New use for "Call It Both Ways"

[Mark Padgett]

Boys V rec - maybe that's your answer right there. Middle of Q3. A1 and B1 have been bumping in the post all night and some fouls have been called. All of a sudden, B1 punches A1 right in the mouth and knocks him down to the floor (actually, that's pretty impressive if you think about it). My partner, who is lead, jumps right in a keeps them separated. I run over (about the only time all night I actually ran) to help prevent any further action.

B1 is ejected for the flagrant and my partner goes over to report it. Before he can finish, coach A yells the following at him, "Why didn't you let my player have a chance to retaliate? That's only fair. You've got to call it both ways. (italics mine for emphasis)

At first, we both thought he was kidding because if it was a joke, it was pretty funny. But he wasn't. Here's my partner's response. "Coach, advocating violence here can certainly be construed as flagrant unsportsmanlike conduct which would carry an ejection and suspension. I'm going to give you the benefit of the doubt this time and assume you just weren't thinking straight. I trust you will not say another word on this subject."

That statement really floored me! I never knew my partner could properly use the word "construed". He must have stayed at a Holiday Inn Express the night before.