[Coltdoggs]

I agree with most of what the others have said...listen for the entertainment factor. If it becomes overly personal and crosses the line into affecting your ability to focus on the game out of fear for your physical well being, then you should tell management.

I think the level is important also...I'm going to have a heck of a lot more tolerance the higher the level. THe lower level rec league stuff...it's about sportsmanship and I won't hesitate to say something directly to the parents and if need be toss em...For the most part, you just gotta ignore it.

I have on occassion when waiting to resume play tried to lighten the mood and made a joke about their comments...Something like, "Man, you guys are all OVER the calls today..." see what they say and see if you can joke about it and lightetn the situation...I've found that if they see the "human side" of us, it sometimes eases their tension...

In my rec league that I sit on the board and ref in....I stopped a game and told an overly loud, obnoxious dad during 5/6 grade playoff game last year that I had heard enough of his comments...He got smart with me that I was addressing him (something about I should be focused on the game and not him)....at that point I told him I was no longer the ref speaking to him and it was now the Board Member for the league and if he wanted to continue watching from the gym, he'd be quiet the rest of the game. Didn't hear another word from him...After the game his wife came up and apologized to me for his behavior....

EDIT: As DanRef said...the guy you toss should be the first one that goes smart *** after you appeal to them as an adult...