Have you ever complemented GOOD umpiring before?

Question

ok, I know you guys arnt real keen on this seasons umpiring, but in any year weather its the AFL or an under 12's match, have you ever said to someone else that you appreciated the good umpiring for that match?

oh yes, i mean the field umpiring (boundary and goal umpiring is harder to s***w up)

im sure that one of you have!

Answer 1

After every game I play I personally thank the umpires

You cant have a game without em, and I think it lets em know that.

Its easy to blame the umps particularly when you lose but realistically its players decisions over the whole game that have the major effect on the outcome

Yes I do get carried away and and tell them what I think of there decisions occasionally, but umps should remember we are busting our guts to get the ball and we know where contact is made, wether we were pushed or held etc, and often the spectators are in a better position than the umps to expect players and fans to show no emotion is ridiculous

Umpires shouldn't get the blame for a teams loss I agree but I also think they should "toughen up" a bit

Get rid of the slow mo ten different camera angle replays on decisions, take that TV mike off and there job will be a lot easier

Answer 2

Only when I got the free kick.

Answer 3

Only with sarcasm eg...

"Good one ump.....NOT!!"

"Maybe you should use another pea in that whistle...say the pea in your brain"

Answer 4

Yeah, but only after i've seen the replay and realised it was the correct decision.

Most times i call the umps all sorts of names

Answer 5

either way I have never approached an Umpire even after the game we are not allowed

The rule book they used this week was a better book than the last two games

it was as if the umpire gods have spoken and we were transported back to 1970 when footy players just played footy

The 4 games i watched i was 95% happy well done umpires

Answer 6

I remember in basketball here in Kansas. I got to meet Patty Broderick, the top women's basketball official in the 1980's. I told her she was the best. She said thank you.

Answer 7

I have complimented umpires who have officiated in junior & amateur matches. Most of these people (& I've also umpired in various sports) do it for buck-shee, or very little reward.

That is an entirely dfferent scenario to AFL umpires.

They are now earning a squillion quid a game & have grown to think themselves as little gods. They are a protected species by the AFL & no players, official, coaches can say anything about their sometimes terrible performances without the likelihood of a heavy fine or suspension.

Every now & then one of them get relegated to the VFL after a poor performance. They still get well paid for that task & the punishment is not big deal.

AFL umpires, on a whole, have a huge ego & can't take criticism in any shape or form.

Answer 8

Only when my team gets the free kicks when deserved

Answer 9

No. Never!

I'd be scared that someone would hear me make the compliment & then I would lose my macho anti-umpire image.

One has to keep his standing in society, one does.

P.S.  When I was playing in the bush we'd have a beer with the umps after a game.....but we'd still tell them that they had umpired up to S***e!

Answer 10

Get ready to get surprised, yes I have, in this and other forums.

Ratbag umpiring is not about making mistakes because everyone does that. It's being consistently anti a team or player, or giving other players free rein to misbehave.

Oddly enough, I think the standard of umpiring I have seen on TV  this year is better than last. I haven't been able to get to a match yet because the AFL keep putting my team on at times that adults have other things to do eg Saturday night.

The fact that there are a few new boys in the AFL roster may be the reason, but there have been fewer "woddidedothatfor?" incidents, and more generous decisions where being niggly would slow play.

Long may it happen.

Answer 11

Throughout my playing and coaching career i always tried to shake the umps hand b4 and after a game, always thanked them when coaching and talked to them b4 a game.

i found they gave me a bit of leeway when playing, i got let off with some things that should of been reported but because i would have a beer with the umps after a game, they knew me and would let some things go.

smart thinking hey. LOL.

now i am still involved with the running side of things, even when i am out there, i will say, good decision ump, but also say my piece when it's not.

i thought this was funny, last year at a game, i was out on the ground and i have the permission from the coach to make changes and give messages as i see fit, well the ump picked up on this and said, "come on get off the ground, you are making up the messages as you go"  to which i replied " so f#@# what, you are making up rules as you go"

"10 minutes" he said.

Answer 12

yeah i have, they allways get baged