Sold down the road

[M&M Guy]

Originally Posted by Dan_ref

OK, so we can agree that while they are playing the game (assuming they show up) then at that particular time it's the most important thing to them. Or maybe they are thinking about their PS3 game during the 9:30 game.

Who knows.

Anyway, sounds like this myth has been busted.

Great show. Especially the episodes where something gets blown up.

Ignats75 and jcarter - you are correct, to a point. When we get out there for that Sat. morning 5th and 6th grade CYO game, there is still a level of professionalism that is expected. I will still run up and down the court. I will still call fouls and violations that fit that game. I will still put in the effort those kids deserve at that game. However, I will not be calling my partners 3 or 4 days in advance to verify time and location. I probably won't be checking the CYO website for updates on rules and procedures. During a TO, I may actually stand by the table and talk to the table crew about the weather.

Originally Posted by deecee

the lower the level and the less important the game the less i think about it after

I'm certainly not going to worry about what a coach in the CYO game tells me about my officiating. I will worry a little more about it after my HS game. I may worry even more when my college assignor tells me something negative. It's just the way it is. There really are "less important" games. If you are just starting out, this CYO game may be your most important game, as well as the kids'. Great; treat it as such. For some it's not. Again, that doesn't mean we give a half-a$$ effort while we're out there, but it does mean it really is treated differently.

[Dan_ref]

Originally Posted by M&M Guy

Great show. Especially the episodes where something gets blown up.

Isn't that a bit like saying I like porn movies, especially the porn movies where they have sex?

[Ignats75]

M&M,

I agree with you. I just don't like the attitude of blowing off the importance of the game. While I am on the court, its worth my total effort.

[Dan_ref]

Originally Posted by Ignats75

M&M,

I agree with you. I just don't like the attitude of blowing off the importance of the game. While I am on the court, its worth my total effort.

Then you agree with me (except for the myth part of course).

Welcome to the cynics club. Next week is your turn to bring the donuts and coffee to the meeting.

[M&M Guy]

Originally Posted by Dan_ref

Then you agree with me (except for the myth part of course).

Welcome to the cynics club. Next week is your turn to bring the donuts and coffee to the meeting.

Yep, I agree with Ignats75.

I may miss the meeting; could you e-mail me my donut?

[Ignats75]

Eat hearty. This ought to make it easier for you to work the baselines while I handle mid court.

[deecee]

is that krispy kreme

[M&M Guy]

Originally Posted by Ignats75

Eat hearty. This ought to make it easier for you to work the baselines while I handle mid court.

Geesh, if I eat all those, I'll be staying at that one baseline, while you handle the rest of the court.

Although, if it's a Sat. morning CYO game, I suppose I can do that...

[Rich]

Originally Posted by Dan_ref

Then you agree with me (except for the myth part of course).

Welcome to the cynics club. Next week is your turn to bring the donuts and coffee to the meeting.

I never said it's not worth my total effort. When I worked kids rec ball, I gave it that, running up and down the court for as many games as I was scheduled. But the atmosphere was a lot looser and I made sure I didn't take anything or anyone too seriously. Most of the idiots that work rec ball that loaf and walk and don't work hard either don't know any better or simply don't care.

Now, do I stand at attention on the blocks during timeouts? Do I insist we long switch on EVERY foul? No.

My decision to stop working that ball had nothing to do with me thinking the games weren't worth my total effort. They just weren't worth my time anymore. I have a full time job where I travel out of town about 50%. I have a 2-year-old daughter who likes having daddy home and asks me every day if daddy's going to "play basketball"? And tonight's my fourth varsity game since Monday, so I'm sure the question's coming soon....

I work 40 basketball dates a year, give or take a few. I also work 100+ baseball games and 30+ football dates a calendar year, too. I stopped "loving" getting up early on a Saturday morning and working 4 games a long, long time ago. So now I don't.

[M&M Guy]

Originally Posted by Dan_ref

Isn't that a bit like saying I like porn movies, especially the porn movies where they have sex?