[Shady Grady]

I didn't see where anybody said they were in it for the money. The point is, they are being compensated to perform a job. And it is a choice they make to be there for $55. My $5 entitles me to an adequate performance from grown men being paid for a service. The average game is less than 2 hours...that makes the compensation about $27.50 per hour. Not many places you can go to work for that.

Your analogy about teachers is ludicrous. The fact is if you want to go to school for 4 years, plus earn a masters degree in 10 years or less you can become a teacher. All I have to do to become an official is take a test (open book I believe) and start work.

The comparison to teachers is that all professions have people that just show up. For every teacher that bust their tail to perform, there is one who shows up and collects a pay check. My point is you also can't judge all officials by the ones that choose not to improve. And it is not $27.50 an hour. Like I said, a single game takes about six hours, plus gas and eats. That comes out to $38.00 divided by six hours to be about $6.34 an hour. Not even minimum wage. But again, if it is so easy, I would LOVE for all the experts in the stands who never miss a call to join in the fun.