3 Blind Mice

Posted Sunday, January 18, 2009, at 10:52 AM

I've tried to be nice in the past year and not say much on this forum about officials. In recent weeks, however, I've seen some games where the officials were more noticeable than the players. I think you have three types of officials. Ones that you'd like to have at home but hate to see on the road. Ones that you wouldn't want at home or on the road. And the rare group -- ones you wouldn't mind having anywhere. Then there are the special officials you hire for homecoming. You used to have to worry about 2 clowns such as Abbott and Costello, now you have to worry about Larry, Moe, and Curly. The 3 man crew is a joke. It gives officials more excuses to not call things because it is not in "their area". I think if I were coaching today and was told that a call was not in my area, I think I would go off. What happened to calling what you see. If your partners are that sensitive, get new partners, or tell them you'll buy 'em flowers after the game.

In the Greene County Tourney, we had officials coming back for more than one game in the tournament, and personally I think that is not good for the tourney. There were also officials calling games for schools from which they graduated. I'm not saying they were calling in favor of their school, it just puts them in a bad situation. I also thought the best crew in the tourney worked the consolation game Saturday morning.

As I look around during games at the number of former coaches that are now administrators, I'm reminded of a quote from Roy Robertson of Shakamak that went something like this. "You know what makes someone a good candidate for principal?.... Three losing seasons." On that note, I do want to congratulate David Dean on his new job as principal at Bloomfield. I'm glad to see Bloomfield went with a local person that has a better grasp at what Bloomfield is about.

I need to congratulate a few local players, coaches, and teams. MaKaylee Pirtle eclipsed the 1000 pt plateau. Her dad Mark played for me in 1980 and was a very good free throw shooter. Billy Newton also reached the 1000 pt mark. Steve Brett got his 400th career win -- fortunately only 1 was against me.

Recently at Clay City's homecoming, Jeff Bell and company honored a local fan. Introduced as "Clay City's Number One Fan" Cynthia Moon recently celebrated her 90th birthday and is still an avid fan attending home and away games in many sports. It's nice to see that kind of fan considering some of the things we've seen and heard from other fans around the state this year. Kudos to Jeff for recognizing this -- classy move.

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Where is the congratulations to Steph Fougerouse for her accomplishments? How about Kelsey Anderson and Sierra Fuller? The last two are either close or over the top. These three girls are easily the three best players in the area. They make their teams better and their teams win - the stat that matters most. This paper seems to have forgotten that White River Valley and Bloomfield even have Girls teams. The past few years these two programs are the top two teams in the SWIAC. Same thing this year. When Dugger, Linton, and Shakamak win games of consequence, by all means give them great coverage. That is not the case at this time, so lets cover WRV and Bloomfield a little better. Thank you for your time.

-- Posted by Over The Hill on Sun, Jan 18, 2009, at 7:47 PM

I would never want to be disrespectful to my elders, but every time I read that first paragraph Joe, I keep thinking that there must be 4 types of officials. Just reminded me of that old adage, there are three types of people, those who can add and those who cannot. Cheers.

-- Posted by simmons on Mon, Jan 19, 2009, at 5:03 AM

I don't know what Joe has against officials. For the last 3 years, at least twice a year, I have read particularly negative things about officials. Did one step one your foot real hard when running by you during your coaching career? Or did a couple light you up for yelling about something that didn't affect the outcome of the game? The only experience I have had is you all have a much better vantage point and view of things in the stands. Most of the officials in all sports I know do a good job and work hard at doing the kids right. Maybe the problem is we don't care what the fans think, or the coachs think. We care about the kids.

-- Posted by baseballman on Mon, Jan 19, 2009, at 9:58 AM

Who did Clay City play for homecoming?

What is the progression of a coach?

1. PE teacher, sometimes Art

2. Advanced PE/drivers ed teacher

3. Athletic director

4. Some made up administrative position involving no work

5. Fired coach with #4

-- Posted by mymanmitch on Mon, Jan 19, 2009, at 2:20 PM

I would have to agree with you this time Joe. The three offical thing is a joke. There is at least one good group in the area but other than that most of them look like they have never worked together and they don't want to hurt the other one's feelings. And I have heard the it's not my call thing before. That's one reason I like to work with just one other guy. Because in the past I stepped on a guy's foot once and he got mad at me for calling a kid that was roasting his third hot dog for three seconds. He told me at half time that was his call and to never make him look bad again. He didn't care that I got the call right he just didn't want to look bad. :) That's one of the problems around here they all want to be your friend they don't care to make the right call.... We need to go back to the two man teams... And honestly I'm not much of a fan of the team thing. I think if you just call a game the right way and not even worry about your partner everything would go better.

-- Posted by Bigballer on Mon, Jan 19, 2009, at 7:29 PM

I played sports in high school (many moons ago) and the officiating has progressively gotten worse and extremely obvious to me and most people that sit around me at games. I go to football, basketball and baseball, i have seen them all. Basketball has to be the one were the officials are the most obvious as to who they will call fouls on, let fouls go, travel.... etc... they watch certain kids and teams. When one team has 7 fouls and the other has 1, there is something wrong. If a call needs made, MAKE THE CALL. I agree, you are there to do that...right??? Isn't that what the job description says????

-- Posted by redbird08 on Thu, Feb 5, 2009, at 8:05 AM

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