As always Paul, I so appreciate your views and experience. However, I'm not so sure the experiment would work. European officials have had a lifetime of "conditioning" to very different style of game. Unless they have the time to come up through all the various minor leagues to be (for lack of a better term) reprogrammed to the North American style of game, I have my doubts about a successful integration. As it stands now, most players have a difficult time finding "consistency" from current officials. Remember how linesman Kevin Collins would break up every fight he could, before it started? I hated seeing him on the officials list for an NHL game. He had a bias, plain and simple. He was more suited to a college, or European league. Could European officials have a bias to a certain style of play, or players? Who knows? Even if they don't, I'm not sure it would "improve" the current game any. I'm not saying European officials are incapable, nor am I am I being "exclusionary". I'm only pointing out the differences of thought processes, and/or style. As I stated earlier, if they committed to understanding and adapting to the North American style, I say give them a shot!! EVERYONE deserves an EQUAL opportunity, just as long as we don't employ some kind an affirmative action program, and deprive young, qualified, North American officials of their shot. Judge everyone equally, and the game will continue to flourish.
