Why We Don't Diss

bainsey · #1 (**permalink**) Wed Jan 12, 2011, 05:55pm

Last week, I had a middle school doubleheader, girls then boys.

A number of officials verbally dump on middle school assignments, particulary those with no Y chromosones. That can come back to bite you very easily.

On this day, these girls knew what they were doing on the floor. The play was solid, a little physical, but still well in control. I had nothing but praise for this assignment.

The next night, I helped out a friend who's contracted to run the jumbotron at the University of Maine ("Black Bear Vision"). Normally, he gets some college kids to run the floor cameras, but during semester break, I'll grab a camera and a headset. The headset is for communication among the booth and the three cameramen. Most of the verbage is instruction, but we also bust each others' chops. (Familiarity breeds contempt.)

The other cameramen typically aren't basketball fans, so there's some grumbling when the score isn't that high. (I call it good defense; they say I'm full of it.) When discussion turned to games I had recently worked, I sang praises for the middle school girls' game I served the day before.

It's a good thing I did, because little did I know, working in the booth was an assistant coach from that very game. I wasn't aware of it until I went into the booth that night, and there he was, wrapping up. We exchanged pleasanties, and talked about what's next for the season. The discussion was genuine, yet it hit me like a ton of bricks that I'm glad I didn't fall into the trap of speaking ill of what some consider to be a undesireable assignment.

Simply put, you never know who is listening, so try to keep it upbeat. If the game you work isn't up to a certain level, leave it with "those things happen." It's still basketball.

deecee · #2 (**permalink**) Wed Jan 12, 2011, 06:06pm

really? a post on this? you have the same chances as winning the lottery as what happened to you here. the games are what they are; slow, boring and at times painful.

Adam · #3 (**permalink**) Wed Jan 12, 2011, 06:23pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by deecee

really? a post on this? you have the same chances as winning the lottery as what happened to you here. the games are what they are; slow, boring and at times painful.

Maybe, but it's a good lesson for life, as well. You never know who's listening and paying attention; nor what affect that might have on your future. Ignore that fact at your own risk.

26 Year Gap · #4 (**permalink**) Wed Jan 12, 2011, 06:24pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

Maybe, but it's a good lesson for life, as well. You never know who's listening and paying attention; nor what affect that might have on your future. Ignore that fact at your own risk.

Dang. You circumvented the feature.

Adam · #5 (**permalink**) Wed Jan 12, 2011, 06:26pm

Ok, now that's funny.

BktBallRef · #6 (**permalink**) Wed Jan 12, 2011, 07:22pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by deecee

the games are what they are; slow, boring and at times painful.

Kinda like your posts on this forum.

deecee · #7 (**permalink**) Wed Jan 12, 2011, 07:30pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by BktBallRef

Kinda like your posts on this forum.

really. middle school games are fast, exciting and a blast to work? Very few are, but the fact are the games most of the times are an exercise in patience and leniency.

but whatever, i work a handful of these games a year and i dont mind them and i enjoy them, but the fact remains these games are what they are. no need to get butt hurt because i dont think these games are for the most part exciting.

BktBallRef · #8 (**permalink**) Wed Jan 12, 2011, 07:33pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by deecee

really. middle school games are fast, exciting and a blast to work? Very few are, but the fact are the games most of the times are an exercise in patience and leniency.

but whatever, i work a handful of these games a year and i dont mind them and i enjoy them, but the fact remains these games are what they are. no need to get butt hurt because i dont think these games are for the most part exciting.

Makes no difference to me. I was just saying the games remind me of your posts.

deecee · #9 (**permalink**) Wed Jan 12, 2011, 07:35pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by BktBallRef

Makes no difference to me. I was just saying the games remind me of your posts.

fair enough

Adam · #10 (**permalink**) Wed Jan 12, 2011, 07:33pm

Yep, and none of that addresses the OP, who simply stated it may be best not to express negative feelings about a particular game when you don't know your entire audience.

26 Year Gap · #11 (**permalink**) Thu Jan 13, 2011, 11:09am

Quote:

Originally Posted by BktBallRef

Kinda like your posts on this forum.

Es tu, BktBallRef?

mbyron · #12 (**permalink**) Thu Jan 13, 2011, 12:34pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by 26 Year Gap

Es tu, BktBallRef?

OK, I regret this already, but:

Et tu, BktBallRef?

26 Year Gap · #13 (**permalink**) Thu Jan 13, 2011, 05:01pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by mbyron

OK, I regret this already, but:

Et tu, BktBallRef?

Re-read the first part of the thread ending with snaq's response.

26 Year Gap · #14 (**permalink**) Wed Jan 12, 2011, 06:10pm

There is always something to work on in games that are ugly. Could be working on your counts. I did that last night--game wasn't ugly, but it wasn't close, either. My counts turned out to be pretty decent. Could be working the arc. Or FT administration. Or any number of things. The game IS important to the kids. And what better time to work on a weakness than a game whose outcome will not be in doubt within a few minutes?

truerookie · #15 (**permalink**) Wed Jan 12, 2011, 06:11pm

It amazes me that some people who post on here in reference to girls/womens sports are even involved with them. I'm just saying..