[Jerry]

When officiating, one must avoid the compliments just as easily as one must avoid criticism. Beware of Greeks bearing gifts! After your nice explanation to a Coach who asks, "Hey, Blue. What'd you see?", it opens you up to . . . "Too bad. You're missing a good game." Or some other snide remark. Maybe that won't happen . . . but you're the one that initiated the discussion by allowing the Coach to question what you saw. Sparky Anderson was a master at this one!

If you're typical and have been officiating for some time, you know that simple "arguments" and "comments" can be addressed easily and professionally and even by acknowledging to the Coach that things probably looked a little different from their angle.

I'm always skeptical of coaches that question a call, no matter how nicely they phrase their arguments. I actually have more respect for one that gets in my face and hoots and hollars. (Earl Weaver by contrast, is the master at this one!) At least I can throw him out. The "nice guy" can make you look like an idiot . . . and you didn't even see it coming.

Jerry