Why do people do it?

People ask me this all the time.  "I would NEVER want to be an official! People are always yelling at you.  Why would anyone want to do it?"  I guess some of the reason we do it is because we enjoy the sport.  Some officiate because they enjoy seeing the level of competition between area teams.  Some officiate to help teach the sport.  Some to see youth grow and acquire skills.

Every official I've known had his own "personal stamp" of style in their officiating.  They don't make themselves the focus of the event, but you remember which matches/games they officiated.  One of my old-time favorites was Teddy Cameron.  He was a baseball umpire back in the late 1970's in western Illinois.  His trademark - "Hustle In Hustle Out" boys let  you know Teddy was in control.