Parent behavior--no fee games

[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.

[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.