This was an issue all season long for me. As the line judge I tried to communicate my request to run the sideline politely, professionally, and persistently so I would not have to call a penalty but nothing seemed to work. A pinnacle was reached on a picture perfect Saturday pee wee game day. My first request to keep the sideline open was met with "Well, it's ok on Friday night." My second request was greeted with "Sorry, Sorry, I was having flashbacks." The offense moves the ball to the red zone. I hear this gentleman behind me yelling instruction to the offense. I turn around and say sir you are going to have to move inside the 25 yard line you can't stand here. He folds his arms and yells sarcastically to other coaches standing just a few yards next to him, "Yeah, you're gonna have to move inside the 25." I turn around again and he's still standing there peering on to the field. I throw a flag. He yells to me "Do you know who I am?" I am thinking I don't care if you're the President of the United States. Instead I say "Sir, I asked you nicely to move inside the 25 and you made a joke out of it." Found out later he was the Offensive Coordinator and "Get Back" coach for the High School. White Hat warned me to be careful who I flag. Then it happened. The HC is upset his team is getting man-handled. He is swearing at his kids. At one point he yokes up his 12 yr old LB and after getting in his face the LB returns to the field screaming like he's gonna kill someone. I guess it worked...just not an approved method. Well, there is a long pass play and I have to get on my horse. I weigh about 220 and the HC is muscular and about 230. As I begin to run I sink my hips (Thanks Coach) and dip my shoulder then BOOM I hit something....somebody. I follow the play and turn back to see the HC flying. He must have moved 10 yards. I am thinking did I do that? I flagged him and thought this guy is going to start screaming at me (again) and this time try to throw a punch. Amazingly, he accepts his medicine without complaint and shortly thereafter calls a time out with under 2 mins to go. During the time out, he asks can he talk to the White Hat. I say ok. Big mistake. He walks out to the White Hat who is holding a football during this timeout. I follow slightly behind him as I am jotting a note about time outs remaining. I hear him say why are you always calling penalties on us then I hear splat, splat. I look up and see the football flying. The Head Linesman yells that's assault. I look and the White Hat has no hat, his whistle is busted and his cheek is bright red. The White Hat ends the game immediately and the HC goes back to his sideline. As we're walking off several game administrators rush in asking for an explanation. We point out the HC and they move in. The HC is very apologetic and asks if he can say so to the White Hat. He is told that is not a good idea right now and we exit the stadium. The HC was kicked out of the league. Sidelines officials sometimes need a hard hat.
