[Bfair]

After reading the lasts posts by WW, DDonnelly, Peter, and Dave, I am pleased to understand that I am not the only one seeing these things (or the only one willing to address them). I, and I hope all, appreciate your honesty.

I thought all posts were excellent and bring out factors of reality that we all recognize must exist in amateur ball for survival. Warren, I understand the Pro differential (although I may not like or agree with it) but feel it portrays BAD EXAMPLES to both amateur umpires and amateur players who tend to want to emulate the Pros. I used them as examples for 2 reasons, (1)most readers are aware of the incidents and therefore could discuss or understand and, (2) I felt they are all relativley flagrant--offering exception perhaps to Richie Garcia's play.

We all know small, technical things are overlooked and/or warned for the sake of fairness and sanity in the game. We are not there to play God, rather to judge and promote a FAIR game based upon the intent of the rules. Sometimes to achieve that fairness, minor infractions are overlooked. Our judgement plays an important part of that unwritten part of the game---and that judgement may alter slightly based on the level of competition. I am an advocate of knowing and studying the rules. If we don't know the rules and proper interpretations to start with, how can we decide if its an infraction infringing upon the fairness of the game. We're the only paid people at the amateur game and should be first to RECOGNIZE a possible infraction and whether advantages are being gained. Whether it's called or overlooked then becomes our judgement on what we enforce for the fairness of the game.
I suspect we agree, perhaps not.

The biggest problem, I feel, was best addressed by Dave. Acknowledging that many, perhaps most, overlook small infractions where no advantage is gained, I have seen many who also tend to overlook the more flagrant infractions where in fact ADVANTAGES ARE GAINED. I feel this is being done to follow the avenue of least resistance and sacrificing fairness in the game.

Nobody wants to be a booger picker or really wants to be on the field with one. However, I think the level of what is being overlooked imposes upon the advantage/disadvantage balance. I think too often it has gone to far. I even believe some of the coaches have learned to accept that certain infractions will be ignored unless utterly flagrant.

Finally, I think if you involve yourself appropriately in the more controversial plays, it comes back upon you negatively. Those teaching and ignoring, evaluate lower because you are not doing what they are doing. And in conclusion to Peter I will add, I am the old 50 yr. old fat guy and my game is not what it was perhaps 10 yrs ago. I am honest enough to admit it. I still think my game is good and like to think some of the experience gained will help make up for the physical attributes lost. I am idealistic enough to like to think I can at least try to make a difference for those young, good officials who do have the intestinal fortitude to make the tough calls vs. ignoring them.

Garth, your post came online just before entering this one. I have met Dave Yeast though I doubt he remembers me. That's about it. Please realize, Garth, I have not identified any amateur official, and the Pros should expect to be discussed because of notoriety. I don't think I have labled anyone a liar or in denial, merely that some may practice something different than what they preach. Those doing it will frequently acknowledge it (which I respect) and justify as it as their gained knowledge and experience on what to call and what not to call. I will also agree those judgements are important to the amateaur game to maintain fairness between teams. I just think it's beginning to compromise fairness in many contests. Also, I hope my honesty and willingness to address the existence of such will add to my credibility, although I don't expect all to necessarily agree with what I say. Certainly that is their call. I do not feel addressing something that does exist is unethical unless I am shooting darts at specific people.

I thank all for their honesty and responses, even those who disagree.

[Edited by Bfair on Dec 29th, 2000 at 12:01 PM]