Umpire vs. Referee: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
Umpire primarily oversees games like baseball and cricket, focusing on play rulings; Referee officiates sports like soccer and basketball, managing game rules and player conduct.
Key Differences
An Umpire is typically associated with sports like baseball and cricket, where they make decisions on specific plays. A Referee is more commonly seen in sports like soccer, basketball, and boxing, where they enforce the rules and maintain discipline.
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Umpires often operate in a team, with each focusing on different aspects of the game, such as balls and strikes in baseball. Referees generally have broader responsibilities, including timekeeping and player conduct, in addition to play rulings.
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In cricket, an Umpire has a stationary position and makes calls on wickets, boundaries, and legal deliveries. In contrast, a Referee in soccer moves with the play, making calls on fouls, offsides, and issuing penalties.
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Umpires in some sports can refer decisions to video replay for accuracy. Referees, while they can also use technology, often have more autonomy in decision-making, especially in sports without video replay systems.
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The role of an Umpire can be more specialized based on the sport's specific requirements. Meanwhile, a Referee often needs a broader understanding of the game, including player safety and sportsmanship.
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Comparison Chart
Main Responsibilities
Play rulings, such as strikes or outs
Enforcing rules, player conduct, timekeeping
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Positioning in Game
Often stationary or in specific game areas
Moves with the game, following the play
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Decision-Making
Specific to plays, can use video replay
Broader, including fouls and penalties
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Focus
Specific game aspects, e.g., balls or strikes
Overall game flow and safety
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Umpire and Referee Definitions
Umpire
One who enforces rules in a specific area of the field.
The umpire at first base made the call for an out.
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Referee
An official in soccer who calls fouls and penalties.
The referee awarded a penalty kick after the foul.
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Umpire
An authority in tennis for ensuring fair play.
The umpire overruled the line judge's call.
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Referee
A boxing official responsible for player safety and rule enforcement.
The referee stopped the boxing match due to a knockout.
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Umpire
An official in baseball who rules on plays.
The umpire called a strike on the last pitch.
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Referee
A sports official who oversees the general conduct of a game.
The referee paused the game to check the video replay.
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Umpire
A cricket official who decides on wickets and boundaries.
The umpire signaled a six after the ball crossed the boundary.
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Referee
The authority in basketball for enforcing game rules.
The referee called a technical foul on the player.
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Umpire
An official in certain sports who makes rulings on the field.
The umpire called time out to inspect the ball.
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Referee
An official in charge of maintaining discipline on the sports field.
The referee issued a red card for unsportsmanlike conduct.
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Umpire
(Sports) A person appointed to rule on plays, especially in baseball.
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Referee
One to whom something is referred, especially for settlement, decision, or an opinion as to the thing's quality.
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Umpire
A person appointed to settle a dispute that mediators have been unable to resolve; an arbitrator.
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Referee
(Law) A person appointed by a court to assist a judge in the trying of a case or to hear certain types of cases.
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Umpire
(cricket) One of the two white-coated officials who preside over a cricket match.
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Referee
(sports) An umpire or judge; an official who makes sure the rules are followed during a game.
The referee kicked Jim out of the game for fighting.
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Umpire
(baseball) One of the officials who preside over a baseball game.
The umpire called the pitch a strike.
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Umpire
(American football) The official who stands behind the line on the defensive side or next to the referee on the offensive side.
The umpire must keep on his toes as the play often occurs around him.
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Referee
(UK) A person who writes a letter of reference or provides a reference by phone call for someone. US English: reference.
Your application, along with letters from three referees, should be received by January 31.
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Umpire
(Australian rules football) A match official on the ground deciding and enforcing the rules during play. As of 2007 the Australian Football League uses three; in the past there were two or just one. The other officials, the goal umpires and boundary umpires, are usually referred to by those phrases.
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Referee
An expert who judges the manuscript of an article or book to decide if it should be published.
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Referee
To act as a referee.
He has to referee three hockey games this weekend.
She has to finish refereeing an article for Nature.
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Referee
One to whom a thing is referred; a person to whom a matter in dispute has been referred, in order that he may settle it.
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Referee
(sports) the chief official (as in boxing or American football) who is expected to ensure fair play
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Referee
Someone who reads manuscripts and judges their suitability for publication
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Umpire
A person to whose sole decision a controversy or question between parties is referred; especially, one chosen to see that the rules of a game, as cricket, baseball, or the like, are strictly observed.
A man, in questions of this kind, is able to be a skillful umpire between himself and others.
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Referee
An attorney appointed by a court to investigate and report on a case
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Umpire
A third person, who is to decide a controversy or question submitted to arbitrators in case of their disagreement.
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Umpire
To decide as umpire; to arbitrate; to settle, as a dispute.
Judges appointed to umpire the matter in contest between them, and to decide where the right lies.
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Repeatedly Asked Queries
What's the main role of a referee in soccer?
To enforce rules, call fouls, and ensure fair play.
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What technology aids do referees use?
In various sports, referees use video replay technology to review and make decisions.
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What sports typically use umpires?
Umpires are common in baseball, cricket, and tennis.
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How do referees contribute to player safety?
They enforce rules that protect players from unsafe play and injuries.
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Can umpires issue penalties?
In baseball and cricket, umpires don't typically issue penalties but make play rulings.
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Do umpires move around the field?
In baseball, umpires have specific positions; they're less mobile than soccer referees.
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How does a referee control a basketball game?
By calling fouls, violations, and managing the game clock.
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Can umpires make decisions on fouls?
In sports like baseball, umpires make decisions more on plays rather than fouls.
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Are umpires used in tennis?
Yes, tennis uses umpires for overseeing matches and ensuring rules are followed.
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Are umpires trained differently from referees?
Their training focuses on the specific rules and play styles of the sports they officiate.
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Which sports have referees?
Soccer, basketball, boxing, and rugby often use referees.
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What qualifications are needed to be a referee?
Referees typically require a deep understanding of the game, physical fitness, and often specific certifications.
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How does a referee contribute to the flow of a soccer game?
By making quick and accurate decisions, a referee helps maintain the pace and continuity of the game.
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Can umpires eject players from the game?
In baseball, umpires have the authority to eject players or coaches for serious rule violations.
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Do referees interact with players?
Yes, referees often communicate with players to manage the game and enforce rules.
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Do referees have assistants?
In many sports, referees have assistant referees or linesmen to help make decisions.
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What's a third umpire in cricket?
A third umpire assists with making decisions using video replays and technology.
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Is an umpire's decision final in cricket?
Generally, yes, but some decisions can be reviewed using technology like the Decision Review System (DRS).
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Can umpires use instant replay in baseball?
Yes, Major League Baseball allows umpires to use replay for certain types of plays.
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Do referees need to maintain physical fitness?
Yes, especially in fast-paced sports like soccer and basketball, physical fitness is crucial for referees.
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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