Should new refs have a identifier?

[DLH17]

I take issue with just about anything that draws even one more iota of attention to an official. Sorry to say, that includes pink whistles. Even though my mom is a 30 year cancer survivor, I don't like the officials using them. The players, otoh, is fine by me. The game is all about the players, imo.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by DLH17

I take issue with just about anything that draws even one more iota of attention to an official. Sorry to say, that includes pink whistles. Even though my mom is a 30 year cancer survivor, I don't like the officials using them. The players, otoh, is fine by me. The game is all about the players, imo.

Sorry, but we're part of the game, too. I've never bought this line of thinking -- not for a minute. I'm not out there to be noticed or to showboat, but I'm not out there to hide in the shadows, either.

[bainsey]

Originally Posted by RichMSN

Sorry, but we're part of the game, too. I've never bought this line of thinking -- not for a minute.

+1

Players, coaches, and officials always affect the outcome of a game, albeit in varying degrees. The belief of "never should affect" is naïve and myopic.

[Mregor]

I can see it now, much like a "rookie stripe" on NASCAR, a yellow bar on the back of the shirt. Yeah, that will help!

[26 Year Gap]

Originally Posted by DLH17

I take issue with just about anything that draws even one more iota of attention to an official. Sorry to say, that includes pink whistles. Even though my mom is a 30 year cancer survivor, I don't like the officials using them. The players, otoh, is fine by me. The game is all about the players, imo.

I don't agree with the players having whistles.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by 26 Year Gap

I don't agree with the players having whistles.

Yeah, I don't care what color whistle they have; it's a bad idea.

[deecee]

Originally Posted by DLH17

I take issue with just about anything that draws even one more iota of attention to an official. Sorry to say, that includes pink whistles. Even though my mom is a 30 year cancer survivor, I don't like the officials using them. The players, otoh, is fine by me. The game is all about the players, imo.

So wrong you are...So wrong you are

Originally Posted by DLH17

I take issue with just about anything that draws even one more iota of attention to an official. Sorry to say, that includes pink whistles. Even though my mom is a 30 year cancer survivor, I don't like the officials using them. The players, otoh, is fine by me. The game is all about the players, coaches, programs, parents, schools, sponsors, fans, etc., etc. imo.

[mj]

Originally Posted by DLH17

I take issue with just about anything that draws even one more iota of attention to an official. Sorry to say, that includes pink whistles. Even though my mom is a 30 year cancer survivor, I don't like the officials using them. The players, otoh, is fine by me. The game is all about the players, imo.

To some degree I agree with you. I am not a fan of the of wearing any patch or flag, even though I'm as patriotic as anyone. I also am not a fan of a different whistle even though I wore a Livestrong band for many years.

However, I absolutely disagree that the game is all about the players. I never quite understood when people say that the best games are the ones where no one knows who the officials were. We are out there to make the tough calls whether we like it or not.

[Mark Padgett]

Originally Posted by mj

We are out there to make the tough calls whether we like it or not.

I think it was Ed Hightower who said, "Be in control of the game without controlling the game". Words to ref by.

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by mj

We are out there to make the tough calls whether we like it or not.

That's not what the phrase means, and those who think it does are the ones giving the statement a black eye (so to speak).

[Rich]

Originally Posted by bob jenkins

That's not what the phrase means, and those who think it does are the ones giving the statement a black eye (so to speak).

The statement deserves a black eye. It's usually trotted out by coaches who would prefer we swallow our whistles rather than make a tough call (against their team).

The game belongs to all of us. I'm not playing, but the game doesn't happen without officials.

Of course, I agree with what mj says, too:

"One of the really wrong theories about officiating is that a good official is one you never notice. The umpire who made that statement was probably a real poor official who tried to get his paycheck and hide behind his partners and stay out of trouble all his life. Control of the ballgame is the difference between umpires that show up for the players and the managers." - National League Umpire Bruce Froemming