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Referee Abuse - An Open Letter

By T. Steil, 04/25/14, 3:00PM CDT

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Take it easy on the Refs!

Open letter to the members of the DMAHA

 

I have been playing in the intermediate league since 2010.  During that time I have witnessed and even been a perpetrator of referee abuse.  I will not point fingers at others but we all know who the problem children are. 

 

This has escalated over the last couple years and has negatively impacted our association.  The referees, as we are, are not professionals waiting to be called up to the show.  They make mistakes just as we make mistakes.  How often do you shout down your teammate or yourself for whiffing on a wrist shot or tripping over the blue line?  Missed calls are part of every sport.  We are losing quality referees because of the abuse that we, the players, give to the referees. 

 

We have a lot of officials available but because of our league’s reputation as a bunch of whining has beens those referees do not want to work our games.  It is up to the players, captains, and the board to police each other.  Ultimately, that makes this a better league and a better experience for everybody. 

 

Thanks for your time,

Todd Steil