 p.m. on a weekday.

“Only two umpires are available on Tuesdays,” he said.

Shields said the shortage came on slowly, starting early in the 2010s.

When the COVID-19 shutdown orders came in Washington state, many sidelined umpires did not return.

Age is also a factor.

“People are retiring out with no young people willing to take our place,” he says.