Ditto. I've seen a partner get his a$$ chewed by a female coach during a juco game. She told him in no uncertain terms that men using the term "ladies" is not appropriate to the college game.

On the other hand, I've heard female officials use the term "ladies" and no one seemed to care.

When I'm doing girls games, I say "ladies". When I'm doing boys and men, I use the word "fellas".

I would say, if your career path is that of NCAA-Women's, then follow the expectations of that level. But at the HS level, which is only place I will officiate females, then I don't see a problem using the term, "ladies".

I think it depends on the coach more than the official.

Thanks guys for all the advice. I have a JV game in a couple hours. I will work on this.

Is it a Girls game? :D

haha, no I'm on the boys board. I may ref the boys and girls board next season.

Some Southern charm perhaps?
 

Though I'm originally from CA, and am a 40 year transplant to the Centennial State, I've found that "y'all" works pretty well for both genders...

I have a hard time wrapping my head around them being called players as condescending or offensive... Isn't that exactly what they are?

They're also ladies, but that's apparently offensive.

If you think every female on the basketball court is a lady, you don't referee enough women's games! ;)

This is all in fun here, but I'm sticking to my guns that you're safer calling them players. I never said that calling them ladies was offensive either...

:)
I've heard others say not to call them ladies. Frankly, I just think it's too much worrying about nothing. I'm going to continue doing what I do.

"Players" comes across as awkward for me, which is worst than being offensive with the word "ladies".

It strikes me that "lady" can be offensive if used that way, as in "Hey lady! Watch it!" I've never known "ladies" to be actually be considered offensive by anyone but easily offended observers.

I may just go with shavano's "y'all"

In the northeast corner, "y'all" will get you far more strange looks than "ladies." I see nothing offensive about "ladies" or "gentlemen." The last I checked, they're terms of respect.

Can you say "y'all" with a northeastern accent? ;)

I’ll admit one of my assignors said something to me about calling BV players “gentlemen” (specifically, “they’re not gentlemen”). The circumstances were a bit odd, though:

*The assignor is one of my NCAAW assignors.
*It was in the summer at a camp for NCAAW officials but the players were BV.

Rebel that I am :rolleyes: I still say “gentlemen” in BV games and “ladies” in my GV and NCAAW games. Most of my female partners in NCAAW say “ladies” – if anything – so I figured it’s no big deal. They may not all be ladies and gentlemen out there but maybe the power of suggestion will help ;). Besides, a little respect never hurt anyone.

The one time I said “fellas” during a game a few months ago I heard someone in the stands say, “Fellas? Really?”

I swear, this sounds like it's born from the idea that calling them ladies is somehow a slight to them as basketball players. I call the boys "gentlemen" and nobody would ever bat an eye at that. OK, maybe someone did (above).

In our world, it's no different than how the term "3-man" ended up being 3-person or, laughingly, "3-whistle" even when we clearly included both male and female officials in the discussion.

Those easily offended will find a way to succeed no matter what you do, I suppose.