Shut Up!!

[archangel]

Originally Posted by rainmaker

B) The best way to handle the table is to remind the folks there before the game that they are now officials and may not comment on the calling of the game. If you say this before the game, then if there's any "opinion", you can remind the table person quickly, without having to explain.

I read this post yesterday, thinking that mentioning pregame to the table crew about what they cant do was similar to telling coaches before the game what they cant do (of course a bad idea w/coaches), plus never having heard a problem from the table in my short BB career.....until last night.

Visiting girls frosh losing by 15 with 4 minutes to play, I'm trail tableside waiting for partner to administer inbound when visiting scorekeeper "dad" starts commenting about us- loud enough for fans around him to hear. I whistle to inform pard, walk toward table while looking at scorekeeper. He starts to stand up after seeing my face, saying "I'm out of here"(kinda funny), but sits back down as Im right in front of the table, telling him about table personnel being part of the officiating crew, no comments to be made like that, so stay quiet (putting 1 finger up to my mouth)-all in a voice that most fans heard, (not loud, but stern) due to the quiet nonaction, in a gym with maybe 60 parents.

I embarrassed him and I dont regret it. Either he learned the lesson or is one of those that just doesnt get it. As an newer official, I'm learning from my mistakes (that embarrass me), and figure I wont do those again as the lesson is now ingrained.