The Athletic Officials Association Baseball Division would like, again, to offer its current members and new first-year members the possibility of receiving Level 1 clinic credit for attending a minimum of four of six scheduled meetings. We received IHSA approval for the same format in 2020 and the program was very successful.

AOA Baseball meets for six consecutive weeks on a Wednesday evening, from 6:45 PM to 9:00 PM. Normally we would meet at Naperville North High School, however, due to COVID-19, we plan to conduct our training sessions online. By attending 4-6 meetings, each person would get 8-12 hours of training.

February 3, 2021
1) TMac’s Teachable Moments– Close Call Sports– 60 minutes
2) Base Running Awards – John Cyr, 30 minutes
3) Strike Zone/Working the Plate – 30 minutes

February 10, 2021
1) Interference (other than Batter) and FPSR – Pat Weber 35 minutes
2) Live Ball vs. Dead Ball – Steve Harms 35 minutes
3) Developing Your Goals in Umpiring – Brad Snyder 35 minutes

February 17, 2021
1) MLB Umpire – Dan Bellino – 90 minutes
2) Pitching Regulations/Balks – Bob Copas – 30 minutes

February 24, 2021
1) Infield Fly – Steve Harms – 35 minutes
2) Warn/Restrict/Eject – Craig Davelis – 35 minutes
3) Professionalism Do’s and Don’ts – Brad Snyder – 35 minutes

March 3, 2021
1) Handling Lineup Card – Bill Mushrush – 30 minutes
2) Batting Out of Order – Bill Mushrush – 15 minutes
3) You Make the Call Video Review – Greg Johnson – 60 minutes

March 10, 2021
1) Rules Changes and POE – Alan Albert – 25 minutes
2) New DH Rule Alan Albert – 30 minutes
3) NFHS Part 1 Exam Review – John Cyr/Greg Johnson 50 minutes

The next pre-season meeting of the Athletic Officials Association basketball division will be held on Zoom on Thursday, November 19.  Check-in runs from 6:45 to 6:55 p.m. and the presentations start promptly at 7:00 p.m.   Members in good standing will receive their Zoom Access Code each week via email.  

WEEK EIGHT — AOA BASKETBALL MEETING SCHEDULE  
Thursday, November 19
700 – Welcome
705 – Presentation 1: Being A Good Partner, Don Williams
725 – Presentation 2: Rules Overview: NFHS Rules 1-2-3
745 – Presentation 3: Fighting Penalty Administration Review, Joe Spagnolo
810 – Meet The Assigner: Steve Bellmore, Northern Lake County and Fox Valley Conferences
820 – Plays of the Week
825 – Announcements
830 – New Officials Workshop 101

Mini-Session Synopsis

Mini-Session # 1: “Being A Good Partner”
There are three teams on the court at one time and the one that needs to be on the page the most are the officials.  Don Williams reviews the expectations of working with your partners and what steps you should take to make yourself, and your partners, the best they can be.

Mini Session # 2: “Rules Overview: NFHS Rules 1-2-3
Every rule in the rules book has equal importance and all must be enforced.  The first three rules are seldom studied but still essential to your success as an official.  Joe Spagnolo will review these sections in a quick overview that will make these introductory sections no longer difficult reading.

Mini-Session # 3: “Fighting Penalty Administration Review”
Brought back by popular demand, this review of proper administration of the fighting penalty should complement your rules knowledge when the dreaded fight takes place in your game.

Casebook Play of the Week # 1:  A1 is unable to attempt either of the two free throws awarded because A1 was injured during the play. A6 enters, replaces A1 and attempts the first free throw. A6 shoots an airball.  A7 reports and enters to replace A6 to shoot the second free throw.  Is this permissible?

Casebook Play of the Week # 2:  Team A substitute No. 25 reports to the table for the first time with approximately one-minute remaining in the second quarter and is beckoned onto the court. No. 25 plays the remainder of the second quarter. During halftime intermission, the official scorer realizes No. 25 is not listed in the scorebook and informs the officials when they return to the court before the start of the third quarter.  What penalties will be assessed? 

The next pre-season meeting of the Athletic Officials Association basketball division will be held on Zoom on Thursday, November 12.  Check-in runs from 6:35 to 6:55 p.m. and the presentations start promptly at 7:00 p.m.   

WEEK SEVEN – AOA BASKETBALL MEETING SCHEDULE  
Thursday, November 12
700 – Welcome
705 – Presentation 1: Pre-Game With Partners, Paul Schoessling
725 – Presentation 2: Focus on the Rules – Rule 5:  Scoring & Timing Regulations
745 – Presentation 3: Professionalism During a Pandemic, Bob Horvath
810 – Meet The Assigner: Bob Horvath, Suburban Prairie & Southwest Suburban Conferences
820 – Plays of the Week
825 – Announcements
830 – New Officials Workshop 101

Mini-Session Synopsis

Mini-Session # 1: “Pre-Game With Partners”
There’s no better way to get everybody in your officiating crew on the same page than to have an effective pre-game meeting.  Paul Schoessling will provide concepts and essentials of being prepared and effective, so that your crew can be the best team on the court.

Mini Session # 2: “Focus on the Rules – Rule 5 – “Scoring and Timing Regulations”
The basics of Scoring and Timing Regulations are presented.  Topics covered include Scoring Fundamentals, Time-Out Basics, Time-Out Administration and End of Quarter situations.

Mini-Session # 3: “Professionalism During a Pandemic”
2020 has created a whole new ballgame with officials and professionalism.  Bob Horvath will discuss what will be the new normal for this season and how the official-assignor-game administrator relationship will now change with new situations in the ongoing pandemic. 

Casebook Play of the Week # 1:  While the ball is in flight on a try for goal by A1: (a) B1 touches the ball and then time expires; or (b) time expires and then B1 touches the ball. The ball continues in flight and enters Team A’s basket.  What is the status of these plays? 

Casebook Play of the Week # 2:  Following a violation in the first extra period, the timer informs the referee that by mistake the period started with: (a) more; or (b) less than four minutes on the clock.  How are these situations rectified? 

The next pre-season meeting of the Athletic Officials Association basketball division will be held on Zoom on Thursday, November 5.  Check-in runs from 6:35 to 6:55 p.m. and the presentations start promptly at 7:00 p.m.   Members in good standing will receive their Zoom Access Code each week via email.
  
WEEK SIX — AOA BASKETBALL MEETING SCHEDULE  
Thursday, November 5
700 – Welcome
705 – Presentation 1: IHSA Part 1 Rules Exam Review
725 – Presentation 2: Focus on the Rules – Rule 8: Free Throw
745 – Presentation 3: Tim Loughnane, Game Management
810 – Meet The Assigner: Rich Parsons, Northeastern Athletic Conference
820 – Plays of the Week
825 – Announcements
830 – New Officials Workshop 101

Mini-Session Synopsis

Mini-Session # 1: “Part 1 Rules Exam Review”
A review of the Part 1 Rules Examination is presented.

Mini Session # 2: “Focus on the Rules – Rule 8 – “Free Throw”
The basics of the free throw rule are presented.  Topics covered include Free Throw Administration, Mechanics and Violations.

Mini-Session # 3: “Game Management”
Although Rules Knowledge and Mechanics are essential for success in officiating, there are many times where a mastery of game management skills can make or break your performance.  Tim Loughnane will review game management techniques, what to look for and how to assess them. 

Casebook Play of the Week # 1:  B1, in a marked lane space, enters the lane prematurely. The administering official properly signals the violation and A1 attempts the free throw. However, A1’s attempt does not enter the basket or touch the ring. Is there a violation on this play? 

Casebook Play of the Week # 2:  A1 is fouled but erroneously is not awarded two free throws even though the automatic bonus is in effect. Team A is given a throw-in, and A1 inbounds the ball to A2 who is tied up by B1 resulting in a held-ball situation. The error is discovered following the held-ball call. The possession arrow is pointing to B’s basket. How can we correct this situation? 

The next pre-season meeting of the Athletic Officials Association basketball division will be held on Zoom on Thursday, October 29.  Check-in runs from 6:35 to 6:55 p.m. and the presentations start promptly at 7:00 p.m.   Members will receive their Zoom Access Code each week via email.

WEEK FIVE — AOA BASKETBALL MEETING SCHEDULE 

Thursday, October 29
700 – Welcome
705 – Presentation 1: Equity In Officiating, Joe Spagnolo
725 – Presentation 2: Focus on the Rules – Rule 7: Out of Bounds and the Throw-In
745 – Presentation 3: Unwritten Rules of Basketball, Mark Siekierski
810 – Meet The Assigner: Mark Siekierski, Upstate Eight Conference
820 – Plays of the Week
825 – Announcements
830 – New Officials Workshop 101

Mini-Session Synopsis

Mini-Session # 1: “Equity in Officiating”
A subject that is seldom discussed, but essentially important, is how the perception of fairness and bias comes in to play with the game participants.  Equity issues not only relate to the coach-official relationship but also include how inequities exist between game officials.

Mini Session # 2: “Focus on the Rules – Rule 7 – “Out of Bounds & the Throw-In”
As it frequently happens throughout the game, the status of inbounds and out of bounds along with the procedures of throw-in administration and throw-in violations must be administered properly.  This pre-season review should allow all officials to master this section of the rules book.

Mini-Session # 3: “Unwritten Rules of Basketball”
IHSA basketball clinician and three-time state final official Mark Siekierski covers this subject.  Although the rules book and case book cover most of the regulations, the everyday unwritten rules of basketball must be followed to properly adjudicate the rules of the game.

AOA Basketball Video Play of the Week: https://youtu.be/kLaGfYHxJ3Y
A held ball occurs on the court and the ball is awarded to Team A per the alternate possession arrow. On the subsequent throw-in, defensive player B1 kicks the inbounds pass. Team A then completes the throw-in. Which team will receive the ball on the next alternate possession situation? 

AOA Basketball Case Book Play of the Week:   B1 fouls airborne A1 who is in the act of shooting. Before airborne shooter A1 returns one foot to the floor, he/she is fouled by B2 who has moved into A1’s landing area. Neither foul is intentional or flagrant.  What happens if the shot is not good?  What happens if the shot goes in? 

The next pre-season meeting of the Athletic Officials Association basketball division will be held on Zoom on Thursday, October 22.  Check-in runs from 6:35 to 6:55 p.m. and the presentations start promptly at 7:00 p.m.   Members will receive their Zoom Access Code each week via email. 

WEEK FOUR – AOA BASKETBALL MEETING SCHEDULE 
Thursday, October 22
700 – Welcome
705 – Presentation 1: Flagrant Fouls vs. Intentional Fouls, Darrin Sortor
725 – Presentation 2: Focus on the Rules – Rule 6: Live Ball and Dead Ball
745 – Presentation 3: So You Think That’s A Travel, Joe Spagnolo
810 – Meet The Assigner: Jeff Schwarz, Central Suburban, Metro Suburban, North Suburban Conferences
820 – Plays of the Week
825 – Announcements
830 – New Officials Workshop 101

Mini-Session Synopsis

Mini-Session # 1: “Flagrant Fouls vs. Intentional Fouls”
IHSA Rules Interpreter Darrin Sortor reviews one of this year’s NFHS Points of Emphasis in deciphering Flagrant and Intentional Fouls.  There are unique distinctions between the two and these tenents must be properly called as games become more physical and strategic fouling takes place.

Mini Session # 2: “Focus on the Rules – Rule 6 – Live Ball and Dead Ball”
The action that happens most frequently in a basketball game – changes between live and dead balls is reviewed.  The are only three things that make a ball live but several that change its status to dead.  The facts and myths of live balls and dead balls will also be discussed.

Mini-Session # 3: “So You Think That’s A Travel”
Joe Spagnolo presents a review of crossover dribbles, spin moves, jump stops and Euro-steps.  The reasons and concepts of why traveling frequently is called incorrect is also examined in the video-rich presentation.

AOA Basketball Video Play of the Week:  https://youtu.be/TGHr5ChPmYA
The defender and screener make contact.  Is there a foul on this play?  If so, who is the foul on?  Does the basket count?  If free throws are to be shot, who shoots them?

AOA Basketball Case Book Play of the Week:   The third quarter ends; as the teams are heading to their respective benches, team members A1 and B1 verbally taunt one another. How are these penalties assessed? 

The next pre-season meeting of the Athletic Officials Association basketball division will be held on Zoom on Thursday, October 15.  Check-in runs from 6:35 to 6:55 p.m. and the presentations start promptly at 7:00 p.m.   Members will receive their Zoom Access Code each week via email. 

WEEK THREE – AOA BASKETBALL MEETING SCHEDULE

Thursday, October 15
700 – Welcome
705 – Presentation 1: Sam Knox, Illinois High School Association
725 – Presentation 2: Focus on the Rules – Rule 10: Fouls & Penalties
745 – Presentation 3: Contact and Foul Calling Basics, Joe Spagnolo
810 – Meet The Assigner: Joe Ewers, Illinois Central Eight & River Valley Conferences
820 – Plays of the Week
825 – Announcements
830 – New Officials Workshop 101

Mini-Session Synopsis

Mini-Session # 1: “Sam Knox, Illinois High School Association”
Illinois High School Association Assistant Executive Director Sam Knox will speak about officiating throughout the state.  He has served the IHSA in this role since 2015 and has been a licensed basketball official for the past twenty years.

Mini Session # 2: “Focus on the Rules – Rule 10 – Fouls & Penalties”
The essentials of Rule 10 and an overview of contact, fighting and technical fouls will be presented.  The automatic foul occurrences, concepts of the different types of contact and penalty assessment fundamentals will be highlighted.

Mini-Session # 3: “Contact and Foul Calling Basics”
Joe Spagnolo presents video reviews of the different types of contact, incidental and excessive contact, the concepts of Rhythm, Speed, Balance, Quickness; Freedom of Movement and Legal Guarding Position.

AOA Basketball Video Play of the Week:  https://youtu.be/FVZCaklRit8
Watch the video in its entirety. Does the contact during the throw-in warrant a foul and if so, on which player?  Why should free throws be shot in this scenario?  Is this the correct call if the player absorbing the contact did not have inbounds status?

AOA Basketball Case Book Play of the Week:
Since it is a violation for thrower A1 to throw the ball directly into the basket from out of bounds, what happens if B1 touches the throw-in pass while the ball is in the cylinder above A’s basket?

The next pre-season meeting of the Athletic Officials Association basketball division will be held on Zoom on Thursday, October 8.  Check-in runs from 6:35 to 6:55 p.m. and the presentations start promptly at 7:00 p.m.  

You can join this week’s meeting by using this link:  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83032444542

In the event you have to enter the meeting ID:
Meeting ID for this week is:  830 3244 4542. 
If you are joining only by audio, the dial-in number is:  312 626 6799.

If you have not completed your registration for membership, you can do so at: https://www.athletic-officials.com/basketball/basketball-membership/

To participate in the Zoom meetings, you need to create a free Zoom account at:  http://zoom.us/signup and download and install the Zoom application on your device at:  https://zoom.us/download.  Be sure to select the “Zoom Client For Meetings” in the Download Center.

WEEK TWO — AOA BASKETBALL MEETING SCHEDULE

 
Thursday, October 8
700 – Welcome
705 – Presentation 1: Professionalism in Officiating, Sal Vasta, IHSA Clinician
725 – Presentation 2: Focus on the Rules – Rule: 9
745 – Presentation 3: You Make The Call – 2020 Edition, Joe Spagnolo
810 – Meet The Assigner: Sal Vasta, GCAC and DuKane Conferences
820 – Plays of the Week
825 – Announcements
830 – New Officials Workshop 101

Mini-Session Synopsis

Mini-Session # 1: “Professionalism in Officiating”
IHSA Clinician Sal Vasta discusses Professionalism on and off the court for officials. Topics include Fitness and Health, Rules Knowledge, The Do’s and Don’ts of Communication, Guidelines for Dealing with Unruly Spectators, and Being a Role Model.

Mini Session # 2: “Focus on the Rules – Rule 9 – Violations”
A brief review of Violations will be presented.  The essentials of Out of Bounds, Backcourt, Illegal Dribble, Traveling and Counts will be examined.

Mini-Session # 3: “You Make The Call – 2020 Edition”
Joe Spagnolo will provide his annual video evaluation of “You Make The Call” plays from clips from the past 12 months.  This traditional favorite segment always provides stimulating discussion.

Video Play of the Week: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lGkg7it_L6E
There’s a lot going on in this play.  The frantic action needs complete concentration and a timely whistle to properly officiate the play.  What do you think the officials missed in this sequence?

AOA Case Book Play of the Week:  A1 attempts a try after ending the dribble. The try does not touch the backboard, the ring or any other player. A1 runs and is able to catch the ball before it strikes the floor.  Is this traveling?

The first pre-season meeting of the Athletic Officials Association basketball division will be held on Zoom on Thursday, October 1.  Check-in runs from 6:35 to 6:55 p.m. and the presentations start promptly at 7:00 p.m.  Members will receive their Zoom Access Code each week via email.

WEEK ONE — AOA BASKETBALL MEETING SCHEDULE

Thursday, October 1
6:35 – 6:55 pm – Check-In
7:00 – 7:05 pm – Welcome and Online Meeting Reminders
7:05 – 7:25 pm – Mini-Session # 1:  Officiating in 2020 and Beyond (Joe Spagnolo)
7:25 – 7:45 pm – Mini-Session # 2: Focus on the Rules – Rule 4
7:45 – 8:10 pm – Mini-Session # 3: 2020 IHSA Summer Basketball Video Review (Fred Allman)
8:10 – 8:20 pm – Meet The Assigner:  Fred Allman (DuKane, Mid-Suburban, DuPage Valley)
8:20 – 8:25 pm – Plays of the Week
8:25 – 8:30 pm – Announcements
8:30 – 9:00 pm – New Officials Workshop:  Using Internet Resources

Mini-Session Synopsis

Mini-Session # 1: “Officiating in 2020 and Beyond”
IHSA Clinician Joe Spagnolo analyzes how long-lasting effects from the pandemic will affect the everyday future of officiating.  Protection, health, new mandates, and liabilities are all spin-offs of today’s changes in society.

Mini-Session # 2:  “Focus on the Rules – Rule 4”
A brief review of the definitions of basketball will be presented.  Concepts of control and status, defensive legality, contact and terminology are discussed.

Mini-Session # 3:  “2020 IHSA Summer Basketball Video Review”
IHSA Rules Interpreter Fred Allman reviews 11 different film clips on game situations, including how we, as officials, need to be professional and manage conflict. 
———-

AOA Plays of the Week:  

AOA Basketball Video Play of the Week:  https://youtu.be/3Vl-8WQBPb8
Should a foul have been called on this play?

AOA Basketball Case Book Play of the Week:  A1 becomes confused and throws the ball at the wrong basket. A1 is fouled by B1 and then the ball goes into the basket. Is this a successful basket? If A1 missed, would A1 be awarded two free throws for the foul by B1?

AOA Basketball Meetings will be conducted online using Zoom Technology.  The first meeting is scheduled for Thursday, October 1.  All meetings will begin at 7:00 p.m. and check-in each night starts at 6:30 p.m.

Each meeting will include three mini-session presentations, a guest assignor segment, the Plays of the Week and a new officials’ workshop.  Dues have been reduced 40% for returning members.
 

Meeting Dates:
Thursday, October 1
Thursday, October 8
Thursday, October 15
Thursday, October 22
Thursday, October 29
Thursday, November 5
Thursday, November 12
Thursday, November 19
 

Topics and presenters will be posted before each week’s meeting.  Participants that attend a minimum of four of the first seven meetings will be eligible for IHSA Level 1 Clinic Credit.