In which sport do the officials have the greatest influence?

[tech]

Where do they influence the outcome of the game the most? Baseball, football, basketball, etc.? Discuss.

[pshreck]

Basketball.

[B Mando]

Soccer. For anyone who knows anything about soccer you would know that the same ref always is at the big games because he makes a difference. He is being forced into retirment this year because of age regulations though. Perilugi Collina is the guys name. You would already know that though if you followed the sport.

[bernie]

I'd say of those listed, basketball. Since their whistle and sending someone to the foulline can have a much more direct impact on the score. This also happens great frequency.

b

[Ryner]

How can the answer be anything but baseball?

[DavidC]

Boxing.

[gumpzilla]

Ultimate frisbee.

EDIT: It's probably not apparent, but I'm serious.

[LethalRose]

beer pong

[Edge34]

[ QUOTE ]
How can the answer be anything but baseball?

[/ QUOTE ]

Because the ump's decisions on strikes and balls have nowhere near the direct impact of a blown foul call in basketball or many many blown calls during New England Patriot games. [img]/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img]

[Skipbidder]

Refs in wrestling have a great deal of influence. (Mainly speaking about high school folk-style wrestling...I don't know so much about G-R or freestyle.)
Stalling/inactivity calls are extremely subjective.
Some refs will call pins that others won't.