Lesson Learned

I would like to apologize to all of the referee's/umpires that have ever officiated a game I have played in my lifetime in which I was argumentative or defiant.

I am sorry for asking the softball umpire if he and I were watching the same game, or if his glasses were clean enough to see out of them. I am sorry for second guessing calls that were made, and for murmuring under my breath when I didn't agree.

Refereeing is a difficult thing to do. Especially when it involves a mixing of testosterone and estrogen (did you know this can also be spelled Oestrogen).

I have been refereeing city league co-ed volleyball for the past month, and initially (the first night) I really enjoyed it. I was glad I made the decision to help out, and I was looking forward to the extra spending money. However, as time has progressed, the task has been less and less exciting.

There are a couple of teams, more specifically individuals, that seem to fight and argue calls that I make. I believe that as the season has moved forward, people are getting used to the skill level of each others teams, and they are getting more familiar with how a ref will call the plays. It doesn't help that I am a more strict ref (because I'm competitive) and that the other ref is more relaxed in her calls. It makes it confusing for the players.

But, I think I'm a fair ref. If two teams are playing one another, and the skill level is equal (either good or bad) I will call a fair game for the players. If they are good, I would expect them to know the rules, not try to get away with lifts/carries/double hits, etc... However, if the skill level is lower for two teams playing each other, I will let them get away with minor infractions.

I guess the morale of this post is to state that I have realized that it is more important to have fun and enjoy the exercise when playing in a city league, than it is to argue and complain about calls that are made. Refs are people, too, and you never know, some of them might have sensitive pregnancy hormones abounding.

I vow to be a better sport in the future.