I think refs of the Big 3 sports all do it. I've seen a lot of prolongated strike three calls when the visiting team's best hitter is getting rung up and have seen a lot of "First Down!"calls where they emphaticaly show it with their arm, Johnny Grier especially comes to mind.
ucking: :realtongu
It's called selling the call, and it's something you learn as an official in any sport, or you don't last long. It makes no difference if it's the home team or the visiting team. An official has no friends. You act kind to the coaches and players, but they're all your enemies. The fans? Forget about it, because they are never going to be a fan of yours, even if you're the best damn official to ever work. The only friends you have are your partners, and perhaps the ball boy. As if you can't tell, I am a former official of some fairly big games. First base umpire blew a call at first in the 6th inning of the Angels game that broke up a no-hitter tonight. But he's still my brother in this officiating "fraternity." Nobody's perfect, and that goes for the officials as well. But there are times as a fan when I get pissed at officials too. It's understandable.
