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This has been my worst year. I only Volunteer Ref in a Rec League. Been doing it for 13 years. This year after a blow-out in 5-6 Grade, I walk over to get some water while the Teams are in the handshake line. It was a pretty uneventful game. Other than the Winning Coach had tried to call a late TO when the Losing Team had the ball. I booted the call but when I saw which team had pocession.....I just did an IW and gave it back to them.
When I get back, the two Coaches are pushing & shoving. I grab the Winning Coach who is going crazy and bear-hug him. He's swinging his arms and dropping the F-Bomb in front of the kids and grannies?! I had the feeling the Losing Coach was just defending himself. He was no problem. I had to hold the Winning Caoch for a couple of minutes to calm him down. Kept telling him not to be a bad example for the kids.
The next week, the Losing Coach comes over an apologizes to me first thing. I say no problem. I Ref another game with the Winning Coach. He never apologized about the week before either before, during or after the game.
I'm kind of amazed the League Directors didn't boot him over the incident especially the language? In the old days of our League....the guy that ran it would have booted him instantly.
Anyway, after one substitution and before I administer the Throw-in....he's got 6 on the floor. This is 5-6 so I don't get too technical. I tell him,
"Coach, you have 6 out there. I don't want to call a T. Get one out."
The guy's wife handles the Subs for him. It's an Equal-Time League and he Subs by a Matrix instead of 5 in and 5 out. (Funny, it seems his kid is always in?) He starts screaming and berating his poor wife on the bench in front of the kids.
So after the Game...I made a big decision...I hung up the whistle. When you do this as Volunteer you have to like the people in the League. I don't like this guy. I figure it's better to quit than to get into a horror-show with him in the Play-offs.
So....I have one old collared shirt and one collarless shirt For Sale....XXL....make me an offer for one. (My wife wants to save the other for my wake.)
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