EVAN BEVINS Special to the Times Referee Darrell Miller gives instructions to players before a free throw during a girls basketball game between third- and fourth-grade teams from Belpre and Fort Frye on Sept. 29 at Belpre Elementary School.

Darrell Miller is not hard to find. Go to a softball, baseball or basketball game in Beverly, Belpre, Waterford or the Warren district and there’s a good chance he’ll be there, officiating games for athletes ranging from third graders to older teens.

It’s not uncommon to find him at games seven days a week, on top of his full-time job. For more than 20 years, he’s not only dedicated himself to the sports, but to the children, making sure they have fun, learn and laugh a lot.

He’s known for giving plenty of fist bumps and encouragement, and for a gentler approach to correcting mistakes.

“The kids all love him,” said Wolf Creek Local Schools Superintendent Doug Baldwin, who sees Miller often at his daughter’s games. “He’s really laidback and not confrontational with the kids or coaches…he’s just a lot of fun to be around.”

Miller said his goal is simple–he just wants to make people smile.

Question: How long have you been a referee and for which sports?

Answer: I’ve been officiating for more than 20 years. I do baseball, softball and basketball.

Q: I heard you do quite a few games. What’s a typical week?

A: This week I had baseball Monday, baseball Tuesday, baseball (Wednesday), softball (Thursday), baseball Friday, 10 basketball games Saturday and two basketball games Sunday. That’s basically how the week goes. I get calls every day asking if I can officiate.

Q: Is that kind of schedule exhausting, being on your feet that whole time?

A: It’s very rewarding. It’s my hobby and I’m blessed that I can do it. When I don’t do a game, I get a little irritable. I need a Snickers or something.

Q: On a day like Saturday, with 10 games, how many hours is that?

A: My first game usually starts at 9 and I’m usually done by 7 or 8. I get 20 to 30 minute breaks between games.

I really just love seeing the kids having fun. I think it helps motivate the kids to stay with sports. There’s too much negativity out there so I want them to see something positive.

Q: What are some of the ways you make it entertaining for them?

A: I make funny comments to them…and if I have to blow a whistle on someone, I try to give them some knowledge. I explain why something was wrong. I try to make it a fun teaching moment.

Once you reach the young kids, it motivates them to stay focused and prepares them for life. It makes them stay interested. A lot of time coaches or officials take the fun out of the game. I don’t want to do that.

Q: I heard you sometimes wear a special shirt, not the usual stripes?

A: Last week was the first time I did that. I came wearing a Batman shirt and the guy who runs the league said to keep it on because he thought the kids would love it. It was a blast.

Q: Do you see a lot of parents at these events with bad behavior or being inappropriate?

A: Oh, yeah. If I see a parent get out of line, I nip it in the bud right away. We’re there for the kids and everyone has to remember that.

Q: What’s the most enjoyable part for you about working with kids?

A: It’s seeing the kids get better and seeing them smile, seeing someone who didn’t have the skills to dribble or to make a shot, finally do it, and seeing them enjoy it.

Q: Did you need a lot of training to start doing this?

A: Yes, you can’t just step onto a court. When I first started, I was gung-ho but too quick to respond. I had to learn. You have to have a lot of patience. I have to know when to do something and when to let something go.

Q: You have a background in sports yourself, right?

A: I played football for the Mountaineers from 1978 to 1982. I got hurt the first game of my senior year so I never played professionally like I thought I would. God had different plans for me. Now, I get to do this and work with the kids and it’s great.

Q: After all this time at games every week, do you still want to watch sports in your free time?

A: Oh, yeah, especially college football. I’m glued to the TV. I’m a fanatic, since I can’t play anymore. But it’s funny, I actually don’t officiate football games. I don’t do football even though football was my game. I can’t stand officiating it. I tried it and it just wasn’t clicking. I couldn’t find the love for it. And I can’t just do something I don’t love. That would be taking away from the experience of the kids, if I’m there and not loving it.

Q: Was it hard for you when you made the transition from playing to officiating?

A: I was a little skeptical when they first asked me. But once I did it, it was automatic. It was just like when I started football for the first time. It was automatic. It was in my blood.

Q: Do the kids all know your name? Are they pretty comfortable with you?

A: Yes, I really try to make it fun for them. If someone has a shoelace untied, I tell everyone that it’s time to have a shoelace party and that’s what we do. There’s so much drama out there…if I can make one person smile every day, that’s my goal. And then I’ll up my goal to four or five people a day. The more people who are happy, the world is a better place.

Kate York conducted this interview.