Every fan thinks that they can officiate better the the trained professional. That is, until you invite them out on the court or down on the field to do your job.Even as a retired referee, I find myself sometimes questioning the call. Then I remember what it was like to be on the field, without benefit of instant replay, or the commentators astute judgement. That split-second judgement made from your vantage point on the field is what it is and it has to stand !For all of you arm chair experts, I have one suggestion. Get out a referee your kids soccer match, baseball or basketball game – or officiate any youth sport ( to start with ) and realize how much you don’t really know the game.Those of you who are honest with yourselves, will either get “hooked” and continue to learn the and become a good official, or admit to yourselves how difficult it is to be the “monkey-in-the-middle” !
NBA refs are, by and large, stellar at there job. Every single one refs circles around any NCAA ref, who can’t seem to figure out the difference between a block and a charge. Well, all of them but Violet Palmer.
NBA refs are great…if you think star players are SUPPOSED to get to the foul line if they miss a shot, and not get called for a foul unless they commit manslaughter on the court. Star treatment has been a problem in the NBA since at least Magic and Bird (I was too young to pay attention before that).
The thing that drives me nuts about basketball today is travelling, palming, and double dribbles are rarely ever called anymore. Why have the rules if players are allowed to break them 90% of the time?
Jimmy: That’s why my Dad finally stopped watching basketball, even the then locally televised college games. Of course, in HIS day,and mine, travelling was called STEPS!
It would serve fans—and announcers—well to read the rule book. Baseball’s overthrow rule, for one, is simple but continually misunderstood. Base awards have nothing to do with the base to which a runner is heading. The short version is that whether the throw was the first play by an infielder—read that carefully—determines the award. If so, it’s from the time of the pitch. If not, it’s from the time of the throw.
NBA officiating is just inconsistent and has been since a certain M.J. came into the league. There’s no rhyme or reason why it’s a foul in the first minute, but not the last. Traveling calls and 3 second calls have gone the way of the Dodo bird. I also get annoyed (college level as well) when players basically mug each other under the basket, yet the officials find it necessary to call a hand-check 40 feet away from the basket. P.S., don’t get me started on goaltending, you know where the offensive player catches the ball ABOVE the cylinder and dunks it. That goaltending
The star system will always be a problem in every sport. Consider baseball: Way back in Rogers Hornsby’s day (1915-1937), the story was that a pitcher was barking at the umpire, who had called a ball. The umpire supposedly replied, “When you throw a strike, Mr. Hornsby will let you know.” \It is true, though, that palming, double dribbles, and travelling are called about as often as Halley’s Comet comes around!
@LinguistI always enjoy you on “Andy Capp” and I’m sure you’re right about how hard it is to be a ref. I used to ref for grade-school intra-mural basketball, so I can’t say that I have very much experience. (I also used to coach, so I do have at least both points of view!) I do think if there’s a league-wide tendency (in whatever sport) to NOT call violations even if the rulebook says that we ought to call them, then we should change the rulebook!
@Godfreydaniel I do think if there’s a league-wide tendency (in whatever sport) to NOT call violations even if the rulebook says that we ought to call them, then we should change the rulebook!>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>You’re right and this is a conundrum. I can only speak from my experience in soccer – both as a referee, myself, and as a referee instructor.A referee is there to insure the safety of the players, the flow of the game and fair play.There is an extremely personal split second decision that a referee must make continually, during the course of the match… Does he uphold The Letter of the Law or The Spirit of the Law ?The Spirit of the Law allows the game to flow to the enjoyment of the fans and player, while still respecting the need for safety and fair play.Upholding The Letter of the Law, can mean too many stoppages of play for niggling, petty offenses, sometime to the detriment of the offended player or team.My biggest criteria for fair officiating, is that rulings are the same for both teams ! Even if a referee or umpire is lousy, as long as he’s equally lousy for both sides.
The Hornsby episode is echoed in a later story about a rookie pitching to Ted Williams, and vociferously complaining about strike calls. The umpire is said to have replied,“If Mr. Williams thinks it’s a ball, then I think it’s a ball”.
Linguist over 11 years ago
Every fan thinks that they can officiate better the the trained professional. That is, until you invite them out on the court or down on the field to do your job.Even as a retired referee, I find myself sometimes questioning the call. Then I remember what it was like to be on the field, without benefit of instant replay, or the commentators astute judgement. That split-second judgement made from your vantage point on the field is what it is and it has to stand !For all of you arm chair experts, I have one suggestion. Get out a referee your kids soccer match, baseball or basketball game – or officiate any youth sport ( to start with ) and realize how much you don’t really know the game.Those of you who are honest with yourselves, will either get “hooked” and continue to learn the and become a good official, or admit to yourselves how difficult it is to be the “monkey-in-the-middle” !
thankyoudonnie over 11 years ago
NBA refs are, by and large, stellar at there job. Every single one refs circles around any NCAA ref, who can’t seem to figure out the difference between a block and a charge. Well, all of them but Violet Palmer.
frumdebang over 11 years ago
And let’s remember how the NFL crashed and burned with the replacement refs at the beginning of last season. What a joke! (But nobody was laughing.)
balphagor over 11 years ago
NBA refs are great…if you think star players are SUPPOSED to get to the foul line if they miss a shot, and not get called for a foul unless they commit manslaughter on the court. Star treatment has been a problem in the NBA since at least Magic and Bird (I was too young to pay attention before that).
James Hopkins over 11 years ago
The thing that drives me nuts about basketball today is travelling, palming, and double dribbles are rarely ever called anymore. Why have the rules if players are allowed to break them 90% of the time?
edward thomas Premium Member over 11 years ago
Jimmy: That’s why my Dad finally stopped watching basketball, even the then locally televised college games. Of course, in HIS day,and mine, travelling was called STEPS!
al9000 over 11 years ago
It would serve fans—and announcers—well to read the rule book. Baseball’s overthrow rule, for one, is simple but continually misunderstood. Base awards have nothing to do with the base to which a runner is heading. The short version is that whether the throw was the first play by an infielder—read that carefully—determines the award. If so, it’s from the time of the pitch. If not, it’s from the time of the throw.
sarah413 Premium Member over 11 years ago
NBA officiating is just inconsistent and has been since a certain M.J. came into the league. There’s no rhyme or reason why it’s a foul in the first minute, but not the last. Traveling calls and 3 second calls have gone the way of the Dodo bird. I also get annoyed (college level as well) when players basically mug each other under the basket, yet the officials find it necessary to call a hand-check 40 feet away from the basket. P.S., don’t get me started on goaltending, you know where the offensive player catches the ball ABOVE the cylinder and dunks it. That goaltending
Godfreydaniel over 11 years ago
The star system will always be a problem in every sport. Consider baseball: Way back in Rogers Hornsby’s day (1915-1937), the story was that a pitcher was barking at the umpire, who had called a ball. The umpire supposedly replied, “When you throw a strike, Mr. Hornsby will let you know.” \It is true, though, that palming, double dribbles, and travelling are called about as often as Halley’s Comet comes around!
Godfreydaniel over 11 years ago
@LinguistI always enjoy you on “Andy Capp” and I’m sure you’re right about how hard it is to be a ref. I used to ref for grade-school intra-mural basketball, so I can’t say that I have very much experience. (I also used to coach, so I do have at least both points of view!) I do think if there’s a league-wide tendency (in whatever sport) to NOT call violations even if the rulebook says that we ought to call them, then we should change the rulebook!
jintsfan over 11 years ago
Amen, Lindquist/
Linguist over 11 years ago
@Godfreydaniel I do think if there’s a league-wide tendency (in whatever sport) to NOT call violations even if the rulebook says that we ought to call them, then we should change the rulebook!>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>You’re right and this is a conundrum. I can only speak from my experience in soccer – both as a referee, myself, and as a referee instructor.A referee is there to insure the safety of the players, the flow of the game and fair play.There is an extremely personal split second decision that a referee must make continually, during the course of the match… Does he uphold The Letter of the Law or The Spirit of the Law ?The Spirit of the Law allows the game to flow to the enjoyment of the fans and player, while still respecting the need for safety and fair play.Upholding The Letter of the Law, can mean too many stoppages of play for niggling, petty offenses, sometime to the detriment of the offended player or team.My biggest criteria for fair officiating, is that rulings are the same for both teams ! Even if a referee or umpire is lousy, as long as he’s equally lousy for both sides.
edward thomas Premium Member over 11 years ago
The Hornsby episode is echoed in a later story about a rookie pitching to Ted Williams, and vociferously complaining about strike calls. The umpire is said to have replied,“If Mr. Williams thinks it’s a ball, then I think it’s a ball”.