It’s easy to see when someone has a passion for sports but turning that passion to a business isn’t always as easy. But that’s just what Rick Moore of Bay Area Sports Officials (BASO) has done.
“It’s enjoyable being on the field,” said Moore, who works football games in the fall. “I always loved to come back to the field and work on the football fields; best seat in the house, football, baseball, basketball, all of them. Once you’re on the court, once you’re running it, it really helps. And you are actually giving back to the community, giving back to the kids.”
Moore took over BASO in 2019 when Peninsula Sports Incorporated divided up its territory. Moore took over the territory encompassing the Santa Clara Valley, all the way down to Morgan Hill and Gilroy, up to Milpitas, and across to Palo Alto and Los Altos. His officiating crews manage CCS games in ten different sports, including football, flag football, field hockey, volleyball (boys and girls), basketball, soccer, wrestling, baseball, softball and gymnastics.
But he’s not a hands-off owner.
“Rick is out there six days a week working with the [football] refs to train them,” said Randy Frey, a veteran football referee with more than 45 years of experience. “He comes down here on his own time to do this for an hour and a half, two hours every day during the week, and on Saturday, just teaching these guys the basics of the game. It lets them know that we’re invested in developing them.”
Training includes running in-game scenarios with the new referees and talking through the rulebook. Moore believes that repetition is the best way for new referees to learn the game. The weeks of training before the start of CCS play help new refs get comfortable with situations they could face on game day.
Frey has worked with BASO since Moore took over in 2019. Frey remembers what it was like when he started refereeing 45 years ago and is impressed with what Moore is doing to help develop the newest generation of CCS football referees.
“When I started in 1980, we did not have what Rick is doing here. We never came out to the field like this,” said Frey. “We didn’t get any training. Our training was: buy your pants and buy your uniform. You won’t get any games your first year. Go work Pop Warner and PAL to learn what you’re doing.
“I tip my hat to what he does out here and coming out and working with these officials,” continued Frey. “The football rules, probably, of all of the high school sports, I’d say the football rules are probably the most complicated. There is just a lot to learn. And he’s very patient with these guys … I’ve missed two of the sessions so far. Rick hasn’t missed any. And you know these sessions will continue into the season, probably until about halfway through the season, and you know he’ll be out here every day. And I mean, that’s quite a commitment on someone’s part to do that.”
Moore also trains officials for his winter and spring sports. He says BASO is always looking for officials for CCS sports and no experience is necessary.
