I guess anyone can write a blog.

[JRutledge]

Funny article

Peace

[26 Year Gap]

What makes it funny is that he actually believe what he writes.

[Rich]

I would've read closer if the guy could've put two sentences together without a spelling or grammar mistake. Some people just have no pride in their work.

[just another ref]

My two favorites among the comments posted:

God only knows what over-the-back means anymore.

.....these refs, aside from getting booed and heckled, get a free pass

[Welpe]

This has to be Padgett trying to string together as many cliches as possible into one post. I'd say more but I don't want to be considered arrogant.

[bbcof83]

Illinois guys, any truth to the "an official can only work state finals 3 times" part? Did he for get the "consecutive" in there?

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by bbcof83

Illinois guys, any truth to the "an official can only work state finals 3 times" part? Did he for get the "consecutive" in there?

Yes that is kind of true. Some very rare situations guys work 4. But the point is there are a lot of qualified officials and it takes a long time to get to your first title. They want to give other guys a shot and if you work three someone else needs a chance.

Peace

[Rich]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

Yes that is kind of true. Some very rare situations guys work 4. But the point is there are a lot of qualified officials and it takes a long time to get to your first title. They want to give other guys a shot and if you work three someone else needs a chance.

Peace

There's an argument that they could restrict people to one and you'd still have plenty of qualified people waiting their chance.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by RichMSN

There's an argument that they could restrict people to one and you'd still have plenty of qualified people waiting their chance.

True, but if there was not a limit then there would be those that would complain that someone does not deserve more opportunities. And in the person they referenced by name is a very good official, but there are officials that are just as good and have never worked a single Super Sectional, let alone the State Finals. I think many of those guys at some point deserve a chance. Our state whether you like it or not does not just give someone their first playoff games one year and the next you get a Final. By the time someone gets their third they have been around.

Peace

[Rich]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

True, but if there was not a limit then there would be those that would complain that someone does not deserve more opportunities. And in the person they referenced by name is a very good official, but there are officials that are just as good and have never worked a single Super Sectional, let alone the State Finals. I think many of those guys at some point deserve a chance. Our state whether you like it or not does not just give someone their first playoff games one year and the next you get a Final. By the time someone gets their third they have been around.

Peace

Sorry, I wasn't clear in what I wrote. I am saying it's a positive thing to restrict the number of visits. Why should *anyone* get nine state tournaments (for example) when there are people out there who are good officials who get hired by all the local conferences and work full schedules year-after-year sit home?

No officials are so good that the tournament is markedly poorer but for their absence. One official or even a small group of officials are simply not that important.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by RichMSN

Sorry, I wasn't clear in what I wrote. I am saying it's a positive thing to restrict the number of visits. Why should *anyone* get nine state tournaments (for example) when there are people out there who are good officials who get hired by all the local conferences and work full schedules year-after-year sit home?

No officials are so good that the tournament is markedly poorer but for their absence. One official or even a small group of officials are simply not that important.

I totally agree with you. And I did not take it that you were disagreeing, just I have heard that argument before by a few officials that have got to their limit.

Peace

[Amesman]

So, JAR, was that you with the eloquent response near the end of all those comments, or was that a case of identity theft?

[just another ref]

Originally Posted by Amesman

So, JAR, was that you with the eloquent response near the end of all those comments, or was that a case of identity theft?

Wasn't me. Can't even spell ellaquint.

[bbcof83]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

Yes that is kind of true. Some very rare situations guys work 4. But the point is there are a lot of qualified officials and it takes a long time to get to your first title. They want to give other guys a shot and if you work three someone else needs a chance.

Peace

Got it, I actually kind of misread what that meant and compared it to MN where an official can only work ANY state tourney game (quarter, semi or final) 3 years in a row before having to sit out a year. That's not the same as what we're talking about here.

[Mark Padgett]

This was my favorite comment:

"By Refump on January 31, 2011 10:49 AM
Anyone ever send this guy a note critical of his writing?
Sports writers are great at ctiticising, but are HORRIBLE at taking criticism."

I would love to know what "ctiticising" is.