What is to Blame for the Trends in Poor Officiating?

If you've been watching a lot of sports lately, you might notice a growing trend of egregiously poor officiating. Sports fans expect perfection from referees, even if reality suggests otherwise. Yet, even setting aside those insanely high standards, the average spectator can't help but notice that more and more calls are blown with seemingly every passing year. Are officials really getting worse on the whole, or could perhaps another reason provide an explanation for such proficiency in apparent futility?

Consider for a moment the role that technology plays in modern-day sports. In football, graphical aids such as the line of scrimmage and first down markers have become so commonplace that without them, many fans would be lost. Baseball broadcasts not only feature computer-generated strike zones, but also show fans the precise location of each pitch. However, while these visual enhancements offer fans new ways to enjoy the game, nothing has been as helpful or controversial as the advancements made in instant replay.

Recall, if you can, instant replay from the 1980s. In general, replay featured one or two additional camera angles, or in some cases, simply a replay of the same camera angle that was shown in the original broadcast. Flashing forward to today, television broadcasts not only feature multiple cameras with powerful zoom lenses, but high definition has made the game clearer than ever for the fan sitting at home. In some cases, giant high-definition video boards, like the ones found at Cowboys Stadium, provide fans in attendance an immediate view of the recent play. Ever hear a chorus of boos after a particularly bad call? Chances are the replay was just shown on a video board.

Despite the apparent trend, in all likelihood, officiating isn't any worse than it has been before. There have always been blown calls and misjudgments. The difference is that television broadcasters have the ability to replay every call, in high-definition, from multiple angles, and on top of all that, they can slow it down, freeze-frame or zoom-in just to be sure. Perhaps it is not that officials are getting worse, but rather that the capabilities of replay technology have simply surpassed those of the human being.

References:

NFL Holding Conference Call with All Officials on Blown Calls, Profootball Talk, NBCSports.com

Blown Calls in Baseball Playoffs have Umpires Under Microscope, MLB Blown Calls, Washingtonpost.com

New Replay System Utilizes Technology, HD Feeds, DenverPost.com

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