It wasn’t the best of weekends for those crucial decision makers in sporting events. The officials. The refs. The umps. You know – those people who make all the critical decisions in your favorite ball games. These evil people sporting the stylish striped shirts or chest protectors who ruin the game for one team and obviously help the other guys win. From your first grader’s youth soccer game at the local YMCA through the major leagues, one or more of these officials is needed to make sure that the game is played within the rules and is, hopefully, fair for both competing teams.
It should be noted here that I officiated (for pay) junior high-level baseball games along with youth and men’s basketball games years ago. Why would anyone do this? Money (of course), and the deep down egotistical feeling that “I know I can do this better than…”. These noble extra-income earners generally do a really solid job. Officials love nothing better than to leave the game (quickly) knowing that they enforced the rules and gave both teams a professional and fair effort.
To maintain control of the game and provide a fair outcome, a good official must (a) know and enforce the rules and (b) be consistent! For example, nothing is more maddening for players, coaches and fans than to see a baseball umpire call a pitch at the knees a strike one time and a ball the next.
This weekend featured critical calls in a college baseball game, the NBA Finals, and the NHL Stanley Cup Finals. Let’s roll the tapes!
- In Saturday’s Game 2 of the Texas A&M-Davidson NCAA college baseball series, Davidson was leading 6-2 in the 8th inning, but the the bases were loaded with Aggies when an infield pop-fly happened. On the field (and in front of several thousand screaming Aggie fans), the umpire ruled that this was not a catch. The result? The momentum changed as A&M rallied and eventually bounced Davidson out of the tournament.
- In Friday’s Game 4 of the NBA Finals, it appeared that Golden State forward, Draymond Green, had picked-up his second technical foul of the night (earning an automatic ejection). Then, the referees caucused and decided that the apparent first technical was actually on coach Steve Kerr. This was one of several unfortunate moments for this officiating crew as the game became quite out of control afterwards.
- In Sunday’s Game 6 of the NHL Stanley Cup Finals, it appeared that the Nashville Predators had scored a hometown goal in the second period. But no! The official whistled the play dead as he believed that the goalie was in control of the puck. The apparent goal was negated, and Nashville lost the game.
The howls are still coming from fans of Davidson, Cleveland, and Nashville claiming, “The officials blew it”! They certainly have a good point. My questions are (1) Did the officials strive to get the call right? and (2) Were they fair and consistent in applying the rules? In the meantime, it looks like open season on the Zebras has now begun!