RULES, MECHANICS, TECHNIQUES:

BASEBALL
It Ain’t Over When It’s Over: Postgame Discussion Critical for Evaluation, Feedback; Runners, Batter-Runner Governed Differently; Chalk Talk: Two Umpires: Rotating to Third; The Gorilla Stance

SOFTBALL
Get Help When Necessary: Use Common Sense, Integrity Before Reversing a Ruling; Out of the Baseline; To Remove or Not Remove the Bat; Five Minutes With … Mike Bartling; Chalk Talk: Wheel Play Mechanics

SOCCER
Inside Look: Youth Regional Tournament: Assessors Agree: Referees Need to Improve Communication Skills; How to Work Like the Pros; How to Deal With Sideline Rants; Chalk Talk: Defender Earns Caution for Stepping Off

BASKETBALL
2008-09 NCAA Men’s and Women’s Rule Changes: Goaltending Change Takes Center Stage; Five Minutes With … Tom Lopes; Chalk Talk: Lead Signals Tipped Ball; Offseason Dos and Don’ts

FOOTBALL
Who Goes Up Must Come Down: But Diving, Airborne Receiver Doesn’t Always Make a Catch; What Wings Need to Watch; Chalk Talk: Motion Changes Strength; Observing the Block of the Tackle; Avoid the Dreaded Inadvertent Whistle

FEATURES:

Austin Without Limits
You may feel like you know Gerald Austin after watching him officiate in the NFL for 26 seasons. He’s that businesslike NFL white hat who has worked multiple Super Bowls, right? Yet there is a lot more to the man than the image he portrays on TV. Now retired from the field, Austin and those who know him best share more about Austin the crew chief, family man and Conference USA coordinator of football officials.

Policing the Game
Law enforcement officers use communication, crisis management and stress management skills on a daily basis in their line of work. A few of those officers explain how they utilize those skills when they are working as a sports official.

Three Up, Three Down
Toiling for a number of years, umpires in minor league baseball finally see the light when they reach Triple-A — they are one step away from the big leagues. As the stories of Scott Higgins, Ron Barnes and Justin Klemm will confirm, getting a taste of the big leagues isn’t always enough.

Basic Training: Make the Most of Your Time
Job. Family. Vacations. All consume your time. How do you squeeze in officiating and related duties? You can’t add hours to the day, so you need to use your time wisely.

COLUMNS & DEPARTMENTS:

Publisher’s Memo
The ‘Hypocratic’ Oath

The Gag Rule
Space is a Must; Give Us a Break; They Like Us

The News
Donaghy Gets 15 Months in Prison; NBA Restructures Officiating Department; South Carolina Passes Officials’ Assault Law

Back to Basics
Courtesy When You Arrive, When You Leave; Use Your Ears as Well as Your Eyes; Work Hard the Entire Game

Getting It Right
Crew Shows Its Kindness in Pregame Visit; Inaugural All-Star Game a Big Hit; Jury, NFL Stars Help With Clinic

Tools
Dalco Athletic Offers New Official’s Jacket; Gore-Tex Striped Football Jacket; Book Features Leadership Lessons; Writers MP3 Pen with Rubber Grip

Take Care
How to Prevent Lower Leg Injuries; Flexibility Has Many Benefits; Daily Exercise Suggestions

For the Record
MLS and Minor League Baseball rosters

Law
Fighting Back Has Some Consequences; When an Injury Occurs, Record It; Think First When Speaking Publicly

Classifieds
Camps/Clinics/Schools; Equipment/Apparel; Miscellaneous

Last Call
Chill Out: “I long for the opportunity to wear a windbreaker to fend off both wind and rain.”