[Indy_Ref]

...the number one problem between officials and fans. This is a very, very important issue that I've never seen try to be resolved in basketball... The solution is communication.

It is NOT a requirement for officials' to communicate with fans other than through our mechanics. Anything more, you're venturing into the abyss!

...but an issue that worked in baseball.

That IS funny. I've watched some botched calls in the baseball playoffs...and they took all the time in the world. (See the initial call on the Todd Walker homer. See the Miguel Tejada "obstruction")

The main one I see is travelling.

Went to a D-I camp this summer and was told that travelling can be a very GRAY area...not black & white.

I've consulted many an official on rules and interpretations.

Try us first, next time!

I ask how they can make a call from half-court on a player underneath the basket when four players obscure his point of view.

I'd venture to say MOST officials on this forum do NOT make that call!

...such as coaches chirping, fans and players getting upset...

Part of the game!

...violence.

Not part of the game but sometimes, cannot be avoided no matter what an official does. I used to think otherwise, but I've seen instances where I really didn't know what else an official could have done to prevent it.

I know coaches will talk, complain and do what they can to inflence calls and some do. They do it very well even with the best of officials.

Part of gamesmanship...it can happen to anyone. No official is exempt.

Coach asks a referee a question and more often than not there isn't a response until it starts to get out of hand.

As already stated, it ISN'T required. However, a good official will be sure to try to accommodate any professional coach..."professional" being the operative word!

Instead of keeping the intricacies of officiating among a small, select few...

Last I looked, this website is open to everyone!

Make officials available to press on the professional level and make them accessible to fans after games to ask questions.

Quite possibly the most ludicrous point in the whole post!

I know I've missed calls but wanted to know why.

Most good officials already know why they missed a call! It's all about the angle & what you can see...not about what you guessed or thought happened.

I asked fans...

I'm sorry to hear that! I guess we didn't realize that they are the experts!! They know all the rules, they know all the coverages, don't they?! All of us will be sure to remember that!

...and players...

Yes, nothing wrong with that. I do that myself. Plus, I also let a player know when I missed a call on a play that affected him/her.

...not fellow officials because it's easier for like people to say, "You did a good job" where a fan is more likely to be truthful and blunt.

Interesting...maybe the officials in your area see no hope and don't want to waste their time. If you really wanted to hear feedback, try, "Tell me one thing I did right and one thing I did wrong." For most people, I think evaluations are easier to give if it's not all negative...and if it's not too long of an explanation. And by all means, go to a D-I camp...they'll let know what they think.

I didn't become the level of Game Producer I did by asking others in my position. I asked fans, coaches, players...

Isn't that like asking the virgins how to have sex??