Page 73 - 2023-24 By-Laws

Rule 14 - Officials
Q. 14-5 Is an Official who is just licensed in another state qualified to officiate a Contest, in
an IHSAA Recognized Sport, which involves an IHSAA member School?
A. No, anyone who officiates an Indiana Contest involving an IHSAA member School
must have a current IHSAA Official’s license. (rule 14-1)
Officials’ Contracts and Fees

Q. 14-6 What procedure should be followed when an approved IHSAA Offi cials’ Assignor
is used to assign umpires to a baseball Contest or softball Contest and no contract
has been signed?
A. Regardless of how an umpire is assigned to a Contest, there must be an IHSAA
Contract For Contest Offi cial Contract for Athletic Contests between the host School

and the Offi cial, and therefore, prior to the Contest being played, the host School

must secure a signed IHSAA Contract For Contest Offi cial. (rule 11-2)
Q. 14-7 Does the IHSAA regulate the pay of Offi cials for the Tournament Series in a sport?

A. Yes. The fee for Offi cials in all IHSAA Tournament Series is set by the Executive

Committee. However in Season Contests, the fee for Offi cials is set by the host

School.

Contest Officials
Q. 14-8 Must member Schools use IHSAA contracts when hiring offi cials?

A. Yes, member Schools must use the IHSAA Contract For Contest Offi cial form when

hiring Offi cials. (rule 11-2)
Q. 14-9 How many licensed Offi cials are recommended to be hired for Varsity Season

Contests?
A. The number of Offi cials for a Season Contest may be addressed by the playing

rules of the sport (which controls); however the IHSAA would recommend that the
number of offi cials for Varsity Contests is:

Cross Country – 1 Basketball – 3 Baseball – 2
Volleyball – 2 Swimming – 1 Wrestling – 1
Soccer – 3 Gymnastics – 2 Softball – 2
Football – 5 Track and Field – 1
Regardless of the level of competition, IHSAA licensed Officials must be used for
all Season Contests conducted in Indiana, whether it is a Varsity Contest, a junior
varsity Contest or a freshman Contest.
Q. 14-10 May a student member of a School team officiate a Non-School contest, i.e., an
independent or club game?
A. Yes. While a high school student may not become a licensed IHSAA Official (rule
14-8), and therefore cannot officiate a Contest involving a member School in an
IHSAA Recognized Sport, the IHSAA rules do not prohibit a high school student
from officiating Non-School contests.
Q. 14-11 If it is recommended that a Season Contest have more than One (1) Official (e.g.,
baseball, basketball, football, gymnastics, soccer, softball or volleyball), and only
One (1) IHSAA licensed Official shows up, what procedure should the Schools
follow?
A. The Contest may be conducted provided the participating Schools and the Official
who did show up, agree to conduct the Contest with the One (1) IHSAA licensed
Official.
Q. 14-12 When a Season Contest requires only One (1) Official (e.g., track and field,
swimming, cross country, wrestling) and the One (1) IHSAA licensed Official fails
to show up, what procedure should the Schools follow?
A. The Contest shall not be held unless a licensed Official can be found. (rule 14-1)
Q. 14-13 If an Official fails to attend a junior varsity Season Contest in wrestling, can a willing
and knowledgeable parent or fan step in for the missing Official?
A. No. Only an IHSAA licensed Official may officiate a Season Contest which requires
an Official. However, if the parent or fan is an IHSAA licensed Official in wrestling,
then that parent or fan can step in and officiate the Contest. (rule 14-1)
Q. 14-14 Can a high school student qualify for and then officiate a Season Contest involving
a member School.
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