Close games are intense.

ou have to work hard, concentrate, and hustle the entire game because you don’t want to be the one responsible for deciding the outcome. If something crucial happens, you want to be on top of it.

On the other hand, blowouts are boring for officials. They’re also offensive to traditionalist officials who believe the game should be played hard, no matter what the score. Often, the teams joke around and go at a much slower pace when they realize the game is out of reach.

Unfortunately, I found myself in a blowout last week. The game, in a senior men’s league, started out just like any other. Both teams were working hard and doing their best. But the Maroons scored early — and then again.

And then again.

Continued...