What? Did you just see that? Come on, get in the game.
These are all things you’ve probably heard if you have ever attended any type of sporting event along with a wide variety of other things that come to mind.
More often than not we have all heard these things directed toward the referees while at the game, whether it be football, baseball, or basketball and so on. I for one will admit to being one of the foremost frontrunners in my day when it came to letting it be known where I stood on their ability to call a game.
My comments are not nearly as often now since I don’t have a player in the game and I’m merely more of an unbiased spectator nowadays. I have since realized what I must have sounded like to others who just wanted to see their kids win. At times it wasn’t pretty. More often than not it probably worked against my team rather than helped.
There always was, and always will be, a certain amount of speculation about officiating no matter who is on the field or the court. We all have those plays in our minds that stand out and we will more than likely never forget. Sometimes it is just plain easier to blame the officials rather than the athletes ability to play. I think it is safe to say many of the officials know before they even put on the striped shirt they are going to receive some backlash over a call or calls from time to time.
As a fan, you know the officials are human and make mistakes and can’t possibly see everything from every angle. Calls are going to be missed and most officials try and make up for those missed calls not long after. Most corrections come rather quickly when needed.
It has really gotten to the point that professional officials are being suspended for their performance on the field. This whole instant replay thing has gotten out of hand in professional sports. Maybe you like it and maybe you feel like me, but it won’t change anyone’s opinion on officiating.
One of the many facts of life is the officials are just going to get the blame from one side or the other no matter what. So next time you’re at a sporting event and before you reach for your rope, take a second and think about who is watching.
There are lots of little ears and they hear everything even when it seems like they are not paying attention. I for one learned a valuable lesson. It’s just too bad I didn’t learn it sooner, rather than later. Right on.