Referee Corner
BECOME A REFEREE : MEET THE BROTHER YOU NEVER KNEW YOU HAD ! by DOUG BATES
USA PICKLEBALL CERTIFIED REFEREE
I
I met Mike Baumgardner and Brett Hutlas for the first time at the USA Pickleball National Championships in 2022 . I noticed how much fun they had together and assumed they had known each other for years . The following May , I saw them again , this time at the APP New York City Open . That ’ s when I realized they hadn ’ t known each other long , but were acting like long-lost brothers . Relationships like this are one of the many reasons I enjoy being a referee .
Both were deeply involved with other sports before pickleball . Mike was a high school football coach in Ohio for 25 years while Brett was a high school football referee and an umpire in baseball and softball in Florida .
USA Pickleball : How did you each discover pickleball ?
Mike : One of our local parks has eight courts . I thought it looked fun and competitive .
Brett : I became interested after watching it at a local park . I was immediately invited to hit the ball by the participants and fell in love with it .
USA Pickleball : What drew you to become a referee ?
Brett : My interest in becoming a referee began by wanting to know the rules . I was hooked based on my previous experience in other sports . Honestly , at first [ I liked ] the idea of seeing “ REFEREE ” on
the back of my shirt . I recognized that becoming a CR was a way to give more back to the sport .
Mike : I love the atmosphere of tournaments and knew this would be a way to stay involved . I ’ m a rule-driven person and knew that learning to become a referee would be challenging but rewarding . I ’ m also able to share this journey with my wonderful wife , certified referee Michele Baumgardner .
USA Pickleball : How do you explain your closeness in so short a time of knowing each other ?
Mike and Brett : We clicked very quickly . Our passion for refereeing made it easy to get to know each other . We would talk about rules and mechanics during tournaments . Bouncing things off each other , learning . We have a tremendous amount of mutual respect . Everyone has an inner circle of friends . That circle has people in it that you trust , respect , and look after . Although we are not brothers by birth , we are brothers through pickleball . However , he ’ s taller and I ’ m better looking .
USA Pickleball : What advice would you give anyone wanting to become a referee ?
Brett : Select a mentor who is willing to provide you goals within the referee framework and provide critical feedback . Work on mechanics .
Mike : Study and apply the handbook . There are no shortcuts . You either know it or you don ’ t . Don ’ t try to create shortcuts . It ’ s your choice . Set smart goals after you become an L2 to achieve your goal of becoming a CR . •
New Certified Referees Mary Naimie - San Clemente , California Kandi Patrick - Battle Ground , Washington Christine McConnell - Allentown ,
Pennsylvania Enrique Zuniga - Nutley , New Jersey
Learn more about how to become a referee at usapickleball . org / get-involved / pickleball-officiating .
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