I could never be an official. I would get arrested. Hell, I keep the scoreboard and God forbid I get caught up in the game and make a mistake I'm cheating, stupid, etc. My fuse is getting shorter by the year. No way would I be able to handle being an official taking it from both coaches and the fans? Hell nah.

 

Yeah, but those who know you KNOW you are cheating

I think "abuse" is probably misleading. If you become an official/referee/umpire with any expectations OTHER than being challenged by coaches and fans then that's on you when it happens.

 

I've never had a bad experience with a coach or fan. Yes, they've yelled. Yes, they said I was "100% wrong." Yes, they got mad. That's not abuse. That's part of the gig.

 

I had a coach come storming out of the dugout on a play last year and I quickly gave him a restriction. He was very unhappy. Saw him the next day and he was cool as could be and even apologized. I always tell players/coaches I don't take it personally unless you call me fat or ugly. It's all good.

From a parent perspective the worst are those of grade school/middle school kids. They are still under the illusion that my call could cost their child a scholarship.

 

At the high school level MOST parents have a decent grasp of the talent level of their child.

I think "abuse" is probably misleading. If you become an official/referee/umpire with any expectations OTHER than being challenged by coaches and fans then that's on you when it happens.

 

I've never had a bad experience with a coach or fan. Yes, they've yelled. Yes, they said I was "100% wrong." Yes, they got mad. That's not abuse. That's part of the gig.

 

I had a coach come storming out of the dugout on a play last year and I quickly gave him a restriction. He was very unhappy. Saw him the next day and he was cool as could be and even apologized. I always tell players/coaches I don't take it personally unless you call me fat or ugly. It's all good.

 

I would agree with this 100%. In my 13 years of officiating I only had one coach "abuse" me and he too apologized the next day.

I truly enjoyed working for 99% of the coaches I officiated for.

As far as parents/spectators, they are called "fans" for a reason.

I enjoy friendly banter with refs but I haven't screamed at a ref since I was a kid. Anything threatening, cussing, physical is over the line. Don't be THAT guy...ever.

I have a friend who's a referee and I told him that cops and sports officials are 2 jobs where everyone who's never done it know more about how to do it than the guys doing the job :lol2:

I have a friend who's a referee and I told him that cops and sports officials are 2 jobs where everyone who's never done it know more about how to do it than the guys doing the job :lol2:

 

I disagree...the list includes teaching, retail and serving. :lol2:

I disagree...the list includes teaching, retail and serving. :lol2:

 

I don't see where I said "only"...

I don't see where I said "only"...

 

Jeesh, Rocket, why is your default setting "combative"? I just don't understand it.

I disagree...the list includes teaching, retail and serving. :lol2:

 

You got that right.

Sorry 00. Just tryig to add to the conversation. Didn't mean to offend. Peace?

1. I think that in general, it has become acceptable and even encouraged to be loud, vocal complainers. Rude has become cool.

 

2. Respect in general has diminished. The appreciation for the efforts of refs, teachers, cops, retailers, and other service industry workers has been lost.

 

Entitlement > Appreciation.

I was a football official in the mid through late 90's and never experienced anything over the top. I had fans yell but you block that out, some coaches that were aggressive but no one trying to fight or cuss me. I also would make it clear right out of the gate that I would not tolerate to much. Today, I think the refs are challenged a lot harder on all fronts than they we were then. There is no money in, it is done for the enjoyment. For me it was sort of like stepping back on the field again.

Look at the thread about the 6A championship game and the kid knocking the refs hat off his head. There were people that argued the kid shouldn't have been charged. As long as people are willing to excuse or diminish boorish and even criminal behavior towards officials this trend will continue and we will have more difficulty getting good officials.

 

I used to umpire parks and rec league slow pitch softball games while I was in college. I was just OK, but the night that I got followed to my car by several screaming players complaining about a call I'm 100% certain was accurate (guy led off 1st base before the pitch and I called him out ending the game) I decided I was done. Never called another game.

Look at the thread about the 6A championship game and the kid knocking the refs hat off his head. There were people that argued the kid shouldn't have been charged. As long as people are willing to excuse or diminish boorish and even criminal behavior towards officials this trend will continue and we will have more difficulty getting good officials.

 

I used to umpire parks and rec league slow pitch softball games while I was in college. I was just OK, but the night that I got followed to my car by several screaming players complaining about a call I'm 100% certain was accurate (guy led off 1st base before the pitch and I called him out ending the game) I decided I was done. Never called another game.

 

That was a big call in that situation