A Fan Shows His Ignorance

[fullor30]

Originally Posted by Terrapins Fan

So, many of you know my story, but please allow me to share it for those who do not.

I am 58 yrs old. I played HS basketball, played Rec league, owned a team in rec league, coached in rec league, coached MS ball for 6 years, HS for 5 yrs which included my last year at the Varsity level. Then I became a referee 14 years ago. I run the local church league as the referee trainer. I have 7 officials that I have trained ( this year ). I am a board member on our HS association. Next year I will be the Secretary/Treasurer of the association.

I was refereeing the 1st round of the play offs in our church league. A1 drives to the basket B1 jumps straight up and A1 collides into B1. A1's shot misses. I've got nothing. Fan screams "WHAT DO YOU CALL THAT?"

We go the other way, after about 30 seconds there is a break in the action and we are headed back to where the fan was screaming, so I decided to explain to him Verticality. I know, I was wasting my time. So after I explained, he says " That's why you're refereeing here"...

It's a shame that they don't get it. I bet most fans believe the rules were written once and never changed until the 3 point line came into play.

Just another day at the office. To be honest, I don't know why you'd devote a thread to this unless just to chit chat. This falls into the man bites dog news interest level. Shocking, a 'fan' who doesn't like your call.

[Welpe]

Originally Posted by fullor30

To be honest, I don't know why you'd devote a thread to this unless just to chit chat.

Don't worry, we haven't started implementing posting quotas.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by Welpe

Don't worry, we haven't started implementing posting quotas.

Or limits.

(I'm waiting for someone to mention "wasting bandwidth" as if we're all dialing in on 300 baud modems using a Prodigy account.)

[JWP]

Speaking of idiot fans ...

Few years back, I am doing a junior high tournament game. Team in front is doing a high weave, the team behind comes out to force the issue. In the stands, a woman is screaming -- really screaming! -- "Three seconds! Three seconds!"

I'm underneath, and I have nobody in the key. Nobody on offense. Nobody on defense. The paint is literally empty. Devoid of human existence. A lonely patch of space. I am the nearest person to the paint. But she is going crazy.

A few minutes later, during a free throw, I'm standing next to the coach. Under my breath, I whisper to him, "What they hell is she yelling about, three seconds?" He laughs, covers his mouth, and says it is a mother of player who still hasn't figured out the difference between being in the key, and inside the three-point line.

"Well, can you try to get her to shut up?"

"I've been trying all f------- season!"

[Stat-Man]

Last week, I was called at the last second to officiate a freshman boys game. Somehow, no officials ever got assigned and i got the call around 4:05 for the 4:00 game. Fortunately, I only live about 3 miles (5 km) away. So I change into my uniform except for my court shoes, and I get to the game site. I have to start the game solo, but my partner arrives partway through the first quarter.

The first half was a bit physical and chippy. I had an IF foul a push from behind on a breakaway layup. V coach was not thrilled, but the player made no attempt for the ball.

At the half, one of the V parents tries to confront me and accuses me of single-handedly screwing his team over. I did my best to turn, walk away, and ignore him.

What I really wanted to say was, "When your team isn't passing the ball the other team, it's missing nearly all of its shots. Yet, I'm somehow the reason you're losing by 30?"

Not the best game to end my season with, but at least I was able to help the assignor out in a bind.

[Adam]

That parent likely doesn't finish the game around here for even trying to confront an official.

[Nevadaref]

Originally Posted by Adam

That parent likely doesn't finish the game around here for even trying to confront an official.

If I'm the official he most certainly doesn't see the second half.