In reading the comments of this posts it makes me think of the scratch list system that is employed in varsity games in my association. Each coach can scratch up to three officials without reasons. In fact, in the 5 years I have been calling basketball in this area the only scratches that I have received are by coaches who I have never called any of their games. In fact, since the scratch lists does not apply to scrimmage games, I once called a scrimmage game for one of the coaches who I was told I was scratched by. After the game, the coach approached me and congratulated me for a well called game, and he was impressed by my game management and professionalism. He proceeded to ask me for my name and information so that he could put me on his preferred list of officials and possibly recommend me for playoff consideration. I informed him that I do not think I could be on both his preferred list as well as his scratch list. The look on his face was astonishment. He said "Why would I scratch you when I do not even know you?"....my point exactly. I am not sure, even today, how the scratch lists work, but my point is that are scratch lists not an example of the inmates running the asylum.
