It is not you.
 

I just wanted you to understand that people look at their games differently and lower levels differently. I see and understand your way of thinking. Actually, I once shared that ideal. I have changed because after doing varsity for awhile I see why everyone wants to be there. The games are so much easier from a calling aspect. But what most do not understand is that the pressure raises significantly. It is totally different to have a game that only the fans in the stands see as important, than have your mistakes all over the Chicago Sun Times or on CLTV(Chicagoland Television) and Channal 2 CBS News (Had a football game that was on all three media outlets. Kind of fresh in the mind). Tommorrow I have my first playoff game in Football at one of the better programs in our state, of course it is fun but the pressure and the scrutiny will be much greater. Also the praise is great if you do well.

I kind of look at it this way, Minor League players stay in the minor leagues to get to "The Show." The same goes for officials. The hotels are better, the locker rooms are better, there are more girls and the praise is greater when you are successful. So just like anything, officials that see officials from the "show" work, that is where many want to be. I love the game like I am sure you or all of us love the game. I love it everytime I show up and blow the whistle. Why do you think I do three sports? I obviously cannot get enough. But I will admit that my pep in my step is a little quicker when I have a good varsity football or basketball game. But when I get there regardless of level I put my best foot forward. If I keep the same enthusiasm for every game that I do for certain games, I might be burned out by the end of the season. But as you can see I am an intense guy. I just rambled on about something that means little to nothing to most reading it. Gotta love officiating.

Just keep loving officiating regardless of what you are doing. That is what is <b>important</b>.

Peace

Chuck, I didn't read Larry as saying that I should see each game as MY most important game ever. Rather, he's asking us to give basic respect to the players of every game, and take THEIR investment seriously. I'd bet my bottom dollar you always do that, because that's the kind of guy you are. In fact, probably Larry's just preaching to the choir, since anyone who reads this board is likely going to be the kind of person who takes this avocation seriously, and wants to do well at everything. Jeff is agreeing with this, when he says that we should "officiate our best at all times." He simply doesn't take the lowerlevel games, since he doesn't want to give the kind of attention and care that these games deserve. That's just another form of respect.

Juulie,

You are no doubt correct. And I'm pretty sure that I agree with Larry 99.99999999%. But his exact words were


My reply reflects your comments, I think, Juules:


The emphasized part above is pretty much what I think you're saying Juulie. I was only taking issue with the "most important game ever" phrasing. The game is important to the kids; but that doesn't make it the most important game I will ever call. The point is miniscule and entirely besides the main -- and truly important -- point that Larry was trying to make. I only made the distinction to comment on how I attack my games.

Chuck

Never completely stopped
 

Juulie, I still do lower level games. I just do not do them very much. I just do not have the time with my travel and not being all the time in one place. And honestly, I am not asked to do very many lower level games. Once you reach a certain level, you have to seek these games. With my college schedules and HS schedules it is difficult to keep doing these games.

Peace

"Smallsville"
 

LarryS,

Whoa...how did you interpret "Smallsville" as meaning I was writing about his game assignments! I was jokingly refering to the AREA he lived in, and went on to state that the "kid" would probably go on to college somewhere else.

However, the discussions that followed your opinions on how an official should feel about his game assignments were very interesting.
I especially liked the honesty that JRutledge displayed in candidly stating his opinion on lower level games.
Of course the game we as officials are doing is the "most important game of the night" to the players...but not necessarily the "most important" to us. We can still display professionalism and give them a well called game without having to believe it will be the greatest game we will ever call.
Ask yourself LarryS...do you or would you look at officiating a 3rd grade girls game at the local YMCA the same as you would a JV boys game at a packed out gym awaiting
the boys Varsity game? I think you would be kidding yourself if you say you would have the same enthusiasm.
Again, of course you are going to call the girls game great...but the adrenaline will be much more for your "bigger" game!! Trust me, you'll see.

RD

Rookie Dude
 

I understood your "Smallsville" comment, mainly because I grew up in a small community. The town I lived in is a college town and all the communities around it are farm communities. So I always have an affection for small communities. I live in a larger area now, but still like the slow pace of those "one stop light" communities.

Peace

Rookie Dude,

Where I grew up, that term was used for meaningless and unimportant. Thus the confusion.

I have worked games between undefeated cross-town rivals in front of standing room only crowds. Also worked those YMCA games for 3rd graders. Believe it or not, I approached them and prepared for them exactly the same way. I can also honestly say that my adrenaline level was the same for both games. Maybe it is because I have a high-pressure real job, but knowing it is a "big-game" and seeing a large crowd didn't phase me. And in both cases I didn't even hear the crowd.

My wife keeps telling me I'm weird and different...maybe she is right (don't tell her I said that :D)

Confused
 

I guess I am the one confused...when you stated you had "limited experience", had been doing this "a far shorter time" and "doing games at levels I will never reach" I wouldn't have dreamed you would be officiating in front of "standing room only crowds" against "cross town rivals"....Thus the analogy of the 3rd graders and the JV boys games.
Sooooo, if you can honestly say you approach each game the same...good for you...but I must say, your wife seems to have pegged you correctly. ;)

RD

RD,
No problem, we don't know each other...confusion is probably inevitable.

limited experience = about 100 games

The cross-town rivals with standing room only crowd - I was supposed to be in the other gym but there was a no-show. I had worked with the other official in that game and one of the coaches had seen me work so I changed gyms. Must have done OK becuase I have that game on my schedule and both teams should be as good as last year (barring injury and problems with No Pass-No Play).

I think JRutledge does college and I have no desire to move to that level, high school varsity is fine with me (besides, my real job won't allow me to take the time for a higher level).

And I prefer to think of myself as special, not weird or different :).



[Edited by LarryS on Nov 2nd, 2002 at 01:25 PM]

Hey, Larry.

For what its worth, you can call any of my games any time. Just don't kick me out until the 2nd half, if possible!