[baseline Jumper]

There have been servreal good points made here that I would like to expand on. First to the point one poster made about making the job more attractive. I will correct you a little and tell you the pay for a three man game is $55 dollars not $65. We have guys in this region, that I know are refs, that drive from Phelps to Lawrence Co to call a game or drive from Paintsville to East Ridge to call a game for $55. The gas alone is a huge expense not to mention the uniform,shoes, $40 to KHSAA for licensing every year $40-50 to join the local association it is not a job anybody is getting wealthy doing. The schools really need to get on board and be willing to pay these guys the money they deserve. I have often wondered why most varsity games now are worked with a three man crew but the JV games are all two man. The JV game is a training game for players, why not make it that way for the officials. Make the JV games three man crews as well. Its gonna cost a little more but will help develop younger officials. The second point is the majority of the fans do not know the rules. This is so true. The biggest misconception here is that all contact is a foul. It is not. 10 people running full speed in a 50x85 rectangle are going to have some contact. Officials have to judge the contact if one player gained an advantge by the contact it is a foul if not the play goes on. I know these guys spend a lot of time studing the rules. They are required to attend camps and meetings prior to the season and during the season. I know they have a network were they call or email each other and discuss situations that happen in games to make sure they got the call right or if not to at least get it right the next time. I totally disagree that officials go on the floor thinking one team or another should win the game and then call the game so that team wins. I know these guys will look up a rule at half time of a game to make sure it was properly applied in the first half of a game. Bottom line is the officials try to get it right. Most fans have never seen a rule book have, never played the sport in an organized fashion but feel compelled to tell the officials how screwed up they are. It also amazes me that fans who are sitting 3/4 of the way up in the gym feel they saw something happen better than a guy standing 2feet away from it. If fans and coaches would watch the game a cheer for the tams and coach there players instead of harrasing the refs, they would probably get a better called game. The last point is that refs determine the outcome of games. Whether by cheating or making bad calls the refs cause teams to win or loose. I have in the past and still disagree with this. if some one can bring me stats from a game and show me that there team shot 100% from the floor (made every shot they took), shot 100% from the free throw line, made no turnovers and didnt let the other team do the same and lost the game, I will agree that the refs cost them the game. Untill then I will stick to the fact that players and coaches decide games. I admire guys who put on the stripes. I had a friend who refs tell me that you have to love doing it because there is no money or glory in it and I belive that to be true. I think what needs to change is the mindset of the basketball watching community and I am not sure how to accomplish that. Good luck too the 15th region refs who have been selected to call the 14th regional tournament this year. You earned your spot and you deserve to be there.