Last week we had a bunch, despite the rain. This week we were short on many games. Maybe they will come back for week 7. I want to thank all the referees that did games, and especially all the super referees that did 3, 4, 5, and 6 games back to back.
The day was not with out some problems. Some minor, some major. The major problem was on a U12 boy’s game, where 3 minutes into the game a player fell and broke his arm. We tried to call an ambulance, but the mom insisted on taking him to the Emergency room herself. Kellie Gilliam got the forms filled out and I have heard the child is doing ok, except for the cast on his arm. There was a minor problem on a U10 boy’s game. The coach seemed to be very displeased with one of his players. At half time the coach was talking to his team, and all of a sudden told one of the kids to take a lap. Amy Waller was with me on field 1 watching a U12 girl’s game. Amy walked over and talked to the coach, and told him we do not use negative reinforcement. We use positive reinforcement in AYSO. The coach stated that the child was his son and he had smarted off to some of his teammates, and to the coach. Amy just reminded the coach to be positive. The reason we were on field 1 was there was an adult acting up. He did not get out of line while I was standing on the side watching. So all I had was a report that he was harassing the referee. I did not see it while I was there. I did not get a chance to talk to the referee.
The concession stand was doing a lot better than last week. Last week we did not make enough to pay the security guard, so I took some out of the week before to pay him. The rest of the money was given to the Treasurer for deposit. Some of coaches brought their teams to the concession stand for snow cones. It is a real treat for the players.
Some grandfathers should not take their grandsons to the Patterson buildings. I watched as a grandfather (or very old father) took his grandson. After selecting the Patterson to use grandpa helped grandson get into the proper-seated position. Then he closed the door and waited. As I was looking around the fields, I heard a loud “whap” and looked over to see grandpa had hit the door with his cane and saying, “are ya done yet?” From the loudness of the “whap” the grandson, either finished or stopped what he was doing. Grandpa finished the required paperwork and the two of them returned to the U6 fields.
Lifetouch was at the fields taking pictures and giving out pictures that were back. They do such a great job, and I have not heard any complaints.
There were some very good games and as always a few blowouts. Some coaches still have not figured out the 3 before 4 rule. I think once they realize the division coordinators are checking the game cards, the coaches will follow the rules.
The new Area 5B Director-elect Michael Mays stopped by. One of the U14 teams from his region was playing. However, he did not get to stay long, he was called into work. That is the way of life for volunteers. We have our paying jobs then our weekend volunteer jobs.
I did get to settle a bet between two fathers. They wanted to know how much we paid the referees. One thought we paid $25 a game the other said $40 a game. They did not believe me at first when I told them that we are all volunteers. No one is paid. They said baseball, basketball and football all pay. Why didn’t AYSO pay? I told them we like having referees and coaches that wanted to be out there not ones that were paid to be out there. I don’t think they believed me. I saw them talking to a referee a little while later.
It really was a great day for soccer, the games got played, and the kids had fun. What more could you ask for.
See you on the fields next week.
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George