[davidw]

Originally posted by Mark Padgett

David, I really can't see how you can state favoring one player over another isn't unfair. It seems pretty straightforward to me.

Using the rationale that a "more skilled player" deserves special treatment is contrary to my beliefs. How about we give special treatment to the most affluent player? That would be more in line with what America is all about.

Mark,

Don't know who the more affluent player(s) are. I guess it may be how we define "special treatment" and whether that special treatment we dole out is patently unfair. I guess my position is tied to what I believe we do almost from the moment we walk on the floor. We use our judgement. Do we pass on that; do we enforce this; does doing this make for a better game--for all; is the game make better or worse if I do this, or don't do that?

My use of the "call" is very limited (possible multiple foul sitch involving starter with 4 fouls and teammate with less).

When the fact is presented in a game to me, whether noted by myself or pointed out to me by a partner, that so & so 'starter' has 4 fouls, I take that as the reminder that we want to use our judgement to make sure we don't make the call most of us might pass on most of the time. The reminder about the patient whistle. When the air hits the whistle and it's too late to call it back and we know that was not a great call--none of us likes to be there. The "4 foul notice" is most of the time just one of other opportunities to remind oneself not to get "there".

I find this discussion interesting from one other aspect. I have reviewed where and when I developed this philosophy. It obviously came after I moved up to varsity level games quite some years ago. It came after working with a fair number of "upper level" officials who passed it on to me. There take on it seemed to be more liberal in its application. I have kept my application limited to the situation described. And it is still part of the position of many fellow officials I work with today. Not that any of that makes it right. In fact, If your position is right and mine wrong (and just who gets to decide that? ) then your challenge of mine holds great merit in de-mything this too often applied philosophy.

Still mulling.
David