Amongst the fans

[IowaMike]

On the rare occasions when I don't have a game scheduled I will go watch a good high school matchup, particularly at tournament time. What I find interesting is how much crap is yelled at the officials during the course of the game. It shows me that I must tune out about 99% of the derogatory things fans scream during the course of my games because I just don't hear that much of it. I generally get a chuckle out of the fans stupidity and wonder if they realize that the only people listening to them ***** are other fans; the officials don't hear it or don't give a rats behind.

[Raymond]

My son just started a new school today. When I went to the school Tuesday for orientation out of the first 4 people I met, 3 knew me from officiating AAU & HS: receptionist whose son who went on to D1 ball; male counselor who went on to play D1 ball; counselor whose daughter played HS ball and was also working somewhere in school.

The receptionist told me later that she and the male counselor got all nervous (and guilty) because they were worried I would remember all the terrible stuff they had said about me during games. I like bringing that human face to the officiating profession.

[Jurassic Referee]

Originally Posted by BadNewsRef

I like bringing that human face to the officiating profession.

Me too. And the human face I bring is usually the one of a fan that pissed me off.

[Scrapper1]

Originally Posted by Jurassic Referee

Me too. And the human face I bring is usually the one of a fan that pissed me off.

Ladies and gentlemen, Hannibal Lechter has donned the stripes. Be afraid. Be very afraid.

[Jurassic Referee]

Originally Posted by Scrapper1

Ladies and gentlemen, Hannibal Lechter has donned the stripes. Be afraid. Be very afraid.

Everybody should have a role model.

[Loudwhistle2]

Originally Posted by IowaMike

On the rare occasions when I don't have a game scheduled I will go watch a good high school matchup, particularly at tournament time. What I find interesting is how much crap is yelled at the officials during the course of the game. It shows me that I must tune out about 99% of the derogatory things fans scream during the course of my games because I just don't hear that much of it. I generally get a chuckle out of the fans stupidity and wonder if they realize that the only people listening to them ***** are other fans; the officials don't hear it or don't give a rats behind.

+1 Most of the fans that bawl the loudest are the ones that like to hear themselves talk! Same blabber mouths are the ones in the restaurants that always talk and laugh louder than the rest. They must have been bottle fed or weened prematurely.

[Terrance "TJ"]

Purely for science, I'd like to see the reactions of people in a gym including the refs when someone, non sarcastically, applauds (loudly/vocally) a correct call by the crew. Especially if it was a fan/spectator of the team the call went against.

[grunewar]

When I do get that oft chance to see a game as a spectator, most of the time I'll sit by myself or with fellow officials. It certainly is entertaining to listen to the educated masses and their comments. Sometimes I just chuckle and shake my head.

It is however tough to "enjoy the game" sometimes as you observe the officials, coaches, and other nuances of the game others don't watch - after fouls, during dead balls and TO's, etc.

[dsqrddgd909]

Originally Posted by grunewar

When I do get that oft chance to see a game as a spectator, most of the time I'll sit by myself or with fellow officials. It certainly is entertaining to listen to the educated masses and their comments. Sometimes I just chuckle and shake my head.

It is however tough to "enjoy the game" sometimes as you observe the officials, coaches, and other nuances of the game others don't watch - after fouls, during dead balls and TO's, etc.

2nd year here. I told my wife that I can't watch basketball like I used to, particularly in person. It's actually been a little disconcerting to view my favorite sport and one I played and coached for more than 35 years from a brand new perspective.