We don't need refs (... but we will)
JH
right. But the fact that Ultimate needs refs isn't about TV or
sponsorships or anything else. It's not about watchability or
anything of the sort. Maybe that's something to think about somewhere
along the line, but the really reason that this sport will need refs
is about the money.
We all talk about how refs bring "getting away with whatever you can"
to the game, and I agree to an extent, but the reason people do that
isn't just about refs: it's about the money. Because the fact is the
now, if you go to Sarasota or regionals or even a random tournament,
you're going to test yourself. You're going to show yours and your
teams capabilities and see where you stand on the biggest stage we
have to offer. That's not going to change. Right now, if you win,
that's awesome. No one likes to lose but if you play a hard game
against a great opponent, that is what it is. it hurts but you can
feel that sense of accomplishment (at least eventually, I don't think
Ironside is feeling all that great right now). Not so however when
you're making $$ on the game. When it comes down to guys (or gals)
putting food on the table, when it involves paying your bills and
getting that contract, spirit of the game for some people is going to
leave the building. Because when you almost make that grab today, the
call comes down to you and getting to sleep at night. But when you're
the 20th guy on the depth chart on your team and you almost make that
grab, you already aren't making that much and there's other guys who
want that spot, that call becomes that much tougher. It's not about
getting to sleep at night, it's about your livelihood and that of your
family. Can you say with honesty and certainty that you would always
make the right call?
I'm not talking about ESPN or anything else. If we ever get there,
it's not going to be Refs that make the difference. If you instituted
an awesome referee system tomorrow we'd still not be all that close.
And yes, it is to an extent about lack of marketable products but hey,
dominoes and cup stacking make it and there aren't a hell of a lot of
products there. But what I do know is the day that we make the Top 10
for something other than Beau jumping over a dude, we're going to need
refs, because whether you are a soccer player taking a dive, or a
basketball player hitting a guy in the stomach on his way up for a
rebound, or a baseball player saying "I got it" when you're actually
in the base path and running, it's not about cheating or even winning--
it's about you, pushing your career forward and taking advantage of
whatever you can to succeed.
I'm not saying it's going to be everyone and I'm not saying we don't
have a good group of people, what I am saying is let's stop blaming
people's behavior on refs or observers and recognize that at some
point 3rd party active officiating will be necessary to take the
burden of making that hairline call off of the person whose quality of
life might depend on it.
Paul Utesch
Toad is going to jizz so hard when he sees someone saying he's right.
ulticritic
>
> Toad is going to jizz so hard when he sees someone saying he's right
first off, people say i'm right ALL the time. I think everyone here
would be quite shocked of all the personal e=mails i get in support of
my plight. second, having people say i'm right about the "referee in
sports" issue is hardly somthing that would make me jizz. I mean, if
that were the case i could just turn on espn and jizz all day long.
and C, i dont even fully agree with this guy. I mean, to me, a sport
needs refs for EVERY reason.....so to say i just want refs for tv or
sponsorships is just plain wrong. anyways, this guy says we need them
for "financial" reasons, right? well where is the money gonna come
from to provide making playing ulti a livelihood without sponsors and
tv? so ya see, its ALLLLLLLLL interconected.