Hey, Ref, Just Make The Call

by EnsignFrog on Aug 20, 2009 11:50 PM EDT

I was reading a Sports Illustrated magazine that was left in the break room at work, and I came across an excellent article:

You know what I've always wanted to know about referees and umpires? Absolutely nothing. They do not move the needle a millimeter on my curiosity scale. It's nothing personal—in fact, it is extremely impersonal, which is just the approach I prefer from officials. Other than accuracy, the most desirable quality in refs and umps is the absence of personality. They should be charisma-free, as bland as baby food.

But officials keep inserting themselves into the middle of the action, often because of glaring errors—like NBA ref Mark Wunderlich's missing a crucial intentional foul call in a Mavericks-Nuggets playoff game last spring—or, even worse, with ridiculous power trips. On Sunday home plate umpire Ed Rapuano ejected Phillies centerfielder Shane Victorino, who was about 350 feet away, for arguing balls and strikes. Officials have become so intrusive that, against my will, they have crept into my consciousness as distinct characters.

Hey, Ump, Just Make The Call - Phil Taylor

I can't help thinking MMA refs should be the same way. How many times has a fight started, and you thought "they need Big John reffing this," or "could they have got a worse ref?"

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There is something about MMA refs that do not have that blandness. Maybe because me and my friends have watched so many fights, but we are familiar with some of the refs like: Herb Dean, Yves Lavigne, Mario Yamasaki, Steve Mazzagati, Dan Miragliotta (Dan’s infamous), and of course Big John.

by chrisbboy82 on Aug 21, 2009 12:53 AM EDT reply actions

This writer's favorite mma ref would have to be herb dean

He has fedor like demeanor inside the ring/cage. He is totally bland… everything from his monotone voice to his nonchalant ref intro. Especially when he stops the fight, he has no expression and no change in voice. He just steps in and stops the fight.

The only time I can recall a change in his demeanor was during the mir/sylvia fight. He was totally freaking out when he saw mir give sylvia an extra elbow.

by phreakonature on Aug 21, 2009 5:21 AM EDT reply actions

Herb Dean

Is one of the best in the business… and he’s been given a hard time by a lot of fans in the past. He’s absolutely one of the best.

Follow me on Twitter @lelandroling
"Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I’m not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein

by Leland Roling on Aug 21, 2009 9:20 AM EDT up reply actions

Every ref except idolized Big John has been given shit. I am personally a fan of Lavigne, and his reaction to the two big fuckups he has done lately has made me respect him even more.

A man should never waste an opportunity to keep his mouth shut.

by iiowyn on Aug 21, 2009 10:49 AM EDT up reply actions

I like Herb Dean, Yves Lavigne, McCarthy is good, but he seems to be slipping lately.

Follow me on Twitter @lelandroling
"Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I’m not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein

by Leland Roling on Aug 21, 2009 11:03 AM EDT up reply actions

I don’t know which fight started this trend for my friends and I, but we always assume the fight will be stood up roughly .03 seconds after it hits the ground if Herb’s around. We like to say he’s a “stand-up” guy =P

by woomikee on Aug 21, 2009 11:14 AM EDT up reply actions

?

Arguing balls and strikes is, and has always been, a sure-fire fast track way to get tossed from a ball game.

It ends in an armbar or a strangle regardless.

by capital L on Aug 21, 2009 7:23 AM EDT reply actions

how can you argue balls and strikes from center field in a major league baseball stadium?

by Phildo on Aug 21, 2009 7:35 AM EDT up reply actions

The problem is that Victorino simply raised his arms. Umpire could have just told him to stop (warning), but instead went off the deep end.

Follow me on Twitter @lelandroling
"Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I’m not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein

by Leland Roling on Aug 21, 2009 9:21 AM EDT up reply actions

You should watch the clips from that gm,

Victorino did a lot more than just raise his arms once. He was giving the ump shit for most of the gm.

Arguing on the internet is like being in the special olympics, even when you win you are still retarded.

by dnevil001 on Aug 21, 2009 10:01 AM EDT up reply actions

I didn’t see that. I just saw the one part.

Follow me on Twitter @lelandroling
"Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I’m not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein

by Leland Roling on Aug 21, 2009 11:01 AM EDT up reply actions

Yeah, I think that he did not

like an earlier call & then pretty much decided to let his opinion be known. I am not approving of what the ump did, but it wasn’t just for the one act of throwing his arms up.

Arguing on the internet is like being in the special olympics, even when you win you are still retarded.

by dnevil001 on Aug 21, 2009 11:12 AM EDT up reply actions

How exactly does a MLB umpire throwing

someone out for arguing balls/strikes compare to an MMA ref making a bad call? These MMA refs are not inserting themselves unnecessarily, they just sometimes make bad decisions officiating-wise.

Arguing on the internet is like being in the special olympics, even when you win you are still retarded.

by dnevil001 on Aug 21, 2009 8:45 AM EDT reply actions

You know what I’ve always wanted to know about referees and umpires? Absolutely nothing.

This part really sums it up for me. Outside of MMA, I’ve found the refs and umps whose names I know, I know for a reason, and it’s NEVER good. I know Joey Crawford because he T’d up Tim Duncan twice for laughing on the bench. I know Eric Gregg for having a 3-foot wide strike zone during the Marlins-Braves series in ’97 and I know Angel Hernandez for having the most inconsistent strike zone in baseball.

Also, Ed Hochuli’s guns

by woomikee on Aug 21, 2009 11:21 AM EDT reply actions

I like consistent refs. The fighters should know exactly what's expected of them during the fight.

I hated the beginning of Mir-Lesnar 2 where Herb Dean said “follow my instructions at all times”, and then immediately followed that with an instruction: “Touch gloves” which Lesnar didn’t obey.

I’ve seen boxing refs call fighters back for that. I wish Dean had too, just to make a point.

I like using semi-colons; they make me feel smart.

by Llewdor on Aug 21, 2009 1:50 PM EDT reply actions

MMA is not little league

& it is not a rule for opponents to touch gloves prior to their fight even if the ref tells them to. The ref is in charge of in-fight action, not pre-fight behavior.

Arguing on the internet is like being in the special olympics, even when you win you are still retarded.

by dnevil001 on Aug 21, 2009 2:37 PM EDT up reply actions

The two best referees I’ve seen from any sport – Pierluigi Collina (Football, 2002 world cup final) and Big john McCarthy.
Both know the fine tightrope of aiding and allowing the sports to flow at the right times.
Both ref’s are big on communicating with the participants and facilitating the natural flow of the sports.
The two most important things for a ref in my opinion.

"Like a ballet of violence clothed in fine Brazilian silk." ~ MMASuPreMaCy

by Benicio on Aug 21, 2009 11:46 PM EDT reply actions