Recently at the end of our youth league during the awards ceremony I had one of those experiences that was good enough to erase a lot of the bad. I was sitting in front of the scorers table, while the trophies were being handed out on the endline at the far end of the gym. When the
11-12 girls champions were announced the first player in line stopped in front of me with her hand out. I thought for a second that she thought I had her trophy, but I quickly realized the truth. They were all lined up to give me a high five. Their coach, one of the really good guys and a good friend of mine, told me that this was their idea, not his. (but he did approve) This answers the question for me: "Why do we take all this junk?" As long as I am able and get this kind of response from the majority of the kids, I'll be there.:)

A few years ago I worked a Little League Softball State championship, and the Runners-up lined up to give me a hug. ;)

Called a varsity game at a private school. Fans did the usual complaining. After the game, one of the players for the losing team came up and shook our hands. He said "Thanks for calling our game. You guys have to put up with a lot of stuff, but I appreciate what you do." That was better than the paycheck...I cashed the check, but the kids/players are why I get on the court.

The "good" ones out number the "bad" ones...the "bad" one just make the most noise and get the most attention.

Hi:

I had just finished a nightmare girls middle school game
(court too small, gym too small, clueless players and coaches, etc...). It was a "get in and get out" event for the refs. While standing on the sideline watching the boys warm up (I was dreading these big boys on this tiny floor), a father came up to me and said, "Thank you for being here."

It was just enough for me to know that someone appreciated our efforts, and he realized the difficult circumstances we were officiating under.

YU.P. Sometimes it sure is nice to get a little pat on the head. ;)
Welcome to the forum.
mick

Just what we need! Another official from Massachusetts. Probably a BoSox fan,too. Be prepared!

Do you know Chuck Elias? He lives under a bridge just outside of Bah-ston.

Just kidding(except for the BoSox part).Welcome to the forum.

Yeah, but you should see the burned-out van that I live in! It's a chick-magnet. Sweet.

Chuck

You wanna talk about people from up north you should live where I was raised......Maine!!!!! I got outta there as fast as I could, thats for sure

Ah, diversity. We start a thread about mushy, heart-warming
moments of which there are so few, and we wind up with zings
abouts trolls looking for chicks. Such makes life interesting.

Well, have to admit I am a big BoSox fan, probably setting myself up for a gutwrenching September (again). I went to high school and college in Maine, but was able to escape by marriage. I'll stay in Bah-ston, thank you very much. Except for my children having this dreaded accent, I love it here. Just a heads-up: I am a female basketball ref (6 yrs) and baseball umpire (8 yrs), but I know my stuff (or try to). Thanks for the welcome.

I can say:
Watahville
Colby College Bayahaz
Lobstah.

Yeah, like the Boston accent is killin' you. :)

Mick:

I ended up in Maine (retired Navy brat) as a high school student.
I don't have THAT dreaded accent, either. But, you did a great imitation of it!

On Second thought
 

It's the Maine Bears and not CC. :rolleyes:

Dang! Kicked another one.

Well, have to admit I am a big BoSox fan[/B][/QUOTE]We'll be gentle.

Yo,Slappy! Fresh meat!

Heeheeheehee.....

Yes Mick, but you sounded good doing it - and we all know it's all about presence here!!

Re: On Second thought
 

Actually, it's Maine Black Bears, and Colby White Mules
(imagine that; they play against Camels and Monks).
At least they don't call the women Lady Black Bears and Lady White Mules. That's what all the high schools do around here: Lady Lancers, Lady Rams, Lady Harbormen (oops, I think it's Harborwomen).

Welcome to the board from a die-hard Yankee fan. Chuck can really use some help. Come to think of it, the Bosux can use some help. :D

Welcome to the board from a die-hard Yankee fan. Chuck can really use some help. Come to think of it, the Bosux can use some help. :D
[/QUOTE]

Well, I'll do my best to help Chuck, and the BoSox. I don't hate NY. In fact, I am heading there Tuesday for 3 Broadway shows (must be a girl thing).

Re: Re: On Second thought
 

Camels??!? Monks?!?!? Wow, that makes a cheerleader's life difficult!! But I guess it;s not any worse than the Cheesemakers, nor the Papermakers, both of which we have around here. "Gimme a C!! Gimme an H!! Gimme an E!! Gimme another E!! Gimme an S!! Gimme yet another E!!...
Sheez! Forget it the game's over..."

Oh, and welcome to the board from one woman to another.

While we're on the subject of team nicknames (one of my favorites is the Cobden, Illinois Appleknockers), the best sign I ever saw was on a televised game between UCLA and USC. Someone in the UCLA student section was holding a sign that said, "Flush Used Trojans".

Favorite Sign!
 

In the early 90s the Portland TrailBlazers had a player named Kevin Duckworth #00. I seen in a game a poster that had, Whats a Duck Worth. Answer 00.

Went to a Rice-LSU football game years ago. On the sidelines, in front of the student section, two frat pledges spent the entire first half on their knees, alternately bowing down to the ground. One had a poster that read LSU. The second had a poster that read CKS. The fans went nuts when they bowed down and raised up together.

Parental Guidance is Suggested before reading this post:

A few years ago when I was visiting South Carolina, I saw a shirt backing the University of South Carolina (The Gamecocks) that read: You can't lick our Cocks!

We have a CC team here called the Chockers..........Logging town in case you couldn't figure it out.

Re: On Second thought
 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by mick
[B]
Where in Maine Mick? I ended up there too due to the Navy..

Re: Re: On Second thought
 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by bludevil1221
[B]nine01c wrote her greeting like it was my salutation. (Note the colon.)
For me, I've only visited between Waterville, and once made it to Brunswick for lobster.
Oh, yeah and some place up in the woods where the black flies were thicker than ants on an anthill!
...Really big rocks on a really big lake there in Brunswick!
mick

Nineo1c, where in Maine are you from? I ended up there as well...