Parent behavior--no fee games

[Robmoz]

I'm surprised to hear no one is simply stating to ignore that behavior and just work your game. Too often I see officials getting involved with a loud mouth parent which serves nothing but to break your concentration to work your game. Do you seriously find it so distracting that you are compelled to address it from the floor? As officials we need to have a deaf ear to ALL of the crap that comes from the stands...unless someone is throwing projectiles or impeding you from performing you duties in a safe environment you just gotta tune that stuff out and let admin or other parents deal with the clowns.

[BlueDevilRef]

Robmoz: of course we all believe that in a game we are being paid for. The OP is asking for help in a game he volunteers in. In that case, imho, fans can simply cheer for their teams and no more. Any crap and one of us is leaving and I'd bet it ain't gonna be me

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by SC Official

I can't imagine myself working for free, especially a youth game, unless it's camp or a required scrimmage.

If it's in your area, give Special Olympics Unified Games a try.

Am I right Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.?

[SD Referee]

Originally Posted by Kansas Ref

*I applaud you for volunteering your valuable time to work that youth tournament.
For parents who are "not playing nice" in the stands all of the aforementioned palliatives suggested by the other posters work well and are appropriate and will not cause you any problems with your reputation as an official. Again, applause for your volunteer work.

There are 2 kids tourneys that I do every year where I volunteer my time and do a bunch of games.

It seems that the parents at the kids tourneys are worse than what I see in high school. It's unbelievable what you see and what you have to put up with when you volunteer.

I echo the sentiments to not put up with it. Just get it over with as quickly and classy as you possibly can. Don't stoop to their behavior.

[Mark Padgett]

Originally Posted by Mregor

How's this? "Let's trade places. You come out here and ref and I'll sit there and act like a jackass."

Wow! An old Davism!

[Robmoz]

Originally Posted by BlueDevilRef

Robmoz: of course we all believe that in a game we are being paid for. The OP is asking for help in a game he volunteers in. In that case, imho, fans can simply cheer for their teams and no more. Any crap and one of us is leaving and I'd bet it ain't gonna be me

Don't assume we all believe that money makes a difference as to what you put up with...do you really change the way you ref just because you got paid? I would think you might even work harder to put on a professional effort because most volunteer work has a deeper underlying objective...if at least a friend asks me to help out I certainly will not try to be a red ass or be "that guy" that feels the need to show up some knucklehead ranting parent. IMHO you should hold yourself to a higher standard no matter the contest.

[LRZ]

For me, the difference is not money versus volunteering, but between school/travel ball, and kids' recreational leagues, where emphases on learning, sportsmanship, life lessons. Around here, these leagues have codes of conduct for players, coaches and parents. At a certain point, I would not hesitate to remind parents of the league's code of conduct.

[BlueDevilRef]

Originally Posted by Robmoz

Don't assume we all believe that money makes a difference as to what you put up with...do you really change the way you ref just because you got paid? I would think you might even work harder to put on a professional effort because most volunteer work has a deeper underlying objective...if at least a friend asks me to help out I certainly will not try to be a red ass or be "that guy" that feels the need to show up some knucklehead ranting parent. IMHO you should hold yourself to a higher standard no matter the contest.

Never said I would change the way I call the game, be a red ass, or try to show anybody up. I said if I'm volunteering my time, I'm going to expect to not deal with any of the "normal" crap. To me, there is a difference. I understand your point and agree as far as the actual contest. But if I am there for free for a charity, howlers can leave as soon as they start howling.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by Robmoz

I'm surprised to hear no one is simply stating to ignore that behavior and just work your game. Too often I see officials getting involved with a loud mouth parent which serves nothing but to break your concentration to work your game. Do you seriously find it so distracting that you are compelled to address it from the floor? As officials we need to have a deaf ear to ALL of the crap that comes from the stands...unless someone is throwing projectiles or impeding you from performing you duties in a safe environment you just gotta tune that stuff out and let admin or other parents deal with the clowns.

It was implied with my comment that if it's distracting me, I'll deal with it. The more we do this, the less easily we are distracted. Sometimes, though, the trash needs to be taken out.

[Dad]

Originally Posted by Robmoz

Don't assume we all believe that money makes a difference as to what you put up with...do you really change the way you ref just because you got paid? I would think you might even work harder to put on a professional effort because most volunteer work has a deeper underlying objective...if at least a friend asks me to help out I certainly will not try to be a red ass or be "that guy" that feels the need to show up some knucklehead ranting parent. IMHO you should hold yourself to a higher standard no matter the contest.

This isn't about "that guy" and I'm not sure why you're stuck on a cherry-picked situation.

Fee or no fee, if fans need to go then I'm going to do my job and make sure they go. Should it be rare? Sure, but situations are different. Just because one official has never tossed a fan doesn't mean another shouldn't have tossed forty in five games because it was needed.