[theboys]

When my son played baseball we often had the same umpires, and I became casual friends with a few. During one game, I called one by name - it wasn't a confrontational situation, or anything like that - just part of a conversation. He quietly told me, if I didn't mind, to address him as "blue" during games.

Also, in my howler monkey days I almost got thrown out of a gym for complaining to a ref, and calling him by name when I did so. Of course, it probably didn't help that I had complained, oh, once or twice before that. But, that was the specific reason he gave.

So, now, I call all officials "ref" or "blue" or "ump". I think it shows more respect, and gives the unreformed howlers less ammunition for conspiracy theory development.

Also, I suspect its a lot like being a good friend of the President. You call him Mr. President during official functions, and whatever he lets you get away with in private.