About the Authors

Al Battista is first and foremost an educator, and his passion for basketball officiating and his desire to share his in-depth knowledge on the subject has been utilized at all levels of the game.

Al is a 33-year respected member of IAABO and a dual member of Board 215 (West Virginia) and Board 12 (Washington D.C.), and currently serves with distinction in the high school and college ranks as the Interpreter for the West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WVIAC), the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC), the Capital Athletic Conference (CAC), the Maryland Junior College Conference, and is on the IAABO Rules Examination Committee.  In the professional game, Al has been a staff observer for the NBA and WNBA since 2004 and 2007, respectively.

Al also is the creator and editor of the highly-respected officiating newsletter, MATCH UP and was on staff with the MEAC for 26 years while earning three “Sweet 16” round assignments in the NCAA Division III tournament. Al currently is a member of CBOA and the Big South Staff. 

Tim Malloy, between the ebb and flow of a chronic illness that has required 32 surgeries, has pushed forward and carved a path of distinction in both the world of basketball and business.

As a 37-year veteran referee of IAABO Board 34, Tim has worked numerous New Jersey state playoff games and climbed the ladder to the college ranks. Tim officiated as a member of CBOA where he earned Division II and III playoff assignments.

Off the court, Tim was a front office executive for the NBA World Champion Philadelphia 76ers in 1983 and served as the team's Assistant Group Sales Director and Public Relations Director for seven seasons. Tim later worked as a Sales and Promotions representative for Converse Inc., where he was a two-time Salesman-of-the Year award winner. He also holds a U.S. Patent for a golf training device that received a 4-star rating in Golf Magazine and is the co-author of the sports reference books, Blue Book 60 for fast pitch softball and basketball.

Tim is a graduate of St. Joseph’s University (PA) and resides in Somerdale, NJ with his wife Pattie, son Matt and daughter Mary Frances.

Billy Martin has over 30 years basketball officiating experience for IAABO Board 34 in Camden, New Jersey.
He currently serves as the Supervisor of Officials for the 300- member organization and is responsible for official’s ratings and education.

In the business world, Billy has more than 27 years of sales and marketing experience, and currently works with Salesforce.com, the industry leader in Customer Relationship Management tools.

Billy holds a Master’s Degree in Education (MEd) from The College of New Jersey specializing in Sports Medicine and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Phoenix in Technology Management.

Additionally, Billy is a scholastic fast-pitch softball umpire for the NJSIAA (West NJ Chapter #5) along with USSSA New Jersey. He is the co-author of the widely respected rules education book titled, Blue Book 60- Fast Pitch Edition which can be found at www.bluebook60.com.

Billy resides in Mt. Laurel, NJ with his three daughters, Jennifer, Jessica, and Alissa.