[Ignats75]

Originally Posted by amusedofficial

2-3 states that "The referee shall make decisions on any points not specifically covered in the rules."

It is a slippery slope to use this rule to make the situation conform to one's sense of fairness when one perceives fairness to be at odds with a procedure specifically covered in the rules.

2-3 is not a royal charter, nor a grant of omnipotence to the R, nor are the rules writers authorizing a do-over.

Don't worry. My shoes are sticky. I won't slide down the slope. Ummm, if I'm not mistaken, we are charged as officials to ensure the game is adjudicated fairly.

THe Intent and Purpose of the Rules (pg 7 of rule book)
The restrictions which the rules place upon the players are intended to create a balance of play; to provide equal opportunity between the offense and the defense; to provide equal opportunity between the small player and tall player; to provide reasonable safety and protection; to create an atmosphere of sporting behavior and fair play; and to emphasize cleverness and skill without unduly limiting freedom of action of individual or team play on either offense or defense.
Therefore, it is important to know the intent and purpose of a rule so that it may be intelligently applied in each play situation. A player or a team should not be permitted an advantage which is not intended by a rule. Neither should play be permitted to develop which may lead to placing a player at a disadvantage not intended by a rule.

Originally Posted by amusedofficial

Oh, and if someone starts lecturing me to "don't effin" this that or the other thing as the first words out of his/her mouth in pregame, I'm going to have questions about his/her professionalism.

Ummm, obviously, you are reading that without the context of how its said. I appreciate that you don't know me and would automatically assume I must be some sort of heathen. Believe me, I am fairly well known within the two associations I work and tend to say things with humour. (Think Padgett but I am much better looking) It still remains though, that its the first thing I mention in a pregame because I have been burned a few times.