[EricH]

Originally Posted by dodar

Why does it need to be a ref? All it needs to be is someone who knows the game. They wont be looking for anything unless a team came forward with a specific request. And even then the team could point out the exact moment they believed something happened. The person doesnt need to be a true referee.

Because the vast majority of the calls that would be made are judgement calls. FIRST seems to have made the determination that only referees can provide that judgement in some years (2014 and 2016 come to mind). I can't say I'd trust someone who just "knows the game" with determining whether team X crossed a defense--there is a very specific definition of Crossing, and that very specific definition has led to numerous teams not quite meeting it and then complaining about it not being called. Just trust me on that.

If you don't have the training of a referee, why would you try to make a referee's call?