Fine. If you hear something, then call the T. But don't bait the kid into it by asking, "Did you say something?"

By asking him I'm trying to avoid the T. If he tells me what he said, I'll just talk to him and he'll avoid the T. That's the whole trying to teach part. If he lies to me and gets whacked, whatever he said deserved it in the first place and now he lied.

Okay partner. Whatever you say.

Junker:

Were you playing at Aspen?

I've heard many stories about that place........

Junker
 

I'd love to help ref your league. Send me a personal message if you are interested.

I didn't expect this to be such a hot topic. I don't think the guy was really baiting me, he is just an inexperienced lower level guy that doesn't manage the game well. I'm biting the bullet and paying my fine today. I figure (as Adam will probably verify) that I've probably thown a T or 2...or 3...or 4 that weren't warrented in lower level and weekend games. The guy was right not to put up with any crap, but if he didn't hear it, how did he know I was giving him crap? We're still in good shape as far as getting a good playoff seeding. I'll just channel my frustration into playing harder.

Ha, funny this would be a topic, as I ran into this situation as a ref.

Mens Rec league, competitive game, under a minute to go. I'm T near the sideline, working w/ a true 'rec league' official. Ball goes out on my sideline below FT line extended, off of A1. As I blow my whistle and signal for posession for B, my 'partner' comes in blowing his whistle. I know my expression says 'WTF?!?!?!':eek: :confused: , but I wait for him to finish signaling the same thing. A2 proceeds to start hollering at my partner, WHACK!! Two shots and the ball. What was a one point barn burner turns into a five point contest (B made fts, then got a layup) and my 'partner' almost got choked. I was able to get him out of harms way (sent him to admin the tech fts), then pulled him to the side to offer suggestions after the game (stay out of the way if it isn't your call, then you won't be put in this situation). Even offered after we were done to pay for him to go to a camp to learn the correct way to ref. Never took me up on it.

Oh well.:rolleyes:

Are you sure he wasn't just trying to keep from working overtime?

LOL!!!!

No, trust me, he had no clue. All I have to say is "Ball-hawking while standing under the basket."

:D

Not implying that this applies to your league, but I have seen plenty of men's league and church leagues where the officials are only "rec" officials who have no desire to get better or officiate at a higher level. They are there because they want the money and they probably like basketball. They are different from us though who are "real" officials. We have to understand that their goals are different. They do not want to move up the officiating ranks and they probably view the game much more as a player than an official.
That being said: these guys deserve respect from players because in that particular league, they are the officials. These guys who only work men's leagues have to put up with a lot of disrespect from grown men who when they get on the court act like little kids at times and if they need a technical to quiet them down, I have no problem with the ref doing as he sees fit. Too many men's leagues down here in Texas turn ugly and that is why I will not referee them anymore unless I personally know the guys who are playing and even then, I may decline the offer.