The Rant

I’m happy I never got a chance to play against Justin in a game of Basketball; chances are, I wouldn’t stand a chance. He discusses his playing days as a youth, playing for St. Mary’s on Long Island, his collegiate career and how it structured him, and his love for officiating and his brand Refs Corner. All that and more, my conversation with Justin, now.

It was only 4 years ago when I met Mike Mayer on the Basketball Court. I noticed that his shoes had dirt. He just came from a baseball game, and I, a Lacrosse game. He convinced some to join baseball. Join baseball I did. In this pod, Mike discusses his love for baseball growing up, his transition officiating a sport with a clock, and everything in between. All that and more, my conversation with Mike, now.

For 4 decades Ron Naclerio has been knocking doors to help the youth, and make them bust down doors when on the court. He shares his experience being the Dozo Hoops head honcho, his experience being a Baseball prospect, how he stays sharp with his X’s and O’s, and what his future holds. All that and more, my conversation with Coach Naclerio, now.

I’ve known John since I started my officiating. From Viking hats and handing out ref fees, we always had a bond. He discusses his love for flag football, his other love of Pro Wrestling, and what his future holds. All that and more, my conversation with John, now.

Baseball is in Eric’s blood. That blood done spilled over - as he combined his propensity of officiating and his love of baseball and found umping. Suffice to say, it’s his calling. He discusses his start as a short stop with a dream, living in close quarters of Yankee Stadium, and how he tries to outwork himself by improving in his craft everyday. Not only that, he’s generous with his information, ready to dispense what he’s learned to pay it forward to anyone that’s willing to listen. My wide ranging conversation with Eric, now.

What we find most impressive of Nelson is not the level of where he’s at in the game officiating, but his approach. He discusses his precocious beginnings in Central Florida, falling in love with adjudicating the game of Basketball, and what the journey experiencing it all means to him. Along with my co-host Michael Grant, my conversation with Nelson, now.

Alex has seen it all on the diamond. For nearly 4 decades, he’s thrown balls and strikes behind the dish, and out’s and safe’s on the base paths. We honor his career by discussing it’s illustriousness in it’s entirety, from doing adult fast pitch softball, to High School, all the way to the NCAA level. He’s seen his share of hardball. He talks about what baseball mean’s to him, interpreting the rules year in and year out, and what the future holds. All that and more, my conversation with Alex, now.

SHOW NOTES:

3:16 - What sports did you play growing up?

5:37 - How did you get into umpiring?

8:00 - When did you start taking it serious?

9:30 - How in depth was officiating baseball?

12:57 - What was your experience doing school games?

17:50 - How did adult league experiences help you in school games?

22:53 - What was your experience of baseball on the Varsity level?

26:56 - Describe the difficulty of persuading people to officiate baseball

29:54 - Experience in college

34:55 - Responsibilities and differences between bases and being behind the plate

41:19 - Does injuries affect your performance behind the plate?

42:06 - Craziest experience being injured and still upping

42:28 - Stickiest situation being an umpire

46:37 - Stickiest situation being the interpreter/teacher

48:48 - Best moments being an umpire

55:04 - Evolution of equipment in baseball umpiring

59:25 - What does the future hold?

59:56 - Final Thoughts from Alex Flyntz

Criscia was something serious when it came to dancing. I’ve seen first hand. That’s why I couldn’t be any prouder on how she took her passion, and done sublimated it to a successful career. From humble beginnings as a cheerleader, to a college dancer at VCU, to Carnival Cruz Line, she attacked dancing with the same tenacity. Dreams were realized as she became a captain of the elite team - New York Knick’s City Dancers, to now being the Director of Entertainment of the Brooklyn Nets. We discuss her amazing career, her family life, her bright present, and even brighter future. My conversation with Criscia, now.

Forty Four is a special number to Ralph the Ref - he worship’s the arc that Hubert Davis used to shoot behind, among other greats that bestowed the numberical nomenclature. In this special commemorative pod, Ray Valeriano discusses the start of Referee Rant with it’s creator Ralph the Ref - it’s inception, it’s progress, it’s future, and oh yeah, we talk about reffing. Ray’s conversation with Ralph, now.

Since age 7, a young Pooch has been enthralled by the Nets. he is the new form of reporter, who started writing documents on Microsoft Word which led him to the parquet floor in downtown Brooklyn. He discusses his love of basketball, his love of flag football, and navigating being a beat writer in 2019. All that and more! My conversation with Pooch, now.