It was minor. Some people who play sports seem to think they are the best or their kid is the next Michael Jordan or Derek Jeter. It's funny that no one ever says, "Yep! My kid is the next Secretariate!" Maybe they mean he/she will be a horse's ass.
Little Johnny didn't get to play as much as Tommy. I don't want my kid on so-and-so's team. The refs' stink.
Let's see. Little Johnny didn't come to the practices but he comes to the games and they expect him to play every inning, every minute and I'm sure he is the best pitcher/catcher/first baseman/point guard/center/goalie/brain surgeon/forward/quarterback/lawyer/artist/rock star I've ever seen!
Tommy on the other hand has been to all the practices, came early and stayed late, practices in his backyard, actually acts like he wants to be there, listens to the coach, remembers his equipment and tries.
A parent doesn't want their kid on a team if they don't like the coach. It might not matter if his dog left a "gift" in their yard or he's a little gruff (being a total jackass doen't fly in my book and they won't be asked to coach anyway). We all have to work, play, or live around someone sometime that we just don't care for. Deal with it.
When you yell at the refs and call him names, you have to expect the fact he may take his whistle off and hand it to you because, apparently, you can do a better job. These fellas come here, not with the hopes of making $50 or more a game even though they are certified and can get that elsewhere. They came because I asked them. They came because I needed them. Some won't take the lousy $10.00 this department pays per game. They do it out of the kindness of their hearts and your insults do not make me happy.
True story: On Sundays we had a boy's basketball league for travel/tournament teams. We do have a city league also for any kid to play. One parent kept riding the ref on the far court. I saw the ref take his whistle off and try to hand it to the guy with the mouth. He shook his head. The ref turned around and the guy started in again. The ref was getting angry. The guy was getting angry. The games stopped on both courts and the refs on the court nearest me (I was in the concession stand goofing around) looked at me. It was so quiet in the gym. I walked to where the action was and with a smile on my face, I asked what the problem was. He proceeded to tell me my refs suck. I explained, still with a smile, that he was the ref, he is making the calls, and we go by what he says. I was told again that my refs suck. Again, he is the ref.
I will admit what happened next could have been avoided but the way this guy was talking to the ref and myself, when he said, "Go sit down (and I honestly thought he was going to say "and shut up."). I still was smiling but I could feel it rising. I asked him not to speak to me like that and he repeated it. The smile melted and I told him he could leave. Of course he refused. One of my friends was in the gym because his son was going to play the next game. He is a police officer. I motioned for him to come over. This guy wasn't going to listen to me and dared me to call the police. Mr. Officer walked over and the guy stood up. This guy was a tree! I followed him to the other side of the gym with Mr. Officer behind me. Mr. Officer told him to watch the game from the door. Mr. Tree's wife came up to me and said, "You know this is silly!" and the way she was looking at me was like I had overreacted. I looked at her, nodded and told her you're right, this is silly. Meaning, I might not be able to take your husband down but you would be no problem!
Everyone in the gym was looking our way. It took me a while to calm down, I know we were loud. In my head, I know I can't call people names or smack them, I could lose my job. Since I have insurance, I would hate for that to happen.
Did I mention these were 5th and 6th grade boys?
I don't know if I would do that for $10.00.
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