More handshake idiocy

[Nevadaref]

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

I get their purpose, and it's a nice thought. There's just no reason to have the officials standing there postgame when everyone's emotions are heated. As scrappy said, do it before the game if you want the refs there.

That would completely defeat the purpose. What we are after here is people learning to control their emotions and that it is just a game played for fun and recreation. When it's over, it's over and you go away without negative thoughts and feelings.

How would a pregame handshake when there are no emotions and thoughts that decisions have gone against someone be in anyway similar?
How would it teach people to cope with what happened in the game?
It wouldn't.

[Adam]

The problem really isn't the players and coaches, as has been alluded to, there is ample authority to deal with them even if the score is set. The problem is the fans.

1. You're not going to "teach" them anything in this setting.
2. You're setting up stationary targets at mid-court with their back to half the crowd.
3. What happens when an AD is either intimidated or incompetent, as Scrappy (I think) dealt with last season?

I'm not sure what details could be changed to make this acceptable.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by Nevadaref

That would completely defeat the purpose. What we are after here is people learning to control their emotions and that it is just a game played for fun and recreation. When it's over, it's over and you go away without negative thoughts and feelings.

How would a pregame handshake when there are no emotions and thoughts that decisions have gone against someone be in anyway similar?
How would it teach people to cope with what happened in the game?
It wouldn't.

If the officials stay, they should keep jurisdiction.

Why does it require officials to do a PGHS? Aren't the coaches and administrators supervising the kids and being the adults?

When the game ends, the officials' role is over.

And all this is theoretical, anyway. No way this ever goes national. Too many states, I bet, would find the emphasis on this to be moronic.

(Wasn't MA the state that tried requiring mouthguards and also made a boy wear a skirt to play field hockey?)

[Nevadaref]

Rich,
Go back and look at post #34 in this thread for my thoughts on what you have just written.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by Nevadaref

Rich,
Go back and look at post #34 in this thread for my thoughts on what you have just written.

I am happier with your implementation of this, to be honest. I just don't think a lot of fans can be changed in the way this would require. I sit in the stands during JV games and will go to a playoff game I am not assigned and the level of ignorance and stupidity shown by the fans is just astounding. In an empty gym, I would not blink an eye at being part of the handshake line.

I will always shake a player's or coach's hand if they present it to me.

I just don't think it's all as simple as the MIAA does. I wonder how many of those policymakers have ever put on a whistle and officiated.

[Nevadaref]

Perhaps we should be looking ahead to the next generation of fans sitting in the stands. If these people are the kids playing today and they learn to view and interact with the game officials differently, then perhaps down the road things will be better when they are the ones who are sitting in the stands.

I agree that it will be very difficult, if not impossible, to change the beliefs of the older folks who are the current bleacher bums.

It has been said that if you wish to better the world, then teach a child something good.