Officials/Spectators

[clevelandbrowns#1]

No official needs to be degraded, berated, cussed, threatened, followed home, have their name printed into any newspaper, shoved, punched and any other ridiculous things that many of you think is cute or funny. Yes, go to the game! Tell us that we missed a call, boo us if you want and oooh and awww our so called bad calls. The other things----STOP IT< STOP IT IMMEDIATELY!! Do you all realize that we all are there to allow your son, daughter, cousin, nephew, niece, etc... to play a great game that couldn't and wouldn't be played if it wasn't for those of us who are crazy enough to put on the stripes. I can SWEAR to you that we aren't there to cheat your son, daughter, etc...WE don't care who wins or loses!!!! We are there to try our best to follow the rules as best as we can. There is contact in basketball, there is contact that is not always a foul. It is called game management. It used to take officials a few years to get to call Varsity games, the young ones are being rushed so fast because of lack of officials and to keep them in the game. If not, probably even more shortage of officials. Is it right, NO--but it is what it is. Do you always get the best officials on your games? No Why? because of many reasons, some already listed.
A day in the life of many officials. Most of us get up and go to work, me personally 5:30 Mon-Fri. Get home from work, then leave for our game site. Some of our game sites can be 15 minutes to 2-3 hours away from home one way. Many of us do our best to be there by the JV start. Usually we are on the court from 7:15pm -7:45 pm. Game time starts anywhere from 7:30-8:00. Games usually last until 9-9:30 if we are lucky. Then we change, shower and walk to our cars-always looking for the idiot who thinks we cheated the son/daughter. We then drive home, some get home 9:45-11pm if not later--according to the distance we travel. Many of us do this 3-4 times Mon-Fri. Most of us work Saturdays, sometimes two games on Saturday so these kids can play a great game. So, the next time you want to degrade, berate, threaten, follow, shove, punch or any other things you find cute think about what you are doing for all kids in the future who need these sports games.

[*D1*]

I’ve never complained or done anything mentioned above about any call that has been in favor of my team. Ever. Food for thought.

[Farmer Yoder]

I’ve never complained or done anything mentioned above about any call that has been in favor of my team. Ever. Food for thought.

And that’s where I come in

[baseball16]

I agree,
I think Social Media has also blown this area way out of proportion. Seems like everyday there is something posted about a Fight, ejection, or in Vermont a Death. Hopefully it will settle down. People get very worked up in the stands over a lot of "little" things. Some want us to blow our whistle every play while others want us to not blow our whistle. I will continue to say this, Until the Administration at each site start really enforcing bad behavior it will continue. How do you enforce bad behavior? 1. You address it immediately. Yes it will be an uncomfortable conversation but that is your job. 2. Suspend bad behavior for certain amount of games. 3. Local Law Enforcement fine for disorderly conduct 4. Permanently suspend bad behavior. There are steps that can be taken, but need addressed and enforced. If not, we will continue to lose more and more officials each year and eventually games will get canceled .
Quick note: Officials will continue to Miss calls. It's going to happen. That is out of a lot of people's control. However, How you react is completely in your control. You can boo or whatever, but man, some just go WAY over the LINE!
Trust me, I am also guilty of this as well. It's something I need to continue to get better at and work on! But I truly believe it is time people start waking up a little to the situation that is at hand.

[The Ghost of Swanker]

Beside the point but you guys in the stripes need to put your foot down if you’re driving 2-3 hours one way for a game. That’s ridiculous.

[Coach Kennedy]

First off, kudos to you and thank you for being an official. It is a thankless and difficult job. The pay should be higher and admins should do all they can to make sure you are all respected at games.

Secondly, I have a question: Why are officials letting the game become too physical? Just my opinion, but I believe the scoring is down because of all the contact that is permitted. Hand checking has become a defensive method instead of a foul. Kids are simply steering and redirecting kids instead of moving their feet. Very seldom is it called a foul. The free throw has become a shoving contest, as players simply push each other under the basket. Go to a college game, regardless of level, and all these things are called and the game is much more enjoyable to watch.

[*D1*]

First off, kudos to you and thank you for being an official. It is a thankless and difficult job. The pay should be higher and admins should do all they can to make sure you are all respected at games.

Secondly, I have a question: Why are officials letting the game become too physical? Just my opinion, but I believe the scoring is down because of all the contact that is permitted. Hand checking has become a defensive method instead of a foul. Kids are simply steering and redirecting kids instead of moving their feet. Very seldom is it called a foul. The free throw has become a shoving contest, as players simply push each other under the basket. Go to a college game, regardless of level, and all these things are called and the game is much more enjoyable to watch.

No offense but no one I know wants to watch a free throw contest. Get those kids in the weight room and make monsters out of them and they won’t get pushed around and “redirected.” Yes I realize many on here will contend that “lifting weights throws off your shot” but they were programmed to think that by coaches that are stuck in a 1980’s mindset. Get up to this century fellas.

[Coach Kennedy]

First off, kudos to you and thank you for being an official. It is a thankless and difficult job. The pay should be higher and admins should do all they can to make sure you are all respected at games.

Secondly, I have a question: Why are officials letting the game become too physical? Just my opinion, but I believe the scoring is down because of all the contact that is permitted. Hand checking has become a defensive method instead of a foul. Kids are simply steering and redirecting kids instead of moving their feet. Very seldom is it called a foul. The free throw has become a shoving contest, as players simply push each other under the basket. Go to a college game, regardless of level, and all these things are called and the game is much more enjoyable to watch.

No offense but no one I know wants to watch a free throw contest. Get those kids in the weight room and make monsters out of them and they won’t get pushed around and “redirected.” Yes I realize many on here will contend that “lifting weights throws off your shot” but they were programmed to think that by coaches that are stuck in a 1980’s mindset. Get up to this century fellas.

Agreed, no one wants to watch a free throw contest. But kids need to learn how to guard with their feet instead of their hands. College games are not free throw contests and hand checking is a point of emphasis there. Just a lot cleaner game of basketball and more enjoyable to watch. Look at the scores of these high school games...they're very low scoring for the most part and in my opinion, which may obviously be wrong, is because of all the physical contact that is permitted.

I'm just asking because there are always points of emphasis for these guys to focus on. To allow more of this and less of that. Just a question.

[JTEK]

First off, kudos to you and thank you for being an official. It is a thankless and difficult job. The pay should be higher and admins should do all they can to make sure you are all respected at games.

Secondly, I have a question: Why are officials letting the game become too physical? Just my opinion, but I believe the scoring is down because of all the contact that is permitted. Hand checking has become a defensive method instead of a foul. Kids are simply steering and redirecting kids instead of moving their feet. Very seldom is it called a foul. The free throw has become a shoving contest, as players simply push each other under the basket. Go to a college game, regardless of level, and all these things are called and the game is much more enjoyable to watch.

Often wondered the same thing. seen many games early on when i thought this is getting out of hand very quick. Then they will let them play like that until last few minutes then start calling every little touch foul and wonder why they are getting booed. Dont take this as meaning I condone any of the stuff thats been mentioned, just a fans observation

[Pinwheel]

If you think you are crazy for doing it,maybe not do it ?

[noreply66]

Some games I have watched remines me of the old playground ball.

[Ironman92]

Agree that administration needs to have co trip of the gym….if it’s packed and rowdy that’s ok but belligerent people need approached by Super/Principal/AD for a cordial warning…nothing aggressive, just a “hey buddy let’s settle a bit please”…if any issue there get the cop involved how they deem necessary….if any trouble, remove them for that game and 2-3 more. Another offense and you are done for a calendar year.

If it just comes fast and deserving of kicking out…the ref will toss them and the administration should already be headed that direction.

I’ve seen a few times where the fan had his say…nothing deserving of a removal but then a ref baited the fan knowing he’d not be able to turn down a pissing match…then fan removed. In that case the official should be punished in some manner or some point system tallied. That shouldn’t happen.

[peake71]

I have seen spectators get up and start toward playing floor and get escorted out as should be.
I saw a teenage boy whose brother was playing didn't like the call and fingered the ref as he went by and trailing official tossed him as he should. Any one who threatens a ref should be gone and not allowed to see games the rest of year at least. If I am correct Adams county has it that you get tossed it will cost you $100.
I think also that some cheer sections go to far. The yelling or cheering is fine for all but to berated the officials or players goes to far.

[Ironman92]

I have seen spectators get up and start toward playing floor and get escorted out as should be.
I saw a teenage boy whose brother was playing didn't like the call and fingered the ref as he went by and trailing official tossed him as he should. Any one who threatens a ref should be gone and not allowed to see games the rest of year at least. If I am correct Adams county has it that you get tossed it will cost you $100.
I think also that some cheer sections go to far. The yelling or cheering is fine for all but to berated the officials or players goes to far.

That $100 doesn’t help much I doubt. Most men who are getting torn up at the game have the testosterone flowing and they are going to show how adamant they are and they don’t give a s*** if they get tossed because they are making a point….and showing they don’t care also shows they must have money because they don’t care about the $100 either

I will say that one of the baiting incidents was in Adams Co but officer that led him out didn’t pursue anything because the guy wasn’t being belligerent at all.

[peake71]

Ironman92 I have to agree about the money most wouldn't care.

[Lovehoops1]

The game is way to physical and out of control. Hand checking and shoving is a joke anymore. The skill has given way to who can push, shove, beat down who the best then score on a layup. We all know shooting is terrible.

[DUNK1]

The game is way to physical and out of control. Hand checking and shoving is a joke anymore. The skill has given way to who can push, shove, beat down who the best then score on a layup. We all know shooting is terrible.

Shooting is terrible because most of these coaches are allowing the players to lift weights. Everyone knows how those weights ruin your shot. A few coaches like my boy forbid it for that reason. He finally got a team up here that would listen about that and like you said those brutes on the teams that lift the weights just shove our boys around and beat them up so we can’t get a good shot off. Call the foul already or you’ll hear it from me for sure. Most of the games we lost this year is because of that. Especially the Nelsonville game. Them boys made it look like a football game instead of basketball. No place for that in basketball.

[Raider6309]

Hand checking is only cried about because the ball handler is skinny as a rail. I love watching great defense driving a defender straight out of bounds and all the fans scream for a foul

[greyghost]

Hand checking is only cried about because the ball handler is skinny as a rail. I love watching great defense driving a defender straight out of bounds and all the fans scream for a foul

I totally agree. And the best part is when the crowd screams, like the poster before you did, “this ain’t football.”

If you don’t like it get the noodle arms in the weight room.

[mrwonderful]

The fouls that should be called are the kids dribbling ball who every time someone just breaths on them throw their head back like they've been whip lashed... they usually perform this act when they turn ball over and of course the ref calls a foul. they should call foul on offensive player for acting!!! Another foul that's never called anymore is the offensive player jumping into a defensive player who even if he leaves floor is jumping straight up not towards the offensive player. Should be an offensive foul...Never called though..As far as fans go it's usually only 3 or 4 loud mouths per team who make it seem worse than it is...Then the students see the grown ups acting a fool then chaos erupts. I once wondered how refs could put up with the abuse they take until i sit and watched several games with refs....Hell they don't watch the game they watch the refs!!!! Point out everything their doing wrong the entire frigin game!! A total nightmare!!! lmao...You can't even enjoy the game...They love it... I honestly believe a big percentage of refs would do it for free!!! That's how sick they are lol.. Basketball refs are the worse when it comes to this followed by baseball home plate umpires..... Football refs aren't noticed and in the limelight like other sports for most part in my opinion....