Toughest sport to be a referree/umpire and why?

[Dr. Jack]

Considering that officials probably get more heat right now than ever before which sport do you think is hardest to officiate?

Thoughts?

[Seanie Mac]

baseball. complete personal judgement behind the plate.

[RanPicks]

I think it's basketball and football. They cold call a foul/penalty on every play and the opinion is definitely scrutinized.

Baseball I don't believe is that tough b/c the players know the umps and their strike zones and can adjust - consistency is the key and I don't think they get to the majors without it.

[Toronto_Mike]

Soccer. Go look at the violence caused by one small mistake a referee could make. They are the most wanted men on the field.

[MIZZOU_PETE]

I know it isn't a major sport by any means, but college wrestling is very tough. Alot of people real close and everyone is looking at you.

[TigerCat_Tania]

I think basketball is hard to referee because it seems so simple not many rules from what I see on TV... it's a small area of play (court size) and kinda goes quickly to an extent, the coaches and players and managers are moreso in the face of the referee it must be alot harder...
Football has soooo many rules, I don't understand half of them, it must be hard for them in the winter with all the snow, same with soccer cause the officials are dressed the same as the players and in the European leagues it can get cold in the snow with just shorts on... I think for baseball it must be hard for the umpire cause he's behind the plate and may not see everything from every angle...
ADD: Hockey, many stupid penalties with the new NHL and I think the referees need to become more consistant across the league...

I suppose each sport is unique in it's own way and each official could have a debate over it themselves...

[rmaciasl]

soccer - no reviewing the play same as mlb

[Seanie Mac]

mlb has no review.........

[Henry09]

Originally Posted by Toronto_Mike

Soccer. Go look at the violence caused by one small mistake a referee could make. They are the most wanted men on the field.

Yep

[dave nz]

Rugby union, daylight second.


Nearly every decision that is made is contentious.

If u go to another game be it club or a high level u have lots of the crowd hurling abuse at the ref.

Its as much the nature of the games and its rules than Incompetence. Very tough sport to ref.

[Toronto_Mike]

Originally Posted by dave nz

Rugby union, daylight second.


Nearly every decision that is made is contentious.

If u go to another game be it club or a high level u have lots of the crowd hurling abuse at the ref.

Its as much the nature of the games and its rules than Incompetence. Very tough sport to ref.

the refs are all in good shape, they look like rugby players

[dave nz]

Originally Posted by Toronto_Mike

the refs are all in good shape, they look like rugby players

Yeah obviously they don't need to carry as much muscle as the players. But their endurance has to be very good as in rugby they are always running to keep up with the play.

[skippy]

Originally Posted by Dr. Jack

Considering that officials probably get more heat right now than ever before which sport do you think is hardest to officiate?

Thoughts?

SOCCER......no ifs ands or buts.

Everytime they ref a soccer match, it is literally "LIFE or DEATH"

[rio132]

i agree with toronto mike...football (not american football)...very tough indeed with riots pending on one wrong call

baseball not so hard...could just use a computer to make a call behind the plate

[dannyray]

sumo wrestling....the refs risk their life of getting squished....