My Partner Quit

[Marty Rogers]

(First game went fine. Second game was hotly contested, one coach in particular howling low-level throughout. Major controversy, however, involving time on the clock in the closing seconds. Partner wants to totally control the sitch, doesn't wany any help from me. OK, fine. Lots of yelling by both coaches and many fans; partner partially loses control.

Game ends, partner stuffs his game shoes in his gym bag, and loudly announces "I've had enough of this s***, I'm outta here," verbally abuses the timekeeper and me in front of both teams, and leaves in a huff. Also verbally tangles with a fan on the way out.)


JAdams: I had a similar game a few years ago (8th grade
boys' travel) where my partner, a vereran ref, got ticked off early in the game, and from then on in it was miserble. He ended up standing on the sidelines arguing with fans during throw-ins. He tossed his whistle at a
coach and told HIM to ref if he's so good. Basically, he
"lost it." The whole situation was akward, embarassing, and I wanted to crawl into a hole. I didn't have to call the assignor because he called ME.

In your game, it sounds like the other ref was just plain stubborn (not wanting your input on fixing time). The coach who was razzing him the whole game got to him, along with the fans. If it was that bad, there should have been T's and ejections, and perhaps fan removal BEFORE it ever got to the point of exasperation. He wasn't working with you as a partner, but wanted to be a one man show. Thus, he went down alone. Sorry, but I don't cut a ref any slack
for poor game management, regardless if he had a bad day, or if someone insulted him.

In my area, AAU is good ball, and it pays good $$$.