Nice post. I'd say that 90 percent of fans have no idea of the interpretation of rules, such as double foul, when the five second count starts and stops, the fact that a kicked ball has to be intentional to be called, things like that. Its amazing how many referees there are before a game. The reason I know the rules is because I have studied them over the years to become an informed fan. So, I agree that refs have a tough job and deserve more respect and thanks.

If someone has never officiated wants to disagree with a call, that is fine. No official gets all of the calls right, and disagreement is part of the game.

 

On the other hand, to accuse a referee of cheating, betting on games, shaving points to effect the outcome of a wager, or intentionally missing calls is indefensible. If someone wishes to provide evidence of an official betting on games, cheating, shaving points, etc., then they have a moral obligation to report it.

 

Anything else is nothing more than sour grapes, looking for a scapegoat to take the blame for a team that got beat. If an official misses a call with two seconds left, and that team loses by one point, don't blame the official. Go back through the course of the game, and look at every missed free throw, every turnover, every bad coaching decision, and every missed layup. Then blame the loss on the only two guys that never took a shot ...

 

Do officials have bad games? Of course they do. Do some people have to cry "cheater" every time their team goes down in flames? I'd say that one is pretty self evident.

 

Frances

 

:thumb: :thumb:

Having watched many games already this year, including several in which "I had no dog in the fight"; I'm amazed how one official consistantly takes over a game and makes calls, often far from the play (with the official in better position to make the call---silent)!!!! The inconsistancy is what bothers most fans I talk to. From night to night, and often period to period in the same game; the kids have no idea how to play the game?? Agressive, physicality allowed or not allowed, touch fouls by guards called but muggings inside OK, carry the ball--OK or not OK, guards push off or not allowed, etc. I think most would just be happy just to see consistancy from the same crew, and throughout the game; much less from game to game!!

Basketball (IMO) is the hardest game to referee/umpire. And like mentioned before, No matter what the call, half the people there think you're blind.

 

The fans that go nuts over the obvious correct call are the ones that drive me crazy.

On the other hand, to accuse a referee of cheating, betting on games, shaving points to effect the outcome of a wager, or intentionally missing calls is indefensible. If someone wishes to provide evidence of an official betting on games, cheating, shaving points, etc., then they have a moral obligation to report it.

 

There are good refs and bad refs. To argue that all are cheats is just as wrong as arguing that NONE have ever been guilty of point shaving etc...

 

Ref are humans and are no better nor worse than the average. Donning a striped shirt doesn't automatically make you honest- witness the old prison attire :laugh:

 

Each referee is an individual; there are some who would never cross the line for any price. On the other hand, there are some who would help a team for a carton of cigarettes. There are probably about as many in one camp as the other, but most would fall somewhere in between these extremes.

 

The 'bad' ones aren't really held accountable and the 'good' ones aren't rewarded, so nothing will change.

there are some who would help a team for a carton of cigarettes. There are probably about as many in one camp as the other, but most would fall somewhere in between these extremes.

 

Someone help ARC out here. He obviously needs a clue.

AGREED!

 

It's amazing how often a ref misses a free throw or makes a bad pass late in the game. I also see refs not cutting off the baseline that leads to the big man's 4th foul early in the 4th quarter.

 

Agree :ylsuper:

 

What is even more fun is going to a game just to watch good teams play and not really caring who wins. Then you can see how good the Refs are or aren't. Far too many fans see calls through their heart and not their heads. I will say that in differnet section of the Commonwealth the Refs have really different ideas of what a foul is, but if they call the game for both team the same way then no problem.

 

Remember if we didn't have the men/women who give up their time to put themselves up to constant abuse we wouldn't have high school sports. Thank you gentlemen/ladies for letting our children enjoy sports and us fans enjoy the fun that we see in the games......

... There are probably about as many in one camp as the other, ...

 

In my experience, I've known one official that intentionally cheated a team during a game - and he was run out of the association in less than one season.

 

I am not so blind as to think that no official ever cheats - but to say that there are as many cheaters as there are that wouldn't consider it is ludicrous - at least, it is in my experience.

 

Frances

I will say that in differnet section of the Commonwealth the Refs have really different ideas of what a foul is, but if they call the game for both team the same way then no problem.

 

You bring up a good point. Do you think the localism of officiating has an impact at the sweet 16?

You bring up a good point. Do you think the localism of officiating has an impact at the sweet 16?

Without question.

 

There is a huge difference in what is called in the eastern end of the state and what is called in the central part.

 

When you play in the Louisville area, you had better wear Kevlar, because anything less than a mortal wound isn't going to get any sympathy from the refs.

 

Eastern teams have to adjust to the physical nature of the game at the state tournament, while teams from central Kentucky have to learn not to bump and reach so much. I'm not sure how they call down in the western end of the state.

 

Frances

In my experience, I've known one official that intentionally cheated a team during a game - and he was run out of the association in less than one season.

 

I am not so blind as to think that no official ever cheats - but to say that there are as many cheaters as there are that wouldn't consider it is ludicrous - at least, it is in my experience.

 

Frances

 

I don't think anyone questions that most officials are basicly honest; but let's be really honest, "homerism" does exist!!

I cannot stand blaming losses on the refs. They are human and will not get everything. Missed calls are part of the game. Some refs call the game tight and others let them play. It is your job as a player or coach to adjust your play accordingly. If your team did what it needed to to do every single play, then that one missed call by the ref wouldn't matter.

I've noticed that as well. It's a hard adjustment when its been a foul all year and now all the sudden its not....or visa versa

I don't think anyone questions that most officials are basicly honest; but let's be really honest, "homerism" does exist!!

 

Does it exist? Certainly. How widespread is it? In my opinion, it is extremely rare (in Kentucky).

 

In Kentucky, assigning secretaries are tasked with matching officials to games. This is solely for the purpose of preventing a school from telling an official "if you want to work our games, we need to get the close calls...".

 

If you compare this system with Ohio (where the home team arranges the officials), you would have a new appreciation for what "homered" really means. That is NOT to say that all schools in Ohio get refs that intentionally give them calls - but a few do, and it isn't pretty.

 

Frances

In all my experiences watching my team play, I felt that an official became involved to determine the winner in about 3 of our team's games, or what I consider important games. That's not too bad considering I go back a few years. Now, you're going to lose a few regular season games out of region, and most people expect some of that "homer' stuff to happen, but district and regional games are different. They are too important for one individual to take it upon themselves to determine the winner.

The games I feel that an official made a difference in the outcomes for us were the championship game of the 1983 14th regional tournament, the first round of the 1997 district tournament, and the 2001 14th region first round. I'll not go into any details.....I don't want to get mad again.