Best and worst?

[Mark Padgett]

Just thought, that since we're in the "off season", we might find some interest in sharing the "best" and the "worst" things we've observed in games.

Both of mine happened in our local kids rec league. The best was when a team kept "feeding" a kid (5th grade) the ball to try to get him to score. It was their last game of the season and the kid had not scored all year. The kid had some medical problems (mentally challenged) but was really enjoying the season even though he hadn't scored. The other team knew what was going on since some of their players were classmates of his, so they let him shoot layups. About midway through the second quarter, he scored. Both teams went wild, slapping his hand, etc. All the parents in the gym got up and applauded. My partner and I stopped the game to shake his hand. He was so happy, he actually started crying. He scored two more baskets in the game and afterwards, he said he'd never forget that day.

The worst was when a coach called a kid to come out of the game and when the kid got to the bench (I think this was 6th grade but I'm not positive), the coach yelled at him and then slapped him across the face! I wasn't working the game but was in the stands as a Board member. Obviously, I ran down to the court and one of the officials had already told the guy to leave. The guy's "excuse" was that it was his son and he "had a right to do that". I told him the kid was a player in our program and no one could do that to a player - period. I then told him if he didn't leave I would call the police and have him arrested for trespassing (which is a law in this state). The kid's mom was in the gym, so I knew we weren't leaving the kid alone. The Board met a few days later and banned the guy from coaching for life.

OK - your turn.

[tomegun]

In April I officiated a team and when the coach got upset with what his team was doing he would tell them to throw the ball out of bounds. He probably did it five times during the game I had them and I saw him do it on a different court in another game. His team had the ball, going up the court, and he told them to purposely turn the ball over and get back on defense. I don't really know what that teaches them, but I wouldn't want my kid on that team.

[roscoe]

Originally Posted by Mark Padgett

The Board met a few days later and banned the guy from coaching for life.

OK - your turn.

So when you said the board met and banned him for life from coaching basketball. What board are you referring too? Basketball league board or basketball officials board?

[Mark Padgett]

Originally Posted by roscoe

So when you said the board met and banned him for life from coaching basketball. What board are you referring too? Basketball league board or basketball officials board?

I am referring to the Board of Directors for the league, of which I am a long time member.

[roscoe]

Roger that

[SmokeEater]

Originally Posted by roscoe

Roger that

No it's Mark!

[Bad Zebra]

Worse: Boys 9U AAU national tournament game. Coach subs out a player, gets 6 inches from the kid's ear and starts SCREAMING at him. I'm at the table checking something as this is happening. I mention to the scorer "I'm glad my son doesn't play for that guy". Scorer, at some point repeats my comment to said coach who, in turn, seeks me out in the parking lot to convey his displeasure about my comment. Site admin confronts him and asks him to leave. Refuses...cops...yadda yadda...cited for trespassing, banned from remainder of tournament. Gotta love AAU.