- Joined
- Mar 25, 2008
I did, though it was in the context of whether it was possible for an entity comprised of people/organizations with both mutual and competing interests to work together for everyone's shared benefit.Someone -- I think Buttercup -- mentioned the NFL on this threads. My husband and I actually talked about how calls at an NFL game, are pretty reputable and when they're not, it's quite noticeable and highly talked about and questioned (Washingtonians STILL talk about the calls during the 2006 Superbowl game when the Seattle Seahawks, some say, lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers on questionable ref calls; you can also reference the substitute ref calls earlier this season). In skating it seems a lot of questionable/confusing judging -- for the most part -- are just accepted for some status quo reason (Well, skaters always get these scores in XYZ situation!) or not explained at all.
I agree it would be nice to get some explanation or understanding or analysis rather than be forced to accept things just because.
Regarding judging/officiating, what stands out to me is that skating judges are visible - after all, we see them sitting front row and watching, and they are introduced by name before the event. But unlike officials and many other sports, they are currently not tied to their specific actions in any visible way. Compare this to NFL refs with their flags and signals, or baseball umpires - can't get much more visible than calling balls and strikes behind home plate. And that sort of accountability (and transparency) is important; not having it creates a sense that there is something to hide and dodgy things might be going on.
OTOH, these are not international sports in the way that skating is. But I would definitely be impressed if ever a skating judge or caller were to admit a mistake and apologize for it, like Jim Joyce did when he screwed up Armando Galaragga's perfect game. I have a lot more confidence when officials are able to admit that they make mistakes, and own up to them.
I won't hold my breath, though. Maybe after Speedy retires? (in which case, I should definitely not hold my breath )