NFL Refs

[BRUMP]

I was at the Jets preseason game yesterday and I noticed something interesting (besides the fact that they suck and can't score a TD) after one of the replacement referees made a pass interference call a guy behind me jumped up and yelled "you're not a real f#kin ref. your a f#kin rent a ref." My point is that these refs are some of the top D1 referees yet there in a no win situation. They are labeled as scabs by their colleagues and any close call they will get hammered by the fans for not being "real" officials. So that brings up the question if you were a MiLB umpire would you take the job if the MLB umpires went on strike?

[bam]

In a f#cking heartbeat. I have as much respect for the umpires union as I have for the players union. Jokes.

[Called3rdStrike]

I was under the impression that these weren't top D1 refs. Those guys didn't want to give up their spots and these guys were actually D3 and high school guys.

[mstaylor]

I'm not sure who they are but it was made clear that they are not in contention for a job.

[LMSANS]

I was at the Jets preseason game yesterday and I noticed something interesting (besides the fact that they suck and can't score a TD) after one of the replacement referees made a pass interference call a guy behind me jumped up and yelled "you're not a real f#kin ref. your a f#kin rent a ref." My point is that these refs are some of the top D1 referees yet there in a no win situation. They are labeled as scabs by their colleagues and any close call they will get hammered by the fans for not being "real" officials. So that brings up the question if you were a MiLB umpire would you take the job if the MLB umpires went on strike?

These guys are not top D1 refs. Most top D1 refs are on the NFL waiting list and would not upset the apple cart by taking the job. Most of these guys are DII or DIII, with a couple of HS guys thrown in. I was told that the process was apply, resume, connection...maybe land a job. The mechanics are not good. A lot can be contributed to nerves from being on TV. This is a lot bigger audience tha LLWS.

[zm1283]

A lot of them are 1AA referees (Or FCS or whatever it is called now). I imagine there are some D2 referees doing it as well.

[UMP45]

Bam, I started to respond but decided you aren't worth the thought process! :wow:

[dumbdumb]

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/08/09/espns-explanation-regarding-absence-of-division-i-officials-misses-the-mark/

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/08/07/pereira-says-nfl-is-embellishing-the-credentials-of-replacement-officials/

[mstaylor]

From talking to some D1 officials, they said they were told if they took NFL assignments they would have to be replaced on the staff because the conference would have no way of knowing when they would come back.

[bam]

Bam, I started to respond but decided you aren't worth the thought process!

Ah - a union guy. What? No old ladies or kids out there today to push around? No tires to slash? Windshields to smash? C'mon! Yous guys always have work to do, right?

[Umpire in Chief]

I want to issue a preemptive warning on this topic, only because the nature of the topic is one where many people will have an opinion and nothing that will be said here will change peoples minds when it comes to unions. So lets just make sure we remain civil, keep the topic on above name calling and the like. Remember we are all on the same team.

[UMP45]

No problem Warren. I just figure this is a guy who"scabbed" when the MiLB guys went on strike. Now he can tell his war stories about "all the pro ball he's worked". I hope someone warns his partners because at the first sign of trouble they'll be on their on! No I am not a "union guy". But if that is what it takes to improve things for me and my family so be it. And no, Warren, he is not on the same team.

[Jocko]

I would not cross picket lines. I respect them for standing up for themselves. I work in a non-union plant, and would NEVER cast a vote to unionize, but I will respect anyone willing to stand up for what they believe, and especially put their livlihood on the line. Unions are broken and corrupt at the upper levels, but where the cleat hits the dirt, these guys are working like everyone else. I won't spit in their faces by taking their jobs while the fight for what they believe. Especiially, considering there's ZERO chance of me getting the job permanently. Forever labeled a scab, and shunned by your professional peers for a couple weeks at sub-union scale? No thanks.

[mstaylor]

I did refuse to take assignments during the MiLB strike, although the local affiliate begged me to. There has been a permanent seperation among a couple of our local guys because our group didn't cover the games. We are the replacements for MiLB guys when they are hurt or have to leave unexpectedly. I don't do football at any level so it is a moot point for me.

[BRUMP]

Just announced replacement refs will be used to start the season.

[bam]

Just announced replacement refs will be used to start the season.

Where do I sign up? :HD:

[renegadewolf]

I can honestly say were a chance to come up to call in the MLB no way would I take it. Not because I care for unions (I don't) but because plain and simple no matter what I think about how good i may or may not be the fact is I am not at the calibre that the bigs require. No way would I go out there and make a fool of myself that badly. It's easy to sit back and play armchair umpire watching from the stands and on the TV and complain and criticize, But I insist I could not call a game near the level the pros do, and I refuse to make a mockery of this game.

[Jocko]

I can honestly say were a chance to come up to call in the MLB no way would I take it. Not because I care for unions (I don't) but because plain and simple no matter what I think about how good i may or may not be the fact is I am not at the calibre that the bigs require. No way would I go out there and make a fool of myself that badly. It's easy to sit back and play armchair umpire watching from the stands and on the TV and complain and criticize, But I insist I could not call a game near the level the pros do, and I refuse to make a mockery of this game.

Wow. Just wow. Thank you for your candor.

While I feel that my judgement, abilities, anticipation of plays, and mechanics are on par, my training is not. I feel I could call the games, but I know I would be somewhat of a hindrance due to lack of training. I'd probably get stage fright and do something stupid, then remember it's just another game and be fine. I do think that if starting off didn't require me to go on food stamps, I'd probably pursue PBUC. At this stage of my life, however, I like financial independence. The newbies straight outta HWUS that get PBUC assignments make less in a month than I do in a week. Hell, I make more in 2 weekends of my games than they make in a month.

[renegadewolf]

Wow. Just wow. Thank you for your candor.

While I feel that my judgement, abilities, anticipation of plays, and mechanics are on par, my training is not. I feel I could call the games, but I know I would be somewhat of a hindrance due to lack of training. I'd probably get stage fright and do something stupid, then remember it's just another game and be fine. I do think that if starting off didn't require me to go on food stamps, I'd probably pursue PBUC. At this stage of my life, however, I like financial independence. The newbies straight outta HWUS that get PBUC assignments make less in a month than I do in a week. Hell, I make more in 2 weekends of my games than they make in a month.

And that's not to say I don't believe that I am a good umpire, because I do believe I am pretty good, but as has been pointed out in other discussions in other places, the difference between the pros and the rest of us is that they know where to go, what to do every time. I was watching a couple level 4 umpires (One who is considered one of the better umpires in all of Canada, and another who is highly sought after for high level tournaments) last night. Level 4's are umpires who are qualified through experience, training and evaluations to call national level ball games. Watching them I noticed the fluidity and consistancy of thier movements, positioning, mechanics, how they were always in the right place to make the call, the certainty with which they make the calls, it was a pleasure to watch. I am not that good, i will add (hopefully) yet. I am ambitious and given the opertunity I would likely bite off more than I can chew, but even that has limits. My aim is to get there wether or not it is achieved, but it remains I am not and in the biggest spotlight in baseball, i humbly accept my place outside