[MN 3 Sport Ref]

Originally posted by tharbert
I usually hear nothing but complaints about the officiating in general and questioning of almost every call or no call.

I have found this to be true much of the time no matter the level of ball you listen to/watch. Some "professional" announcers are pretty good others are very bad similar to your local guys.

Originally posted by tharbert
In addition, the broadcasters seem to, like most fans, display an almost fathomless lack of knowledge of the rules. I heard one mention the closely guarded count should have stopped when the player crossed the 28’ mark.

That is because most of them have never even seen a rules book let alone picked one up and learned about the game they are so "passionate" about. Broadcasters often are simply uneducated fans who get to slobber into a mike.

Originally posted by tharbert
I also know of one station that gave the referee's name coaxing the audience to call him with their displeasure. I think that was settled out of court by the way.

Not surprizing. "Professional" announcers call officials by their names all the time. I wonder how much hate mail they get

Originally posted by tharbert
I guess I'd like to know if any of you have noticed how totally negative this coverage has become. Or are there glaring exceptions of unbiased play-by-play out there?

The coverage is often times negative. This really helps to improve our image in the public eye when you have uneducated announcers tearing our integrety to the ground at every opertune moment.

Originally posted by tharbert
We hear of refs in all sports encountering unsportsmanlike behavior from fans, parents and players. Is this a symptom or part of the problem? Is it getting worse? I like to think the exposure can only help promote the game but I'm not so sure anymore.

seems like part of the problem to me. IMO a lot of this behavior is learned by watching/listening to pro/college sports on TV/radio.

Originally posted by tharbert
No one has to answer, I'm just venting...

ME too