Photographer's getting tossed

[Nevadaref]

I don't concur with those who say that they just bump into or step on the photographers. I think that is the wrong approach. It also is what gives folks a poor opinion of officials.

These photographers are people just trying to do a job or get a nice picture for a kid. A little politeness and a short explanation as to why it is important for an official to have that space will go a long way. I'd rather be polite first and see what response I get.

[Jurassic Referee]

Originally Posted by Nevadaref

I don't concur with those who say that they just bump into or step on the photographers. I think that is the wrong approach. It also is what gives folks a poor opinion of officials.

These photographers are people just trying to do a job or get a nice picture for a kid. A little politeness and a short explanation as to why it is important for an official to have that space will go a long way. I'd rather be polite first and see what response I get.

Naw, if they're in the way, kick 'em in the balls. Dennis Rodman taught me that.

[Texas Aggie]

I've worked as a pro photog at football, basketball, baseball, and soccer games. For the life of me, I can't understand how any photog that calls himself a professional would be in ANY position to get tossed by the officials. If I can, I talk to the guys and say, "hey, I'm back where I think I need to be, but let me know if you want me back further," or whatever. I always kid with them about their "best side" and all that jazz and tell them they'll soon be on the cover of Referee mag. Of course, as an official, I'm going to be more apt to do that than the average photog, but any so called professional is an idiot if he doesn't understand that his role (as a photog) is secondary (if that) to what's going on. When I'm an official, I don't give a rip about their so-called job demands; mine take precedence. As a photog, I understand that role. The guys on sportsshooter (which I've been to a bunch and read many threads like that) don't seem to.

As an official, I've had to get photogs out of the way. I had one this year in a football game -- he was as close as I (line judge) to the sideline in some cases. After asking him nicely twice to get back, I had the game admin get him out of the way. I didn't toss him, but I didn't have any more problems with him either.

[26 Year Gap]

Originally Posted by Jurassic Referee

Naw, if they're in the way, kick 'em in the balls. Dennis Rodman taught me that.

He kicked you?????

[Mark Padgett]

Originally Posted by 26 Year Gap

He kicked you?????

Maybe that's why JR's partners say his voice has a higher pitch than his whistle!

[bgtg19]

Phil-

I read the thread from the other site up to the point that I read your first post. It's a long thread, so I did not read any further. For what it is worth, here are my thoughts:

1) That thread was not at all out of control or out of line as seemed to be the implication. I did not perceive a "power mad" bias against officials or read generally "derogatory" things about officials. It seemed to me that most people who posted in that thread said they had no problem with officials, most officials are nice people, etc. A couple indicated that 1% of the officials can be out of line. Only 1%? I think they're being rather generous to us.

2) Your first post over on that thread irritated me, too, but not because it was biased towards officials. I was irritated by your statement that you were revealing referee "secrets" by confessing that officials are distracted from their duties by women with large breasts. I'm not sure that your please-don't-think-of-officials-as-power-mad-think-of-them-as-dopey-adolescent-men (and women, since there are surely women who cannot help but stare at large breasts, not that there's anything wrong with that) does the profession any favors.

3) I disagree with your statement that "out-of-control-egos usually surface long before a ref gets to the varsity level and are weeded out." I submit this site (which we all love and cherish) as Exhibit A in the argument against your position.

4) Like most officials, I have had no problem with photographers. Sure, there are times when we don't have as much space to work as we'd like, but those aren't the photographers fault -- they're facing the limitations, too. I think most officials are good, decent people who are doing the best they can. I think most photographers are good, decent people who are doing the best they can. Sure, there are a few officials, and sure there are a few photographers, who aren't as good or as decent, but you just deal with that as best you can and you move on.

Again, I didn't read the entire thread at the other site, so perhaps I missed a lot.

[Mark Padgett]

Originally Posted by bgtg19

and women, since there are surely women who cannot help but stare at large breasts

Yeah - I noticed that while watching the officials at the Ellen DeGeneres classic.

[LDUB]

The best way to get those pesky media folks out of the way:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=LlxHVvQrL4Y