Pitchin with Pritch: Soft spot for officials—in retirement

Since I retired from coaching I have had a soft spot in my heart for officials. 

They work hard and make difficult calls that can make or break a team.

They have to make calls without checking them on replay, and they are a very important part of any sporting contest.

Most of the time, they never get a kind word from anyone.

I must admit that the most important part of this week’s opening statement is the very first sentence, because while I was coaching I don’t think I always felt that way about officials. 

I had a difficult time in some games seeing things the same way that officials did, but I also know that I was viewing the game with blinders on. I didn’t always see the big picture. 

I got along with most officials and actually only had seven technical fouls in my career. Probably does not represent the number that maybe I should have gotten, but is a number.

This past week there were a couple of calls that possibly had an effect on games. 

In the Kansas City/Cleveland playoff game, right before half there was a play where part of the call was correct, but they apparently missed something else that should have been called.

The Browns fumbled the ball out of their own end zone and instead of scoring a touchdown, ended up giving the ball back to the Chiefs back on the 20. 

On the same play, the Chief’s defensive back that made the tackle led with his helmet and that should have been a penalty. It didn’t get called. 

The Chiefs went down the field with less than a minute left in the half and kicked a field goal to go in at the half leading 19-3. 

On Saturday, Creighton University was in a tight game with Butler and a shot clock violation was missed on Butler—Butler scored and Creighton ended up getting defeated in overtime.

In today’s games, officials at the college and pro levels have the opportunity to look at replays. It is good that they get a chance to correct a mistake.

But sometimes, it takes forever for them to take a look, or multiple looks and then make sure the clock is correct, etc. Sometimes it is like teams get an extra time out in a game. 

Even with this, sometimes it is difficult to understand what they see that made the call right or wrong.

I have come to the conclusion that it was better when the game was decided on just humans calling it like they saw it in real time. 

Again, that is just my opinion and you still can use my opinion and 85 cents and get that soft drink at IN and OUT.

Humble, Surprised

At the PCS basketball game Friday night with Wauneta-Palisade, PCS had their second “Throw Back” game.

In addition to playing in the middle gym, which I have a difficult time calling the “Pritchett Gym,” they added some uniforms with “Pritchett” on the back of each of them. 

When I was told that was going to happen, I was humbled, surprised and a little teary-eyed. 

I was initially told there were plans for some other things as well, but the COVID-19 problem caused changes. 

This community has been more than kind to me and my family. 

As a coach, I don’t think there is much more honor than having a field, track, or court with your name on it. For me to be included with Haenfler Field and E. Lee Todd Track just made it even more of an honor. 

With all this going on, I wasn’t able to be at the game. It wasn’t because I didn’t want to be there; it wasn’t because I didn’t think it was important; it was because I was not feeling well. 

In these times, when I don’t feel well, I am staying away from crowds for my protection and for theirs.

I do want to thank the administration, the athletic administration that put this honor together and the players who wore the uniforms and won the game.

It has always been, and always will be, an honor to be a Plainsmen.