[rpirtle]

I stay away from those types of references completely. However, like you, I also attempt to take some of the edge off when BRIEFLY interacting with players. But I try to do this with my tone, eye contact, and body language. When I speak to a player I make eye contact and keep my tone even and as soft as possible. And I keep my arms at my side so as to not appear defensive or closed off (unless I'm demonstrating what the player did wrong, as in your example). I usually never volunteer the information but wait for a player to ask (respectfully) for a clarification of my call. But I don't add the "term of endearment" at the end. Not that I feel it is necessarily wrong. I'm sure there are officials out there that can do that quite well. It's just not my style.