[williebfree]

5th grade boys, ball rebounds long (over the head of the players under the basket). A tall, lanky player attempts to secure the rebound, but as a result of a modest push from the closest defender he stumbles out of the lane (several steps) carrying the ball.

(Tweet), Fist goes up, crowd quiets as it awaits the call.

Note: Crowd is parents and grandparents of players very well-behaved, never a problem in this league.

A teammate of the "stumbler", shortest kid on the court and a great hustler (in both senses), slightly excited, petitions: “Excuse me sir!”

I paused, before reporting the foul, to give him my full attention. He continues, “He was pushed. You shouldn’t call that a travel!”

I crack a big smile and in a playful manner state (audible to all in the gym), “Young man, do you have aspirations to become a lawyer?”

Many in the crowd get a good chuckle. The “challenging” player gets closer to me and whispers, “What's a aspiration?”

I softly responded, “You take two of them and the problems should go away.” He gave me a puzzled look, then a smile and moved on.

I report the foul and the game goes on.