Travesty or Travel...

[just another ref]

Originally Posted by RookieDude

"I hope you sleep well tonight...I can't believe it...calling travel on a Down's Syndrome kid...I hope you sleep well..."

I'll sleep just fine. What you were asking for in that situation was not reasonable. GOOD NIGHT."

Get both Coaches to agree on what they want in these SPECIAL situations.

Both coaches will never agree to this.

"Okay, Coach B, Coach A has a player who is handicapped, and he wants us not to call any violation on him, even if he is about to score the winning basket. That okay with you?"

[BryanV21]

Originally Posted by just another ref

I'll sleep just fine. What you were asking for in that situation was not reasonable. GOOD NIGHT."





Both coaches will never agree to this.

"Okay, Coach B, Coach A has a player who is handicapped, and he wants us not to call any violation on him, even if he is about to score the winning basket. That okay with you?"

Sure, when you take the situation there then it's unreasonable, and it's silly to expect both coaches to be okay with it. But that's not what we're talking about. Anybody can take something to the extreme to "win" an argument, but how about we stick with the situation as described?

And what part of the country do you live in where empathy doesn't exist? We're talking about a kid with downs syndrome that wants to play basketball, not some war where one side is telling the other not to use real bullets.

Sucks that sportsmanship doesn't exist in some places.

[johnny d]

Originally Posted by BryanV21

Sure, when you take the situation there then it's unreasonable, and it's silly to expect both coaches to be okay with it. But that's not what we're talking about. Anybody can take something to the extreme to "win" an argument, but how about we stick with the situation as described?

And what part of the country do you live in where empathy doesn't exist? We're talking about a kid with downs syndrome that wants to play basketball, not some war where one side is telling the other not to use real bullets.

Sucks that sportsmanship doesn't exist in some places.

It doesn't have anything to do with empathy. Nobody said the kid shouldn't play basketball either. It is great that this kid and his parents want him to be included in these activities, but if his disability is such that he cannot participate at a level that is even remotely within the rules he and his parents should explore other options for him to continue to play basketball. Around here, they have Special Olympic teams for this purpose. I have volunteered to officiate their games many times and from my perspective, the kids enjoy playing games against and with kids that have similar disabilities and abilities as they themselves have.

[BryanV21]

Originally Posted by johnny d

It doesn't have anything to do with empathy. Nobody said the kid shouldn't play basketball either. It is great that this kid and his parents want him to be included in these activities, but if his disability is such that he cannot participate at a level that is even remotely within the rules he and his parents should explore other options for him to continue to play basketball. Around here, they have Special Olympic teams for this purpose. I have volunteered to officiate their games many times and from my perspective, the kids enjoy playing games against and with kids that have similar disabilities and abilities as they themselves have.

Unfortunately, not everybody lives in areas with other options. And you're forgetting that we're talking about KIDS. It's people with that attitude that's the problem with youth sports.

[Adam]

It's freaking middle school, b squad. This IS the 'other options' IMO. He'll probably be done after this season.

I probably would have likely responded like Dan in the game, and any guilty feelings I had would have disappeared when the coach started acting like a dick after the game.

[RookieDude]

Originally Posted by just another ref

Both coaches will never agree to this.

Oh yes my friend...we WILL have an agreement BEFORE the game starts.

And now that I have experience to draw from...I will even give examples of what will be tolerated.

If BOTH coaches agree to let the special player run around "like a rabbit in a shooting gallery"...that's what we will do. If the opposite coach wants to play defense that's his perogative.

Now...if Coach B says, "No way, treat him like all the other players"...I step in and earn my $$$. I manage this game.

"Coaches, here is what we are going to do...the special player is GOING to get some leeway. Now, he isn't going to be able to run around like 'a rabbit in a shooting gallery'...but, he is going to get a FEW steps. If I see a big advantage...we will adjust. Coach B, if you feel the need to take the ball away from this special needs player or score relentlesly on him...then that is your choice...do what you think is using your best sportsmanship attitude."


No surprises.