11/22/14

Professional Officiating

I felt like discussing this topic, as I pay a lot of attention to not only the game, but also the officiating. I feel that officiating in every professional sport is poor. In Major League Baseball, there have been many controversial calls made every year. For example, Jerry Meals has made one big terrible call in three consecutive seasons from 2011-2013. In 2011, his infamous "safe" call on Julio Lugo to give the Atlanta Braves a 19-inning victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates was the start of the Pirates' collapse that season. Replay clearly showed that Pirates catcher Michael McKenry did indeed tag Lugo on his leg. In 2012, Meals called New York Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira "out" at first base to end the game. Replay clearly showed that Teixeira was safe and that the run should have scored to tie the game. In 2013, Meals called Red Sox outfielder Daniel Nava "out" at home plate in a game against the Tampa Bay Rays. The problem? Nava clearly slid under Jose Molina's tag. This would have tied the game, but the Red Sox lost 2-1. In football, there are many problems with the officiating. One of the most famous was the Thanksgiving game in 1998 between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Detroit Lions. The game was in overtime. Steelers running back Jerome Bettis made a call of "tails", but referee Phil Luckett said that Bettis had called "heads". The Lions got the ball and ended up winning the game. In hockey, there are a lot of problems with the officials. I have gone to several hockey games and have seen the officials muff on several occasions. Refs miss penalty calls all of the time. I know it's human nature to make mistakes, but to happen as often as it does? No. Also, in Game 1 of the 2012 Eastern Conference Quarterfinals between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Philadelphia Flyers, Flyers forward Daniel Briere scored a goal in the second period to cut the Pens lead to 3-1. The problem? Briere was offsides. NHL linesman Tony Sericolo was right there and it was his call to make. His blunder eventually cost the Pens, as the Flyers ended up winning the game in overtime 4-3. Many people claim that Briere was not offsides and that it was a good goal. Even though I am well over that game, that belief angers me. As you see in my photo above, Briere was indeed offsides. Yes, I am well aware that mistakes are made, but these guys are professionals. They went through school to get the education they need. Since they are working at a high level, can't we get some quality officiating?