Marty Gordon
A Virginia legislator is throwing a flag on the occasional abuse Virginia High School League and recreation officials receive at the hands of fans.
Delegate C. Todd Gilbert (R) (15th District) introduced a bill last week to impose tougher penalties for abusing sports referees.
But it never made its way out of subcommittee. A flag needs to be thrown on the legislators for not seeing the measure through.
In so many ways, I believe attacking an official should carry the same weight as assault on a law enforcement officer.
Referees do not typically hear good feedback from parents, fans, players and coaches. It’s tough being an official.
I was told recently by a long time ref that it’s hard to keep doing the job when you have an occasional water bottle thrown at you.
This is simply wrong. Referees are human and yes, they sometimes make mistakes. But remember they are trying to make calls in a split second, not a minute. Their angles on the field are sometimes better and sometimes worse than what you’re seeing from the stands, but they’re still trying to make the calls quickly and to the best of their ability.
When you become violent and start throwing things, then you become a very bad person that should face consequences. I urge state delegates to reconsider this problem and approve the bill.
Super Bowl week is upon us and it looks like Tom Brady will lead his Patriots to another championship. I have never been a big fan of him or the Patriots, but I have to give him props.
Brady continues to make big plays at nearly 40 years old and doesn’t seem to be stopping. If he brings home another Super Bowl, then we have to bow down and call him the “greatest of all time.” Move over Peyton Manning. Tom Brady is the best QB of all time, and it will take a lot to knock him off the top of the mountain.
I don’t see it happening, maybe ever. There simply is not anyone coming up that can match what Brady has accomplished. All Hail to the King, Tom Brady.
My Super Bowl prediction: New England 44, Philadelphia 30.
Appalachian League changes
The Houston Astros are out in Greenville, Tennessee, and the Cincinnati Reds are in as the Appalachian League team. Greenville had been the home of the Astros since 2004.
The Reds had previously had a farm club in the league with he Wytheville Reds (1967) and Princeton Reds (1991-96).
The Appalachian League will also hold a retirement tour this season for League President Lee Landers who announced he will step down at the end of the season after 23 years. As the former assistant general manager for the Pulaski Mariners, I developed a great professional relationship with Landers and wish him well. He has managed to keep the league moving forward for a long, long time and will be missed.
Leadoff banquet
The Hokie softball program held its second annual Leadoff Banquet at the German Club of Virginia Tech on last Sunday evening, with the proceeds going towards wall graphics for the team’s new indoor batting facility.
The evening saw the program bring in more than $7,500, exceeding the total raised at last year’s inaugural banquet.
Attendees were treated to a full program, hosted by Virginia Tech legends Mike Burnop and Bill Roth, that featured a silent auction, a trivia contest and a special preview of the 2018 season from the players and coaching staff.
