American Sports Officials, Inc.

10/15/2024

A*O is saddened to learn of the passing of one of our longtime sports officials. James “Cookie” Cook
We are praying for all who love him to find peace. .

primary objective is attempting first [...] [...]

08/11/2024

Congratulations John Dowdy! Well-deserved.

The 2024 Randy Harvey Umpire of the Year award winner has been a mainstay on Florida League fields, and has served a prominent role in his community!

The 2024 winner for the Florida League's Randy Harvey Award is John Dowdy!

Full story: http://floridaleague.com/view/fcsl/news/news_547653

07/26/2024

Today the A*O family is in mourning. We received this news this morning and have been processing this tragedy. Matt was a Volusia native and a fellow sports official. He worked A*O . His sister Anna is an A-1 long time official and board member as well as an A*O official. We pray for the Cindric family and hope to help them move forward in any possible way. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/gdPbQjSKcRjcK7Wf/

03/29/2024

Happy Birthday to American Sports Officials, Inc. And Baseball Umpires Founder Royce Scooter Morrison and MLB umpire Laz Diaz !

11/17/2023

 I just felt like somebody need to hear this this morning!

10/30/2023

Love it!

An all-female officiating crew took the field for the first time EVER in Daytona Beach, Florida last week Friday. Love to see these stories!

Picture credit: Nigel Cook/News-Journal
Link below to see more:
https://www.news-journalonline.com/picture-gallery/sports/high-school/football/2023/10/28/photos-female-officiating-crew-makes-florida-history-at-father-lopez/71356064007/

10/28/2023

Very cool!

08/12/2023

HUGE Congratulations to American Sports Officials, Inc.'s Sean Blacketter on being chosen for the Florida Collegiate Summer League's Randy Harvey Award as Umpire of the Year recipient!

You will not find an Umpire who is more dedicated to the craft or who loves the game more than Sean. Sean started as an intern with the FCSL and moved into umpiring shortly after. He quickly gained admiration and respect from his peers. Sean's personality, gentle demeanor, knowledge of the game and ability to handle the game are what defines him and his abilities on and off the field. A finer gentleman you will not meet.

A huge CONGRATS to Sean on his joining this exclusive club. A*O could not be prouder!

Please take a moment to read the link below to learn a little more about Sean and the Awards namesake, Randy Harvey. Make sure you get to the part about the chest protector! :-)

In 2018, the FCSL established the Randy Harvey Umpire of the Year Award, designed to recognize an umpire who embodies the spirit of Randy Harvey.

The 2023 winner is one of the most dedicated members of the FCSL family - Sean Blackketter.

Full story: http://floridaleague.com/view/fcsl/news/news_545381

07/21/2023

We would like to say a big thank you to Joel Glass and the rest of the Orlando Magic staff for hosting our 2023 interns yesterday to learn more about sports communications and the ins and outs of pro sports!

07/10/2023

Rest In Peace.
Northwoods League Umpire Conor McKenzie and his crew were in a tragic car accident traveling between NWL assignments. Conor lost his life in the incident. The other two umpires traveling with Conor are in stable condition.

McKenzie ( #51) had umpired the most games in Northwoods League history.

In efforts to fund burial cost, please consider purchasing a #51 patch ($10) by contacting Zac Tate who is organizing the fundraising -

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06/09/2023

Summer Collegiate Baseball is in full swing ... Florida Collegiate Summer League is back and stronger than ever! Go to www.floridaleague.com to learn more and schedules ... stop out for a fun evening at the ball park(s) ... have a Hot Dog and a Beer ... Maybe some Peanuts too!

06/01/2023

It's almost that time! Join us for a night of live music, free beer from 5-6 PM, and more at the Florida League Opening Night Tailgate. The Sanford River Rats and Orlando Snappers play at 7 PM at Sanford Memorial Stadium. The tailgate starts at 5 PM, don't miss it!

📍Sanford Memorial Stadium
📆 Thursday, June 1st
🎟️ bit.ly/openingnight23

05/31/2023

Hey Shane Lavin is one of our umpires! Great student athlete and Great young man!

If you’ve got three seconds, Vote for Shane Lavin!

Last week, baseball and softball were the final high school spring sports to finish their seasons. These local athletes starred.

05/29/2023

08/14/2022

Eric Steiner Congratulations on winning one of the most prestigious awards in baseball! 

Eric Steiner is recognized as the 2022 Randy Harvey Umpire of the year, as an umpire who embodies the professionalism, excelled judgement, and spirit of its namesake!👏

📰: http://floridaleague.com/view/fcsl/news/news_541585

08/01/2022

Florida Collegiate Summer League baseball comes to a close. Congratulations to a hard fought battle between Leesburg Lightning and Champion Winter Park Diamond Dawgs, their players, coaches and support staff. 3 great ballgames to eventually crown the champion. Game 3 officials representing American Sports Officials, Inc. and A-1 Officials Association John Dowdy, Royce Scooter Morrison along with Matt Schaeffer calling the game.

Thanks to Stefano Foggi for his continued trust. Visit www.floridaleague.com for more.

Photo's by Eric Steiner Photography.

01/05/2022

For those who might be interested.
For Richie Tallent.

https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/lexington-sc/phillip-tallent-10513051

Celebrate the life of Phillip Tallent, leave a kind word or memory and get funeral service information care of Caughman-Harman Funeral Home - Lexington Chapel.

01/04/2022

We are saddened to hear of the passing of Richie Tallent
(John Puma notified us this morning)

Richie passed away just after 7am this morning the 4th of January 2022 due to complications with his ongoing battles with cancer over the past several years. He was surrounded by family.

Richie had over 38 years of umpiring experience and training. He started his umpiring career in 1983 and then attended the Harry Wendelstedt Umpire School in 1984. He umpired two years in the Minor League system and then moved onto college baseball. With over 36 years in College Baseball his knowledge and experiences were extensive. He worked in many conferences, the South Eastern Conference (SEC) for 25 years, the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) for 19 years, the Southern Conference (SoCon) for 15 years, the Big South Conference for 15 years and the American Athletic Conference (AAC) for 2 years.

Richie also umpired NCAA Regionals at both the Division I and Division II Levels and he also umpired the NCAA Division II World Series.

We always enjoyed Richie and friends coming down in the summer working in the Florida League And helping at all of our training camps.

It would be an understatement to say that he didn’t have an impressive run at umpiring. Richie loved umpiring and he really looked forward to the season every year. Funny thing with Richie was that he loved the nicknames everyone had….his was “the horror show” and he was proud of that….umpiring was a brotherhood for Richie.

Richie touched many lives over the years….you always knew where you stood with Richie as he seldom minced words…he often would just tell you the way it was and you dealt with it.

He was someone that I became closely attached to over the years and especially when he learned of his cancer…as you may or may not know we were great friends, fellow umpires and neighbors…he treated me like family and I will miss him terribly….

Richie was a great friend, mentor, umpire, brother, son and husband….but more importantly a father to his 3 wonderful children.

Please keep his wife, Deana of 29 years and his three children, Chase 26, Kyle 25 and Madison 21 in your prayers and thoughts.

Richie will be missed by many.

John Puma

“ He was a lot of things to a lot of people but most of all he was my friend, I will miss him”

Royce Scooter Morrison

12/10/2021

Good stuff!

09/30/2021

Be these kind of Officials at every level.

It was a gesture that went unnoticed by many after Bama slammed Southern Miss over the weekend 63-14, but it was a gesture that I think is worthy to pass along to you.

It was a long, painful night last Saturday for the Southern Miss Golden Eagles, but before leaving Tuscaloosa, Coach Will Hall's equipment crew not only cleaned up the visitors locker room inside Bryant-Denny Stadium, they left it spotless.

Dirt, sweat, tape, wristbands, braces, water bottles, trash, all cleaned up and disposed of by the Southern Miss football team.

The USM folks have always lived by the motto, "Leave it better than you found it", and they certainly stepped up late Saturday night.

Even after being beaten and bruised, the equipment folks from Hattiesburg were kind and courteous.

That deserves our attention.

That deserves our applause.

Well done, Southern Miss.

Well done.

*Picture courtesy Southern Miss Athletics Southern Miss Football

08/21/2021

A*O Friends, Affiliates and all Baseball Umpires:

Check out this from our friend Shane Livensparger.

Dear Friend,

Attached you will find a short promo video of what to expect from the MLBUC being held in Jacksonville at the Jumbo Shrimp Stadium on Sept 11, 2021. Please check it out, try to attend and share in your networks.

We would love for you to share this information with your umpire groups and networks.

This is a great opportunity to get training and education packed into a single day, as well as be noticed and observed by MLB and MiLB Umpire Supervisors with the possibility of being selected to receive a Scholarship to Umpire School in January of 2022.

Even if you’re not looking to go to Umpire School, This is a great opportunity. Don’t miss it!
Please help us show the staff that Northeast and Central Florida has a great pool of outstanding umpire talent.

Flyer attached below.
Youtube Video Link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cchQLIDqrlc

Thank you for all your help in making this event successful.

Shane Livensparger

[email protected]

08/15/2021

We are all very proud of Kevin Flay! What an incredible honor. Congratulations and we know “Bulldog” is smiling!

Great Job!

Kevin Flay is honored as the 2021 Randy Harvey Umpire of the Year!

The award, the first given since Randy's passing in 2020, recognizes an umpire who embodies the professionalism, excellent judgment, and spirit of its namesake.

📰Read more here: http://floridaleague.com/view/fcsl/news/news_537202

08/14/2021

A*O Sends it’s deep condolences to Coach James’ family and all who love him.

They ACYAA would like to send its condolences to the Jordan family. Coach James Jordan passed away today. Coach James was a long time coach for the BCY/ACY with the Palm Bay Pirates and the Melbourne Hurricanes. Big Game James always had a smile on his face and did everything for his players. Rest easy coach!