The worst coach in the world
That is how I felt after a season full of frustration came to a head this evening in the first round of the Oconee Parks and Recreation Department u12 soccer season. Our winless team lost yet again in the post-season tourney 4-2 after playing a great first half. I blew a gasket late in the second half when we were still down by one goal and the other team had an out of bounds ball directly in front of our bench. The other team had two players who I would say were worthy of traveling team status, while we maybe had three who occasionally did. I give the other team all the credit in the world.
The other team took its sweet time deciding who was going to pass the ball in and player "A" took the ball over his head to throw it in and actually pumped like he was going to throw it in, then their coach decided another player was to throw it in instead, and the first player tossed the ball into the field of play to the second player, underhanded, but a violation none the less. It was clearly across the in bounds line and by itself no big deal, but of course this was after a game of slide tackles, elbows, name calling, kids walking behind the goal during penalty kicks, playing with balls on the sideline during the game and general poor sportsmanship at every turn by the opposition. Now obviously the correct thing to is to exchange the soccer ball out of bounds before the ball crosses the in bounds line, but this was the last straw for me.
Our team blew a first half penalty kick and basically did everything we could to keep the third seed in the game. I let the referees know in no uncertain terms that they blew this call, and just so they let me know that they were still in charge, called a throw in violation and other team scored one more when we pulled the keeper. We could have done better and a winless season was released in one outburst of anger toward a couple of pimply face teenage officials to whom I apologize. I also praised a red haired officials who had taught the team quite a lot in a tie on the last regular season game to the head of the Oconee County Parks and Recreation Department earlier in the evening.
I had a bleach blonde coach with a black lab threaten me and get in my face after the game for not shaking hands with the opposition, which my team did quite fine without me. Clearly he was intent on not minding his own business. After a few choice words for the coach who had no business even being on our sideline, I went and back and shook the other coach's hands. I consoled our players and told them how proud I was of them for playing such a great season. I did not mention the poor officiating or answer the kids complaints about the slide tackles and other egregious errors. My son was denied another tying goal on what was a clear legal thievery of a goal kick outside of the 20 yard box.
I am quite unorthodox in my approach to sports and politics. I yell and scream and nudge and urge and that is just for our players or my political party. I expect our players and politicians to leave it all on the field or before election day, so when I see less than 100% effort I will take the player out, and I will also get in arguments with our party chair about our whistle stops or our paltry few candidates not appearing at our meetings or fundraisers in the rain.
My son wanted to immediately express his frustrations to the head of the Oconee County Parks and Recreation Department. I took him to Dairy Queen instead. I decided to take out my frustrations on a Nathan Deal sign in front of the DQ. Now whether or not it will help Roy Barnes win or change one vote in Oconee County, it sure felt good.
I feel bad for a bunch of 10 and 11 year old kids who played their hearts out only to have their one moment of glory snatched from their grasp. Life is full of disappointments for Democrats and for soccer teams. The lesson learned is do not let the sad moments keep you down. Learn from them and build from them and get better next time.
Athens own' Mike Thurmond, as much as I think he is a great spokesman and statesman, is going to get his ass handed to him by Johnny Isaakson next month for US Senate. The only Democratic person who ran a worse campaign than him was Georganna Sinkfield for Secretary of State. She might lose six to one or worse for Secretary of State to local boy Brian Kemp. I wish I was wrong about these sentiments, but this is the time is the G.O.P. time to gloat. I guess it is time for some serious reassessment on any number of fronts.
Perhaps Georgia will wise up and Roy Barnes will sneak by the crook Nathan Deal and win 50.1 percent. Perhaps the 10th district of Georgia will realize what a laughingstock Dr. Paul Broun has been for the rest of the nation and the world and will elect Russell Edwards. I would be very happy if either or both of these Democratic candidates won. If Broun had a shred of integrity he would resign his seat in Congress immediately to take care of his son, who obviously needs it very much.
I made the decision to take care of my son instead of campaign for any number of candidates in Athens or Watkinsville. My soccer coaching talents and political leadership are not what they once might have been. I would rather make the efforts for what I hold dear than to beat my head against another cement wall. I appreciate the efforts of a bunch of kids from Oconee rather than have to open a vein in another losing effort.
We almost shocked the world on the soccer field this evening, perhaps we will shock the world in the voting booth November 2nd.
The other team took its sweet time deciding who was going to pass the ball in and player "A" took the ball over his head to throw it in and actually pumped like he was going to throw it in, then their coach decided another player was to throw it in instead, and the first player tossed the ball into the field of play to the second player, underhanded, but a violation none the less. It was clearly across the in bounds line and by itself no big deal, but of course this was after a game of slide tackles, elbows, name calling, kids walking behind the goal during penalty kicks, playing with balls on the sideline during the game and general poor sportsmanship at every turn by the opposition. Now obviously the correct thing to is to exchange the soccer ball out of bounds before the ball crosses the in bounds line, but this was the last straw for me.
Our team blew a first half penalty kick and basically did everything we could to keep the third seed in the game. I let the referees know in no uncertain terms that they blew this call, and just so they let me know that they were still in charge, called a throw in violation and other team scored one more when we pulled the keeper. We could have done better and a winless season was released in one outburst of anger toward a couple of pimply face teenage officials to whom I apologize. I also praised a red haired officials who had taught the team quite a lot in a tie on the last regular season game to the head of the Oconee County Parks and Recreation Department earlier in the evening.
I had a bleach blonde coach with a black lab threaten me and get in my face after the game for not shaking hands with the opposition, which my team did quite fine without me. Clearly he was intent on not minding his own business. After a few choice words for the coach who had no business even being on our sideline, I went and back and shook the other coach's hands. I consoled our players and told them how proud I was of them for playing such a great season. I did not mention the poor officiating or answer the kids complaints about the slide tackles and other egregious errors. My son was denied another tying goal on what was a clear legal thievery of a goal kick outside of the 20 yard box.
I am quite unorthodox in my approach to sports and politics. I yell and scream and nudge and urge and that is just for our players or my political party. I expect our players and politicians to leave it all on the field or before election day, so when I see less than 100% effort I will take the player out, and I will also get in arguments with our party chair about our whistle stops or our paltry few candidates not appearing at our meetings or fundraisers in the rain.
My son wanted to immediately express his frustrations to the head of the Oconee County Parks and Recreation Department. I took him to Dairy Queen instead. I decided to take out my frustrations on a Nathan Deal sign in front of the DQ. Now whether or not it will help Roy Barnes win or change one vote in Oconee County, it sure felt good.
I feel bad for a bunch of 10 and 11 year old kids who played their hearts out only to have their one moment of glory snatched from their grasp. Life is full of disappointments for Democrats and for soccer teams. The lesson learned is do not let the sad moments keep you down. Learn from them and build from them and get better next time.
Athens own' Mike Thurmond, as much as I think he is a great spokesman and statesman, is going to get his ass handed to him by Johnny Isaakson next month for US Senate. The only Democratic person who ran a worse campaign than him was Georganna Sinkfield for Secretary of State. She might lose six to one or worse for Secretary of State to local boy Brian Kemp. I wish I was wrong about these sentiments, but this is the time is the G.O.P. time to gloat. I guess it is time for some serious reassessment on any number of fronts.
Perhaps Georgia will wise up and Roy Barnes will sneak by the crook Nathan Deal and win 50.1 percent. Perhaps the 10th district of Georgia will realize what a laughingstock Dr. Paul Broun has been for the rest of the nation and the world and will elect Russell Edwards. I would be very happy if either or both of these Democratic candidates won. If Broun had a shred of integrity he would resign his seat in Congress immediately to take care of his son, who obviously needs it very much.
I made the decision to take care of my son instead of campaign for any number of candidates in Athens or Watkinsville. My soccer coaching talents and political leadership are not what they once might have been. I would rather make the efforts for what I hold dear than to beat my head against another cement wall. I appreciate the efforts of a bunch of kids from Oconee rather than have to open a vein in another losing effort.
We almost shocked the world on the soccer field this evening, perhaps we will shock the world in the voting booth November 2nd.
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