Sports Controversy

Wake Up, ref. You're missing a good game.

Wed, 04 May 2011 00:50:00 -0400

Written By: Stephanie Santa Maria

At almost every sports event, whether it’s a kids’ game or the pros, somebody complains about the referee’s or umpire’s calls.

Detroit pitcher Armando Galarraga almost became the 21st pitcher in the history of major league baseball to throw a perfect game. That’s when a pitcher faces 27 batters in nine innings and gets them all out. No hits, no walks, no errors.

Gallarraga had set down the first 26 Cleveland Indians batters. The 27th hit a ground ball, and Galarraga ran over to cover first base. But the first base umpire, Jim Joyce, said the runner had beaten Galarraga and the ball to first base and called the runner safe.

Galarraga pitched to the next batter, the last of the game, and got him out.

After the game the umpire saw film of the play, and admitted he had made a mistake. The runner had been out. But the umpire’s original call meant Galarraga lost his chance for a perfect game and a place in baseball history.

The Irish lost their Luck

Wed, 04 May 2011 00:30:00 -0400

Written By: Stephanie Santa Maria

With the title for the 2010 World Cup on the line, it was Ireland’s turn to be undone by an unseen handball. Actually it was by two unseen handballs.

In extra time, France forward Thierry Henry twice controlled a long ball with his left hand before poking the ball in front of the net for his teammate (William Gallas) to score comfortably.

Ireland’s players swarmed the referee, but he wouldn’t hear any of their pleas. That one goal sent France to South Africa and condemned Ireland to a summer at home.

What the Tuck?

Wed, 04 May 2011 00:23:00 -0400

Written By: Stephanie Santa Maria

The title is perfect for what happened at the snowy scene at Foxboro Stadium in January 2002, an AFC Divisional Playoff game between the New England Patriots and the Oakland Raiders. With the Patriots down by three, quarterback Tom Brady dropped back to pass.

He started his motion when he saw Charles Woodson coming for him. So he brought the ball down and touched it with his left hand—the infamous “tuck.” The tuck meant that when Woodson knocked the ball free, it was not to be ruled a fumble, but rather an incomplete pass.

New England built on that momentum to win the game and then Superbowl XXXVI.

No Goal, cause I Say so

Wed, 04 May 2011 00:19:00 -0400

Written By: Stephanie Santa Maria

In the U.S. match-up against Slovenia during the World Cup 2010 group C match, Maurice Edu fired a ball into the goal in the 85th minute of the game. The American team thought they had just scored their third goal in the 85th minute of the game.

The American team thought they had just scored their third goal and broken the tie—until it was taken away by referee Koman Coulibaly of Mali, who called a foul.

Hundreds of replays and thousands of irate column inches later, it is clear that there was no discernible foul by any American in the buildup to the goal.

Let's Be Honest! You All Saw It..

Wed, 04 May 2011 00:09:00 -0400

Written By: Stephanie Santa Maria

Today, it is still on of the most memorable plays of Michael Jordan’s career. Game 6 of the 1998 NBA Finals, 5.2 seconds on the clock, and the Chicago Bulls down by one. Jordan takes the long shot—he scores! The Bulls win the championship and the shot remains Jordan’s final playoff moment of his career.

Problem is, the shot should never have counted. Replays show quite definitively that Jordan pushed off the Utah Jazz defender, Bryon Russell.

The officials never saw it. Or at least, they never called it.

A Pricey Souvenir

Tue, 03 May 2011 23:59:00 -0400

Written By: Stephanie Santa Maria

Jeffrey Maier was just a 12-year-old kid in the right-field stands of Yankee Stadium when Game 1 of the 1996 American League Championship Series began. With the Yankees down 4-3 in the eighth inning to the Baltimore Orioles, Derek Jeter hit a long one to the right-field fence. But when outfielder Tony Tarasco reached up, Maier’s black glove got there first and deflected the ball over the wall.

The umpire called it a home run. The Yankees went on to win the game, and the World Series.

When the Time is Right

Tue, 03 May 2011 16:47:00 -0400

Written By: Stephanie Santa Maria

Just recently, I was watching one of the NBA playoff games and it was 1:15 left in the 4th with home team up by 1. The away team inbounds the ball and by the looks gets rid of a good 9 seconds and then the ball gets deflected out of bounds by the home team. The technicians at this time have forgot to start the clock. So without looking at the cameras for a definite replay of how much time passed, the referees just ask to take off 4 seconds.

Now with 1:11 left the away team got the better ends to it for they did not lose the time they have clearly used.

Times like these make me wonder why don’t they go to the tape?

Let the King Walk..

Tue, 03 May 2011 16:31:00 -0400

Written By: Stephanie Santa Maria

Now were in the Lebron James era where he can walk at will and never gets in to foul trouble, the league changed the rules this year officially allowing two steps before dribbling, I guess it supposed to make up for having allowed Lebron James 4 steps when he drives towards the basket since he entered the league.

Lebrons a great talent . The league continues to kiss his ring, even though he has not won a ring yet. His ability to run down players on the break to block there shot from behind at the last possible moment is unmatched in the league. But much too often he gets away with a hard foul . And it goes beyond the normal star treatment it now bleeds down to his teammates that also get star treatment even the bench players. It just would have been nice to see him earn his way like players before him. It would also be nice to call the game by the rules. I guess there is still high school basketball.

Palms for Days..

Tue, 03 May 2011 16:24:00 -0400

Written By: Stephanie Santa Maria

Now lets examine the palming violation a rule that should not be ignored , but it is ignored in today’s game. Mainly its the point guards that get away with this one, at least there the biggest offenders.

Lets start where it really began to change , where I first noticed anyway Tim Hardaway, A talented point guard with explosive speed and great ball handling skills. Once he was given the free pass to palm the ball his killer crossover was very hard to defend.

Allen Iverson, a player with even more explosive speed then Hardaway . The amount Iverson was allowed to palm the ball was limitless , Iverson would slide his hand under the ball midway through the dribble causing a hesitation that would throw off the timing of a defender that was already disadvantaged trying to guard Iverson. Now make no mistake Iverson was not the only one allowed to do this he just magnified it with his natural ability. Currently point guards such as Chris Paul and many other speedy guards palm the ball fairly often with out a whistle being blown.

NBA Playoff game 2011 Nuggets vs. Thunder Game 1

Tue, 03 May 2011 00:17:00 -0400

Written By: Stephanie Santa Maria

With 1:20 left in the fourth quarter, the Denver Nuggets held a one-point lead over the Oklahoma City Thunder, 101-100.

Russell Westbrook dribbled the ball to half court on the right wing and passed to Kevin Durant on the left wing. Durant took a dribble back toward Westbrook and passed the ball back to him.

Westbrook then drove toward the basket against Raymond Felton before quickly stopping, pivoting with a ball fake and forcing up a tough, off-balanced shot.

The ball first bounced on the front of the rim, then the glass and as it was on its way to bouncing out of the “cylinder,” Thunder player Kendrick Perkins reached his right hand up through the net to tip the ball back down for a two-point basket.

By rule, this should have been called goaltending. There should have been no basket and the play waived off, thus the Nuggets still having a one-point lead with the ball and close to 55 seconds left in the game.

This play made Westbrook reach the 30-point mark on the night and more importantly, it gave the Oklahoma City Thunder a 102-101 lead with under a minute left in the game.

The Harder You Fight the Better

Tue, 03 May 2011 00:03:00 -0400

Written By: Stephanie Santa Maria

Watching a game of hockey the players are clearly playing very physical and rough. I am concerned of thinking of hockey players as role models. Also because of one their main rules. The rule is when a fight breaks out, the player who wins the fight remains in the game and the opponent is suspended out of the game.

This rule just blows my mind. It just makes me worried for all those young kids who are dreaming of becoming a hockey player. I do not want them to grow up thinking that fighting is acceptable.

The only time I see fighting as acceptable is if the people fighting are trained to fight and is supervised by a referee such as boxing, mma fighting, and etc. Our generation already has a lot of young ones turning to many bad things, that we should think twice about what we allow. Sports is a big thing to young kids and they see these players as role models.

No Kicking Balls in BBALL

Sat, 30 Apr 2011 05:32:00 -0400

Written By: Stephanie Santa Maria

It is in the middle of the game, when all of a sudden a player tries to drive in with the basketball and accidentally dribbles the ball off an opponents foot and the referees call it an automatic kick ball.

This call only gets to me when the ball, after it has been touched by a foot, stays inbounds and the player with the ball and the opposing player are able to regain from it and continue on playing. BUT, instead the referees call it as a penalty and they stop the play. It just does not make sense to have to make a big deal about it.

It makes me mad when it is just a stationary foot that was seen hitting a ball. Like, really?! The player didn’t even lift up his foot to hit it!

Technical Foul

Sat, 30 Apr 2011 05:25:00 -0400

Written By: Stephanie Santa Maria

Athletes are so limited to the emotions they are allowed to show during a game. In the game of basketball, a ‘technical foul’ is a foul when a player could not control his emotions to an extent that was acceptable to a referee at the time.

The big ‘iffy’ about this rule for me is the inconsistency the referees call. For example; in the league today, the big power forward from the Orlando Magic holds the record for the most technical fouls received this season. This is because he is such an easy target. For instance, in a recent game, Howard reacted to an opposing player by just shaking off the opponents arm off of him and automatically he got a ‘t’ (technical). Almost a second later, a smaller, point guard player did almost the same thing, if not, even harder and was not called anything.

When is the NBA going to take care of their bigger players?

March Madness game on 3/20/11

Mon, 21 Mar 2011 15:01:00 -0400

Written By: Stephanie Santa Maria

The ball has been touched out of bounds at 1.5 seconds which was clearly shown on all cameras. However, the clock ran until 0.7 left. With the team with the ball losing by 2. The coaches asked to review the clock and were told that it was reviewed and that 0.7 seconds is the correct time.

Now, looking back at the tapes, the coaches are disappointed in the reffing staff. On the last play with 0.7 seconds the player threw up a long three pointer and almost went it, but honestly with the extra 0.8 seconds would’ve made him get a better look, for 1.5 seconds is enough time to at least gather yourself and make a good shot.

In his case he had 0.7, once he caught it he had to shoot right away and had no time to square up for a clear shot.

It's Final

Mon, 21 Feb 2011 13:46:00 -0500

Written By: Stephanie Santa Maria

Have you ever watched highlights of a game that had finished and the announcers are now saying that the referees had made the wrong call? This happens almost in every game that happens. I cannot remember the last time I watched sports news in a whole week without seeing a controversial call. I think it is because referees are human so they are not always likely to see everything clearly and make the right call. But after watching highlights they may feel remorse for making the right call but it will still not change the call that they have made.

No Room to Express Yourself

Thu, 10 Feb 2011 19:18:00 -0500

Written By: Stephanie Santa Maria

This blog is for the frustrating call that is called on a player who has said just a little more than he should of said or even reacted a little too much. It is the technical foul call. Looking into the NBA, there are many technical fouls being called and some look more deserving than others. For example; a quick reaction from Dwight Howard would result in him getting a technical being called against him. On the other hand, a smaller player who reacts the same, if not even more won’t be called for a technical.

I think this rule would be fair if it was being called consistently among all players and not single out those who are bigger. When is the league going to protect the forwards and centers in the NBA, just as they protect the guards in the league. Also, if they were to call a technical on someone saying a curse word, they should call it for the next guy that does as well.

Mr. Controversy

Tue, 08 Feb 2011 02:31:00 -0500

Written By: Stephanie Santa Maria

Ron Artest is the most controversial player currently playing in the NBA and one of the most controversial players in the history of the NBA. His temper has led to several suspensions including a 73-game suspension for his part in the Pacers-Pistons brawl that spilled into the seats. He is also recognized as one of the top defensive players in basketball.

Ron Artest was born on November 13, 1979 in Long Island City, New York. He spent his childhood growing up and playing basketball in the Queensbridge Projects in Long Island.

Ron Artest chose to attend the St. John’s University where he was touted as one of the top players in college basketball. In 1999, the Chicago Bulls used their first pick, the sixteenth pick overall, to select Ron. Although he was a solid player for the Bulls, they traded him to the Indiana Pacers in 2002.

While playing for the Pacers, Ron Artest made a name for himself with his playing ability and the controversy he created. After the 2003-2004 season, he was named the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year. He is consistently named to the NBA’s All-Defensive Team as well. His temper during games added to his intimidation on defense, but he also began to face suspensions as a result of his antics.

In 2003, Ron Artest threw a television in the tunnel at Madison Square Garden during a basketball game against the Knicks. He received a three-game suspension. Later in the season, he had a confrontation with Pat Riley, coach of the Miami Heat, which led to a four-game suspension.

On November 19, 2004, during a basketball game with the Detroit Pistons, a scuffle broke out between Ron Artest and Pistons’ player Ben Wallace. After removing himself from the situation, Ron Artest was hit in the head by a drink that a fan had thrown at him. Ron Artest jumped over a table and entered the stands where he began hitting a fan he believed to have thrown the drink. He returned to the basketball court where he was confronted by Pistons’ fans that he fought with as well. As a result of Ron Artest’s actions during the controversy in Detroit, he was suspended by the NBA for the rest of the season, 73 games. He returned to the Pacers for the 2005-2006 season, but the Pacers traded him to the Sacramento Kings in the middle of the season.

After Ron Artest joined the Sacramento Kings, they improved their record immensely and made the playoffs as the eighth seed. Unfortunately, controversy continued as Artest was suspended for the second game of the series after elbowing Manu Ginobli in the head. The Kings lost the series in six games.

Not a Fumble

Sat, 29 Jan 2011 19:26:00 -0500

Written By: Stephanie Santa Maria

In the NFL, which is the National Football league. Their is a rule that states the ground cannot cause a fumble. Which to me, I think is a dumb rule. Like, Oh really? Wait, did you hang onto the football? No. Well then you fumbled it. No. Why not? Because, the ground knocked it out. And that’s not a fumble? No. This rule just baffles my mind. I mean, everyone knows the ground is there. Its not like it comes out of nowhere to cause a fumble like a crazed linebacker. When it comes down to it, shouldn’t the rule just be, did you hang onto the football? No? OK fumble! I don’t want to know why, I don’t care why, you did not hang onto the football, end of story. So in that case, a fumble should of occurred.

The Instant Replay Rule

Wed, 26 Jan 2011 01:56:00 -0500

Written By: Stephanie Santa Maria

In every sport, there will always be rules that will cause controversy and confusion to know if the call was fair or not. That is why being a referee is said to be a very difficult job. In the game of baseball there is a rule that states the referees are only allowed to review the instant replay on homeruns. Why do official replays in baseball only come into play for home runs? Why not on plays at the bases? Why not be sure to get the call right if there’s useful technology to do it? And if in the future they do decide to put in replay for those plays, they should also take a look at using technology to eliminate the frustratingly arbitrary strike zone.

If MLB (Major League Baseball) wants to speed up the game a bit and stop the batter from stepping out and jabbering about each questionable call, then they should put in a technology that eliminates any questions.

Harder on the Defense

Mon, 24 Jan 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Written By: Stephanie Santa Maria

In NFL football, which is the National Football League. There is a rule, which is in favor of the offense. This rule applies when a play has been started and the offensive player runs or gains a few yards and gets stopped by the defense, but is still up to where the defense is able to push back the offensive player to where the offense is now losing yards. The referees then will simply blow their whistles and stop the play. The referees then count the down where the ball went the farthest, NOT where the defense was able to push the offensive player back. As if the job of the defensive line isn’t hard enough, they had to add this rule to help the offense score.

This rule I believe is added because the crowd loves seeing teams score, but is this justice enough to let this rule stand? I believe if the offense is good enough to gain their own yards with what the defense is giving them, then it is fair.