There is a critical need for youth sports referees and umpires in Pennsylvania, as the current shortage is putting immense pressure on existing officials, writes Alicia Vitarelli for 6ABC. 

John Riley, of Phoenixville, has been officiating youth volleyball and softball games for the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association for the past decade. 

“My first year I did 15 games or something like that,” said Riley. “I did 40 games this year for softball, which is a lot of games.” 

In his ten years as a referee, Riley has witnessed the pool of officials dwindle. 

“We do high school kids and middle school kids,” he said. “Because of the shortage of officials, I’ve now started doing some college games because there’s a shortage of officials at colleges too.” 

According to his estimates, the state has lost around 30 percent of its youth sports officials. He added that if we want to keep sports programs thriving, we need more umpires. 

“Do it for the kids,” he said. 

Read more about the issue at 6ABC.