[ltllng]

Thoughts to ponder for this season given recent events:

Name the only time that a referee is surrounded by the players.

Name the time that a referee has the greatest chance for injury from contact by a player or players.

Name a time that a referee would be in the way of a player dribbling or passing the ball (there are instances when you would be in the way on a steal or change of direction depending on your position on the court or speed to get out of the way).

Name the only time in a game where a referee physically affects the play on the ball. (think about this one at lower level and grade school games where younger referees are learning how to referee)

Other major team sports don't have these direct issues:
Football, Soccer and Volleyball have a coin flip to see who has control of the ball first and most officials are outside of the playing area.

Hockey has a faceoff, but the referees drop the puck and also wear protective gear. Hockey also has 4 referees on the rink that are never outside of the playing area so they might be part of any play.

Baseball/Softball is based on Visitor/Home to determine who is up first, but in the case of tourneys, would usually be a coin flip.

Is it time to reduce the chance of referee injury and liability and move to a coin flip to determine who gets the ball first?

Should we simplify the rules by eliminating the jump ball and focus on correctly judging the fouls and violations (as well as being the fashion police)?