Post Game Comments
 

Worked two middle school games tonight, that were no good right from the start. Knew they would be tough games for middle school, as they were the two bottom teams both fighting it out trying to get their first wins of the season.
As we all know, fans know everything about the rule book and tonight was no different. I heard things such as "you know they only get 5 seconds in the lane right" people wanting 3 seconds in the lane before the ball is even live, and of course every time there was a missed layup there must of been a foul that wasn't called.

After the game, I was hungry so I went and picked up a sub from Subway for the ride home. I recognized the person behind me as one of the people complaining all night. As I go to place my order he says over my shoulder to the worker, "You should spit in his sub because he reffed such a bad game just now"
I couldn't believe it. Didn't even bother to turn around and acknowledge what he said.

You exhibited more self-control than I would have. My response would have been <a href="http://www.smileyvault.com/" title="Nuts Kicking Smiley"><img src="http://www.smileyvault.com/albums/merv/nutskick.gif" border="0" alt="Nuts Kicking Smiley" title="Nuts Kicking Smiley" /></a>

Tell you assignor. If you have to go back to that place - I probably wouldn't - have your assignor join you at the site if either of those teams is playing and point out the guy (my guess is someone like that will make sure to be in the crowd) and then point him out to the league administrator. Frankly, I'd even consider finding that Subway's security video so I could ID him for the league as soon as possible.

Being an a** while you're at the game is bad enough. Being an a** once you become a private citizen goes to another level.

Dang. Kudos to you for your self-control. And if you can, do what JetMet said.

After doing basketball and baseball for a while I've learned sports really bring out the worst in some people, so I've always felt that no matter how many nasty comments or disputes I'm involved in on the court/field if that same person is willing to shake my hand and show respect when the game ends I really have no problem with them. They may (outspokenly) dislike me as an official and I may (in the back of my mind) dislike them as a coach but that really doesn't mean we can't get along just fine as people outside of a contest. This person took it to the next level, I applaud your self control as at that point it was just one person being a a$$h*** to another out in the "real world." Agree with the steps outlined above if you have to go back there.

So glad I don't do middle school anymore...it was ruining my love of the game

A couple of things should be noted.

First if you work games, you should probably go further away from the school or communities if you are worried about comments by fans or participants.

Secondly, you can either ignore the statements or confront the statements. Every situation is different, but I would have likely said something to that guy. If he wants to be a smartass, I can be one too. Because not this is not about professionalism, you are not at the site or in your uniform (I hope). You can say something back to them in that situation. I know I would have and he would have been embarrassed by not being quite, I can guarantee you that one.

Peace

When I can I definitely leave town before stopping for refreshments in this part of the country.

I have had moments...usually an AAU tournament type atmosphere...where you can't help but run into someone wanting to say something about how bad you were. My standard response is "we are always looking for more officials." Shuts them up every time because they want to do the complaining but would never be willing to be on the other side of the coin.

A person, wiser than I, said, "Sports do not build character, they reveal it!"

Your restraint demonstrates your character. His actions demonstrate his lack thereof. I applaud you! And I wish that, in several situations, over the years, I would have been so calm!

Please tell us you were not in uniform. :)

This happened to me after a football game early in my career a long time ago. It's the reason I never go anywhere other than a drive-thru within 10 miles of the place I called a game.

That goes along the lines of my response. I might have said more, but talking about what someone should do in a restaurant is impeding on my personal time. And if that is their choice, they have put me in a different category. I am no longer an official, I am a personal citizen.

Peace

"You're right. It was a really bad game. The kids played poorly and the coaches had no idea what to do. Not only that, but the fans made comments that clearly showed they have no knowledge of the rules and probably all went to public school." :D

I would have just told the kid preparing my sandwich "If you have any brains back there, put some on his sandwich...he is in desperate need of some."

As a rule, I never stop anywhere close to the game venue after the game. I always make sure I have enough fuel and a snack just in case. In today's world you just never know who will insist on continuing their bad behaviour.

During class to get certified, a speaker told us that during a summer league game of his, one fan was so bad that as they were going to the locker room at halftime he took off his stripes and threw it to the fan... telling him to take the rest of the game.

Keep this in mind... opinions are like a-holes, everybody has one, and most of them stink.

There was a time I would have shot back with some comment, but in all it's not worth it. The guy is clearly a jerk, and nothing you can say at the time is going to make things better. Just ignore him and move on with the rest of your night.

In the future, like others have said, just don't stop in the same town or area you officiated at. Unless it's the drive-thru, where you don't have to worry about running into any idiots or a-holes that were at the game and may have something dumb to say.

My response would have been "F**k you, a$$-hole, and you better hope that's not my nephew working behind the counter".

I'm not letting fans dictate where I eat, I'm on my time. Thankfully, any interactions I've had in public with people who recognize me as an official have been positive.

But, if I do ever come across one who tries to engage me in a negative conversation I will cut them off and simply say "You don't know me, so don't talk to me".

You are also 6'5. :D

Peace

Had a tournament this last weekend, a pay to play weekender for grades 5-8. Worked four games sunday morning, with a veteran partner. Game 3 was a train wreck. After the game this guy with a HUGE beergut walked by me and said,"that's the WORST ref'd game i've ever seen."

I said,"We've got lots of extra whistles if you want to help out." He kept walking.

Probably shouldn't have said anything.

Yes, I was showered and out of uniform.

Then you are an average citizen. If someone says something disrespectful to you in other aspects of life, you have the right to respond appropriately, even if that would not be seen as "professional" as an official. And I am not saying you have to be belligerent, but you have the right to stand up for yourself. If it bothered you that much, then you should avoid those spots close by, but that is not always easy to do.

Peace

And to me this is totally different. You are on site and still in an official capacity. Those have to be very much thought of carefully before you say anything.

Peace

I hope you never come across 15 all at once, all just drunk enough to be stupid.

Sir, that's very hurtful........how do you sleep in your car at night?

I once encountered some fans who were really letting the three of us have it, all night long. One fan made it a point to stay and wait for us to come out of the officials changing room. He was going to get his word in and be last word lucy. After hammering home to me that I was the worst official in the world amongst other descriptions (no cussing though). I then turned and told him "I didn't miss all those shots, I didn't commit all those turnovers and certainly had nothing to do with all those baskets for the other team". He then stated "that's not very professional for you to say". I then stated, "what did you expect, I'm the worst official in the world" The look on his face was priceless.

If this jackhole just said something to me, I would either kill him with kindness ("Thanks for the feedback, glad you enjoyed the game"), or say something along the lines of "Looking for more officials" like someone else already said.

If he made the comment about spitting in my sandwich, I wouldn't be nearly as nice.

Precisely. As soon as the words were out I thought,"you dumba$$, you shouldn't have said that."

I love how some play the professionalism card with us, but feel it is appropriate for them to call us everything under the sun and we are supposed to just ignore it. Sorry, that is not how the real world works. They better be glad some do not want to harm them for the things they say. ;)

Peace

I love how some play the professionalism card with us, but feel it is appropriate for them to call us everything under the sun and we are supposed to just ignore it. Sorry, that is not how the real world works. They better be glad some do not want to harm them for the things they say.

I understand totally and believe me, there have been times when I've felt like smacking certain people in the chops. But then if I did that I'd be lowering myself down to their level or even lower. The way I look at it is people like that are simply ignorant.

Certainly helps. I'm not 6'5", but I'm larger than average.

And I'm told I have a soul-stealing stare, so that helps.

I also avoid, to the extent it's possible, stopping near enough where I'll be recognized. In small towns, that typically means I wither bring my own snacks or I grab something from concessions. I can always wait a half hour to eat, too.