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JOHN GORDON
Tuesday, February 08, 2000 Page: 19
The fans at local youth athletic events are out of hand sometimes. They
ride the officials almost into the ground or court with taunting or shouting
that is really unnecessary. However, the referees in this area, need some
refresher courses when it comes to certain aspects of the games they are
officiating. The clashes or conflicts that sometimes take place between
referees, fans, and coaches should not occur. But officiating should be better
in this area.
I’ve seen quite a few games lately and there seems to be a recurring theme
from the grade-school level to the junior varsity sporting events: the
Jeopardy theme.
Bad calls are one thing. They exist from the pee wees to the pros, but the
length of time it takes to decide some calls is what seems to cause the most
trouble. I understand refs want to get the call right, but taking a few
minutes sometimes, come on.
Granted, these are not the high-paid, college level or professional
officials but, they should know their stuff well enough so they can make
swifter and more accurate calls.
One area of difficulty and dreary delay is the ineptness that often comes
deciding whether a team is in the bonus or not during basketball games. I
consistently see sideline scoreboard operators and stat keepers yelling to the
refs about how the awarded foul shots should be opposite of what the officials
are saying. There’s confusion often about whether the situation should be a
one-and-one or a two-shot play. Or, if the ball should be taken out of bounds
or if a player should line up for a foul shot.
This results in many fans crying foul and brings out the unruly contingent
at times. Those bad-call brawlers in the stands should stay home if the only
reason they come is to take out their bad day on some inconsistent
officiating. That is exactly how they come across.
Fans, or, in many instances, parents, have different agendas. Most are
there to cheer their kids on to victory. Some are there, apparently, to bring
their troublesome home life or work day out on the refs. The officials,
despite making some obvious bad calls at times, are trying to do their
best…most of them.
I know it’s tough sometimes. It appears to become almost political at times
for the men and women in black and white. They seem to try to make a right
call but get hassled by disgruntled fans who think they made a wrong call. At
that point, I can see how a referee’s job becomes more menacing when they have
to worry about sideline banter ringing in their ear because of the whistles
they blew in everyone else’s ears.
One moment that banter may be pleasant exchanges with fans, coaches, and
referees who know each other well. The next moment it may be a fan accusing an
official of siding with the team who he is joking around with. Political at
times?
The officials have to hit the books and hone their refereeing skills. This
is the top priority. Then maybe the whining, justified or not, on the
sidelines and in the stands will lessen. Thank goodness there isn’t instant
replay in youth sports. Could you imagine? Comments or suggestions? Call John
Gordon at 831-7373 or send e-mail to: jtgordon@leader.net