Of course I would, and be proud of it. I'm sure I've actually said things that were much more sarcastic. Like the time some fat guy got in my face after a game and I told him he'd better leave soon or the truck scales would be closed on his way home. In fact, I've said the following quite a few times to people who make comments after games - "I have just one question for you. Who let you out?"

Don't ya know...
 

A$$holes Anonymous Union

There are some who would be stunned, STUNNED that an official would ever say something like this.

It's recreational basketball. I'd rather ask why the idiots in the stands feel like they should get a free shot. Personally, I think more people in this situation need to be told to "go f$ck themselves" and then get ejected from the premises.

I have to agree with Rich. I do not feel that we need to take whatever punishment that is given to us and walk away. I would even say that if it was a high school or higher game.

I remember several years ago I was at the Big Ten Tournament and an Iowa fan decided to say something to one of the officials like "you suck." And that official came right back to that fan and said, "You have no right to talk to me that way." My seats were right next to the tunnel and I heard the entire conversation. The fan was stunned that the official said something back to him and he looked embarrassed. Not to say that is always the best move, but I feel that we should not make people feel as if what they say is acceptable.

Peace

Doing the U19 provincial championships a few weeks ago, and one coach, who made it be known to me that he also officiates, kept asking for a conditional timeout. (These are FIBA rules, which rules' state that coaches request a TO to the scorer's table, and when a TO opportunity exists, the table will grant it. TO requests can also be rescinded, if done in time.) However, a coach cannot say, "I want a timeout if they score." There are no conditional requests: a coach either wants a timeout or he does not.

So this coach, obviously coaching at a high level, and with FIBA officiating experience, is dictating conditional timeouts to the table. :confused:

Like most tournaments here, the table is made of up less-than-knowledgeable teenagers.

So I called him on it. :D "Coach, why would you do that?" (pause) "You know that there are no conditional timeouts in FIBA. You also know that tables handling timeouts is not the easiest task. Why would you do that?"

The look on his face was priceless. The blank stare, open mouth and lack of words told the story quite well. :cool:

I have and I would do it again. A spectator asked me if I had tried to get the game over quick because I had a date that night. I told him I did and it was with his wife. Just because we are sports officials doesn't mean that we have to just stand there and take verbal shots from some idiot without saying anything back.

It's too bad we encounter these jerks. At least we know we will not act that way. I don't have kids but for those who do we know how to treat officials when we see them even if they aren't doing the best job. All these parents that come off an run their mouth, wouldn't last out there, or be able to take the verbal abuse that we encounter durning and after the game.

Good one. Next time say "mom" instead of "wife", and then "you'd better just leave, too. You don't want to be late for your date - with your BOYFRIEND!" :p

Not that there's anything wrong with that - except now in California. :rolleyes:

I once had a parent comment after a game (really loud to his wife, but directed at me) that the "little blonde point guard on the team must be the referee's daughter with all the calls she got", while walking out of the gym.

The little girl heard what the disgruntled parent said and walked over, tapped me on the shoulder and asked, "What time do I have to be home tonight, Daddy?" !

The parent looked dumbfounded!

My Personal Best...
 

...to the loud-mouthed dad who was riding my partner and I. The first time there was a dead ball in front of him, I suggested he buy himself a hockey stick. When he looked confused, I told him he would make a heckuva hockey dad (in Alberta, that's an insult). Later, when he was still behaving boorishly, I mimed a wrist shot in his direction. He left immediately.