I'll put words in your mouth.

He's probably referring to officials who do lower level games, such as middle school, and it's obvious they don't care about the game or doing a good job. They think it's below their skill level(So they don't give a decent effort) and just want an easy double header $90.

Cliche example: I'm not calling a foul in the final seconds if it's a close game and my call my cause OT. I want outa here!

What fantasy world do you live in?

I call bull crap on that bolded statement. Highly skilled officials who do lower level games elevate the quality of officiating. This causes the participants and fans to wonder why they don't get that quality of officiating all the time.

I've found that "for the kids" officials aren't really into training and getting better. They are there just for the reason stated, for the kids to have officials available to work their games.

Shut things down -- overintrusive moderators.

Leave things take their natural course -- not doing our jobs.

Perhaps I should've locked the thread after the first five posts when it simply became boring. :D

My usual HS partner and I did some 7th grade girls games the night before my season opener. I did it mainly for the cash I was getting at the end of the night, also to shake off some rust. "For the kids" was not on the list.

Worked 3 games. A parent in game 1 and one in game 3 told us we were the best officials they'd ever seen working their kid's games.

Did we run at full speed? When needed. Did we switch on every foul? Hell to the no.

And yet they don't donate the cash they "earn" back to the program, do they?

You're saying no one in the history of officiating has ever done a poor game because they thought a game was beneath them?

I completely agree with everything you said, I was just saying there are instances where "attitudes and egos" can affect a game. It's insanely rare, imo, but it can still exist.

So can unicorns but I'm not holding my breath. Usually if an official works a game they do a decent job. I am more apt to see officials at higher levels not call "game changing" fouls late in games for the sake of "game management" than at lower level games.

Usually poor officials do poor jobs and vice versa. Let's not kid ourselves but I could probably do a 7th grade game standing still at half court. Most of these games call themselves.

Yup, I can usually find him within minutes if I need him.

I also never said highly skilled officials. This is what I get for trying to be a translator, lol.

Funny you mention that. I was watching my kid play on Saturday (5th grader) and I turned to my wife and said, "I could call a better game sitting here in the bleachers." I was completely serious, too.

So...when you aren't calling the game you just become another one of those spectators bashing the officials to other spectators. :D

In my experience, doing it "for the kids" does not vaccinate officials against "attitudes and egos."

If you consider me quietly whispering to my wife than yes, yes I am.

But they were equally awful both ways, so who really cares?

At least they were consistent :eek: :D

Just giving you a hard time.

I suspect we have all been in the stands at games and thought "Oh my...really?" about the one wearing the odd looking shirts.

Guilty.

But, I keep my mouth shut during those sub varsity games. Instead of whispering to my wife, I just give her that glance...that look...and she knows what I'm thinking about the officiating/situation.

We're human...and proud parents.