Another Referee Assault ...

[BillyMac]

And some wonder why it's difficult to recruit new basketball officials.



Of course, if the officials had enforced the undershirt rule color restrictions, this assault would have never occurred.

[crosscountry55]

Not excusing what the adult did, but perhaps the L should have A) stayed away, or at least B) gotten between the players instead of plowing into the initial offender as though he were jumping on a live grenade in order to save the masses. That didn’t help matters.

The adult was clearly upset that his kid got tackled. Sadly, he didn’t even assault the right official.

News reports say the dad has a history of having a temper. No surprise that rubbed off on his shoulder-checking kid. And the dad is blaming the officials for what happened? Maybe he ought to look in the mirror.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by crosscountry55

... gotten between the players instead of plowing into the initial offender as though he were jumping on a live grenade in order to save the masses ...

Not sure that his intent was to knock the kid over, but it's still a "bad look". Possibly had a head of steam such that he couldn't stop in time.

I know that we're supposed to stand back and take numbers, but sometimes we just react to break up the fight to protect kids. It's just adult human nature. Probably instinctual.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

Not sure that his intent was to knock the kid over, but it's still a "bad look". Possibly had a head of steam such that he couldn't stop in time.

I know that we're supposed to stand back and take numbers, but sometimes we just react to break up the fight to protect kids. It's just adult human nature. Probably instinctual.

I will never just stand back and take numbers.


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[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by Rich

I will never just stand back and take numbers.

Don't know if it's the human in me, the father in me, the teacher in me, or the coach in me, but me too.

At the minimum I'm trying to stand between the fighters, even if they make slight contact with me (not me with them), and sounding my whistle as loud as I can.

I will try not to to hold any players. We had an official do that many years ago, allowing an opponent got a "free shot" and "cold cocking" the held player, breaking the held player's jaw. Official ended up getting sued by parents of held broken jaw player. Also had to deal with a criminal assault charge. Very messy, in the criminal court and civil court for a couple of years. Lots of billable hours.

As a teacher we were told that it we didn't do anything to (reasonably) physically break up a fight between students that we could be sued for negligence if a student got severely hurt due to our inaction (something about the legal term in loco parentis).

Of course it we did physically intercede, and if a student got severely hurt as a result of our actions we could also get sued for our actions.

Damned if we do, damned if we don't.

[Raymond]

Where I officiate, I'm not doing more than stepping between players before punches are thrown. Once thrown, I'm out. If you are in the middle of the melee you are subjecting yourself to getting jumped by either a player, coach, or fan.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by Rich

I will never just stand back and take numbers.

Unless I am getting paid with a "comma" in the check, I am not ever stopping players once they go at it. That is what my presence and whistle is for. If that does not work, let them have at it. Not subjecting myself to what happened here.

Peace

[Rich]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

Unless I am getting paid with a "comma" in the check, I am not ever stopping players once they go at it. That is what my presence and whistle is for. If that does not work, let them have at it. Not subjecting myself to what happened here.

Peace

My point is I will try to stop things before they start, but eventually we all need to protect ourselves.


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[crosscountry55]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

Not sure that his intent was to knock the kid over, but it's still a "bad look". Possibly had a head of steam such that he couldn't stop in time.

You might be right. It’s possible he underestimated how p=mv.


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[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by crosscountry55

p=mv.

Momentum!

[Raymond]

An entire paragraph on why you figure Jeff does or doesn't do something:

"I figured that there were additional reasons, besides a Dad coming out of the stands (which was also in a recently posted video of a high school varsity game, the "pants" video, the one where you would punch the Dad) and poor locker room accommodations, why you don't work middle school games, and I was right. I figured (but didn't detail) that your "cup was already full" with high school and college games, job, and family, and I was right, especially with your line about relief that a game was cancelled. Been there and done that."

Another:
"A top notch experienced varsity official like yourself shouldn't even be considering middle school games, even middle school games that might be "worth the hassle". I'm sure that your varsity assigners, in two states, and your various college assigners would prefer for you to keep your calendar open. Even if you wanted to, would you have time to do any middle school games? I'm pretty sure that your high school and college schedule is already pretty full without any middle school games."

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[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by Raymond

"I figured that there were additional reasons, besides a Dad coming out of the stands (which was also in a recently posted video of a high school varsity game, the "pants" video, the one where you would punch the Dad) and poor locker room accommodations, why you don't work middle school games, and I was right. I figured (but didn't detail) that your "cup was already full" with high school and college games, job, and family, and I was right, especially with your line about relief that a game was cancelled ..."

This (above) was a reply to JRutledege's own post, with me agreeing with him, no way I could disagree, he has his own personal Midwest reasons.

Raymond is correct on this one (below), it was a presumptuous opinion on my part, possibly uncalled for, and possibly incorrect (I've been watching too many Perry Mason reruns on cable).

Originally Posted by Raymond

"A top notch experienced varsity official like yourself shouldn't even be considering middle school games, even middle school games that might be "worth the hassle". I'm sure that your varsity assigners, in two states, and your various college assigners would prefer for you to keep your calendar open. Even if you wanted to, would you have time to do any middle school games? I'm pretty sure that your high school and college schedule is already pretty full without any middle school games."

Bottom line.

Originally Posted by BillyMac

You don't need a reason. None of our business. I'm not asking. You offered.

[BillyMac]

Besides working a predominantly middle school schedule now due to my arthritis, because I'm needed due to my daytime availability, and because I enjoy it; I also coached middle school basketball for twenty-five years. We had a secure dressing room for officials with a shower (seldom used), had water available for officials at halftime, scoreboard with team fouls, cheerleaders, and started the games with a live performance (vocal or instrumental) of the National Anthem. Also enjoyed working in a Catholic middle school league on my off nights for about thirty years, even after I no longer needed the money or the experience. Taught in the middle school for thirty years, and had three children participate in middle school sports, at my school, one in basketball.

That's why I'm so passionate about middle school sports, specifically middle school basketball, especially middle school basketball in Connecticut.