HANDLING QUESTIONABLE CALLS: by Pat McInally, Director of PacifiCare's GoodSports Program
As long as there are games to be played, there will always be controversy surrounding the men and women calling those games. Officials are not, and will never be, perfect. And you know what? That's okay with me, because life isn't perfect and handling questionable calls and perceived unfair results is part of learning to adjust to life and its never-ending, often illogical, challenges. It has been said that flexibility, the ability to adjust to change, is the hallmark of good mental health and true success in life.
It's interesting that the NFL has probably had its most successful year this year as far as the way games have been called. The Coaches' Challenge system has added an interesting element to games. Most of the time, kinks have been worked out with officials reviewing replays reasonably quickly, and many calls have been overturned correctly, improving the game overall.
On the other hand, the NBA is having a terrible time with players, coaches and even owners complaining and aggressively questioning the quality and even legitimacy of their officials and their calls. Major League Baseball, of course, continues to have the most egotistical group of officials who seem unwilling to improve. The stubbornness and arrogance on the part of the umpires is really hurting the game. Think about it. They refuse to accept that their calls could be questioned and won't allow instant replay or any other second opinion that would indicate the possibility that they do, indeed, make mistakes.
Having been a professional athlete, I remember frequently hearing that because our fans paid money for their seats, they were entitled to yell at us, boo us, and basically do or say anything they desired short of physical harm. These "privileges," I guess, have always extended to the officials whom these same fans somehow viewed as always trying to cheat them or us, as players.
The problem with this whole, "paid for" right to act immaturely and often abusively, is that this behavior has carried over to our children's games.
I've talked to many young athletes who are very confused when it comes to the question of how to treat officials. They've been told by their parents and coaches to respect umpires and referees, that these are figures of authority who should be listened to and treated with respect. Then, these same children watch their parents and coaches yelling and cursing at these same umpires and referees whom they've been told should be treated with respect.
This much is clear. A very high percentage of kids are embarrassed when they see their moms and dads act this way toward officials. Think about how you look through their eyes as you're ranting and raving after some questionable call. We need some perspective here -- and fast. There has to be a better approach to teaching youngsters about officiating than the hypocritical, double-standard that has always been accepted. Kids must be taught to respect officials, but the adults who do otherwise are teaching them otherwise.
Okay, let's talk life lesson here. Officials will always make mistakes, especially in a system built on part-time volunteers. But bad calls are simply a part of sports, just as bad coaching, poor plays, weather conditions, and unlucky bounces are.
Oh, and another thing. Isn't it amazing that we always seem to focus on the calls that go against our team? What about all the bad calls that go our way? These are generally overlooked. And, interestingly enough, none of us would ever think about going up to an official and thanking him or her for blowing a call that gave us a game, would we?
If it seems so absurd to congratulate an official for a call that goes your way, why should it be so acceptable to yell at that same official when a call goes against you?
This abusive behavior has got to stop. Each adult needs to step up and lead by example. Youth league officials aren't professionals, and they're certainly not getting rich for the time spent.
Next time you feel like exploding at one of these amateurs (really volunteers being paid minimum wages), remember what you look like to your child on the field. Imagine having a mirror in front of yourself, seeing your silly anger and immature, damaging reactions. Remind yourself that you're there to cheer your kids on, not to defend them against some imaginary plot to cheat them or their team. Most importantly, you're not there to distort their views of authority and life's funny take on what's fair at any given moment.
Finally, for the most part, the problem lies with the fans. Most athletes learn to live with the inevitability of calls they don't like. I remember interviewing figure skating gold medalist Kristi Yamaguchi about handling judges' scoring. What she told me makes sense for all sports:
"You have to focus on what you can control as an athlete. Judging is part of my sport and you just have to go out and do your job. Over the years, I think the times you're robbed and rewarded really do equal out."
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