Another Wreck Mess......

[grunewar]

I’m a long-time coach and a senior ref in this Rec League. Most people know me. Last night is my son’s last B13/15 game of season. I am on the bench as Asst Coach.

Game-time and opponent only has four players. Two of their better players are not there. We are missing one of our better players, but still have seven. The game doesn't start on time. Five minutes later, another player for them shows up. Game on.

Game begins and is competitive the first five minutes. It is obvious (to me) the Reffs are not calling fouls. We begin to pull away by 10 or twelve as they are outmanned. One of the better players for them arrives late and immediately goes in and provides his team a spark. We maintain our double-digit lead.

Here's where it gets a bit testy. An older teenager from the B16/18 league is there with a few of his friends. At one point, he convinces the other coaches to play him. You're kidding right? A non-rostered, All-Star player, from the 16/18 yr old league is now on the floor?! Against 13/15 yr olds?! As Asst coach I come out of my chair, onto the court during the dead ball and tell the ref there is NO WAY he is playing!

The refs would have let it go – and the one adult knew better but is too buddy, buddy always wanting to get along.

The teen, now comes off the court and is very demonstrative. Calling me names, talking under his breath, arguing, (Why can't I play? Game is out of control. Coach doesn't care. You're not the Head Coach. You're son plays HS ball. I never played HS ball. etc) taking off his shirt, yap, yap, yapping. I ignore him. Now he starts muttering things about my son under his breath, yap, yap, yap. I ignore him.

At one point he even tried to convince the other coaches (who are teenagers by the way) to have their players throw him the ball while he's out of bounds, a non-player, on the bench so he can take a shot. A mockery.

At another point, one of his buds wants to play (C'mon man it's a fun league. No championships. Who cares who wins?) I tell HIM he can't either. Etc. etc. It's not about you, it's about the league. It's about parents paying money for their kids to play on a team.

I admit, I have a history with this one teen. I have T'd him before. He argues with me all the time. He doesn't like me and I don't care. He doesn't know the rules and doesn't listen when I talk to him. That's all ok too. But, he can't just walk on the court and play. What if he hurt somebody? What if he got hurt? Then what?

The Officials lacked the seasoning and game management skills needed to manage this game. The coaches were nice kids, but not mature enough to tell the teens to go away.

The Officials needed to take charge and didn't. Neither team reached the bonus in either half! Meaning, neither team was whistled for more than six fouls! In a 13-15 yr old game? You must be kidding right? It was a hack fest.

Personally, if I were the Ref, I would have asked the teen to leave the bench where he and his buds were the entire game. If he didn't leave I would have sought the coaches help. If they didn't assist, I would have either declared a forfeit or maybe called the police to clear him out. Silly to let it go on.

Maybe I saw it through jaundiced eyes. Maybe those kids consider me an a$$. I don't care. This is my recollection as an adult, an experienced ref, and seasoned coach.

PS - I sent a note to the league.
PSS – I almost feel like Padgett telling a story like this…….sheesh!