OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread

[SFBadger96]

Oof. That would make me grumpy.

I got into refereeing because, as a coach, I was unhappy with the quality of refereeing. SFIrish heard me complaining and said something to the effect of, "well, what are you going to do about it?" She probably doesn't remember that, and if she did, would probably regret it lo these many years later.

[Riffraft]

I have been officiating for more than a quarter century.  Have done soccer, baseball, softball and wrestling.  Now only officiate football (well until my wife finally puts her foot down and says I have to stop, I fight here every new season).  But want to make me grumpy complain about the quality of officiating but don't do anything about it.  Particularly when it is obvious you don't know the rules. 

I must admit I am one of the most critical people when it comes to officiating, but I expect a lot from myself when I am on the field, so I expect it from others. We all make mistakes, but no excuse for not knowing the rules, how to apply them and follow proper mechanics. 

[SFBadger96]

That's where I am with it, too. (1) I have high standards for officiating--well, for refereeing soccer. I expect the referees to care and to work at it. And among referees, I expect serious discussions about how to get things right.
(2) My reaction to most non-referees complaining about calls in youth soccer--particularly the average social media post, "can you believe..." is: "and? So they missed a call (or as often, you think they missed a call). Get over it."

When my kids played high school soccer (and travel soccer during high school) was the first time I wasn't their coach, so I sat with parents in the bleachers. It blew my mind how ignorant they were about basic laws of the game.

[Cincydawg]

I was reffing U14 a while back and the visiting team was kicking corner kicks in an arc that went OB then came back in.  My partner correctly called them OB (it isn't basketball).  The opposing coaches had a fit.  I was on their side, we use two refs, not linemen, and got an earful.  I tried to explain the rule to them.  They KNEW the rule.

Or thought they did.  They wouldn't sign the score card after the game.

One time the parents were so bad I called the police, who fortunately have their office in the same complex.  Had to stop the game and explain to them the issue.  When they showed up it calmed some people down, a bit.  A couple times I was happy to be a larger fellow when coaches would rush me.

This is rec soccer.

[Riffraft]

I was reffing U14 a while back and the visiting team was kicking corner kicks in an arc that went OB then came back in.  My partner correctly called them OB (it isn't basketball).  The opposing coaches had a fit.  I was on their side, we use two refs, not linemen, and got an earful.  I tried to explain the rule to them.  They KNEW the rule.

Or thought they did.  They wouldn't sign the score card after the game.

One time the parents were so bad I called the police, who fortunately have their office in the same complex.  Had to stop the game and explain to them the issue.  When they showed up it calmed some people down, a bit.  A couple times I was happy to be a larger fellow when coaches would rush me.

This is rec soccer.

I have officiated a pee wee football game where we had to call the police because a coach assaulted my partner.   
I have has to call games because parents were out of control.
I quit doing youth sports years ago because of parents and coaches.  Only do high school level now.

[847badgerfan]

I coached baseball, and nobody ever gave me trouble.

Of course, that was in a different time.

People suck now, and I hate them.

[Cincydawg]

Yeah, youth sports ....  I recall getting to my son's baseball game a bit late, I chatted a bit with the guys, and noticed the other team's left fielder had turned and was walking away from home plate.  I asked "Where is he going?", and they told me my son was up.  I said "He can't hit it that far."  They told me he already had earlier.  And he rifled one into left center past a telephone poll out there.  He was probably 12-13 at the time.

The kid could hit a baseball.  One game he was walked intentionally four times.

[Cincydawg]

There is some "Shaky Knees" concert all weekend in the park and they are tuning up, so I hear the BOOM BOOM BOOM silliness.

I can't imagine how loud it must be close up, we're nearly a mile from the stage.

I don't know what Shaky Knees really is, we were warned about road closures and more traffic.

My wife and I were out walking and the road with the new bike lanes was jammed, and ... not a single bike passed.  They took two traffic lanes to make one bike lanes and some parking.

I'm going to start drinking.

[Cincydawg]

Shaky Knees Festival | Atlanta, GA | Sept 18-20, 2026