Letter to the editor re: NBA officiating article and my response

[Mark Padgett]

Originally Posted by Amesman

You have to know who you're talking with, and how trustworthy they are (broadcasters can be some of the worst with their smash-and-grab process), but these (re: BBRef and Mark's posts) are some good reasons why officials should not outright shun members of the media.

I always have a good understanding of where broadcasters are coming from since I used to be one. In the late 60s and early 70s I did radio play-by-play for local HS and college basketball plus HS football and baseball at a suburban Chicago station (WKKD in Aurora, now WERV). What's weird is that a rival station in town also did HS basketball and their announcer was Chick Hearn, who became the L.A. Lakers long-time announcer. He was really good even back then.

[grunewar]

I may get published too……but, it may not be what you think.

July 2009, REFEREE Magazine, page 21, Respect, Please. The magazine makes a big “ta do” about paying respects to our Nation’s flag, which I am all for of course, but then provides the wrong guidance (shocker).

The article states, “The umpires should stand at attention, with their left hand by their side and their right hand holding their hat over their heart (see PlayPic).”

While this is what most people believe to be correct (Mythbuster Billy?) and do, it is incorrect.

The correct verbiage should be something like, “Men who are wearing a hat should remove it and with their right hand hold the hat over their shoulder. The right HAND, not the hat, should rest over the heart. Placing the right hand on the left side of the breast, covering the heart, shows our love for the Flag and all it stands for.”

Same should be said for officials of any kind.

(Note - I don’t truly know if there is a distinction for women, but everything I’ve seen talks specifically about men removing headgear. Sorry.)

As Billy Joel once wrote:

Get it right the first time
That's the main thing
I can't afford to let it pass
Get it right the next time
That's not the same thing
Gonna make the first time last.

Once you tell/show people bad habits, it's hard to undo em.

Just a pet peeve.
Off soapbox, carry on!

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by grunewar

While this is what most people believe to be correct (Mythbuster Billy?) and do, it is incorrect.

UNITED STATES CODE
TITLE 36
CHAPTER 10
SECTION 171 During rendition of the national anthem when the flag is displayed, all present except those in uniform should stand at attention facing the flag with the right hand over the heart. Men not in uniform should remove their headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart. Persons in uniform should render the military salute at the first note of the anthem and retain this position until the last note. When the flag is not displayed, those present should face toward the music and act in the same manner they would if the flag were displayed there.

Now, my pet peeve:

UNITED STATES CODE
TITLE 36
CHAPTER 10
Section 176. (j) No part of the flag should ever be used as a costume or athletic uniform. However, a flag patch may be affixed to the uniform of military personnel, firemen, policemen, and members of patriotic organizations. The flag represents a living country and is itself considered a living thing. Therefore, the lapel flag pin being a replica, should be worn on the left lapel near the heart.

I love our flag as much as anyone. I display the flag on all holidays. The wallpaper on my work computer, home computer, and cell phone, is a flag. I'm proud to wear a flag patch on my official's uniform, but are officials considered a patriotic organization?

[jbduke]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

UNITED STATES CODE
TITLE 36
CHAPTER 10
SECTION 171 During rendition of the national anthem when the flag is displayed, all present except those in uniform should stand at attention facing the flag with the right hand over the heart. Men not in uniform should remove their headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart. Persons in uniform should render the military salute at the first note of the anthem and retain this position until the last note. When the flag is not displayed, those present should face toward the music and act in the same manner they would if the flag were displayed there.

Now, my pet peeve:

UNITED STATES CODE
TITLE 36
CHAPTER 10
Section 176. (j) No part of the flag should ever be used as a costume or athletic uniform. However, a flag patch may be affixed to the uniform of military personnel, firemen, policemen, and members of patriotic organizations. The flag represents a living country and is itself considered a living thing. Therefore, the lapel flag pin being a replica, should be worn on the left lapel near the heart.

I love our flag as much as anyone. I display the flag on all holidays. The wallpaper on my work computer, home computer, and cell phone, is a flag. I'm proud to wear a flag patch on my official's uniform, but are officials considered a patriotic organization?

As usual, I think it depends on whom you ask. My answer to the question is 'no,' which is why I haven't and won't put a patch on my uniform. This refusal rankles some, but I fail to see why it makes more sense for sports officials to wear flag patches than it would for members of catering staffs. After all, they usually wear unis, too.

[LDUB]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

I love our flag as much as anyone. I display the flag on all holidays. The wallpaper on my work computer, home computer, and cell phone, is a flag. I'm proud to wear a flag patch on my official's uniform, but are officials considered a patriotic organization?

No they are not. Here is a list of patriotic organizations. I am sure there are more organizations which are not on the list but you can read the descriptions of the organizations and see that sports officials/officials' associations do not belong with the other groups.

Patriotic Organizations, American organizations and clubs, public service.

Sports officiating and flags really don't go together at all. If someone is patriotic why does that need to be shown to all while they are officiating a game?

[Mark Padgett]

The Sunday paper came out today and there were no responses to my letter from last Sunday. I guess everyone agreed with what I said. Yeah, right.

[26 Year Gap]

Originally Posted by Mark Padgett

The Sunday paper came out today and there were no responses to my letter from last Sunday. I guess everyone agreed with what I said. Yeah, right.

Even the guy who wrote the 1st letter? Great job!

Originally Posted by 26 Year Gap

Even the guy who wrote the 1st letter? Great job!

I would have rolled on the floor in hysterical laughter if Padgett would have written a response to his own letter. That would so be him!