Sit in stands and listen

[mplagrow]

The last time I sat in the stands at a high school basketball game I was shocked at the kind of talk I heard. The home team had a little 'sportsmanship is important and we'll be good sports' note in the program, but somehow their fans didn't strike me as the reading type.

[bainsey]

My son's team (19-0) is likely to go deep in our state's Class A tournament. And yes, I find it hard sometimes to sit with my fellow townies.

One play had our power forward go in for an easy layup, only to be hauled down from behind. The lead had the easy "X", while a mother behind me screamed, "THAT'S A TECHNICAL!!!"

Maybe I haven't been doing this long enough to be jaded, or maybe I just don't like to let teachable moments pass, but since we had already broken the ice earlier, there I was, succintly explaining the difference between technical and intentional. Ultimately, I don't believe we should complain about fans too much, if we don't address the ignorance ourselves, when those situations arise.

Oh, our team won this regional quarterfinal game by 43. Why anyone is screaming at all under those circumstances is beyond me.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by bainsey

My son's team (19-0) is likely to go deep in our state's Class A tournament. And yes, I find it hard sometimes to sit with my fellow townies.

One play had our power forward go in for an easy layup, only to be hauled down from behind. The lead had the easy "X", while a mother behind me screamed, "THAT'S A TECHNICAL!!!"

Maybe I haven't been doing this long enough to be jaded, or maybe I just don't like to let teachable moments pass, but since we had already broken the ice earlier, there I was, succintly explaining the difference between technical and intentional. Ultimately, I don't believe we should complain about fans too much, if we don't address the ignorance ourselves, when those situations arise.

Oh, our team won this regional quarterfinal game by 43. Why anyone is screaming at all under those circumstances is beyond me.

I will not approach strangers in the stands and offer them rules clarifications. If you know this lady (even in passing), then have at it. I will, however, refrain from offering advice and clarification when it isn't requested.

Instead, I will simply laugh at their ignorance. I've experienced enough intentionally blind idiocy, I no longer bother.

[grunewar]

Originally Posted by mplagrow

The home team had a little 'sportsmanship is important and we'll be good sports' note in the program, but somehow their fans didn't strike me as the reading type.

Our Announcers read the sportsmanship reminder before every game......and then, it is subsequently ignored the first time a call doesn't go their way......

[ref3808]

I've gone to local games as a fan and many in the area know that I'm an official. Occasionally a parent asks a reasonable question about a rule and many times they are more familiar with NCAA (hey, the clock should stop late in the game on a made basket right) or the NBA/E and that is the source of their misunderstanding.

Most of the time I sit and enjoy the game although any official tends to watch those working the game to see what they do well/not so well.

Offering clarification to other parents is mostly a losing proposition. With few exceptions they really enjoy their ignorance and who am I to let reality and fact interfere with their perception.

[mj]

Being a parent of a player and also a ref is not easy. I don't know what happens to people during basketball games that makes them act the way they do. Good people that you're friends with turn into complete idiots.

[#olderthanilook]

Originally Posted by mj

Being a parent of a player and also a ref is not easy. I don't know what happens to people during basketball games that makes them act the way they do. Good people that you're friends with turn into complete idiots.

I can easily identify with you, mj. There isn't one weekend of games that goes by that a (thankfully, usually an opponent's) parent doesn't say and/or do something incredibly stupid during one of my son's games. I just sit back and observe.

Occassionally a parent from our team will turn and look at me with that "did the refs get that right?" look on their face. Usually I'll practice this line: "You'll have to ask the official that made the call. He'll be here in a minute."