Let me say this about that...
 

In my years of experience, the biggest horror shows occur during AAU tournaments. Even when there is strong organization AND security, there always seems to be incidents. I've come to the point where I've decided it's just not worth the money or additional game experience. You can say it will definitely test your game management skills, but I've even seen incidents that actually threaten officials physically.

Maybe it's an unfair generalization on my part, but AAU ball has come to equal garbage in my book. Not so much for the talent or level of skill/play, but all the nonsense that takes place outside the lines.

I think this really depends. We don't have AAU here, but we have a similar organization. Some refs won't work it, I will, but I also don't put up with much from coaches. I'll talk to them and remind them of the expectations. It's worked well for me. The ones who recognize me have been doing it long enough that it's not an issue, though.

My experience generally involves national tournaments that include mostly out of town teams. Virutally NONE of the coaches are local and thus have zero relationships with the officials...and the behavior shows it.

I agree, and the same goes for fans. I had an incident with a team (whose players I had seen year and and year out for several years) and they had a new coach. He starts jawing and I ask him to watch his tone and keep the chatter to basketball. Well I guess he felt his manliness was being challenged so nevertheless he gets T #1. 5 seconds later I'm giving him T #2. As soon as I give the second T a mom from the stands who I recognize because her girls have played for many years yells out, "I warned you before the game this ref ain't gonna put up with your crap."

I was smiling ear to ear on the inside.

Yep, and the coaches who recognize me from HS (and even MS) season ball are better behaved (for at least two reasons), with the standard exceptions that also apply to in-season ball. Some parents are starting to recognize me as well (the ones with older kids in HS ball and younger ones in youth ball).

Thank you.

Please Excuse BillyMac, Signed, BillyMac's Mother ...
 

I didn't realize that we would be studying math on the Official Forum. Will this be on the exam?

Is Anything In Texas Little ???
 

So? The good people that live in the southeastern corner of Texas actually call it Southeast Texas? It's not called Houstonland? Interesting. Very interesting.

Billy:

Thanks for this video. It has been around for a couple of years now and it never fails to bring a smile to my face.

MTD, Sr.

Go Get 'Em Mark T. DeNucci, Sr. ...
 

Having a moderator say to Mark T. DeNucci, Sr., "You Are Gone", after one of his lengthy posts, as he goes down memory lane, now, that would bring a smile to my face.

Well there's Houston, which covers a pretty large swath of area and then there's Southeast Texas which includes areas outside of Houston.