Yesterday we had a nice gathering for our spring season party. For those of you who missed it, we recognized all the teams, and the team managers. I will say it again, for those of you who missed it - thanks to all of you players for supporting the HSL, for your fair and competitive play, and for your efforts to keep things on a positive note! A special thanks to all managers for your work in organizing your teams and for leading by example in your play and sportsmanship! It is your role as leaders that define our league. One thing I neglected to do, but should have - thanks to all our referees for their critical work in often stressful conditions!
We announced the winners of the divisions:
Coed 25/30 - Humbrews, Robin Hewitt manager
Coed Open - Amalgamators, Michael East manager
Men's 30/37 - Dirty Dogs, Paul Swenson manager
Finally, we announced the recipients of the Spirit of HSL awards. These awards are given based on direct input from you, their peers.
I've copied my words below as I read them to the gathering yesterday.
SPIRIT OF HSL
Positive, a tough competitor, an encourager, a sense of team and community,
These are some of the qualities that embody many of you out there. The following players have been admired and singled out by their teammates and often by the players whom they have played against. Some of these players I know well, and some not at all, so it is a pleasure to in a sense view these players and their exemplary play and attitude through the eyes of other players. I just want to say that there are many more of you out there on our fields and in this room who share in these qualities. You know who you are and I thank you. I hope to hear more stories from you, your thoughts and feelings about other players deserving of recognition.
It’s my hope we can change the old and tired American attitude that griping and complaining is part of winning. What I hear you saying in our league is that being respectful and encouraging of all players out on the field is more important than winning, and that’s saying a lot because we all know how hard we all play out there.
So without further ado, let’s recognize a few of our exemplary players,
BYRD MINKLER
One player wrote, “I have never seen anything but a "quiet effectiveness" from this player. He embodies a high work rate, combines skill and clean, hard play, and has defensive and offensive competency. He seems friendly to all who know him and generally is there to play. He has an attitude I think I would like to model more than my own. That player is Bird Minkler.”
JENNIFER GARCIA
One player wrote, “She has started off being an absolute beginner a couple of seasons ago and has stuck it out in our sometimes fairly competitive 25/30 coed league. She has gone from practically running away from the ball and blindly kicking at it to challenging some decent players on the field, positioning herself well, making some passes, and last game even taking a shot on goal. She has steadily increased the number of times she is involved in play during games, is always positive, and shows up each week for the games. I like that our league offers the room for players of all levels to improve.”
RAFAEL RIVERA
I said, “A great attitude, always positive, willing to play anywhere on the field, though he would always say, “goalie man, it’s what I do”. Above all this is a person whose warmth and kindness puts out good vibes that cross the boundaries of not just the teams he plays on, but to all players.”
MONA SCOTT
One player wrote, “Every game she could possibly make, she was there. Even when we were down 9-1 she would still talk it up with the team, pickup up the players who were hanging their heads. She was a pleasure to have in the goal and I wouldn't have anyone else back there.”
MICHAEL ROSCOE
One player wrote, “New to league as a team manager, he conducted himself the right way, with humility. He He always treated every last player with respect. He never dictated, but rather served as an example and a reminder of the right way to be out there.
On the field, he played hard. even late in an out-of-reach game, he gave 100% . Good Will seemed to always be the top priority...even though he was always playing to win.
He treated the refs with respect, and instantly jumped in as a mediator to put out fires, and calm any player who was starting to become temperamental toward the refs. He wanted his team to be a class operation. I never saw him show pride over wins(even though I know he would love to have gone undefeated), but I did hear him take pride in any compliments that our team received as far as our conduct on the field. That, rather than winning, seemed to be the thing that he considered to be the true feather in our cap.
He also treated our opponents well, before, during, and after games. He consistently engaged in friendly exchanges with everyone. His presence always increased the level of fun, energy, and positive spirit, at any time or place on the field. He showed a spirit and maturity, both on the field and off, that was beyond his years. I think he is an exemplary player and leader.”
LAURA OLSEN
I said, “Our league is full of players who have played for many years, I’m talking 10, 15, 20 years and more. I’m not sure how long this player has been involved with the league, but one thing’s for sure she still has the skills and smarts and athleticism of a top player. She’s quiet on the field, always mature and respectful. She speaks with her play, which is as it should be.”
CARLOS CAMPOS
I said, “Recently I watched this player battling it out for his team in a losing cause. His team was shorthanded, and he found himself the lone striker for most of the game, trying to collect the ball and turn it against the other team’s back line. Again and again, he would get the ball, and in an exhausting effort, try to maneuver through the defense. Even with his team down 10 goals to 0, this level of effort never waned. It was like watching Sisyphus try to push the boulder up the mountain. Never once, did he allow any frustration to sour his attitude all the way to the closing whistle. That’s on the field.
Off the field, This player is always willing to step up for the league and for the teams and players he has managed, and he has done it happily. Almost always to be seen with a smile on his face, he would much rather see other players get the kudos, but I think he exemplifies the Spirit of the HSL and deserves to be recognized.”
Monday, June 29, 2009
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
WEEKLY SOCCER RULES DISCUSSION
It's free and it's already there! US Soccer has an active program called "Week in Review" which looks at the issues that arised based on matches and referee decisions in each week of the MLS. While this site is aimed primarily at referees, it a very good resource for all players of the game. CHECK IT OUT!
US Soccer Week in Review
US Soccer Week in Review
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
THE WILD BUNCH’ LAST STAND
Sounds like a Sam Peckinpah western. But it was more like something along the lines of “Remember the Alamo”. Near the start of the game the WB had 8 players. I counted them three times. We had 14 to start. HSL rules state that 9 is required to avoid a forfeit. The truth is that, at least in recent memory from the last few seasons, no team with less than nine has chosen to play without borrowing players and forfeiting. Coming off a two game winning streak, Nacho was sure someone would emerge from the heavens (read: parking lot) within the first few minutes of the game to give them nine. They always do. You can play with eight as long as you like, I said. If it gets out of hand, at any time feel free to forfeit and borrow players. The refs went along with it and we shook on it.
The Dirty Dogs all lined up, with the win already locked up in there minds. The 8 orange jerseyed WB players stood, perhaps with some trepidation on the other side of the half, facing the North goal and with the kick off. I watched from the sidelines as, expectedly we pressed their end, but with little in the way of results. Jason, showed for us on the sideline and we now had 15.
Was it the lacking of the killer instinct? The classic playing only as hard or as smart as we had to given they had 8. Nothing was clicking for the Dirty Dogs. Shot after shot went over the cross bar or wide of the post. There was no rhythm to our play, considering our numbers, no teamwork. The WB, beginning to sense our lack of commitment began to realize, that even though they were 8, they had a chance.
Early on the WB counter attacked, with accurate passes and solid player movement. Scott Bauer dribbled the ball toward our box and was shadowed from behind by Pete Fuller. Now playing on the field, I had a bird’s eye view of the “contact”, but the Ref on the sideline was shielded, and Scott made a dramatic show and went down earning a free kick near the outer edge of the box. The resulting free kick did not earn them a goal however, but I wondered, as I’m sure many of the Dogs did, what the HELL was going on?
At one point Lenny McMillin rolled his ankle and it looked like the WB would be down to 7. But he continued to near hobble around the field. At one point one of our players tossed him a lace up ankle brace and he removed himself from the sidelines to put it on, leaving the WB with 7. It must have seemed like an eternity for the WB players, as their players would look over to the sidelines wondering what the heck McMillin was doing. Playing against seven, perhaps, we were able to score our first goal.
Near the end of the first half the DD were able to muster their second goal, one probably preventable because the WB goalie, Craig Carroll, for some reason was way off his line. Pete slapped the ball inside the near post with a clinically placed shot. The half ended and we were up only two to nothing. More DD had arrived and we were numbered at 17 against their 8. Out of character for me, I hope, I shouted at my team. Everyone knows that 2-0 is the most dangerous margin of lead going into a 2nd half. I couldn’t fathom losing to 8. I exhorted my players to go back to the basics. Play their positions. Perhaps in the feeding frenzy of playing against 8 we were over committing up front – everyone wanting a piece of the action, with no responsibility in the midfield. How was it, that with our vastly greater numbers, that they were always finding themselves open? We needed to mark tightly and exploit our advantage.
At the opening of the 2nd half, we seemed to be back on the right track. Michael East played a nice through ball to me and I was able to carry it home and slot a low shot at the far post to make it 3-0. but it seemed only minutes later that somehow the WB broke down our defense and Scott Talbot hit a nice shot past Noah for an incredible short handed goal. It was 3-1 and we were back to that dreaded 2 goal margin.
The Dirty Dogs flowed in and out of the pitch from the sidelines, but somehow our play was without continuity, our defense sloppy. Players held the ball, touching it way to many times and either losing it, or forgoing the easy short pass, forcing the long ball.
Shot after shot after shot, over the WB cross bar, or past the post.
Santayana’s men, wave upon wave, threw themselves against the Alamo walls, and finally the goals began to come late in the half, from Hec and Todd. At 5 to 1 there was a visible slump in the shoulders of the Wild Bunch. At 6-1 on Eric's goal, the Dirty Dogs had finally regained and branded their rhythm into an exhausted team.
It was a night for gladiators in orange and the surge of the yellow dog pound
It would be the third and final time the WB would face off against us this season and their third loss to boot. The WB had been having a solid time against the other two teams, but had yet to give us a game. Every week I had steeled myself; that this would be the week that they would show up and bring their real team to us. For our team it was a bitter sweet win. To beat 8 players is somewhat like mercy killing. But we found in their 8 more than we bargained for.
Brewery anyone…
The Dirty Dogs all lined up, with the win already locked up in there minds. The 8 orange jerseyed WB players stood, perhaps with some trepidation on the other side of the half, facing the North goal and with the kick off. I watched from the sidelines as, expectedly we pressed their end, but with little in the way of results. Jason, showed for us on the sideline and we now had 15.
Was it the lacking of the killer instinct? The classic playing only as hard or as smart as we had to given they had 8. Nothing was clicking for the Dirty Dogs. Shot after shot went over the cross bar or wide of the post. There was no rhythm to our play, considering our numbers, no teamwork. The WB, beginning to sense our lack of commitment began to realize, that even though they were 8, they had a chance.
Early on the WB counter attacked, with accurate passes and solid player movement. Scott Bauer dribbled the ball toward our box and was shadowed from behind by Pete Fuller. Now playing on the field, I had a bird’s eye view of the “contact”, but the Ref on the sideline was shielded, and Scott made a dramatic show and went down earning a free kick near the outer edge of the box. The resulting free kick did not earn them a goal however, but I wondered, as I’m sure many of the Dogs did, what the HELL was going on?
At one point Lenny McMillin rolled his ankle and it looked like the WB would be down to 7. But he continued to near hobble around the field. At one point one of our players tossed him a lace up ankle brace and he removed himself from the sidelines to put it on, leaving the WB with 7. It must have seemed like an eternity for the WB players, as their players would look over to the sidelines wondering what the heck McMillin was doing. Playing against seven, perhaps, we were able to score our first goal.
Near the end of the first half the DD were able to muster their second goal, one probably preventable because the WB goalie, Craig Carroll, for some reason was way off his line. Pete slapped the ball inside the near post with a clinically placed shot. The half ended and we were up only two to nothing. More DD had arrived and we were numbered at 17 against their 8. Out of character for me, I hope, I shouted at my team. Everyone knows that 2-0 is the most dangerous margin of lead going into a 2nd half. I couldn’t fathom losing to 8. I exhorted my players to go back to the basics. Play their positions. Perhaps in the feeding frenzy of playing against 8 we were over committing up front – everyone wanting a piece of the action, with no responsibility in the midfield. How was it, that with our vastly greater numbers, that they were always finding themselves open? We needed to mark tightly and exploit our advantage.
At the opening of the 2nd half, we seemed to be back on the right track. Michael East played a nice through ball to me and I was able to carry it home and slot a low shot at the far post to make it 3-0. but it seemed only minutes later that somehow the WB broke down our defense and Scott Talbot hit a nice shot past Noah for an incredible short handed goal. It was 3-1 and we were back to that dreaded 2 goal margin.
The Dirty Dogs flowed in and out of the pitch from the sidelines, but somehow our play was without continuity, our defense sloppy. Players held the ball, touching it way to many times and either losing it, or forgoing the easy short pass, forcing the long ball.
Shot after shot after shot, over the WB cross bar, or past the post.
Santayana’s men, wave upon wave, threw themselves against the Alamo walls, and finally the goals began to come late in the half, from Hec and Todd. At 5 to 1 there was a visible slump in the shoulders of the Wild Bunch. At 6-1 on Eric's goal, the Dirty Dogs had finally regained and branded their rhythm into an exhausted team.
It was a night for gladiators in orange and the surge of the yellow dog pound
It would be the third and final time the WB would face off against us this season and their third loss to boot. The WB had been having a solid time against the other two teams, but had yet to give us a game. Every week I had steeled myself; that this would be the week that they would show up and bring their real team to us. For our team it was a bitter sweet win. To beat 8 players is somewhat like mercy killing. But we found in their 8 more than we bargained for.
Brewery anyone…
Monday, June 1, 2009
Referees and Dissent
This year will mark my 20th year playing in the HSL. I moved here in 1989 and one of the first things I did was look for soccer. My search turned me onto the Humboldt Soccer League. Over those years I have heard all the stories, like the early days of the coed leagues, where a Portuguese men’s team, knowing nothing of “coed”, played every week with only 7 men against 11 and won every week. I have played in every division (except women’s!). I have managed at least two teams and served on the board in various capacities, as well as refereed. As far as adult soccer in
Over those years the referees have come and gone, and, as you might expect, the quality of officiating has varied from game to game and season to season. Some of you might be surprised to find out that Refs don’t actually grow on trees, and that they are real people with feelings and emotions like you and me. In fact for all refs here in our area, none make a living at it. It is part time weekend or week night work. I mention this obvious fact because, based on what I often observe in games, they are treated as though they must be the best refs in the world because of the perfection that is demanded from them. Were the same perfection be demanded and gotten from our HSL players, we’d all be playing professionally for the English Premiere League.
Refereeing is a very difficult job. If you have never done it yourself, I don’t think you can really appreciate how hard it is. A typical scenario: For a split second two players and a ball come together with speed. If there is any kind of contact the referee must instantly evaluate the moment, based on whatever his angle and distance is from the event. All fouls are not always "clear cut". If both players are using their arms, who is gaining the advantage? A player stabs at the ball with his feet, and he gets the ball, but was it from behind? Did he get the man before he got the ball? Our Referee cannot be swayed by the emotions of the two players involved – or the shouts from the field and the sidelines. Even with great positioning, his view of the play (though clear as glass to you on the sideline) may be screened by players on the field. He has no instant replay. He does not have the advantage of bias colored glasses which both teams wear, not to mention the complete lack of pressure and often, lack of knowledge of the laws of the game that your average player has. He will be expected by both teams to make a decision, get this call right and in their favor.
Now take this moment and multiply it one hundred times per game.
Because of the shortage of refs that our league invariably experiences I have asked players from within our ranks to step forward and receive training as refs for our league. Just a couple answered the call in time for spring season. This is a bit like the children’s story of the little red hen who wanted help baking the bread. No one was willing to help make the bread, but everyone wanted a piece. No one wants to help us with refereeing, but many are quick to criticize them. Look, I am fine with folks recognizing that reffing is not for them for whatever reason, but I am going to say flat out, if you have never reffed on a regular basis, you really don’t have any idea how hard it is to call a game, and so, please, adjust your attitude accordingly.
Because of the HSL’s need I myself for two seasons have taken on the referee role for our Saturday league, but I can’t say it has been a picnic. I take my role as a referee, as serious as I do a player. For those of you that know me, you know that means I give it everything I’ve got. But still I have players telling me I am not doing my job, not trying hard enough, and taking my calls against them as personal slander, – which REALLY hurts my feelings and makes me angry, not to mention the constant second guessing and wisecracks about my apparent ineptitude. But what makes me even madder is that all our refs are treated this way. For those of you who think you can do better - by all means prove it. I have a set of ref jerseys I will sell you cheap.
Folks, It’s just a game.
Perhaps the refs should give a running commentary pointing out all the mistakes players make out on the field. For some of our players, what about the fouls you commit, or the dive you took, that didn’t get called. Since you are so concerned with fairness, I am sure you are quick to ask that the foul you committed be called. No, I didn’t think so.
Do I and other refs get calls wrong? Of that there is no doubt. Let’s all agree right now, and any good ref will tell you, it is a given he will not get every call right. If we all accept this in advance, then there’s really no need to argue or dissent during the game, is there? Note I said "during" the game. By all means, talk in a courteous and respectful manner with an official at half time or after the game if you have a question about a rule or a ruling, or a concern.
Personally, I do not really enjoy reffing that much though I’ve really tried to, and I hold great admiration for most of our refs who do actually like it and take professional pride in their role. Refereeing can be mostly a thankless task, filled with minute to minute pressure to get every call right, and no matter the call, have to listen to players derogatory remarks. Yes, we refs can hear those comments over on the sidelines. Sunday I heard a bystander heckling one of our linesman, whom I know personally to be a bright, friendly conscientious young man, who I know always does his best. It was ugly behavior directed at good and gentle person trying to do his job.
Perhaps my skin is not thick enough for the job, I’ll admit it. And when I take my dark mood home to my family, then I have to admit that perhaps I need to give it up – and probably will after this season ends. My story is shared by other referees who don the striped shirt. They are human beings with feeling out there, trying their best. Without referees we have no league. Period. Dissent is like a virus, it is contagious, and it sickens the game. I can’t recall any arguing ever changing a call. But some players can’t resist showing their superior view of the game by letting the refs know they are wrong at every turn. For those players with that kind of attitude, I would love to see them have to ref a game, and to go a little further, with someone like themselves playing in the game.
Okay. With all that said, I understand the frustration of seeing a perceived wrong call. Been there many times. Here is where we, as adults, have to show maturity, keep a cool head and change our behavior. And I know there are many players in our league who do have a sensible attitude, and I really want to thank you for setting a positive example We have to understand it’s not personal. It’s just a game.
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