[bainsey]

I have a friend that assigns some rec ball ($25 or so/game), so I'll take a few games to help him out. He's gotten me out of jams before, and I enjoy those assignments. There are some humorous objections from coaches/fans, but nothing earth-shattering.

In my first year, I took a lot of volunteer Y games, to get some experience. They had problems with kids dunking and ruining rims, but no-one would dare call the T. (I worked with a lot of younger 20-somethings.) Finally, in a championship pre-game, one kid attempted the dunk. I decided they'll never stop until someone pulls the trigger, so I did.

None of the players or coaches got mad at me, though they gave the dunker an earful. (He was a good, popular kid that everyone loved and showed it by dumping on him regularly.) However, we had to get another partner for me, because my partner suddenly became "too hurt" to run. In truth, he was a 20-year-old that admittedly hated to call fouls, and was too angry at me to dare call a T to work with me. I can't say that I missed him.

The last time I volunteered for a Y game was the only time ever a parent cursed me out after the game. I handled it, but I have no desire to volunteer there again. If you're going to take volunteer games, bear in mind you'll be working with people that don't expect you to be professional.