Vote of Confidence?

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by RichMSN

The problem is this: You're not in an association meeting. You're sitting in the stands with a bunch of ignorant chuckleheads who want someone, anyone to validate their opinion that the officials suck. Even if those guys on the floor are right and you tell them, they then think you AND the officials are morons.

I've been in that position. My response? I'd have my phone in my hands looking like I wasn't even watching, sending an email or something. I do not, will not comment on the officiating with anyone other than another official.

I understand the unwillingness either to endorse (what seems to me) an obviously blown call or to announce in the stands that the officials blew it.

But Rich is right: the people in the stands are partisan, and they are asking only for validation. They're not interested in learning the rules.

Furthermore, in many circumstances there might be things going on that I really didn't see from the stands: they might have gotten it right after all, based on what they saw. So even apart from "not throwing them under the bus," I'm shutting up because I might not have all of the info.

Rich's proposed solution is a great one: "I didn't see it," or maybe, "I'm not sure what the call was," which might be more honest. Of all the things you might say here, this is probably the best. IMHO.