RallyNorth.net: High School Sports – Merrimack Valley and Southern NH

Hector: We make $72 per game. The rate for 3 officials is $61. I thought you understood and appreciated the part the referee plays in this great game of basketball. I guess I was wrong. You deserve a Technical foul for this post.

Again, make it $48 a man in a three-man crew and you've got a deal.

And how do volleyball officials make $120 for a match and hoop guys make just $72???

Hector, time to get the MIAA handbook out and see the fees for all sports officials. See page 97-99. Volleyball pays the same as baseball and basketball, as well as hockey and lacrosse. http://www.miaa.net/MIAA-Handbook-07-09.pdf. Gymnastics and football pay the most.

I saw what went down in Andover and at Central. It was not pretty.
The refs are doing the best they can but they are not equipped to handle packed houses. It sounds silly but college refs who do Big East should handle MVC Large and big State Tourney games that include Brockton, Durfee, Central, the Lynns, Lowell and Andover.
Hector, you called out fans for getting personal but now you are going the other way. It works both ways. When your son is getting the short end in 7 or 8 years, in a game that may impact what college or prep school he goes to, you will be upset that the quality is subpar.
You get what you pay for. Get high end refs in for the big games So what if it cost $200 more? The gate covers it.

So Hector, while you're very clear about your feelings on the 3 vs 2 officials debate, particularly on the topic of their pay, I'm not sure I understand what you're saying on the coaches. You said someone needs to get it on tape that they're over-the-top on the sidelines- Are you saying when you're sitting at the table you haven't seen that yourself? That Faz doesn't use the F bomb with players, officials, and his assistants in many “creative” ways over the course of the game? (adjective, verb, pronoun, etc. ) I know that officials are typically taught that if they hear it, they usually need to hit the offender with a T to keep it in check . There might be an exception or two where they need to use their discretion, but it's not something you typically hear when you're sitting in the stands, and in three Andover games I've seen this year I've heard it at least 10 times. I'm not judging Faz at all- Officials don't seem to have a problem with it, so there's no reason he should stop I guess. He's an incredibly passionate guy, something that translates directly to his players on the court in their energy and effort. They're my favorite area team to watch. Just saying it seems like he gets a lot of lattitude. You see a ton of games so I trust your judgment: If you're saying that the things they get away with on the sidelines (Ricky vs. Sammy M the other night not withstanding) are in line w/what happens in other leagues, I'll respect that. It's not what I've observed myself but maybe I'm over-reacting.

Hector – you are wrong on this one. As I have said in the past – IF you get three officals on a game that know the 3-man system and mechanics – the game will be a better game. Period. Unfortunately when you have refs who are not familiar with the mechanics of a 3-man crew and they try to fake it – that's not so good.

As far as the fees – referees are paid $72 for a varsity contest and i find it very hard to believe that Volleyball refs get $120 per match – unless of course they are doing a doubleheader.

And please don'e tell us not to call out anyone, which is not what I did by the way – the reality is, you aren't the only one that talks to these guys – tape or no tape.

I agree with Hoopref95 – that the officials need to take more control – but I can guarantee you – you and other apologists will find fault in that also. You like the show these guys put on when they are ranting and raving. Elvis is right – if we had two guys from Board 27 that Faz and Ricky did not know the environment would be much, much different.

Hector – do you respect BIlly Boots as an authority on the game and accomplished offcial. Ask him his thoughts on the value of the 3-man crews. Trust me, it is not about getting an “incompetent individual another check” – that was low blow and not deserved or accurate. You ask others not to get personal and that is exactly what you just did.

Hector – so you were okay with the 3 refs splitting 200 bucks but now that you know there is already a rate you say knock it down to $48.

Hector are you a certified ref – meaning, did you take the class and pass at one point? If so, lay down your pen and laptop next season and take a schedule in the MVC. I respect you as a sportswriter and enjoy reading your material but I think you almost try to sound like an expert on this topic rather than presenting it as opinion. Just because you attend hoop games, write about them, and even took the class at one point, it doesn't mean you are an expert on the topic of officiating and what works best. For god sakes Faz, Ricky, Dicky, etc., etc have tried to “officiate” from the sidelines for years and they don't even know the rules and how to officiate a game.

I was just thinking – Billerica plays dracut tonight – Hector you might be right on one thing 10 refs for 10 players might not be a bad idea for that one.

Next you will tell me that the College game should only have two officials also…yeah right….

First to Elvis, you may be the King, but you question me too often.
Volleyball officials make the $51 from the JV match, then work the varsity for $72, that's about $123 for two hours of work. Nice country.
And to BC.
In the future, I will see missed calls and seethe. I will turn to a friend and snicker at them. But I will never, at a basketball/baseball/tiddleywinks game ever berate a human being or show them an incredible lack of courtesy by screaming “Travel!!!???!!!” every 12 seconds. It's not decent or right.

As for the cost issue, it is an issue. Look at places like Haverhill, where the kids already pay hundreds of dollars in user fees.
Plus is more better? If there aren't enough good officials already and you make more guys varsity refs, the potential for something awful happening is immense.
Stormy,
Perhaps using the term, “calling out” was misspeaking. It's just tough, you're anonymous and saying this guy did this, or this guy did that, it's just not fair.
And maybe incompetent is the wrong word, too … unseasoned, not ready, overmatched, maybe …
As for the price tag, all I”m saying is the schools can't afford more money.
You, my friend, take it too personally.

As for the coaches, I will say this.
I say a guy, who I think might be the best coach in this state (look at what he did at Southie and then BC High) that's Bill Loughnane.
His team played in the Boston Garden and was outshot from the free throw line 26-2 by Central Catholic last March.
I sat by Loughnane's bench at courtside, he hardly said a peep.
And he wouldn't dip into the den of whining afterward.
Sure, he disagreed, but it ended as quickly as it started.
I wonder if all high school coaches, MVC, CAL, GBL, BEC, Big 3, Bay State, Middlesex, Wid-Wachy, New Hampshire, every one shouldn't take a note of that.

And Stormy,

I've stated this before. I took the course in college. I tried officiating in intramurals and I was horrendous. I stood there with the whistle in my mouth, going, “oops, that was a foul. oops, that was a travel,” all to myself, just unable to see, think, process and blow the whistle instantaneously.
So no, I couldn't do it.
And for you to call yourself or anyone else an expert then intimate that what's going on now around here is “what works best.” ????
This is “best.” You don't see a problem. Wow. Pull your head out of the icepack and look around.
I don't see it happening in baseball and football … Same kids. Same heated competition.
I have to question your judgement, just like you question mine.
I still love the comments, though.

Anonymous or not – when you know the facts of the siutation it is not calling anyone out.

I do take personally when you chastise officials out here on this blog by saying they are incompetent – that is not right Hector. And who is to say there are not enough good refs?

Bill Loughane is a good coach – the best I'm not sure?

As far as what works best, I just know that the game of basketball is going in that direction of using three refs. I understand the cost issue – and it is a big one. But why not work towards training more refs, working on the cost factor, and having a better game that is ultimately safer and more enjoyable for all considered? It worked in the college ranks and can work for high school.

How many officials are there for a football game? at least 4 right? why not 3 to save some money? And if they were to do that, it would cause a problem with the game.

I do consider Boots an expert. He is regarded as probably the best high school interpreter and teacher in the country. I don't think i”m an expert, but I have been blowing the whistle for over 25 years myself and feel comfortbale on commenting on what I think is right for the game – cost issues aside of course.

I would just like to see more respect for those in stripes – it is not an easy job and we do take it serioulsy — not just for the money.

Officiating is a bear and iit is not for everyone. I took the course and did a lot of games. Because I was running Hoops for Hope, I assigned myself plenty early on. But I soon learned that there is no substitute for experience and that I was too thin skinned for refereeing.
It is certainly not for everyone!
Hector is right about all of us needing to act responsibly in the stands.
It's OK to grumble and I think even shout NO! for the split second after the whistle. But that's where we draw the line.
Plenty of valid points have been made about coaches and here is my take: Central and Andover players have colorful coaches. But GENERALLY the kids on both teams play before huge crowds regularly and GENERALLY exhibit upper echelon sportsmanship.
My point: both coaches are colorful and entertaining and animated but their players are under control. Which is what I care about as a fan and parent.

Jim:
As an official – I agree with you for the most part. The bottom line is that this is about the kids! Rick and Faz are great coaches and better people as far as I am concerned. They work their butts off for the kids and their respective schools. That is what it is all about.

I just hope that people realize the officials take it seriously – and for the record, nothing better than hoops for hope in the summer. Love it!

This cry for respect starts with the ref. Stop saying its not about the money. the amount of guys that do it for the love of the game is….1, you. I have coached for years screaming and yelling at refs and getting my fair share of tees. I have stopped yelling because I realize that most officials are terrible. barely know the rules, have huge chips on their shoulders, and are using the world of refereeing to get back that little bit of dignity that their wife, daily job and kids take from them.

You're a knucklehead! If you think we do it for the money – you are nuts. There are easier ways to make an extra buck.

Coaching biddy basketball in the Lawrence CYO league is not the same thing. And if you are getting T's there – then shame on you – maybe the problem is you and not MOST of the terrible refs….

At least the others have a cogent thought and opinion.

Even without Coach Nault you have to think CC is simply a better team than BC High at this weekend's tourney. So they'd get either NN or Watertown in the final. NN is one of the few good D1 teams in the south along with Brockton and maybe Durfee. None of them, however, has that one stud that scares you e.g. Jeff Adrian from Brookline or Lowe and Gurley from NN of recent memory, and the Raiders hung tough in both those Garden games. Should be interesting.

Refs do not do it for the $$. They barely cover expenses. Hard work!
Anyone who watches Andover saw all these teams already (a few have weighed in) Andover played away at all three – BC High regular season, and NN and Watertown preseason.
BC High is not what they were the last few years, but they have gotten better as this year progressed. Nevertheless, at BC High Central is still 10 points better.

Watertown if very very scrappy and resourceful and experience. I'm not the first to say I can't imagine them losing in D3. But they just will get killed in the paint by Central.

Which leaves Newton North… don't write them off. They have superior guard play, a 6'8 center with talent, and they are well coached. Yes Brockton blew them out about 10 days ago but… Newton North could give Central a real headache.
Durfee is the dark horse in D1 South. They gave Brockton two good games already. Brookline is coming on too. They have not lost since Andover got them Super Bowl Sunday.

I AM NOT ILLITERATE!
Just seems that way with all these typos I make.
When I tap words in the little blog box, I just don't see well enough to pick up mistakes. My apologies!