Had good comeback yesterday....

[Coltdoggs]

8th grade game yesterday...one team was just flat out better....

Dad of kid on the less talented team in stands: "Oh, come on ref, didn't you hear the slap!?"

I ingnored it during the game....

At halftime, I went to get a bananna from the concession stand, I stopped at the bleacher where he was at and put my arm on his shoulder and said to him...

"Hey, I wanted to respond to your question about midway through the first half but I couldn't stop the game so I thought I'd stop by now..."

He laughed and said "Whatcha got...Is this about my slap comment..."

Me: "Yeah...I was just wondering if I was supposed to officiate the game with just my ears?"

He cracked up laughing and said we were actually doing a good job.....

[Mark Padgett]

Originally Posted by Coltdoggs

At halftime, I went to get a bananna from the concession stand, I stopped at the bleacher where he was at and put my arm on his shoulder

Insert Larry Craig joke here.

[rainmaker]

Originally Posted by Mark Padgett

Insert Larry Craig joke here.

NO, don't.

[tomegun]

Coltdoggs,

Your growth as an official will be stunted if you continue to listen to fans. Furthermore, I would never suggest doing what you did. No matter how much you may think a problem will never occur, one parent in the wrong frame of mind could back you into a "corner" and you could very well end up with egg on your face. IMO, there are just too many bad things that could happen.

[Coltdoggs]

Originally Posted by tomegun

Coltdoggs,

Your growth as an official will be stunted if you continue to listen to fans. Furthermore, I would never suggest doing what you did. No matter how much you may think a problem will never occur, one parent in the wrong frame of mind could back you into a "corner" and you could very well end up with egg on your face. IMO, there are just too many bad things that could happen.

I hear you tome and I agree on some points...

First, I've been officiating 7 years, so I'm past the point of listening and really caring what fans say...I've developed my thick skin to those who feel they are "getting to me" or being malicious (living through their kids).... I tend to hear them but don't listen to them other than for my own entertainment factor...

In this particular case...The rec/travel league I work in each weekend...I see the same 8-10 teams every week of each "season" (they run 10 week seasons year round)...and I see the same parents on a weekly basis as well...If I felt the guy was malicious in his comments, I would not have said anything and I do let most of it go and not say anything...He had some other light hearted comments and I've seen the guy before....

Having said all that...again, I hear you loud and clear and I appreciate any feedback from other officials...so Thanks....

[tomegun]

I think we should develop a growth chart for officials. The progression from:

1. Not calling anything and not hearing anything
2. Calling everything
3. Calling less and hearing everything - letting it affect you
4. Calling more quality calls and passing on some calls
5. Having somewhat total control over your actions, hearing everything and responding to nothing but questions from head coaches.

[Nevadaref]

Colt,
You should have simply presented the howler monkey with the banana.



A pic of a real howler monkey from Costa Rica.

BTW this pic may actually rival that squirrel!

[M&M Guy]

I'd howl too if I kept banging mine into tree branches all day long.