I said I agreed 75% was out of line, then went on to say I think its more like 2 of 9 or 22%.

Larry, when the LI cup brackets are going to be ready?

They are ready, but not released. Why? It's the LIJSL. Do they need a reason? It is this non-communication on their part which one of many reasons why the league is in decline and teams and clubs are grabbing at every non-LIJSL program they can get into. The Executive Bunch doesn't get it.

Look for some very candid and sharply worded Opinion Pieces in the coming weeks from BOTN with regards to the LIJSL.

I just wanted to throw my two cents in. I'm a 5 sport High School Official, i'm not perfect, I don't make all the right calls. It's human nature, we make mistakes! As I tell the players in my pre-game meeting, you won't make all your shots, your coach won't call all the right plays, and I won't make all the right calls! But I promise I won't yell at you when you make a mistake! As an official you have to make a call a split second after the play occured. We don't have time to think about it, review it. I try and not be friendly with parents because it could give the other team the impression that I favor that team. So we have a job to do, WE DON'T CARE WHO WINS OR LOSES!!! We just want a good, clean, close game! As I told another official the other night doing a girls basketball game, this player made a basket, she probably doesn't score a lot because she had the biggest smile on her face, she looked into the stands to see her parents jumping for joy! I told that official I wish I could have taken that picture and show all the parents before each game, that this is what it's all about, your children! Your children having a great time, smiling and playing. Compared to other countries in which they rather teach violence!

So in closing please respect officials, because it's not an easy job, we are not perfect! We don't go into your work place and tell you your paper clips are not in the right spot, your pencils are sharpened the right way, your just standing around doing nothing!

Well said!

I agree with you.

[quote=Anonymous]I just wanted to throw my two cents in. I'm a 5 sport High School Official, i'm not perfect, I don't make all the right calls. It's human nature, we make mistakes! As I tell the players in my pre-game meeting, you won't make all your shots, your coach won't call all the right plays, and I won't make all the right calls! But I promise I won't yell at you when you make a mistake! As an official you have to make a call a split second after the play occured. We don't have time to think about it, review it. I try and not be friendly with parents because it could give the other team the impression that I favor that team. So we have a job to do, WE DON'T CARE WHO WINS OR LOSES!!! We just want a good, clean, close game! As I told another official the other night doing a girls basketball game, this player made a basket, she probably doesn't score a lot because she had the biggest smile on her face, she looked into the stands to see her parents jumping for joy! I told that official I wish I could have taken that picture and show all the parents before each game, that this is what it's all about, your children! Your children having a great time, smiling and playing. Compared to other countries in which they rather teach violence!

So in closing please respect officials, because it's not an easy job, we are not perfect! We don't go into your work place and tell you your paper clips are not in the right spot, your pencils are sharpened the right way, your just standing around doing nothing! [/quote

I agree with everything you said,except where you said you want 'good, clean CLOSE games".Good and clean would have sufficed.I'm sure you don't but some refs seem to think it's part of their job to keep the games. close

If all officials had your attitude we would have less problems, but some of the officials are as bad as some of the parents and coaches. And just like those parents and coaches, they don't think they are the problem.

I'm glad you are not a surgeon. Just me, but I don't think telling everyone before you start that they should expect incorrect calls to be made is a great pre-game talk!

Yes when its 8-0 and you are still going for the kill I think good refs will help the helpless just to stick it to some of those morons who coach