Good Lord...NEVER again...This time I mean it!

[Coltdoggs]

I've stated before that I mainly ref middle school competitive leagues/AAU stuff and a local youth rec program that I am on the Board of Directors for, with the occassional Freshman/JV aged game at a local hoops facility where I live.

I swore 7 years ago when I started reffing that I'd NEVER take a men's rec league cause I used to play in one and I know how much of an A$$ the players can be...especially the 21-25 age group...

Well, I got that call tonite...my scheduler at the facility was in a jam and knows I live about 10 minutes away ....Afterall, it was only 2 games and the extra $ next week will help with the holiday expenses (plus my wife was recently downsized out of her job)...so I agreed!

WHY WHY WHY?

First game was and older group of guys probably about my age 35-40 playing for the fun and exercise...a few questions about some calls and no calls but all in all pretty respectful...

Second game was that 21-25 group I mentioned earlier...20 minute running halves.....about 10 minutes in the jawing started...3 minutes later the F-bombs and pushing each other happened between 4 guys...Partner blew the game dead and told them it was a forefit and that we were not dealing with this...so we walked off the court...

Went to the scheduler...both "team captains" came over...they talked with scheduler, he asked us if we would continue if they cleaned up the BS....we agreed....Before we put the ball in play, I took the two "captains" at HC and told them they were here to play ball and if they wanted to fight I would let them leave the game early to do so...told them we didn't want to hear ANY more trash talking and if we did it would result in immediate ejection....First half finished with one player getting tossed with about 3 minutes left for yelling at my partner "Are you going to call a F-ing foul?"...He sure did...

Rest of game was played pretty clean....but...

Never again...never again...