First games of the season

[legend]

Originally Posted by Scrapper1

While I agree that you should give your best effort regardless of level of play, I think that Billy's statement above is not really true, especially at levels below high school.

Young kids can be more excited about going home and playing Nintendo than about their basketball game. Clueless parents who are coaching just to help out are more interested in the Pats game at 1:00 (or the Celtics that night) than their early morning basketball game.

Please understand that I'm NOT saying the games don't matter or that it's ok to be lazy in those games. I'm not saying that. I'm just saying Billy's sentiment, while admirable, is probably a little over-dramatic.

Maybe you don't understand what goes into coaching kids at any level. While some of the guys or "clueless parents" as you call them, may not be deciples of the game. They still put A TON of time in with the kids, between working full time jobs, daily 2-2 1/2 hour practices, and games they sacrafice alot of family time to be there for those kids. Are there some kids who really don't want to be there...sure but look at the typical 15 kids on a team, you will have atleast 10-12 kids who REALLY do think that (at that moment) that game is the most important thing to them. Atleast thats my experience in my area with youth leagues, weather its hoops, football or baseball they (the kids) care.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by legend

Are there some kids who really don't want to be there?

Of course. Those are the ones who are picking dandelions in the outfield. Wait? I'm being told that that's the wrong sport. Nevermind..

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by legend

Maybe you don't understand what goes into coaching kids at any level. While some of the guys or "clueless parents" as you call them, may not be deciples of the game. They still put A TON of time in with the kids, between working full time jobs, daily 2-2 1/2 hour practices, and games they sacrafice alot of family time to be there for those kids. Are there some kids who really don't want to be there...sure but look at the typical 15 kids on a team, you will have atleast 10-12 kids who REALLY do think that (at that moment) that game is the most important thing to them. Atleast thats my experience in my area with youth leagues, weather its hoops, football or baseball they (the kids) care.

If you want people to take everything the same, then pay the same, start the game at the same time and use the same number of officials for each game at every level. Until that happens, then you will get officials that will take the same approach.

And is is obvious that kids that play at the freshman level all would play when they get to the varsity ages.

Peace

[Rich]

Originally Posted by legend

Maybe you don't understand what goes into coaching kids at any level. While some of the guys or "clueless parents" as you call them, may not be deciples of the game. They still put A TON of time in with the kids, between working full time jobs, daily 2-2 1/2 hour practices, and games they sacrafice alot of family time to be there for those kids. Are there some kids who really don't want to be there...sure but look at the typical 15 kids on a team, you will have atleast 10-12 kids who REALLY do think that (at that moment) that game is the most important thing to them. Atleast thats my experience in my area with youth leagues, weather its hoops, football or baseball they (the kids) care.

I know some will find this blasphemous, but what the heck: Expecting officials to come in and treat youth basketball with the same gravitas as a varsity or college game at $20 to $25 a game is a bit much, IMO.

Normally I do two or three of these things a year and I usually work 4 games or so in a stretch. To me, it's work for a paycheck. I hustle and work hard (although we may not switch 75% of the time) but I don't spend a lot of time being philosophical -- I know what I am that weekend -- a $100 guy in a striped shirt who will take exactly no crap per game from coaches and players.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by Moosie74

Less than a week for me to start my 2nd season. I expected another season of middle school ball, which is fine with me. Must have impressed someone along the way, got the first months schedule the other day, 8 JV games, 4 middle school games.

Not much for most people here I know but its something for me.

We all started somewhere. I remember what my first season was like as if it was yesterday.

Peace

[legend]

Originally Posted by Moosie74

Less than a week for me to start my 2nd season. I expected another season of middle school ball, which is fine with me. Must have impressed someone along the way, got the first months schedule the other day, 8 JV games, 4 middle school games.

Not much for most people here I know but its something for me.

I always take pride in the game i'm doing weather it's a jr hi game or a packed friday night varsity rivalry game. Some guys lose the focus that to those j.v. or jr hi kids...That game IS their varsity game, its the most important thing to them and to their coach at that time. Congrats on the assignments, keep working hard and give those kids the game they deserve!

[Welpe]

Now that football has wound down and we're about into December, I'm feeling the itch a little bit to get back on the court. The one thing I really don't like about working football and basketball overlapping like they do here is that I'm plumb worn out by the end of football season and don't build any enthusiasm for basketball until about now.

[Stat-Man]

Originally Posted by Moosie74

Less than a week for me to start my 2nd season. I expected another season of middle school ball, which is fine with me. Must have impressed someone along the way, got the first months schedule the other day, 8 JV games, 4 middle school games.

Not much for most people here I know but its something for me.

I got my first three assigned games over the weekend: a Freshman/JV boys doubleheader and a JV boys game. Won't be for a while, though.

Should be interesting.

[bainsey]

I admit I've been a little jealous of those who have started sooner than we do here.

And then, I got my schedule: Three games next week, six the following week, and six more the week after.

[Moosie74]

Originally Posted by bainsey

I admit I've been a little jealous of those who have started sooner than we do here.

And then, I got my schedule: Three games next week, six the following week, and six more the week after.

I agree, seems like we start everything late here in Maine and then it all piles up at once....including the snow.

I have 5 games next week and 4 the following week. Between our Sunday board clinic and 4 Red Claws games (game day staff) I will be spending an awful lot of time around the game.

[SCalScoreKeeper]

just started my seventh year as a scorekeeper.still love that every game presents its own challenge from back there.I love the officials that say the game in front of them is the most important.Its the attitude I take when I scorekeep volleyball or basketball or call lines.Let's all have some fun this year

[stir22]

Originally Posted by Moosie74

Less than a week for me to start my 2nd season. I expected another season of middle school ball, which is fine with me. Must have impressed someone along the way, got the first months schedule the other day, 8 JV games, 4 middle school games.

Not much for most people here I know but its something for me.

NEVER sell yourself short. Be proud, be very proud. Everyone on this board will offer you only kudos and congrats.

Seriously- there are enough yahoos in the stands and uninformed coaches who WILL sell you short.

[Forksref]

Originally Posted by Moosie74

Less than a week for me to start my 2nd season. I expected another season of middle school ball, which is fine with me. Must have impressed someone along the way, got the first months schedule the other day, 8 JV games, 4 middle school games.

Not much for most people here I know but its something for me.

Congrats! Work to get even better.

And it IS much for the kids and coaches in those games.