Week 4 of the spring season was another wonderful weather day. It started off overcast and cool but as the day went on the sun came out and it warmed up.
Due to the cold weather last week, and all the games that coaches canceled, concession sales were down. The Region still made $125 for last weekend. Gail said this week was much better and may be as good as the first week.
We had a new security officer working the parking lot. We did have a complaint because he closed off the over flow lot before it was full. I talked with him about it and some other things. There were cars that were getting stuck and he felt it would be better to limit the number of cars. But for the most part folks found places to park. I did have a man on a Harley move his bike, to keep it from getting hit. It is a nice looking bike, and I hated to see it knocked over.
The games were covered by referees from what I could tell. We have a lot of folks stepping up and doing games. Even Russ Woolard, the former Referee Administrator came out and did a U19 girls game. Russ said he would try to do at least 1 game each week as his schedule allows. We did have a U12 game get called by a referee. The same thing happened a few weeks ago in U10. The coaches and parents are going to learn that the referee's control the games, not the coaches or parents. It does not matter if the referee is right or wrong, they control the game. I am glad to see that the referee's are stepping up and taking control. We lose too many referees because of parents and coaches. We did have a complaint on a referee, that was chewing tobacco during a game. I am sure it was just a one time thing. I know I have caught myself about to light up. The referee was reminded about not using tobacco on the fields.
Mike Moody had gotten some more hand sanitizer and put it out next to the Patterson buildings. I saw a couple of young girls (U8's) that were making use of it. Seems every time a U8 boy touched them they ran over a got some. Had to get those boy germs off them.
I had several folks tell be they were glad to see the plastic/aluminum recycling bins at the fields. Thanks to Cat Seagle for heading up this project. Malcom Tobias told me he thought it was great that the region was doing the recycling. Another parent Alissa Reeves was picking up plastic bottles to recycle them. I'll ask the division coordinators to let their coaches and parents know. I think this is a great program, and I really like the fact that the Region is being more environmentally friendly.
Ray Stranton was back at the fields again this week. His U19 and U14 teams played our teams. Ray is the Area 5B coach Administrator and Interregional scheduler (very tough job). If he keeps showing up, I may give him his own parking spot.
Lifetouch was taking pictures in the overflow parking lot. They even had the first weeks U6 back and ready to hand out.
The U12 team that is going to Chicago for the National games was selling soccer-ball lunch boxes to raise money for the trip.
Everything went smoothly this week. No one had to go to the hospital, my truck did not get abused, and most of the folks seemed happy. Teams are getting better and there are more close games and tie games. For the most part parents and coaches are behaving and everyone is having fun.
All in all a good day for AYSO soccer. Thanks for all you do for the kids and the region.
Hope to see you on the fields again next week.

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George
RC R337