First game the other night...two bad girls' teams. First quarter, home coach is yelling for travel almost every time opposing team gets the ball! Next thing my partner and I realize, the whole home crowd starts yelling for travel every single time something looks remotely funny when the opposing team has possession of the ball.

First quarter ends with me right in front of the home coach. I immediately tell him, "Coach, it's only the first quarter and I'm already tired of hearing your plea for travel!" Coach says, "Well, that's just my style of coaching...that's the way I coach." I say, "Ok, well you coach and let me referee...alright?"

It got a little better, but I'm glad the first one is over...

I love this advocation!

What exactly were you advocating? ;)

...and the coach sez "Well when are you gonna start refereeing???!!!"

:)

(Thanks for the story, sounds like you had some fun!)

To which I would have said, "As soon as you start coaching!"

...and he says this and you say that and before you know it you're not the adult, you're one of the kids.

Doesn't make sense to me, maybe you're just better at handling these things.

It all depends on the tone of the conversation. If the coach is all pi$$ed off when he says it, then I probably don't make that additional remark the way I say it above. I probably say something like "Coach, just worry about your team" and walk away. Whatever the case, I do NOT escalate the situation!

You're a lawyer? :p

That's a great point and is exactly what I was getting at.

Before getting clever we have to read the situation, know the "audience" and be sure we're not inviting more trouble.