Back soon....

The high school season is winding down, which means the AAU/summer camp season will be ramping up again very soon.  Lots of games, LOTS of material for the blog, and a few $$’s here and there won’t be bad either ;-).

Thanks to those that read this…. stay tuned for a more diverse version coming soon J

Metaphor of life....

Basketball can be viewed as a metaphor of life...

In basketball, just as in life:

·          We have to learn how to get along with others/teammates

·          We are usually going to need assistance in some form or another to be successful

·         There are rules that have to be followed

·         Enforcers of those rules sometimes are good, honest people… and sometimes they can be the polar opposite

·         We can be successful/happy/ and win one day….. and the very next day we can fall on hard times/ lose/ or not be happy… but have to put it behind us, persevere and move onto the next game/day.

·          We should prepare ourselves, because at some point the game will end!!

Can I kick it??

Can I kick it?......YES I  can, and most certainly did this weekend!

I don’t know what the deal was this weekend, but a few spectators & players were ceremoniously shown the exit/bench throughout the weekend.

Contrary to popular belief, just because “you paid your money” to get in, does Not entitle you to say what you want, yell at opposing KIDS on the floor,  or act as though you have no sense!

Player’s….never let it be verbalized that you think an official’s call was “weak”, because a Technical is a “strong” reminder that you are there to PLAY, and not to officiate!

 

Quick shout outs.....

To the guy from that school south of the Maumee river that yelled out, "Call it fair, freaking Homer calls".  It was such a pleasure to see the look on your face when you heard me tell the table that I lived in the SAME city as you did! Noticably silent from then on out...hmmmm (I don't really live there..but couldn't resist placing that thought in his head...lol)

To the guy that was marched out on Friday night that asked me "what, did somebody embarrass you or something?", by the redness of your face and whole head, YOU sir, were the only one that was embarrassed marching out of the gym!

Hoping this week brings less drama!

Atomic Dog..

During my games last night, between two relatively suburban schools, the music played during warm ups and half time was hilariously right on time for me.  Gap Band (Early in the morning) Roger & Zapp(more bounce to the ounce), and George Clinton ( Atomic Dog..the long version). 

It was so entertaining to see the young high school kids dancing to old school music, while some parents are in the stands bobbing their heads, tapping their feet, and if I’m not mistaken a few were signing along.

I consciously was trying to control my feet from tapping, and shoulders from bouncing, trying not to make it obvious that I was sooo enjoying the warm up’s for once…lol  As referee's know, the period between signing the books and meeting the coaches is usually about 6-7 minutes, and is sometimes the longest, boringest period of the evening...not last night!!

Public Enemy?

There are times when I feel like Public Enemy #1 (yeeeeah boyeeeeeee)…lol 

At times it seems as though some fans and coaches come into the gym with the notion to blame the official for any and everything.  Last night for instance, I’ve officiated both coaches several times in the past, so I guess that meant we were on a first name basis obviously.  I’ve never heard my name spoken/called as much, not even when I was in trouble as a youth…lol

It is MY opinion that some female coaches that are attractive will use that to “get a call or two”. Yep, I’ve seen it work on some men, so don’t act like I’m talking out the side of my neck here J.  Anyway, one of the assistants use to coach the  Jr. High team and would always give me a crap....foul this, foul that, you didn’t see this, you didn’t see that, etc.  I wouldn’t put her in the category of attractive in my opinion, but I guess last night she probably thought she was, and probably thought that it might work..  “C’mon Mark, you gotta give me a call sooner or later”....NOPE!

The other coach, I’ve done their summer leagues, scrimmages, as well as games, and he’s barking out my name also.  “C’mon Mark, you saw that”, “Mark, there was no contact on that either?”, you are getting the picture here I hope?  At half time I went into the official’s locker room and started asking Mark questions myself….LOL (joke).

The 2^nd half begins with an older couple sitting at the top of the bleachers saying “Mark, you ought to be ashamed of yourself”…ROFL.  I look up and ask “how do you know my name?”, the old guy smiles and says EVERYBODY knows who you are, they introduced you & both coaches have shouted your name for the whole first half! (Yep, I was the only person of color in the building also)

As the 2^nd half progresses, there are some kids sitting courtside and asking (semi yelling) “Mark” why that wasn’t a foul, or travel, or whatever.

After the game, the Athletic Director comes over and says “Great job Mark, sorry about all of the banter from our fans”.  My response was simply, Thank you, I appreciate hearing that. 

Men's League

I recently received a call inquiring if I would like to do some men’s league games.  For those of you that know me well,  I really don’t use foul language very often, but the first thing that came to mind was "BLEEP NO”!  Of course I didn’t spout that out, but I politely declined the offer and informed the person that my days of doing men’s league basketball were OVER!!

 I could probably go on for days and days with this topic, but I’ll limit it.

How is it that 30, 40, 50+ year old men can still BELIEVE that they are 17-20 again, when the body clearly shows and tells a much different story?  Has the talent that once may have resided inside been replaced with an overwhelmingly ignorant & vulgar vocabulary?  Has bitterness taken away the mindset & skills that once may have brought some of them cheers, scholarships, and even riches, or is it that thing called AGE?  

I've actually felt sorry for some of those guys that I officiated while doing men's league, hobbling up and down the court looking like they were running on hot rocks and broken glass (broken glass everywhere, people pissin on the stairs like they just don't care....lol  Sorry I digress) , and the smell of Icy Hot permeating so heavily that it makes your eyes water…from a DISTANCE!

FYI…..Age does NOT discriminate, accept it and move on J

Thoughts??

Wish List

Just a few things that official’s wish that they were permitted to say during the game.  I thought this might be a fun one today.

To Coaches:

-       Shut Up!!

-       You call that coaching?

-       Really coach? You called THAT play?

-       Coach, you going to play any defense on that guy/girl?

-       What if I complained about your bad play calls?

-       Learn the rules!

-       Ohhh you think THAT was a bad call??, just wait

-       I have an extra shirt & whistle, want to come out and help me out?

-       I guarantee that I’m better at what I’m doing, than you are at what you’re doing

To Fans:

-       Tell me what the rule says on that sir/mame

-       Sit down and Shut Up! (I may have actually said something of the sort once or twice..lol)

-       Stop living vicariously through your son/daughter

-       Get in shape and get your license and come out there and help

 

Please feel free to chime in on this one, I’m interested to hear others.
Even if your not an official, or even know the game well, everyone most likely has a few things they would  say..lol