Let Them Play, Learn Their Lessons

We are very fortunate here in the panhandle area that most parents and coaches involved in youth sports programs innately recognize the importance of teaching the value of sportsmanship to their young athletes.

Although we’ve had very few “ugly incidents” between parents or fans in our area, razzing the officials is just as commonplace here as anywhere in the country. Whether you’re wearing Leyton Gold or Creek Valley Green, both sides are against the team in the White and Black stripes. This is especially true in basketball, as the game is played indoors and the fans are relatively close to the action, which invites more commentary and interaction by the fans.

At a typical basketball game, in the first half I’m usually taking photographs right next to the officials, and since I can hear fans calling the referees “dumb,” “idiots,” or shouting “who’s paying you?”, I’m pretty sure the officials can hear them too. After finishing the photographs, I will usually sit in the stands and take notes, while listening to the comments of the parents and fans. Often, I will then move and sit in the opposing team’s fan section and after while of listening I’ll think to myself, “How can the referees be against be against both teams at the same time?”

I’m not saying that it doesn’t seem like one team is consistently getting bad calls at some games, but I can tell you I’ve heard fans of almost every team say that they always get the bad calls. And that’s okay, we’re all passionate about sports. It’s part of the deal. We want to see our kids do well and succeed, and we surely don’t want to see our side to get cheated. This is all part of what makes sports so compelling and wonderful. So go ahead and boo that call that goes against your team - just remember that you’re against the call, and not person making the call. We sometimes just need to be a bit more mindful that the officials have a job to do, and that they’re human and will make mistakes, and that without officials there will be no games to play.

I recently read a piece from the National Association of Sports Officials stating that upwards of 80 percent of officials stop participating in youth sports, and 75 percent of the time “adult behavior” is the primary reason why they quit. Former NFL official and Fox Sports contributor Mike Pereira recently commented about officials leaving the game, saying, “This is the only profession where everyone hates you before you even start your job, and then it gets worse. Players learn from hearing their parents yell at referees, so they lose it, too, and that’s not OK.”

Again, most of the fans in our area are well behaved while being passionate about the games. Of course there are going to be bad calls, missed calls, and errors made -it is part of the game. It happens at the highest levels of sports, just ask any New Orleans Saints fan. And I will admit that there’s an official or two that when I see them arrive to work the game, I know there’s going to be a few questionable calls. But the calls generally do “even-out,” for lack of a better term. In fact, I can really only remember one time that I witnessed a “bad call” that truly changed the outcome of a game, which then turned into a great lesson for the team involved.

Last year in the Colorado District boy’s basketball final, the Peetz Bulldogs battled against a tough Heritage Christian team. Peetz did not play their best game, but held a two point lead with a few seconds left in the contest. A “bad call” by a referee in the final seconds gave the Heritage Christian team a chance to win, and they took advantage of it to take the victory away from Peetz. As dispassionate as I try to be in my role as a reporter, I must admit the call bothered me, as I thought that Peetz was wronged.

But then I received a refresher course in “taking the right lessons from a loss” by Peetz head coach Sean Fehringer. After the game, the coach did not blame the referees for the loss. The players did not blame the referees for the loss. They tipped their caps to their opponent, analyzed what went wrong throughout the entirety of the game, and resolved to not again put themselves in the position where a “bad call” could cost them a victory. The Bulldogs moved on in the playoffs and won four more games in a row to earn the Class 1A State Championship. The correct lessons learned from the earlier loss very well may have been a valuable tool that contributed to the team’s final victory.

We have to remember that we all learn from losing and from winning. Both of the lessons learned are extremely valuable, but only if they are allowed to be examined and digested in a clear and accurate way. Always focus on what you can personally control, be it your performance, you and your team’s attitude, and how you personally play the game rather than factors that are beyond your control-especially the calls of the officials.

And as for parents, remember to just let the kids play. Cheer them on knowing that there will be bad calls, but they go both ways. Be loud and get into the game, but don’t be the one that makes a referee ask himself, “Is this abuse even worth it?” Enjoy watching your child play, get better, and be a part of a team. Celebrate with them when they win, and console them when they lose. Remember, these are the lessons that will prepare them for a successful life. Their time playing youth league sports will be short. Enjoy it and let them play.