Umpires, referees, officials, line judges

Do you like your job? I do. It's fun, challenging at times, character building, stressful, and even downright crazy during summer. Everyone can probably associate with these feelings. We all make mistakes but if we learn from them typically we are given 2nd chances. Sounds fair right? Well what if every single time you made a mistake, even the slightest thing, it was broadcasted on national television? Also, you probably enjoy positive feedback from your boss, coworkers, clients, etc right? So imagine for a minute you never got praised for anything you did right but the second you make a wrong decision you're chastised by your coworkers, even to the point of cursing and physical threats?? Welcome to the life of a referee/official/umpire/etc!
This has to be the worst job out there by far! Sure it has it's positive points: ultimate access to the grandest of stages in sports; ex: Superbowl referee is on the field standing next to some of the greatest athletes ever to put on a uniform. Umpires have the opportunity to watch baseball from a whole different point of view. Ok that's about it for pluses. Now let's get the downside: You are never EVER recognized when you do something right. An NFL referee can accurately call a completed pass on the sideline keeping an eye on the players hands securing the ball, all the while making sure he drags both feet before falling to the ground. Umpires can have a consistent strike zone for both teams all game. We could go on and on... The problem lies in how an official affects a game when an INcorrect call has been made. Fans have been known to make death threats to referees, coaches and players get right into an official's face screaming obscenities because they feel they didn't move their feet on a offensive foul call. We've seen it all and we've been reminded most recently in these MLB playoffs that umpires need help... a lot of help.
Exhibit A: Yankees vs. Minnesota ALDS game 2 @ Yankee Stadium. The game when into extra innings. The Twins were batting, the ball was hit deep down the left field line, landing in front of the outfielder bouncing roughly 5 inches inside the line, fair ball. Not soo fast my friend! The umpire was about 10 feet away from the spot the ball landed and immediately held his left arm out to the crowd: "FOUL!!!" he screamed. Are you kidding me?! I was watching this game thinking, damn this guy's on the Yankees payroll too? The Twins were an underdog in the series, ok maybe more like a goldfish against a great white shark, but still the integrity of the game must be upheld.
Exhibit B: Yankees vs. Angels ALCS game 4 @ LA. Where do we begin in this game? The number of blown calls is embarrassing! At one point the Angels 3rd baseman had tagged out both Jorge Posada and Robinson Cano since both had moved off 3rd base in a major baserunning error by Posada, however the umpire claimed he only saw Posada tagged out so Cano would remain at 3rd. This type of call is unacceptable to me (and probably every citizen of LA). Where was the help? Why didnt he request help from the other umpires in his crew? Was he so ashamed of his call that he decided to botch another on in the game? At one point New York had a runner at 3rd and they hit a deep fly ball to left field, the baserunner set his foot on the bag, and once the catch was made sprinted for home, collecting one more run for the Yanks off the sac fly. Hold on... the Angels appealed to the umpire questioning if he left to early, and almost instantly the umpire signaled yes he left early, take a run off the score board and trade it in for an out. WHAT THE ?!?! MLB needs to adjust their replay system in the offseason and allow umpire to get the help they need, especially in critical situations like this in the playoffs where teams live or die by 1 dramatic play. Take a look at the NFL, their system may not be perfect but at least they are constantly reviewing it in the offseason adjusting it, upgrading it, and trying to improve the quality of officiating.
Case in point is, no matter how much you pay me, I would NEVER EVER want to be an official of any kind for any sport. I have such a deep passion for sports and could never possibly live with making the wrong call and changing the course of a game, season, team success or failure. So for now I'll stay on my side of the field, in the stands watching closely, monitoring, commenting, cheering, complaining but most of all thanking... thanking God that I'm not one of the zebras!