Problems with referees?!

[SarahB]

We referees had a problem with a large number of team members, mentors, and score keepers being a whole slew of negative adjectives. Almost every time we threw a flag, made a call, or tried to warn people about illegal behavior, we had someone responding rudely and inappropriately. We also had a problem with trying to enforce the rules, trying to stay on schedule, trying to be fair, and trying to keep everyone informed and happy; all with only 4-5 refs(when FIRST recommends 6 as a bare minimum) and without any breaks except for lunch.
</complaining>

Referees are just volunteers. I’m sure that whoever you are talking about was just trying to do their job, and a couple other people’s jobs at the same time. They were probably trying to warn you about something you were doing wrong, while being under a lot of stress and trying to keep their eyes on all the other things they were supposed to be watching. It may have come off rude, but I’m sure that wasn’t their intention.

BTW: According to the rules, all the refs’ decisions are final. Be glad we weren’t being as strict as we could have been.

[Ryan Albright]

I agree with sarah,

I did not agree with some of the penalities we had against us, but then i also am ref for hockey and i understand were they are coming from. They have there own interpration of the rules as do we. They are trying to call the best game they can. Human is not perfect, so if we think they had a bad call lets rub it off and go out there and fix it the next time. Because as much as we think they are giving us crap or have it out for us, they are thinking the same thing about us.

[kacz100]

At the Peachtree Regional our team had no problems with the referees. Any questions about penalties the referees would completely explain the reason. However, I had a run in with a couple volunteers that tried to tell me I was doing something wrong when the rules clearly stated otherwise. I think the volunteers need to know what they are talking about because it created an unnecessary delay of a couple minutes in the matches. Back on topic the we had no problems with the referees and they were more than helpful

[Jonathan M.]

Our alliance was flipped and rammed about three times in a match by a team at UCF. The judges didn't call it. We ignored that and went on strong.

"I'm not one to try and stand up to the empire" - Mr. Griffith referring to the judges call.

[Andy Baker]

The ref needs to set the tone when there is a discussion over an issue. They are not the person who just spent 2 months on a robot that had an unfortuneate call against it. While I don't condone unreasonable attitudes on the part of the teams, it is understandable that a person on a team would be quite upset about a call.

So, the ref has to understand that people may not be happy with their call. However, they just have to call things the best they can. They really need to "set the tone" with how strict certain things are going to be called. Most importantly, they need to be consistent.

Andy B.

[Elgin Clock]

Originally Posted by Andy Baker

They really need to "set the tone" with how strict certain things are going to be called. Most importantly, they need to be consistent.
Andy B.

Consistent calls on rules usually happen in 1 regional, but from regional to regional it varies I believe.

Case in point.
At NJ the teams were told that if you are selected in the alliance pairings and were in the top 8, you could refuse and still be chosen, while teams lower than the top 8 had no choice in the matter - be picked or don't play.
While looking back, I was questioning that call at the time, and thankfully it had no impact on the finals selction there, it was apparently a wrong call.
In UTC, we went with that ruling and denied being chosen and accepted another team's offer. We were then told and I think embarrased on stage with a different ruling than in NJ.

While rulings are usually consistent during 1 regional, I believe if nothing is said between regionals about wrong calls, then they are subject to be repeated, or slight the view of the rules of a team at another regional.

[Solace]

Originally Posted by Elgin Clock

Consistent calls on rules usually happen in 1 regional, but from regional to regional it varies I believe.

Case in point.
At NJ the teams were told that if you are selected in the alliance pairings and were in the top 8, you could refuse and still be chosen, while teams lower than the top 8 had no choice in the matter - be picked or don't play.
While looking back, I was questioning that call at the time, and thankfully it had no impact on the finals selction there, it was apparently a wrong call.
In UTC, we went with that ruling and denied being chosen and accepted another team's offer. We were then told and I think embarrased on stage with a different ruling than in NJ.

The way that rule was interpretted at UTC is the way that it has been interpretted in years past. now, i don't know if the rules have changed (and they very well could have), but i think it is actually the fault of the refs at NJ for interpretting the rule incorrectly. either way, 571 would like to apologize for whatever embarassment our initial choosing of 237 may have caused, we would have loved to have you on our alliance.

This rule has always been a problem, and there are always a few teams that don't know about it and get in trouble. in the future, it should probably be announced beforehand so that things like this do not happen.

[Tom Bottiglieri]

now that i think about it, that could be used as a good strategy if you know 2 top 8 teams are wanting to be together...

[Elgin Clock]

Originally Posted by ToMMan b182

now that i think about it, that could be used as a good strategy if you know 2 top 8 teams are wanting to be together...

That is what happened... We told 571 that if they chose us, we would refuse. Obviously I would like to believe that information did not get around to the selector on 571, and it was not like you said Tom, and a strategical move.

[sarah ciez]

refs. make the world go 'round.
ok, i agree with sarah b. on this one. anyone that made a foul admitted they were wrong, so i thought it was a non-issue.
also, there was some rule-bending in favor of the teams, so maybe we shouldn't be so harsh on the refs. =T
another point.. the ruling didn't change the outcome. when a penalty had changed an outcome, it wasn't for team 30 ..
can we end this conversation and talk about all the goodness of the regional now ? hehe

<33

[LauraN]

Originally Posted by SarahB

I’m sure that whoever you are talking about was just trying to do their job, and a couple other people’s jobs at the same time. They were probably trying to warn you about something you were doing wrong, while being under a lot of stress and trying to keep their eyes on all the other things they were supposed to be watching. It may have come off rude, but I’m sure that wasn’t their intention.

BTW: According to the rules, all the refs’ decisions are final. Be glad we weren’t being as strict as we could have been.

Let me make a few things clear. First off, I agree with you. You're absolutely right. I've played sports my entire life and understand the necessity of the finality of the rulings of the referees, as does the rest of Team 30. Yes, calls were made that we did not agree with. We may have questioned a referee about the rulings but we did not challenge them and we accepted their decisions.

The problem we are expressing is slightly different. I agree with those who have posted that referees are put under a lot of pressure, and we respect them and the sacrifices of sanity they make for us. However, we were bothered by multiple incidents which took place both on and off the field, which is why we felt that there was a significant problem that needed to be addressed.

Secondly,

Originally Posted by sarah ciez

can we end this conversation and talk about all the goodness of the regional now ? hehe

Yes. Yes we can. Team 30 had some concerns about the refs and we turned to ChiefDelphi to help us out. As usual, you guys came through for us. We are working on the situation and addressing our concerns in the appropriate place. We do not mean to offend anyone, refs especially, since

Originally Posted by sarah ciez

refs. make the world go 'round.

I therefore respectfully resign from this thread. Team 30 loves the refs and I feel that I can say we have handled and continue to handle the situation in a respectful way.

Thank you to everyone for the supportive messages and informative PMs. We appreciate your help and respect.